Rhythm & Roots: Celebrating LGBTQ+ & Two Spirit Voices

Join us on June 10th for Rhythm & Roots: Celebrating LGBTQ+ & Two Spirit Voices, a safe and welcoming space with a day full of art, community, discussion, and music.

Organized by Blissfest Music Organization, CTAC-Petoskey, Good Hart Artist Residency, Petoskey District Library, Waganakising Nagwaagan Group, Petoskey High School Diversity Club, and NCMC Gender and Sexuality Alliance, this collaborative program focuses on activities in a safe and welcoming environment that is open to all. We especially encourage participation from the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit communities as well as their families, friends, and allies. This  event is an opportunity for our community to gather, express themselves, and celebrate the gender and sexuality diversity of our beautiful Northern Michigan, traditional homelands of the Waganakising Odawa who have always believed that Two Spirit peoples are sacred.

Detailed Schedule

• 2:00 – 4:00 pm – Finding your Voice – Art Installation in which participants engage in a repetitive writing activity, to find their voices on matters significant to them and the Queer community. Each person creates a unique 9” by 9” square with repeated phrases in many colors. When all of the squares are assembled on the atrium walls of CTAC, a colorful quilt of powerful voices emerges. The public will be able to view this installation and the individual messages.  
• 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Panel Discussion in the CTAC theater on the topic of challenges growing up LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit in Northern Michigan
• 5:00-5:45 pm – Food and beverages at CTAC
• 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Concert at the CTAC theater featuring the music of Dillbilly and Allie Kessel. Local area talent will also be showcased with a  poetry reading by Nevaeh Wells and cover songs performed by Olivia Benson and Mykie Winnell.