A night to celebrate queer identity, authenticity, and self-hood.

With performances by:

• Madison Turner

• Rebel Rouser

• Lil Stixx

• Zorro Nova

• Jo’Rie and Qing Blaze

• Circle Breaker

And artwork by:

• Shawnis

• Allison Kinney

• Emerson Wurinaris

• Cardamom Beloin

• Sasha Sidhu

• Erin Janicki

• Anna Showers-Cruser

• Emily Cook Asaro

• Sam Lichtenstein

• Naomi Rodgers

• Qing Imzadi

• Hannah Dunn

• Riley Claywell

• Lynn Ellin Zeigler

• Makenzie Goff

• Michelle Roberts

“Unprecedented times” is the phrase we hear so often these days. We hear it amidst the rise of discriminatory practices, hateful language, and state-sanctioned prejudice. These are real concerns, affecting real lives, including (but not limited to) queer lives. We also see both queer and non-queer individuals rising against these types of actions. Risking very real consequences to say “this is not right” and “this is not the society we want to live in.” We are inspired by these persons, motivated by them, and humbled by them.

And yet, we wonder – what role does queer joy play in this resistance? What role does queer joy play in dreaming of a different future than the reality we currently know? And also – can we just F-ing celebrate queer joy sometimes?? In a day and age as fraught as this one, Gallery5 wants to provide space with this exhibition to be bold, bright, brash, and beautiful. We want to welcome and accept queer individuals, because of the beauty, power, and generative energy that is the queer community in Richmond.

First Friday is FREE and open to the public!

First Fridays at Gallery5 are presented by Capitol One