When Jamaica Plain’s Bella Luna Restaurant and The Milky Way Lounge shuttered in 2020, Boston mourned of one of its trusted spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. The venue’s sudden closure during the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the city, as grief resounded between queer guests and creatives who relied on The Milky Way as a safe, supportive gathering place. That summer, Boston artist and activist Genie Santiago proclaimed that her peers “need[ed] to come together as artists no matter the genre and share stages” in the face of the loss.
This weekend, that’s exactly what she plans to do.
Santiago (pictured above) has planned a benefit show called Sonidos Sin Fronteras in collaboration with the Trans Asylum Seeker Support Network (TASSN), a “border-abolitionist mutual aid network” that supports and protects trans and genderqueer people seeking asylum in the United States. Billed as a “celebration of queer and trans music, joy, and resistance,” the showcase will raise money for TASSN at the Center for the Arts at the Armory this Sunday evening (June 25). Music begins at 7 p.m., featuring performances from EyEnEy, Eph See, and Santiago herself, followed by “late night spins” from DJ Annaesthetic.
“Music is universal and connects so many of us all over the world, but unfortunately our governments and society keep us from connecting and truly supporting each other in times of need,” Santiago tells Vanyaland, reflecting on the title of the benefit, which translates to “sounds without borders.”
“Safety is a basic human need and right that unfortunately not many of us have,” she adds. “We don’t own the land we walk upon and we should all have access to safety… All of us want safer spaces for ourselves and our queer community. Trans folx are experiencing violence all over the globe and have been for so long. I believe we all want to be supportive and take action.”
Check out the full event details below, and RSVP here.
‘SONIDOS SIN FRONTERAS’ TASSN BENEFIT SHOW :: Sunday, June 25 at The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. in Somerville, MA :: 7 p.m., $10 to $20 sliding scale, masks required :: Advance tickets :: Facebook event page
