Six-Year, Free, Celebration of Women, Live Music, Local Businesses, and Giving Back Moves to One of the Region’s Premier Music Venues on August 30
After five years of bringing women, music, local businesses, and community together, SHE Fest is taking its celebration to a bigger stage. The Sixth Annual SHE — Women’s Empowerment Music & Vendor Festival will make its Ardmore Music Hall debut on Sunday, August 30 from 4 PM to 8 PM, bringing its signature combination of live music, women-owned businesses, community connection, and charitable giving to one of the Main Line’s premier music venues.
Founded in 2020 on the 10×10 stage at Vinyl Closet Records/Coffee Closet in Norristown, PA by co-owner Angela McFarland, SHE Fest has grown from a grassroots community event into an annual celebration of the women who make the local music and business communities thrive.
This year’s move to Ardmore Music Hall marks a new chapter for the festival, while keeping the heart of SHE Fest exactly where it has always been: celebrating strong women, supporting local businesses, bringing people together through music and giving back to the community.
The August 30 lineup will feature Kat Rivers & Second Sight, The Ladies of SHE backed by the Vinyl Closet Band, and the Sharon Lia Band, along with 13 female-owned businesses, raffles, a 50/50 fundraiser, and opportunities to support local nonprofit organizations.
“Six years ago, SHE Fest started as a small idea on a little stage in Norristown,” said McFarland. “It has grown into an incredible celebration of women, music, local businesses, and community. Most importantly, it gives us an opportunity to come together and give back to organizations doing important work right here in our area.”
A Celebration of Women in Music
The festival will open with Kat Rivers & Second Sight, followed by the return of the Ladies of SHE, an all-female lineup of local musicians performing songs from the 1960s with backing from the Vinyl Closet Band.
The Vinyl Closet Band is a powerhouse ensemble featuring some of the region’s most sought-after musicians:
- Michael Natalini, drummer and band leader — Romeo Delight/Nat Attack, formerly of Teeze, Roughhouse and The Trammps
- Russ Montalbano, bass — Soundwave
- Michael Yasich, keyboards — formerly of The Hot Sauce Junkies
- Charles Montalbano, lead and rhythm guitar — Monty
- Michael Duva, lead and rhythm guitar — Gruv Tyme/Acoustic Solo
The Ladies of SHE feature musicians representing a wide range of local bands and musical projects, including Maple Maloney, Ashley Grey, Peggy Becker-Dellisanti, Cory Remolde Despirito, Cecelia Montalbano, Kristen Conrad, Reenie Stanko, Colette Dietsch, Mikayla Montalbano, Ava Difiore and Lynn Amelio.
Serving as master of ceremonies will be Freddie Geller of Nat Attack and Dog Bite Money.
The Sharon Lia Band will close the festival. Sharon Lia is also the founder of Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause, continuing the event’s tradition of combining live music with charitable giving.
Shop Local. Support Women-Owned Businesses.
Music is not the only part of SHE Fest. The festival will also feature 13 female-owned businesses in the vendor area, offering guests the opportunity to shop for everything from apparel and home goods to makeup and flash tattoos.
The event will also feature raffle baskets, a 50/50 fundraiser, opportunities to make monetary donations, and the ability for attendees to bring needed supply donations to support the event’s charitable partners.
Giving Back to the Community
This year’s SHE Fest will support local nonprofit organizations including Jake’s Barista’s, Sloane’s Roses, and Living Life and Loving It, continuing the festival’s longstanding commitment to giving back to organizations making a difference in the community.
Jake’s Barista’s is a non-profit program working to assist the teen and adult special needs population with vocational, social and customer service skills as well as an in-depth Interview readiness program, all while modeling the importance of philanthropy through different charity partnerships. To learn more visit https://www.jakesbaristas.com.
Sloane’s Roses is a non-profit dedicated to providing financial assistance and other resources to families in need that have suffered a child-related tragedy resulting in death or serious injury. To learn more visit https://www.sloanesroses.org.
Living Life and Loving It is a group dedicated to supporting the life of Lori Fucci and all who have been touched by Cancer. It is a positive forum to support individuals and families with their journeys through Cancer detection, prevention, treatment, and research. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1757983984425726/about
“From the beginning, SHE Fest has been about more than putting on a great show,” said McFarland. “It’s about creating a space where women can share their talents, local businesses can connect with customers, the community can come together, and everyone can make a difference.”
EVENT DETAILS
What: Sixth Annual SHE — Women’s Empowerment Music & Vendor Festival
When: Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 4–8 p.m.
Where: The Ardmore Music Hall (23 E Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003)
Music: Kat Rivers & Second Sight; The Ladies of SHE backed by the Vinyl Closet Band; Sharon Lia Band
Featuring: 13 female-owned businesses, raffles, 50/50 and charitable giving opportunities
Charity Partners: Jake’s Barista’s, Sloane’s Roses, and Living Life and Loving It
The event is free. To upgrade to seats, visit SHE Fest Tickets.
For additional event information, vendor details and updates, visit the SHE Fest Facebook event page or follow @baristajake and @vinylclosetrecords on Instagram.
About SHE Fest
SHE Fest was founded in 2020 at Vinyl Closet Records/Coffee Closet in Norristown, PA, as a grassroots live music and vendor fundraising festival celebrating female musicians, women-owned businesses and community. Now in its sixth year, SHE Fest continues to bring people together through music, shopping, connection and charitable giving — proving that when women support women, the whole community benefits.
