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The Whirlwind of Planning QWOC Week 2011: Our Summer Intern’s Inside Scoop
Posted By Lina Torres on July 26th, 2011
As the QWOC+ Boston summer intern, the majority of my duties this summer have been related to the planning of this year’s purple pride extravaganza – QWOC Week! This has been a challenging and heartwarming journey. I have had the pleasure of working with a diverse and committed group of people. Each one of the volunteers and organizers welcomed me with open arms. As we approach the culmination of all our hard work, I am anxious to see the outcome unfold – to see this great community come together to connect and grow.
Just like in any grassroots work, the going is not always as smooth as one would like it to be…actually, it’s never as smooth as one would like it to be. During the brainstorming phase of planning, we had sheets filled with ideas for each day of QWOC Week and the best venues everyone could think of. However, as each planning meeting came and went our choices were often fewer and fewer. At times we were limited by high costs and a lack of communication from venues or collaborators, just to name a few obstacles. It is certainly frustrating to see amazing potential be limited due to lack of funding or support from other community organizations.
However, all of the challenges have been outweighed by the enthusiasm and hard work of a great team of volunteers. Most of these individuals have full time jobs and many other responsibilities. Yet, week after week they have happily attended our meetings and put their best effort into the project. Just when I would resign myself to the idea that something was simply not going to come together, one of our caring supporters would step in and save the day.
The most amazing aspect of this whole process has been the environment that QWOC + Boston creates. It is wonderful to sense the unanimous cheering and support when someone announces that they had the courage to come out to their family. No matter how long or draining, ending a meeting with news that someone will soon be marrying their beloved partner is exhilarating and provides a great deal of perspective. It is extremely rewarding to see new friends look forward to their first queer anything like a “kid at Christmas.” Ultimately, each one of us is working to reach out to queer people of color with the goal of creating more spaces like this one; to encourage personal connections that result in a strong commitment to support each other and to tackle the issues that affect the QWOC community.
As a college student, this experience has renewed my faith in the world outside of my world. I realized, for instance, that although everyone involved with QWOC + Boston has real world responsibilities and challenges, an organization like this one can still be strong and effect change.
So to those individuals that have been critical to the success of this process I say, Thank You! You bring comfort and hope to those, young or not so young, who are often afraid of and disappointed by the world.
To those of you who have the opportunity to attend QWOC Week, I invite you to enjoy the product of this labor of love.
Announcing…. QWOC WEEK 2011!
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 15th, 2011
(Note to Press: You can download the full content of this press release HERE + Fact Sheet + QWOC Week Flyer)
For Immediate Release:
Queer Women of Color Week Uses Art, Performance, and Dialogue to Address Segregation in Communities of Color
“QWOC Week is important because it’s the only event of its kind…It recognizes, cherishes, and celebrates my WHOLE identity.”
Boston, MA, July 18th — Join Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) for their 4th annual week-long pride festival, QWOC Week, taking place this year from Saturday July 30th – Saturday August 6th.
This year, QWOC Week, known for its eclectic back-to-back schedule of innovative art, discussion, and community-building events, is focused on increasing solidarity between LGBTQ communities of color by creating space for a myriad of affinity groups. A highly anticipated annual spoken-word and live music showcase, OUTSPOKEN — The BLACKOUT Edition, will feature an all-black lesbian performer lineup this year, including nationally reknowned black lesbian poet Letta Neely, and reigning local slam poet, Porscha (who will also be competing at the National Poetry Slam taking place in Cambridge the following week).
Founding Director, Spectra A. I. Asala says that whatever the theme, OUTSPOKEN always attracts all kinds of people who are eager to learn about issues impacting queer and transgender women of color in general. “The performers are unapologetically loud and proud, and it’s refreshing, especially since the experiences of LGBTQ people of color are often over-politicized as hot button “issues” or trivialized via “at-risk” statistics. OUTSPOKEN is an empowering celebration of who we are as LGBTQ people, but as women of color as well.”
The intentional focus on women is clear. QWOC Week’s opening panel, “Trans Women of Color Speak” hosted in collaboration with TransCEND and Mass Transgender Political Coalition, brings forth an important conversation about the role of transgender women of color in stonewall in light of their subsequent marginalization within the gay movement. The event encourages both queer and trans communities to work together towards creating safe spaces for transgender women of diverse cultural backgrounds.
But women aren’t the only affinity group being highlighted during the week. This year, QWOC+ Boston has teamed up with Mass. South Asian Lamba Association, Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (QAPA) and MAP for Health to address the lack of visibility of Asians/Asian-Americans within the broader LGBTQ community of color. “At my school, I’ve seen first hand how the queer Asian community is deliberately passed over and seen as ‘the other’, even when they are the most vocal in the LGBT POC community,” remarked Wellesley student organizer (and 2011 Point Foundation scholar), Erika Turner. Turner, who is also part of the planning committee for Family Day in the Park — an all-ages, youth- and family-friendly event in Stony Brook, JP, credits her commitment to creating supportive spaces for LGBT women of color to the positive experience interning with QWOC+ Boston in 2010. “QWOC Week is important because it’s the only event of its kind,” she says, “It has been the only Pride I’ve experienced that recognizes, cherishes, and celebrates my WHOLE identity.”
QWOC Week is being planned and executed entirely by a grassroots group of volunteers and dedicated community supporters. Collaborators include The Network/ La Red, an organization dedicated to ending partner abuse in LGBTQ communities, Black and Pink, a prison-abolitionist organization, The Bisexual Resource Center, and many others.
