Live music preview: ATX Queer Music Fest set for August 6 at Lustre Pearl South

This weekend provides a myriad of opportunities for Austin music fans to catch some great live music but perhaps there is none better (or more unique) than ATX Queer Music Fest set for Saturday, August 6 at Lustre Pearl South. The lineup organizers put together is impressive, featuring a who’s who of Austin LBTGTQA+ music with the addition of LA-based musician, activist and actor Ryan Cassata (first openly trans performer on Vans Warped Tour).

Cosmic Clash favorite Caleb De Casper tops this stellar, mostly local bill as Lady Gaga with members of Chief Cleopatra and Oh Antonio! There will be Alanis and Selena tributes as well. Standout acts, Mama Duke, P1inkstar, Lord Friday the 13th and lots more (full list below) will perform. Tickets are still available for advance purchase. Note: Event is all ages until 7 p.m.

The event, which is curated and booked by former The Cosmic Clash talent buyer, Genesis Vasquez is celebrating it’s debut this weekend. They partnered with Austin music advocacy group, Austin Texas Musicians on the festival. We know with Vasquez handling the talent and some of the awesome details listed below, music fans will discover their new favorite band and have a blast doing it.

Vasquez really has a knack for booking bills that just work, like that time they booked their annual Drummer Babes showcase with Fea (Girl in a Coma) and a raft of great Austin bands and packed the outdoor stage, or that time they got local upstarts, Sun June for our Free Week 2017 showcase at Sahara most fans knew who they were. Vasquez just knows good music.

Our former talent buyer is quite accomplished, founding their privately held, Technicolor Booking as well as the Queer Musicians ATX Facebook group. Both to provide visibility for the queer music scene here in Austin. Vasquez also serves on the Board of Directors for Austin Texas Musicians and have spoken at SXSW panels and created unofficial showcases, as well as running booking for The Cosmic Clash from 2015-2019.

Queer Music Fest is presenting the Austin community with two stages of live entertainment from DJs and drag to live music, as well as an art market, swag and vendor booths… all for a good cause. The jam-packed event benefits ASHwell Sexual Health & Wellness, which serves Austin’s LGBTQ+ community by providing sexual health and wellness services and assisting individuals without health insurance in getting the care they need. The organization, which was founded in 1988 during the AIDS crisis, will be on-site at the Fest providing HIV testing and information.

The spacious and beautifully shaded grounds of Lustre Pearl South provide plenty of room for entertainment and a fun day out including…

• Night Art Market by Frida Fridays

• A Free Photobooth by Le Photo Booth Company

• Free Body Painting by Tubi60– the Israeli liquor with the cult following.

• Free Pride swag- Pride flags, personal fants and more, courtesy of Technicolor Booking.

• A special Pride Drink Menu- $1 from every drink purchase will be donated directly to ASHwell. (Thank you, Lustre Pearl!)

NPO booths include:

• ASHwell

• Qwell

• Nightlife Workers

• ATX Musicians

• Technicolor Ministries

• Jolt Action

Since it’s Austin and it’s summer, you can be certain it’s going to be hot as hell, but besides the fact there is plenty of shade at the venue, ATX QMF has other ways for you to cool off, including…

• Cooling stations with huge fans in the gazebo

• Free frozen bandanas

• Free water

• Shaded table seating outside

• Table seating in the inside stage with AC

• Live entertainment runs from 2-6 inside and kicks off outside at 6pm when things begin to cool off.

Event includes two stages: one indoors, and one outdoor main stage complete with a runway. 

Drag performances:

• Kara Foxx Paris performing as Alanis Morisette with a live band, Alaniz

• Banshee Rose performing as Selena with a live band, Las Chicas en 512

• Eileen Dover 

• Gothess Jasmine

The evening includes a DJ Dance Party by DJ Kick It from 12am-2am + DJ Daydreamer from 8pm-9pm in addition to live music.

Bands/artists: 

Caleb De Casper (“Gloriously Glamorous”- Out Front magazine)

Ryan Cassata (“Immaculate singer songwriter pop”- Paper Magazine)

P1nkstar (Electronic)

Mama Duke  (Hip hop)

Demi The DareDevil (“A haunting sonic experience”- Rolling Stone)

Lord Friday the 13th (sibling- fronted trash glam punk)

Transy Warhol (Queer gothabilly riot girl music)

Thelonious Love (Gangsta queer realness/hip hop)

AZXO (Indie pop-rock)

Naga Brujo (Psych rock)

Cosmic Chaos (Pstch rock)

Ms. Amazing Head (Trans rap pioneer)

Maddie + the Dead Names (punk)

Provoked Emotions (Post punk)