OUT LOUD 2019: Queer Futures
OUT LOUD is an annual queer arts festival in Long Beach, California, dedicated to showcasing the artistic and cultural talents of LGBTQ+ communities. We believe in using the power of art to educate, motivate AND entertain! OUT LOUD is here to uplift and inspire!
OUT LOUD 2019: QUEER FUTURES
We are proud to be back for our second year with an even more exciting array of creative talents! Music, dance, poetry, fiction, essay, comedy, art, and food! The theme is Queer Futures. What do healthy queer futures look like? We invited anyone from the broader LGBTQ+ communities to submit work through our open submissions process. We could not be more thrilled at the phenomenal talent you will be witnessing on June 29.
GET FREE TICKETS AT EVENTBRITE
(Seating at the Art Theatre is limited)
We are very excited to announce our full line up!
1:30-4:00 PM
ART THEATRE OF LONG BEACH
2025 E. 4th St.
Long Beach CA
The theater program is free and open to all. Hailing originally from the Phillipines, singer Angel Bonilla will headline the event, sharing her story as the first trans woman on NBC's The Voice. A choral orchestra called United Voices will serenade the audience, and a pair of dancers from CSULB will perform original choreography. Queer anthropology professor Gregory Mattson will address the audience with a brief speech about queer futures, and literary artists will share poetry, short fiction, and short essays from the heart. One young woman was chosen to present her youth essay on "Queer Futures." And more!
Click here to see who will be performing at the Art Theatre.
4:00-6:00 PM
THE HANGOUT
2122 E. 4th St.
Long Beach CA
Following the main theater performance, all are welcome to continue the celebration across the street at The Hangout, where OUT LOUD presents a curated art show featuring more than 20 visual artists. Food and drinks will be available, and the performances will continue, featuring spoken word, music, and more. Come meet the artists and performers, and celebrate queer futures!
Click here to see who will be performing at The Hangout.
Click here to meet the artists showing their work.
ABOUT THE FIRST FESTIVAL IN 2018
Our first event was an astounding success, featuring over 20 artists and performers from the LGBTQ+ communities. Sculpture, jewelry, glass, paintings, digital work and photography surrounded the stage. A large handmade quilt made a stunning backdrop behind the lectern. The program featured readings by 9 poets, a short dramatic performance, a clip from the film Guys Reading Poems, a speech on queer history, and an awards ceremony.
An event originally planned for 50 attendees saw the theater filled with an audience of over 200 people. Most notable is that this event was conceived on May 1, and brought to successful exhibition within just two months. Mayor Robert Garcia and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed the event.
If you missed it, you can watch the entire performance on video, check out the mission statement , and follow the Facebook page to learn more about what we're doing.
WHAT WE NEED FOR 2019
We have spent all year building a strong foundation for OUT LOUD to last. We have almost met our budgetary needs to produce this event, but we are still a little short. We have been THRILLED to receive sponsorship from the Port of Long Beach, the Arts Council for Long Beach and the city of Long Beach, Moon Tide Press, Alexis Law Firm, and John Waiblinger Art, as well as support from The Social List. We are also very thankful to everyone who has donated so far, especially our ongoing supporters and supporting organizations.
UPDATED 6/14:
Here's what's been COVERED so far, hallelujah!
$1000 : for rental of the Art Theatre (half paid, half reserved)
$430 (of $2250) : for rental of The Hangout (paid)
$1000 : for program and poster printing (reserved)
$1500 : for event management, web design, PR and marketing (paid)
$800 : for professional videographer for the event (reserved)
$518 : for postage and printing (paid)
$340 : for event insurance (reserved)
$435 : for parking lot (reserved)
$90 : for security guard (reserved)
$6,113 COVERED!
Here's a breakdown of what we still NEED to pay for, in order of prioritization as funds come in:
$1820 (of $2250) : for rental of the Hangout
$200 (approx.) : for event supplies
$200 (approx.) : for volunteer T-shirts
$800 : to pay the performers!!!
$3,020 NEEDED!
There are always unexpected and approximate expenses, so this is our most current up-to-date budget, but these numbers may end up varying. MORE is always BETTER.
This festival will always be kept FREE so that no one has to access to pay for their own culture. If you have the MEANS and the HEART to support this cause, PLEASE donate ANY amount.
YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Truly, if we want to see this event continue beyond this year, we will need regular, consistent, and tremendous funding from our community. With the support of our community in these first few years, we can build a strong foundation to secure bigger funding in the form of grants and business sponsorships.
We are still accepting GENERAL, SILVER, GOLD and BRONZE business sponsors. If you would like to donate $500 or more, please email us at [email redacted] to discuss sponsorship benefits.
This festival would also not be possible without the continued dedication of our wonderful volunteers. Please donate so eventually we can PAY the people who keep this organization running.
Click here to meet our amazing production team.
WHY SUPPORT OUT LOUD 2019
Founder David Russo recognized a need for a queer arts festival in Long Beach after noticing that queer artists often face barriers to traditional avenues for artistic exhibition. The LGBTQ+ community is unique in that, as most individuals are raised primarily by heterosexuals, they are inherently non-natives to their own culture.
As world-renowned trauma expert Gabor Maté says, “Becoming reconnected—overcoming the mindset of separation—is how humans heal from trauma” (Decolonizing Wealth, p. 106). We believe that creating space for people to connect around art and culture can improve the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community.
Queer folk have been excelling in the arts for as long as humans have been making art, and OUT LOUD aims to both provide a space for queer artists to connect and inspire each other, and to be appreciated by the larger community. We believe art has the power to move hearts and ultimately change the world.
Our aim is to cultivate understanding and acceptance in society, and to foster empathy through storytelling and artistic exploration. Our long-term vision is to encourage similar festivals in other regions.
We need your help to make this vision a lasting success. OUT LOUD 2018 was just the beginning! We hope to see this festival last for many years to come.
GOALS
Our objectives are to: 1) Relieve barriers to LGBTQ+ culture; 2) Provide a platform for queer artists to showcase their work; 3) Demonstrate the value of LGBTQ+ perspectives in art and culture; 4) Bridge the divides within the LGBTQ+ community by valuing diversity and inclusion; 5) Provide community education around the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people; 6) Build bridges for LGBTQ+ artists and culture-makers to connect and collaborate with one another.
We need your help to build a strong foundational layer for OUT LOUD to take root. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
-Dave Russo and team