“All our events are open to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality, hence the wide range of collaborations,” says Asala, “Plus, they’re fun! There’s something for everyone, whether you’re new to Boston, artsy, political, love the outdoors etc. We want our friends, families, and allies to be part of this amazing week.” For more information about QWOC Week, including the full schedule, visit http://www.qwocboston.org/qwoc-week/ or the official registration page at qwocweek2011.eventbrite.com.
A limited number of spaces for press (and community leaders) to attend the closing reception on Saturday August 6th are available. Please send all inquiries to pride@qwocboston.org, or contact Spectra at 617.871.0431
——-
List of Collaborating Organizations
BlackandPink.org
Bisexual Resource Center (BRC) (Gold Sponsor)
Boston GLASS
Emerson College, Office Multicultural Student Affairs & GLBTQ Resources
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)
Mass. South Asian Lambda Association (MASALA)
Mass. Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC)
Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (QAPA)
Salacious Magazine
Suffolk University, Office of Diversity Services
Suffolk University, President’s Commission on the Status of LGBTQ Faculty, Staff and Students
Suffolk University, President’s Commission on the Status of AHANA Faculty, Staff, and Students
Power Lesbian Network (PLN)
Spectra Events
The Network / La Red (TNLR) (Platinum Sponsor)
Transgender Care and Education Needs Diversity (TransCEND)
***SURVIVOR KITS FOR THE NETWORK/LA RED
This year we are also holding a Survivor Drive for The Network/La Red, a wonderful organization dedicated to support services and addressing partner abuse in LGBTQ and polyamorous communities. Please consider contributing one of the items listed below.
Food Gift Cards (Shaws/Stop& Shop/Star)
CVS/Rite Aid Gift Cards
Charlie Cards with stored value
Movie Theater Passes
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Lotion (Small Bottles/Travel Size)
Reusable water bottles
Tote Bags
Umbrella
These items may be dropped off at the follow QWOC Week Events:
-7/31: A Discussion about Open Relationships & Polyamory
-8/3: Activism & Karaoke* – BRING AN ITEM TO DONATE & GET IN FOR FREE!
-8/6: Family & Youth Day at the Park
*We’re asking all guests to bring donations to gain entrance to this event (or pay a $10).
QWOC WEEK 2011 SCHEDULE
*Please check the OFFICIAL website/event page for any last minute changes
Website: http://www.qwocboston.org/qwoc-week
Ticketing: http://qwocweek2011.eventbrite.com/
NOTE: All events are open to the public (i.e. everyone) except where specified.
Saturday July 30th 2PM – 5PM
A Discussion about Open Relationships & Polyamory in Queer/Trans Communities of Color
In collaboration with The Network/La Red & The Bisexual Resource Center
Harvard Democracy Center | 25 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Facebook Event |
Sunday July 31st @ 3PM – 7PM
Old School Meets New School T-Dance
In collaboration w/ Spectra Events’ Power Lesbian Network and Boston Black Women’s Health Initiative
Redd’s | 4257 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131
Facebook Event
Monday August 1st @ 6 PM – 8:30 PM
Opening Panel – Trans Women of Color Speak
In collaboration with Transgender Care & Education Needs Diversity (TransCEND), Mass Trans Political Coalition (MTPC), and Suffolk University Offices of Diversity Services.
Suffolk University Law School (Sargent Hall Function Room) | 120 Tremont Street, 1st floor
Facebook Event |
Tuesday August 2nd @ 6 PM – 8 PM
Building Bridges: Queer Asian Experiences in LGBTQ Communities of Color
In collaboration with Mass. Area South Asian Lambda Association (MASALA), Queer Asian Pacific-Islander Alliance (QAPA) & MAP for Health
MIT Room 36-112 | STATA CENTER 32 Vassar Street Cambridge MA 02139
Facebook Event |
Wednesday August 3rd @ 6 PM – 9 PM
Activism & Karaoke: The International Edition
In collaboration with Black & Pink and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)
(Drop Off for Week-Long Survivor Kit Drive for The Network/La Red)
CLUB CAFE | 209 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA
Cost: Donated Items or $10
Facebook Event
Thursday August 4th @ 7 PM – 1 AM
OUTSPOKEN – The BLACKOUT Edition produced by Spectra Events
Queer & Trans People of Color Spoken- Word & Live Music Showcase
Co-sponsored by Salacious Magazine
OBERON | 2 Arrow Street Cambridge MA
Facebook Event | Tickets ($10 Online, $15 at the Door)
Friday August 5th @ 7 PM
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIVISM: QWOC Film Night
EMERSON COLLEGE | 150 Boylston Street (1st Floor), Boston MA 02116
Facebook Event |
Saturday August 6th @ 12 PM – 4 PM
Family Day at Stony Brook Park
Supporting Organizations: Boston GLASS and Greater Boston PFLAG
STONY BROOK PARK | Jamaica Plain, MA
Facebook Event |
Saturday August 6th @ 8 PM – 1 AM
QWOC Week Closing Ceremony and Dance Party
In collaboration with Spectra Events
The Midway Cafe | 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
Cost: $5-10 Online, $12 at the Door
Facebook Event | Tickets ($5-8 Online, $10-12 at the Door)
Call for LGBTQ Women of Color Performers for OUTSPOKEN: Spoken-Word & Live Music Showcase
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on June 15th, 2011
QWOC+ Boston and Spectra Events would like to invite local LGBTQI performers and spoken word artists of color to submit their profiles, bios, and experience for performance consideration at OUTSPOKEN, our annual queer people of color spoken word and performance showcase, which takes place this year on Wed August 3rd @ OBERON during our 4th Annual QWOC WEEK.Past performers at OUTSPOKEN include Letta Neely, Kit Yan, Zili Misik, Ignacio Rivera, Yalini Dream, London Bridgez, and Rajdulari Jazz Project!
