The Ire | photo by John Vettese for WXPN

#Blkgrlswurld will bring its inaugural Punk Fest & Zine Fair at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Contemporary Art next month. Kicking off with a panel discussion on Friday, September 27, the event continues through Saturday the 28th with live music and exhibitions from East Coast visual artists and printmakers all afternoon.

#Blkgrlswurld, a NYC based small-press publisher, “celebrates and documents women of color who participate in heavy music genres like Metalcore, Hardcore, Punk, and Black Metal.”  Sisters Christina and Courtney Long have run the press since 2014. Courtney will moderate the Friday evening panel, which includes six guest speakers who will discuss their personal journeys as people of color in underground music. Panelists will include music journalist and author Laina Dawes, Philly-based live music organizer Scout Eleana, founder of the Free Black Women’s Library Ola Ronke, and more.

Saturday’s music lineup includes Philly goth-punk band The Ire, and NYC-based bands Husbandry, Material Support, Sub Space, and Frida Kill. The Punk Fest & Zine Fair was made possible by a visiting artists grant from The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages. Find more information at blkgrlswurld.com.