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The Girly Organist created by Dr Rebekah Okpoti is set to make a stylish appearance in Preston for Lancashire Fringe Festival.
Known for her big frocks and big hair, Rebekah aims to inspire others who identify as traditionally feminine to take up the pipe organ – an instrument she describes as ‘manly’.
Speaking to Blog Preston about how the project began in 2021, Rebekah said: “I’m a mixed heritage female in the organ world in the North of England. When I looked around, there was no one showing what it’s like to be a hyper-feminine, mixed, and northern female organist in the UK, so I started The Girly Organist as a pet project.”
She continued: “It’s all about creating and occupying a feminine space in the organ world. The aim is to inspire others who are trad feminine in their own way to take up the pipe organ. I do it with big frocks, big hair, and flower crowns.”
Rebekah has roots in the Preston area. Her family hails from Penwortham, and her great-grandfather served in Lancashire Police in Preston. She performed as a runner-up in the last Preston Guild Young Musician competition at the Guild Hall and completed both her MA and PhD at UCLan.
Her upcoming show, Her Hair, mixes an organ recital with video installation and live dance performance by Emily Davies. It’s a unique new commission as part of Lancashire Fringe Festival.
The show will be performed at Central Methodist Church – a venue with a family connection.
“I am a girly with big curly hair, and Her Hair is the ongoing societal story about how we change our hair to fit in or stand out,” explained Rebekah.
“I’m really excited to play somewhere my grandad performed in his youth. In many ways, it’s easier to play in another city, but there is something special about playing in your hometown, and I think it has come at a pivotal moment.”
Rebekah’s career spans locations across the North. From working as an associate organist at Leeds Cathedral to premiering her first chamber opera in Liverpool, she is now the Director of Music at Lancaster Priory.
“Her Hair is for Preston, my hometown,” she added. “I hope the show inspires others to be their full self – feminine, flowery, and fantastic while making music on this ‘manly’ instrument.”
The Girly Organist: Her Hair is on at Central Methodist Church on Saturday 5 October at 5.30pm as part of Lancashire Fringe Festival. All festival shows are free, with an optional Pay What You Decide donation bucket available.
You can find out more about Rebekah’s work on Instagram @thegirlyorganist, where she posts behind the scenes content about the creative process of bringing the show together.
For more information about the show and the festival, visit the Enjoy the Show website.
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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