Please submit any materials that will help us learn about your amazing work and we will reach out to you if we foresee an opportunity for you to perform/be involved this year.
Please Note: OUTSPOKEN is not a paid gig. This is an annual community event intended to raise awareness of issues pertaining to queer women and trans people of color, celebrate our diversity, and build community. SUBMIT YOUR PROFILE FOR CONSIDERATION HERE.
You will be asked to provide the following HERE:
- SUBJECT: Performer for OUTSPOKEN*
- Full Name + Stage Name (if applicable)
- Phone Number
- Link to online profile/website
- Some past performances
- Brief Bio or Summary of Work
- Please mention how you identify with or support the LGBTQ community of color
Live Music Bands Needed: We are also looking for one or two live music bands to book as entertainment for the evening.
MC Needed: Think you would make a great MC for the event? Please let us know by submitting the information above as well!
Collaborators Needed: We are interested in collaborating with local organizations or producers (of art, music, and theater events) to help make this event a success! If you’re interested in helping us prepare/plan OUTSPOKEN please feel free to reach out to us as well!
OUTSPOKEN Video Project
We have a very special video project this year that we’re also recruiting artists for. All artists that are invited to perform during OUTSPOKEN are eligible to participate. However, if we are unable to feature you during the live performances, we’re still very much interested in showcasing you during QWOC Week via a special video project we’re embarking on.
Again, if you have any questions, please email spectra AT spectra-events DOT com. We look forward to hearing from you!
STRUT Take Two: A Fundraiser for DREAMActivist.org
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on August 7th, 2010
We hope you all have enjoyed QWOC Week! Tonight, we celebrate!
MANTRA | 52 Temple Place, Boston MA
8PM-10PM Socializing
10PM-1AM Dance Party with DJ Rizzla
Here’s a message from one of the DREAMAct organizers about our event tonight. Please consider showing up to support this really important cause and QWOC Week organizers who’ve been working VERY hard for the past few months. This would mean a lot to all of us.
———————-
To the QWOC + Boston community:
As much as I wanted to be there this weekend and meet all of you – because I have heard you guys rock – I was unable to. Reason being that since May, a few of my friends and I have been working around the clock in order to pass the DREAM Act. For those of you that don’t know what that is, I’ll give as brief a summary as I possibly can.
The DREAM Act is a piece of legislation that has been around since 2001 and would address the legal limbo in which young people that were brought to the US as children by their parents; children that have grown up but are still undocumented. In light of no chance of passing comprehensive immigration reform, the youth movement has been focusing and putting pressure on our legislators for passage of the DREAM Act this year.
In May, my friends and I quit our jobs and left our families and went to Arizona where, on May 17th, we conducted a sit-in at Senator McCain’s office. It’s reported that this is the first ever, known, case of civil disobedience by undocumented people. It was at this sit in that four of us were arrested and consequently, three of us were put into deportation proceedings. Luckily, we were released from ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) but we are, like I mentioned, in deportation proceedings.
I know some people have called us young, naive, foolish and a myriad of other things but we remain grounded by the young people we work with. Young people that currently only find hope and reprieve in passage of this Act. We’ve managed to do get this far and to do all the work we’ve done because our communities have been more than generous with us. They understand that our youth are our future and that with their success, we all succeed.
The immigrant and LGBT struggles are not independent of each other. I believe we are tied in ways more intricate than we most people have yet discovered and, I find it imperative that we not forget that.
So, with that, I’d like to thank the wonderful people behind making QWOC week happen and also thank you for coming out to Saturday’s Strut: Take 2 event, which will have part of their proceeds going to our cause. Our movement – the work I and hundreds of other young people have been a part of – is completely undocumented, immigrant youth run. There are no large corporations, grants or foundations behind our work but still, we have been able to make tremendous strides. Thank you for your support.
One last thing, while I can speak/write about this til I’m blue in the face, I’d like for you to see for yourself the lengths young people have gone through for their lives and their futures (hopefully) in this country. Images of the July 20 student civil disobedience at the Senate Hart Building in Washington DC can be found here (http://www.citizenorange.com/orange/2010/07/dream-act-21—images-of-coura.html) and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52315725@N08/)
Again, thank you for supporting the work of such brave young people. Thank you for supporting my work and my community. Our community.
- Yahaira Carrillo
Activist and DREAMer
OUT OF THE BOX: Media and Literary Artists Studio
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 28th, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
In collaboration with Rising Voices Press, Queer Women of Color and Friends presents OUT OF THE BOX!
ZUMIX
260 Sumner Street
East Boston, MA
Co-hosted by Somos Latinos and Massachusetts South Asian Lambda Association (MASALA), featuring readings from Uriah Bell, Letta Neely, and Vivek Shraya, and a spectacular lineup of New Voices, with jazz/acoustic music accompaniment from ZUMIX youth.
This event will begin promptly at 6:00 PM
An evening gathering of literary artists of all kinds — poets, playwrights, songwriters, novelists, photographers, media artists, and more are invited to gather to support a diversity of voices and talent in music and the arts during our annual multicultural festival.
SPONSORED BY Rising Voices Press.
Hosted by Spectra Speaks and IDALIA Poetry.
ABOUT THE OUT OF THE BOX LITERARY ARTISTS
Vivek Shraya is a gay, South Asian writer and musician from Toronto, Canada, inspired by art and bent on re-energizing the voices of people of color, particularly queer, who are stifled by the belief that they do not exist or that their existence is of little import. He has produced five albums, his latest “Keys & Machines,” released last year. He will be reading from his latest literary work, “God Loves Hair,” is a children’s book featuring short stories that reflect on his experiences growing up as a queer person of color.
Letta Neely is a spoken word artist who has authored two books of poetry, “Juba” and “Here,” and was named “Best Local Author 2001″ by a Boston Phoenix reader’s poll. Twice a Lambda Literary Awards finalist for lesbian poetry, Letta frequents poetry readings around New England and is a regular slam poetry winner. She is an ardent civil rights activist who has done anti-homophobia training and educational outreach. Letta has also conducted writing workshops privately, in public schools, and at juvenile detention centers.
The Martinez Sisters Originally from San Antonio, TX, Marissa Martínez’s (left) poetry and prose has appeared in Rio Grande Review, Seattle Arts, Texas Observer, Bay Windows, Raven Chronicles, Americas Review, Rune and others, and the anthologies Is This Forever, Or What? Poems and Paintings of Texas and What Have You Lost? (both edited by Naomi Shihab Nye), and A Millennium Reflection: Seattle Poets and Photographers. She is a co-editor of and contributor to Caring for Ourselves: The Lesbian Health Book. She has been a featured poet at Bumbershoot (Seattle Arts), Seattle Poetry Festival, and King Co. Poetry on the Bus. A long-time member of Los Norteños, a group of Latino writers, artists, musicians, and performers in the Pacific Northwest, she now makes her home in the Boston area.
Priscilla Martínez (right) began her career as a dancer studying in San Antonio, Boston & New York, performing with various dance groups. While in New York, she added theatre to her stage experience. There she performed in musicals and straight plays as well as numerous national commercials, voice-overs and print ads. Her choreographic works Fragil and Signs of Life were both performed at Regional Dance America’s Southwest Festival and both received the Monticello Award for Emerging Choreography. Out of Chaos, also performed at Festival, received the Project Tier Award. She has attended several National Craft of Choreography Conferences to further her work in choreography. She mixes her love of dance into her love of creating jewelry where her jewel art, using movement and balance, elicits an emotional response and connection much like her choreography. Her jewelry can be seen in galleries across the country and on her website www.joyarte.com.
Visit Their Websites for a Sneak Peek!
Center Yourself at the Mind, Body, Soul Health Conference (2010 Schedule)
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 24th, 2010
Saturday, July 31st, 2010
10:00am – 5:00pm
Simmons College’s Kotzen Meeting Center (Lefavour Hall)
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA
About the Mini-Conference
The Mind, Body, & Soul Mini-Conference is yet another event that Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) has created to respond to voiced need of the local LGBT People of Color Community to have more frequent, crucial, round-table discussions – real talk – about the health of the marginalized groups within the mainstream queer community.
The organizers of the mini-conference believe that social networking and/or community-building are the necessary primary steps to take in addressing key socio-political health problems affecting LGBT people of color; breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, suicide prevention, and domestic violence awareness, to name a few. As such, the MIND, BODY, and SOUL Mini-Conference will seek to bring together
three various aspects of health – the mental, the physical, and the spiritual – via concurrent sessions presented by experienced community organizers, non-profit organizations, and health practitioners as a way to begin addressing these problems at the macro community level.
Thanks to the generosity of the Simmons Institute for Leadership and Change, The Network/La Red (Platinum Sponsor), and Fenway Health (Gold Sponsor) – the mini-conference will be held at Simmons College’s Kotzen Room (first floor of the library), and lunch/refreshments will be provided to attendees.
*This conference is OPEN TO ALL. Advanced registration/ticketing required. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
MINI-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (subject to change, view descriptions here)
Session A (11:00AM-12:o0PM)
- Intro to the Benefits of Meditation (Including a Live Meditation Session) Led by People of Color Meditation Sitting Group (Workshop)
- Introduction to Early Morning Yoga (Stretching, Breathing, Centering for Beginners) Led by Mary Thomas and Abby Coakley (Workshop)
Session B (12:15PM-1:30PM)
- Heal Yourself at Home: Natural Home Remedies 101 presented by Dillon DiGiovanni, Holistic Health Counselor of SavorYourExistence.com (Workshop)
- The Upside of Going Down: The Ins and Outs of Sex Toys, Safe Sex, and More! (Workshop)
– 30 Minute Break – Food, Refreshments, and Socializing –
Session C (2:00PM-3:30 PM)
- How to Build Healthy Communities: Intra-Community Organizing within LGBT/Queer Communities of Color Led by Justice Williams, Social Justice Institute (Workshop)
- How to Talk About Healthy Relationships within Queer and Trans Communities of Color presented by the Network/La Red (Workshop)
Close-Out Session D (3:45PM-5 PM)
- The Elephant in the Room: How Can We Talk about Mental Health in Communities of Color?
DOWNLOAD Session Descriptions for Printing | VIEW Session Descriptions Here
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Pre-registration is encouraged as there is limited capacity per session
- Register at http://qwocweek2010.eventbrite.com/
- Please remember that the first session commences at 11:00AM prompt, so we encourage people to arrive by no later than 10:30 AM
- Lunch and refreshments will be available during the conference
Brown Girls Burlesque STRUT through QWOC Week!
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 23rd, 2010
On Saturday, July 31st, 2010, QWOC+ Boston in collaboration with In the Streets Productions presents…
STRUT: Take One
EMERSON CABARET THEATER
80 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
Get Your Tickets NOW | RSVP and Share on Facebook
Featuring New York based headliners BROWN GIRLS BURLESQUE and a very sexy lineup of drag queens, kings, and burlesque performers. Warning: There will be pasties at this show! Peep Them
ABOUT BROWN GIRLS BURLESQUE
On October 12, 2007 over 250 packed into the Pussy Cat Lounge to witness the birth of the BGB experience to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix. With allurement, humor, and artistry this troupe of women representing Africa, Asia and the Americas is bringing to the stage theerotic and playful voice of Women of Color.
