Olympia, Washington, has embraced its inner rebel girl by officially declaring August 23rd as Bikini Kill Day.
The announcement comes ahead of the iconic riot grrrl act’s headlining performance at this year’s South Sound Block Party. To make the most of Bikini Kill Day and to honor the band’s lasting influence, Olympia will host a ceremony featuring the mayor, city officials, and Bikini Kill themselves. The event will be streamed on South Sound Block Party’s Instagram page on August 23rd.
“Bikini Kill’s music and activism have inspired countless individuals to challenge gender norms, speak out against injustice, and create spaces for underrepresented voices in the music industry and beyond,” read the proclamation.
Notably, the proclamation also recognized that the city did not fully appreciate Bikini Kill’s music and ethos in their early years, nor did it sufficiently acknowledge the cultural impact of riot grrrl as a whole. Read the full proclamation below.
Bikini Kill recently made their television debut with a performance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. They are also in the midst of their 2024 tour; pick up tickets to one of the upcoming dates here. For more Bikini Kill, check out Kathleen Hanna’s recently-published memoir Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk.