Colorado has recently lost its one and only brick and mortar lesbian community space, Blush and Blu (https://www.blushblu.com/) (see 2021 documentary, The Lesbian Bar Project https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/ . Having come out in my late twenties after moving to San Francisco, I have struggled these last four years in Denver to acclimate once again to the new weathers and spaces and peoples, and yet I know how powerful creativity in community can be. There are plenty of great folks in this city, but I've struggled to find the same kind of opportunities for intentional connection and healthy communion. It has been my joy and privilege to experience the talents of my community between these two cities, and at California College of the Arts. It is be my dream to bring some of that magic to my new city.
Furthermore, our queer community could benefit from opportunities to connect in a sober creative space, bridging generational, financial, racial, interpersonal, and queer divides. I propose here a collaborative community impact project, where we have a temporary space for folks to meaningfully come together, reflect their lived experiences and historical events, share collective hopes and dreams for the future, and hold space where the city offers no other.
This Proposal imagines a dynamic experience, where LGBTQ, and Lesbian-specific folks are heard, celebrated, and supported for their unique contributions to their communities, and society at large. This series bridges local businesses with cultural leaders and facilitators, offering a range of accessible options for different schedules, families, and ways of connecting. Furthermore, nourishing, healthy experiences for LGBTQ folks is a space of tremendous need and opportunity. Offering the fundamental resources of food and community, without discriminating by financial access, is core to the mission and impact of this experience. This is the for us / by us, support / action / celebration popup experience that is urgently needed in Denver and beyond. I know we can make this great, and give folks a chance to shine!
TIMELINE
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The space will open to the general public on the first Saturday of the month, and serve coffee and snacks from the legendary GAY4U (see https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/dining/restaurant-service-gender.html This will be a casual opening, where folks can wander in, and begin to respond and post if they’d like to. It would be nice to feature some art from local queer folks as well.
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On the second Saturday of the month, we have a open mic and free personal writing workshop, hosted by the legendary Rio Garcia, an artist from Denver currently residing in San Francisco, CA and doing community work in The Mission District. In adittion to a few "exquisite corpse poems", there will be questions to choose as response prompts, centering on three themes : Queer histories, Dreams, and Experiences.
Folks will be invited to optionally share out loud, post in the space, or allow us to upload to our site using a digital form that captures
A PHOTO,
plus
Your ( gay ) name e.g. TAY,
Age e.g. 32
Birth city e.g. SAN FRANCISCO
Comfort food catered by Wong Way Veg ( see https://www.wongwayveg.com/catering )
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On the third Saturday of the month, there will be a monochromatic-themed (all colors encouraged) Lesbian dance party, with a lesbian DJ lineup, video art, and live entertainment (dance troupe, live painting / drawing) this could either be afternoon or evening. Food catered by Speaklife Cuisine (see https://www.instagram.com/speaklifecuisine/) . Could include a photobooth for capture.
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On the last Saturday of the month, there will be a feminist zine-making event, where folks are invited to integrate any of their reflections, stories or experiences into text, image, collage, illustration, and seek inspiration from the art of the past month. Folks will be invited to optionally add photos or scans to the digital archive on our Playbook site.
Catered by locally queer-owned business, Under the Umbrella. https://www.ezcater.com/catering/under-the-umbrella-cafe-and-bakery-denver.
At this stage, the displayed art will have been returned to the artists, and we will host a day of no-fee vending in tandem with the zine-making station.
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The Playbook site will also serve as an archive and presentation for the 30 day event(s).
For the venue, I would like to explore a few options, to be determined:
https://www.shopatmatter.com/book-clubs-events/
https://www.townhallcollaborative.com/book-event
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BUDGET – 10K
Food and Beverage - $800-2100
Space rental 30 days - $2K-3000
Materials, Promotion, Display - $1K
Operations, Cleaning staff, Guest artists, Ambassadors - $800 - $4000