When something is this hot, fresh and authentic, people take notice. The BGB Lovelies have graced the pages of Bust Magazine, The Advocate, The Village Voice, and $pread Magazine. Features include a six-page editorial in TRACE’s Black Girls Rule issue and a video feature on NYPost.com entitled Burlesque in Color. With New York City in a glittered swoon Brown Girls Burlesque is poised to take it around the world.
ABOUT THE BGB PERFORMERS
Chicava HoneyChild, offers a sublime seduction through her tales. In Evil Beautiful Sunshine she lures you from the innocent into the dark side of hot then brings you back into the sun. Whatever Lola Wants merges the eloquence of Sara Vaughn with slick sexy Ibiza sounds and hot pink feathered fans. As
Black Betty you’ll wish she was your girlfriend, a naughty little black riding hood who rocks your asphalt.
ExHOTic Other Her work will have you laughing, crying and in awe. Puff the Magic Dragon is a sensual protest of stereotyped Asian femininity. Somewhere at the intersection of horror films and the NYC Halloween parade, Hipsters (are) Zombies examines the gentrification of NYC and its effects on the people and communities. Maneater, with Miss SOuthern COmfort, weaves a tale of an imperial hunter’s search for a wild thing, and in a hot battle it’s the wild thing that emerges victorious.
Honey Suckle Duvet Burlesque performer extraordinaire, is one of Boston’s rising Burlesque stars. With her successful “Burlesque for Better Body Image” workshops and numerous stage appearances, this award-winning Burlesque dynamo is not just a pretty face but an inspiration. Ms. Duvet holds a B.S. in Theatre, Dance, and Human Services. Her heart lies in using Burlesque to inspire and lead groups of women to gain confidence and release their inner siren. Honey won the 2009 Most Beautiful award at The Great Boston Burlesque exposition with a moving piece about accepting one’s body and loving yourself. This brought the audience to their feet and some to tears. She was a featured dancer in the runaway hit The Slutcracker a parody of the Nutcracker in 2008 and 2009. Always up for a challenge Honey started doing stand up comedy on the Naked Comedy Showcase.VIDEO SNEAK PEEK
OUTSPOKEN 2010: Queer People of Color Spoken-Word and Live Music Showcase
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 23rd, 2010
Tickets will be available at the door tonight!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
QWOC+ Boston in Collaboration with Spectra Events presents OUTSPOKEN 2010!
PRECINCT Live Music Bar (formerly, TOAST LOUNGE)
70 Union Square
Somerville, MA
Featuring Spoken Word Performances from Uriah Bell, London Bridgez, Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene, Nataly Garcia, and Kit Yan!
Live Music Performances from Bells Roar, Rajdulari Jazz Project, Zili Misik!
Doors at 7:00PM, Performances begin at 7:30PM
Do not miss the third installment of the highlight of last year’s QWOC Week! Performances will commence PROMPTLY at 7:30PM, and a Dance Party will follow with DJ Sun One.
ABOUT THE OUTSPOKEN ARTISTS
MC
Jhanea “Jha D” Williams is a spoken word artist, producer and MC. She is known for her story-telling style, aggressive, yet warm & welcoming presence, and her openness. Although she is willing to bless any ‘stage’ that will have her, most of her work has been within the LGBTQ community; she has been hosting LezbnsNPower’s bi-monthly open mics for almost a year. Jha D firmly believes in the power of verbal communication and has a plot to get Everyone (yes, even You!) on the ‘mic’.
SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS
London Bridgez builds creative bridges between spoken word and music. Her stage performance is interactive truly building a bridge between her words, the music and the audience. London is an artist and activist who uses her poetry to educate audiences on Aids, violence against women and Cancer.London is currently a member of the NYC-based Urbintel production company the producers of the “Word Out” performance troupe. WORD OUT is the first show of its kind a “poetical” stage production featuring the best gay and lesbian poets in New York. London will be performing in Word Out touring in 2010-2011.
Uriah Bell — Unapologetic, opinionated, outspoken, sometimes shy, black, gay and at times crazy — has accepted the sum of his whole to embrace and develop the writer within. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, an only child until age twelve, Uriah reached out to the power of prose to express himself
when words fell on deaf ears. Considered more of an outlet than an art, Uriah used the power of his words to express himself to family in times of conflict and dispute. Uriah’s first collection of poetry, “Mood Swings”, was published in 2008. Yet, determined to have sole creative control over his work, in 2009 Uriah founded his own publishing company Rising Voices Press under which his second collection of poetry entitled, ‘epiphany: poems in the key of love’ was published. He is currently working on a anthology of personal stories from people who are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
Kit Yan Recently Featured in the HBO Documentary Asians Aloud, Kit Yan tell stories through slam poetry from the lens of a transgender Asian American from Hawaii now lost in the big city of New York. Bitch magazine states that: “The eloquence of Kit’s spoken-word delivery lies in the anti-racist, anti-homophobic, gender-inclusive, language that ties his lyrics together.” Kit is a nationally ranking slam poet and the first ever Mr. Transman 2010. Check him out on Myspace, follow him on Twitter, and friend him on Facebook!
Nataly “SistaTellit” Garcia is a spoken-word artist and troupe member of Isis Storm based out of Providence, RI. She has been writing poetry for over two years and has recently been branching out into slam poetry. With her work she hopes to be a voice of strength for young women, to inspire them to use their talents and be unafraid to blossom. Her love for the arts, very much like her afro is too big to fit in a box… or this picture. When you hear the words of SistaTellit, you will know why Isis Storm, a affectionately gave her this nickname. Her honesty and fearlessness allow you to reflect and become an even better YOU after the show is all said and done.
Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene taurean mango-eating, Nigeria & syracuse, new york raised, part time vegetarian, hard core carnivore, b-girl-in-training, river-goddess-worshipping, raw corn on the cob eating, mac & cheese from scratch making, bottom of the pot licking, fierce fire breathing, fuschia-colored poem writing, no bra wearing, frohawk rockin, all night dancing, bright color lovin, never a lesbian, sometimes queer, always a dyke POET. A fiercely passionate Nigerian dyke, poet, dancer, essayist, playwright, actress & chef, she uses her poetry to chisel a verbal sculpture of her soul while addressing political issues. Fly has self-published three collections of poetry, released a CD and organized two independent, national poetry tours. she has melted microphones in over 25 US cities. “I taste like sugarcane, move like water, come from Naija, my kiss taste like forever.”
LIVE MUSIC
Bells Roar Sean’ Desiree’s music comes from her experiences with homophobia, sexism, racism, love, community organizing, and the list goes on. Bells’ Roar is a project dedicated to staying independent and speaking out against the social injustices affecting all people. The tone of the project is best described by the source of its name, feminist writer bell hooks. Sean organizes locally within the LGBTGNC communities of color through her work at the Audre Lorde Project, whose mission is keep our communities safe by exercising community accountability, rather than relying on police action.
Rajdulari Jazz Project The lead voice for so many of New England’s eclectic world, jazz and funk groups, Rajdulari hails from Boston and is a ten year veteran of the local performance scene. Her past performance credits include such venues as Jazz clubs Regattabar, Ryles, Scullers, along with many performances at the Emerson Majestic Theater, Saunders Theater, Boston’s Hynes Convention Center, The Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, Agassiz Theater, and The Mayor’s Summer Jazz Concert Series. As a lead vocalist, Rajdulari has performed as a member of the 8-piece, all female world music band, Zili Misik, (winners of the ROCKRGRL/Berklee All Female Battle of the Bands competition), with the David Zoffer Differential (alternative jazz fusion/prog rock, with Guy Mendilow & the Mendilusian Wine (voted Boston’s Best Music Act 2005) and currently with her own band, The Rajdulari Jazz Project. the former slam poet known as valerie.”
Copyright Anh Dao Kolbe
Zili Misik has been bridging cultures, generations, and continents for ten years. With captivating sounds that evoke the African continent, Zili retraces routes of forced exile and cultural resistance through diasporic rhythm and song. Powerful Haitian, Brazilian and West African rhythms infuse Zili’s original creations and traditional folksongs. Reconnecting Haitian mizik rasin, Jamaican roots reggae, AfroBrazilliam samba, Afro-Cuban son, and African American spirituals, blues, jazz and neo soul, Zili Misik honors its influences while creating a sound that is uniquely its own. All-female, zili takes its name from Haitian spiritual entity, “Ezili” who is envisaged as mother, lover, and warrior. Zili’s lyrics glide seamlessly from English to Kreyol to Portuguese to Spanish, spinning tales and visions of lives lived and yet to be.
Visit Their Websites for a Sneak Peek!
- Jhanea “Jha D” Williams
- London Bridgez
- Nataly Garcia
- Uriah Bell
- Kit Yan
- Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene
- Zili Misik
- Rajdulari Jazz Project
(Erika’s Blog) We’re Already Speaking Out; Time to Speak UP
Posted By Erika Turner on July 23rd, 2010
As is common for most college undergraduates, I recently had a brainstorming session on what I should do with my life, whereupon it came down to two possibilities: writing or real estate development. Two very different career paths – one of which happens to be potentially more lucrative and thus more practical than the other. (Can you guess which one?)
Then, I read Adaora’s blog, “To Hell With Mainstream Press Coverage: Women, People of Color, and Trans People Should Create and Control Their Own Media Stories.” (Long title, no?) And I thought to myself, “Well damn. Tell me how you really feel.”
It was written at the perfect time and really made me think about how I could contribute to the community by speaking for myself. (Note: Not speaking for the community – but myself as a member of many communities –queer, people of color, women, queer women of color.) As opposed to, say, people who are a part of none of the above.
But this post really isn’t about me – rather, it’s about us: all of us, as a community of people with unique stories to tell, whose voices are not being heard. And the reason why our voices aren’t being heard is because 1) many of us aren’t even speaking and 2) those of us who are speaking, aren’t speaking loudly enough (in the arenas that need to hear it).
Ah, and thus, we turn to QWOC WEEK. As a newcomer to QWOC+ Boston, I’m still learning about all of the components that go into the organization and the different ways in which we contribute to the community for which we’re named. QWOC WEEK, which is in less than two weeks, is the perfect embodiment of just that: arts, music, activism, performance – and most of all, the opportunity for us (thus, meaning you) to speak for ourselves.
One of our newest events is OUT OF THE BOX, a Media and Literary Artists Studio, in conjunction with Rising Voices Press and co-hosted by Somos Latinos and Massachusetts South Asian Lambda Association (MASALA). This studio is meant to feature artistic and literary work by queer people of color and will give guests the opportunity to meet with the creators of the content and provide feedback. The studio is an exciting venture for us, because, though we have always featured performance-based writing, we are exploring and presenting other ways in which people express themselves; many writers aren’t ‘performers’… so we’d like to give writers who ‘read’ their work, a chance to share their words with us during QWOC Week.
As a person who doesn’t feel like she has enough soul or rhythm to roll out a rhyme, I’m happy to see this event come into fruition. I excel only at stick figures, but the literary medium is my personal passion. It’s important that we also recognize the voices of those who do not speak verbally, but through pens and paper; paint and pastels.
Then, of course, many of you already know about OUTSPOKEN. This premiere spoken word and live music showcase produced annually by Spectra Events, is popular for many reasons, one of which is this: some people just seriously love spoken word.
I’ve mentioned the event to several of my friends who have fallen over themselves trying to find out when and where it is, just because spoken word is, quite frankly, the sh*t – if done right. It’s also popular however for the same reason it’s important – it gives people a way to speak their mind about important issues that affect them. It’s different than penning a blog post or ranting on Facebook, though those things can be pretty effective too. (At least I hope so, since I tend to both quite a bit.) It’s visual as well as auditory – it’s more than just the words that express the feeling. It’s how the person speaks, the rhythm of the phrase, the movement that manifests itself with the moment in which the words are being spoken.
The performances we feature each year at OUTSPOKEN are proof that the issues we speak of (whether love or politics, social issues or the everyday mundane) affect us wholly – physically, emotionally, spiritually. And you can hear it. And you can see it. And thus you, too, can feel it.
Unfortunately for many of my friends, OUTSPOKEN is located at a 21+ venue – thankfully, QWOC+ Boston’s got your back. As mentioned in the last post (QWOC WEEK: Activism Meets Diversity), we’re having a Youth Open Mic during Family Day at Stony Brook Park, co-sponsored Boston GLASS. As a queer youth myself, I stress the importance of this event because I know how hard it can be to swallow your fear and speak up. It doesn’t even have to be in reference to performance – we’re young. We think we know everything. Then people ask us what it is we know and we freeze. Panic. We become silent. Often times, it’s because the question “What do you know” can be patronizing; other times, it’s because we don’t even know if we can answer it.
However, it’s important that we do speak. For one thing, we have to start somewhere. For another, we must speak for ourselves, for the same reason that the queer community as a whole must speak for itself.
If you’re an adult and you’re wondering if Youth Open Mic is something you’d be interested in, consider the words of one of our QWOC+ Boston organizers, Ana:
“Youth find ways to speak out, they find ways to create platforms for themselves. So it is not so much that we (adults or QWOC+) give them a platform/venue but that we give them our attention. They will know coming into our space that we appreciate, acknowledge and support their voices and will encourage them to continue being innovators and leaders. And it is important that they speak for themselves because it is their experience that needs to be articulated, not our perception of their experience, along with the solutions to the inequalities they face as a marginalized group.”
And thus we come to the “and friends” of our name. OUTSPOKEN, Youth Open Mic, and OUT OF THE BOX are all platforms for queer people of color to speak. It goes without saying that, generally, we are not given this opportunity every day; these outlets of self-expression were created for just that reason. Therefore, we don’t have specific events for allies to speak at. However, the love and support of our allies is, always, extremely appreciated. Their attention and recognition is one of the things that gives us courage to speak up, that lets us know that people are listening. We encourage their continued support and attendance during QWOC WEEK.
These three events reach out to the diverse talents of queer people of color – but you don’t have to be a performer, writer, or artist to contribute something. In regards to QWOC WEEK events, even showing up counts. Sharing what you’ve seen and heard is almost as important as the performance or piece itself. Either way, you’re increasing visibility and you’re doing something. And that’s all that matters. There’s a voice in action too.
So, then – review the dates below:
OUT OF THE BOX: Media and Literary Artists Studio
Monday August 2nd @ 6PM-9PM
OUTSPOKEN: Queer People of Color Spoken Word and Performance Showcase
Thursday August 5th @ 7PM-10PM
Family Day at Stony Brook Park Featuring Youth Open Mic
Saturday August 7th @ NOON-4PM
We’ve got two weeks; I can’t wait to see you.
QWOC Week: Activism Meets Diversity
Posted By QWOC+ Boston on July 13th, 2010
In approximately three weeks, Queer Women of Color and Friends (QWOC+ Boston) will be hosting one of the most diverse festival celebrations in the city – QWOC WEEK 2010.
Our “3rd Annual Multicultural Pride Celebration” kicks off on July 31st with Feminist Friday at Caprice Lounge, a social networking event for feminists, womanists, and those who love them, and ends on August 8th with an appreciation brunch for QWOC WEEK’s organizers, volunteers, and collaborators.
Many of you must be wondering, what is QWOC WEEK about, anyway? A handful of you must be going, duuh, it’s a week full of fun activities for queer women of color and allies. Sure, but is that all it is?
When founder and organizer of QWOC+ Boston, Adaora, decided to produce QWOC WEEK in 2007, she did so after noticing that Boston’s queer women of color community remained, for the most part, invisible within the larger, male/white-dominated gay community, and as a direct result, pride celebrations as well — even ones that celebrated people of color.
In Adaora’s words, “QWOC Week is QWOC+ Boston’s take on what a pride week (for LGBTQ people of color) should look like; a variety of art, music, discussion, and social events that appeal to all kinds of people — older, younger, partnered, single, people of color, immigrants of different cultures, the politicians and activists among us, artists and educators, feminists, transpeople — all of us.”
However, the recipe for producing the ideal QWOC WEEK hasn’t yet fallen from the sky; QWOC Week organizers have spent the last three years tweaking (and adding to) an important list of criteria which they use to create the draft calendar; there’s always plenty of social networking and community-building (both of which are at the core of our mission), so other stipulations include having as many all-ages events as possible, facilitating a “Diversity Speaks” discussion, hosting a family-friendly/outdoor event, presenting either a visual art exhibit or film screening, and incorporating a community/direct service component into the week.
