March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers
Celebrating Mythology March with Spare Ribs Club
March ushers in the promise of renewal after the cocoon winter. As the sun begins to linger longer in the sky, and blossom settles on trees, we are finally reunited with the warmer period of the calendar year. The weather is changeable. I’m always reminded of Mary Poppins around this time of year; she arrives in the spring, in a whirlwind of cherry blossom petals, and leaves in warmer weather when the wind has changed. (Here’s an article exploring why Mary Poppins is Disney’s accidental feminist film).
Childhood cinematic obsession aside, March was a busy month for the club. Fittingly so, as it was Women’s History Month. We started off with our very first ticketed event, a Poetry Writing Session in collaboration with Bristol and London-based arts collective Umbra Creatives. A fantastic evening, we worked together to create poetry through the lens of intersectional feminism. Starting with free writing to warm up, we then used a range of intersectional feminist sources, from poems to artworks, then crafting our own collaborative poems.
Up for Discussion: Circe by Madeleine Miller
This month, our meetings revolved around mythology. In collaboration with the wonderful
, we co-hosted two meetings exploring Madeleine Miller’s Circe. On a candlelit, pine-scented evening, with vines of ivy and Aphrodite statues adorning the table, 16 members embarked on an odyssey into the world of Circe. Starting with a pop-up shop and gift bags for the members full of trinkets, we moved swiftly on to a delicious Ancient Greek-inspired feast.The table groaned under the weight of the spread. An array of dips accompanied by pita breads; whipped feta with figs, pistachio and honey, tzatziki, olive tapenade and melitzanosalata (garlicky aubergine dip). Then, tomato and feta orzo, honey-caramelised halloumi, spanakorizo (spinach rice), spanakopita, dolomades, a caprese salad and fasolakia (potatoes & green beans). Washed down with drinks kindly provided by Cosi, we were on Mount Olympus. We finished with a fabulous lineup of puddings; melopita (honey cheesecake), bougatsa (baked filo & custard) and honey cookies.
Cosi started the discussion by contextualising the story of circe, giving a reading of homer’s original text. A varied and stimulating discussion followed, exploring Circe’s relationship with other female characters, her sexuality, representations of femininity and magic, the depictions of assault throughout the book, and the femme fatale trope. We discussed the representation of patriarchal power in Greek mythology, and its relevance to us now as modern feminists. Cosi’s boundless knowledge was hugely helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of this fantastic book. It was a gorgeous evening.
The following week, our second meeting slightly postponed due to a tube strike, we spent yet another spectacular evening in Circe’s world. Again, another group of members (mostly new this time) made their way to feast and discuss Circe, gift bags included.
The table, decorated with linens and spring flowers, was laden with a delicious spread. Mezze and dips platters, pita, tzatziki, taramasalata, whipped feta with veggie souvlaki, moussaka, feta pies, spanakopita and honey-caramelised potatoes were piled high onto plates. Then, a selection of delish desserts; pomegranate baked cheesecake, ambrosia and baklava.
“Humbling women seems to me a chief pastime of poets. As if there can be no story unless we crawl and weep.”
Content and full, we started with a recording from Cosi, who unfortunately couldn’t make this rescheduled meeting in person. Like the week before, she framed Circe within the context of Homer’s original text, prompting us to unpick this representation and recontextualise it within Miller’s retelling.
Our discussion was riveting; focusing on tropes of sexuality and femininity, the arguments for and against including graphic assault scenes in literature, the redemption arcs of various characters, and how this retelling helps to dismantle the patriarchy in a more radical way than we may think.
Very excitingly, our club went global this month, with its first satellite meeting held in Milan by members Anna and Giorgia. They read Circe and spent a day together discussing it. Read below some lovely words written by Anna:
“Under the first Spring sun in Milan, Giorgia and I had our little March meeting having lunch in a Middle Eastern vegan restaurant, and then walking around the city.
As someone who grew up reading mythology tales, we particularly appreciated the new perspective Miller offered, with Circe’s voice taking the center stage and reclaiming her own story.
Our conversation centered around female rage and the struggle against the established order, motherhood, loneliness and defiance. In fact, first of all Circe taught us the importance of self-reliance, and that the sufferance it takes to earn it is worth it. But most importantly, she reminded us that the essence of beauty lies in its finiteness. In Aeschylus’ tragedy “Prometheus bound”, the titan calls humans “ἐφήμεροι”, “creatures of a single day”: as temporally determined beings, we shall learn to see death not as misery, but as the source of the nobility of our nature.
Of this book we’ll carry with us the boldness of disobedience, the sharpness of wisdom, the tenderness found in finally healing.
Spare Ribs Club’s Italian satellite group started small, but every tree is born as a seed.”
Other News and Announcements
We have launched a podcast, A Seat At The Table! Each episode will consist of me interviewing a guest (member or otherwise), who will take us through their perfect feminist dinner party. First episode coming soon! If you’d like to take part, let me know.
We have received seed funding! I’m unable to give specific details, but it’s very exciting.
Tote bags are available to buy and are selling fast.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
April
6th April | Spit & Sawdust SE1 - Life Drawing with @fatmeglifemodel SOLD OUT
11th and 13th April | Meetings discussing Supper Club by Lara Williams SOLD OUT
20th April | Bow Quarter E3 - Supper Club xLouella’s Kitchen SOLD OUT
23rd April | Whitechapel Gallery E1 - trip to see two feminist exhibitions
May
23rd May | Spit & Sawdust SE1 - Smutty Letters with @revoltingrosy, an event exploring the lost art of smutty love letter writing. Tickets available soon
Dates & May book TBC
If you’d like to collaborate or co-host an event, let me know!