CHICAGO — Ellie Goulding, Kali Uchis, Kim Petras, Liz Phair and Monica will be among the acts to perform at the inaugural Versa, a festival featuring music, comedians and more produced by new production company Four Leaf Productions. Dubbed as “the biggest women-led and women-powered” festival, Versa will take place at Lincoln Park’s South Fields on June 11-12.
Additional notable acts include Chicago’s own Jamila Woods, rapper Young M.A., bounce artist Big Freedia, Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!, R&B songstress Yuna and country singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress.
When selecting performers, senior marketing director Vanessa Buenger said every artist was chosen with intention. “The word diversity meant more to us than just ethnicity or gender expression,” Buenger said. “It really meant, where are you on your journey? And how can we help you get to the destination you’re seeking to reach?”
Guests at this year’s festival can expect a mix of established and emerging artists in the lineup. Other musical performers include Mon Laferte, Yendry, Deb Never, Madame Gandhi, Lila Ike, Adeline, Salem Ilese, Vagabon, Coco & Breezy, Lillie Mae and Tia Wood, with more to be announced. A Versa ball, inspired by ballroom culture, will be a moment of “joy and celebration,” for festivalgoers to celebrate the “multifacetedness and multidimensionality of women, queer people and people across the gender spectrum,” Buenger said.
But music is not the only draw to the festival. The event will also feature a who’s who lineup of leading comedians, including superstar Chelsea Handler, Ilana Glazer of beloved comedy series “Broad City,” Patti Harrison, Fortune Feimster, Aida Rodriguez, Dulce Sloan and Sydnee Washington.
“Comedy was important to us because it’s another creative industry where women are still underrepresented,” Buenger added. “I know that women are underpaid here, but women are hilarious and we are so excited to have a stage where women are going to have you just laughing your face off all weekend long.”
Audience members who want a break from the stages can sample dishes curated by “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons in the Versa Chef lineup. They can also attend the speaker programming led by Dyllan McGee, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and a Versa executive producer. The speaker programming will include two stages of thought leaders across a variety of mediums, from entertainment and sports to social action and entrepreneurship. Headliners include Gloria Steinem and artist and LGBTQ activist Alok Vaid-Menon; a full lineup of speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The core of what we wanted this to be was to reflect the multidimensionality and the multifacetedness of women, to really have all women and people be seen through this experience,” added Buenger. “We’re here to make every woman feel seen no matter where she is on her journey, no matter how she expresses her gender. Versa at its core is our chance to do things differently.”
Versa will be June 11-12 at Lincoln Park South Fields, 1650 N. Stockton Drive. Two-day general admission tickets begin at $215 and are now on sale. Two-day Extra tickets include access to a private, shaded lounge with extra seating and air-conditioned restrooms, among other amenities. The two-day VIP ticket level includes a VIP entrance to the festival, a private lounge with food and beverage options, and a dedicated VIP viewing section of the Versa main stage, among other amenities. Layaway plans are available beginning at $19.99; versafestival.com
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