Diversity and Activism
This year, inspired by the politically-heavy nationwide Harvey Milk Week, we’ve decided to work with collaborators who exemplify different kinds of activism — health, youth development, arts and music, support groups etc — such as Fenway Women’s Health, Boston GLASS, and Queer Asian Pacific-Islander Alliance, to name a few. This is because the lead organizer believes that “Diversity is about more than just people’s backgrounds. It’s about what issues we care about, and being aware of the different ways people give back to their communities.”
For example, we are hosting an event entitled “Activism and Karaoke: Sign Before Your Sing!“ This event takes place on Wednesday, August 4th at Club Cafe. Activism and Karaoke may be two things which seemingly have nothing to do with each other, except that both involve a little courage, putting yourself out there, and sign-up sheets! BlackandPink.Org a website that creates awareness around prison abolitionist 
issues and promotes advocacy for our oft-forgotten LGBTQ community members in prison, will be helping us host this letter-writing drive to folks who have no support system behind bars, and signing peeps up to be pen pals if they’re up for it. We’re super excited to finally see this event come to fruition (it’s been in the works since Harvey Milk Week in May!) We’re also really excited to co-host this event with Men of Color Creating Change, a social networking group for gay men of color and allies in the area, whose members will be present to make sure new connections are made, and — no doubt — will lead us “altogether now” in karaoke-song at least once during the evening.
On Saturday, August 7th, we’ll be hosting our first Youth Open Mic in Stony Brook Park, as part of a collaboration with Boston GLASS, an outreach and support group to LGBTQ youth aged 13 to 25. Incidentally, last year, an MIT student who attended OUTSPOKEN — our queer people of color spoken-word and live music showcase — remarked to an organizer that the experience had “changed her life.” So when Precinct (this year’s 21+ venue for OUTSPOKEN) reiterated that it could not admit youth to the event, QWOC+ Boston pitched the idea to Boston GLASS of creating an entirely separate event (in alignment with the lgbt youth writing contest) geared towards the younger generation. Thus, as we enjoy the outdoors, sports, food, and pickup sports games, we’ll also be given the opportunity to hear a few brave, “outspoken” youth stand up and speak for themselves.
Stand Up for Kids
In addition to providing various platforms for young people to speak their minds — the writing contest, open mic at stony brook, even our intern’s weekly blog — we’d like to provide for others who aren’t as fortunate; many young people are without a lot more than just a place to speak and be heard; many young people are without a place to sleep, clothes to wear, or food to eat; many of our youth are homeless.
In response to this, we’re partnering with Kappa Psi Kappa Fraternity (KPK) to run a clothing and survivor supply drive for Stand Up for Kids, an organization well-known on the west coast for providing support to homeless youth, and who recently opened up an office in Boston.
Says Elijah Dear, the North Atlantic Regional Director of KPK, “[QWOC+ Boston] has been a wonderful role model, and resource for the LGBT community… Assisting with this charitable drive was an opportunity for myself, and my chapter to work alongside QWOC+ and be a part of QWOC week.” In case you didn’t know, KPK is an organization comprised of gentlemen who believe that irrespective of background, “[men] can come together and change not only [their] community, but the world.”
As part of the QWOC Week Clothing and Supply Drive, we will be collecting (newly packaged) underwear and tube socks. Elijah asserts that Stand Up for Kids is “one of a select few youth organizations extremely dedicated and connected to its mission of assisting at-risk kids – especially in Massachusetts,” which was enough for the QWOC Week organizers to get on board and work with KPK on this project. While many of us are familiar (and have participated in) clothing drives, this seemingly simple initiative is unique in that it aims to bring attention to something which is often overlooked (our M.O.). It’s easy to forget that underwear and socks, are just as important – if not more important — than pants and shirts. You might wear the same pair of jeans three days in a row – but what about your underwear?
The drop-off days for the clothing drive are:
- Sunday August 1st (Old School Meets New School T-Dance)
- Monday August 2nd (Out of the Box: Media and Literary Artists Studio)
- Wednesday August 4th (Activism and Karaoke: Sign Before You Sing!)*
- Saturday August 7th (Family Day at Stony Brook Park featuring Youth Open Mic)
*As you can see, donations will be accepted at multiple events all week, but we are dedicating the Activism and Karaoke event specifically to this cause – rather than pay us an admission/door fee to attend, we’re asking all guests to purchase/bring newly packaged underwear and socks to gain entrance.
QWOC+ Boston hopes to make a big difference this summer, and we’re pretty confident that our partnerships with organizations like BlackandPink.Org, Kappa Psi Kappa, Stand-Up for kids, and more will aid us in our efforts. As Elijah says, “activism begins with understanding the needs of the community, and acting on those needs,” and QWOC WEEK’s mission is to respond to as many of those needs as possible.
“QWOC WEEK itself is a direct-service event…,” says Adaora, “the week brings people together, creates awareness across issues that are relevant to queer/LGBT women of color; it includes our allies and supporters, and as a direct result, we are stronger and more unified as a community. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.”
So, when you’re out there enjoying yourself at QWOC WEEK, whether it’s playing Frisbee at Family Day in Stony Brook Park, listening to a queer youth speak up at the Open Mic, listening to your sister sing at Karaoke while letter-writing at Activism and Karaoke, or ‘checking yourself’ during what’s sure to be a thought-provoking QWOC Film Night — just remember that you’re doing something good, you are part of this movement, your voice and participation are equally as important as the platforms we’ll be providing to contribute them.
QWOC week is for everyone. And like Adaora says, “Even if you don’t call yourself an ‘activist’, you’ll feel good about participating, being included. That’s the most important part.”
