About Us
Our Mission
Fourth Wave Fest is an all-day indoor music festival in Monmouth County, New Jersey that is entirely comprised of women and allied performers, volunteers, and organizers. Created with women’s empowerment in mind, Fourth Wave Fest aims to raise the voices of women musicians to help their community, and themselves in the process. Fourth Wave Fest has partnered with 180 Turning Lives Around to help the domestic and sexual violence survivors in Monmouth County. All profits from this event will be donated to 180.
Our Story
A couple of years ago, a New Jersey based musician named Carlotta Schmidt learned about Lilith Fair, a women’s music festival started by Sarah McLachlan that took place in the late 1990s. She was fascinated by it all: the camaraderie and collaboration between the bands, the music, and the whole idea of a women-led music festival. She started to dream about having a Lilith Fair of her own. After learning about other women's music events (namely Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend), gigging more in her local New Jersey music scene (mostly with some seriously talented and kind men), and dealing with sexism from a few not so nice musicians, she decided once and for all to have her own Lilith Fair.
Enter Fourth Wave Fest.
Carlotta and her manager, Heather Bedenko, started to put it all together. With their can-do attitudes by their sides (along with the help of their family and friends), they organized the event that we now all know as Fourth Wave Fest.
About The Name
The name Fourth Wave Fest comes from the eras of feminism. We are currently in the fourth era (or “wave”). This fourth wave of feminism is all about combating rape culture and sexual violence and spreading awareness through social media.
About 180 Turning Lives Around
“180 Turning Lives Around empowers survivors and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to find the courage and strength to turn their lives around.”
To learn more or to get help, visit their website here.
Meet The Team
Carlotta Schmidt:
Creator, Co-Organizer, and Social Media Manager:
Carlotta Schmidt is a singer/guitar player/songwriter from Monmouth County, New Jersey. She released her debut, self-titled album in April 2023, which has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Carlotta has opened for many acts, big and small, including Grammy nominated jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. She is very passionate about music and women’s causes.
Heather Bedenko:
Co-Organizer:
Heather Bedenko is a retired attorney. She is currently the manager of Carlotta Schmidt. Heather witnessed the harm of domestic violence in her clinical work as a law student and in her personal life through the lens of friends and loved ones. Heather fiercely wants to support the survivors of domestic and sexual violence in her community.