Inaugural Rainbow Fest Showcases Spectrum of Talent

Jay Yurick

The crew from OddCity Entertainment have organized a full day of entertainment, arts, activities, and information celebrating and supporting the local LGBTQIA+ community. This family friendly event will take place at Basement Transmissions and will feature local acts alongside visiting performers.

SATURDAY, APR. 13

Calling all members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community: the first Rainbow Fest is happening in Erie this month. Presented by OddCity Entertainment, the full-day event will take place at Basement Transmissions starting at noon.

When creating the event, organizer Cypher Eihwaz wanted to create a space in which all members of the LGBTQIA+ community could feel welcome, both in the audience and on stage. "I feel a lot of female-presenting, trans, and non-binary people tend to get excluded [from certain events and show types], so we thought Erie needed a place for those performers to shine," they said.

Open to all ages during the day, the event will feature live music, drag performances, food, speakers (including Rianna Czech, Susannah Faulkner, and the PA Equality Project), vendors, and informational booths. Face painting, makeup, and balloon animals will be available for kids (or kids-at-heart) throughout the day, with those 17 and under requiring adult accompaniment after 8 p.m.

Eighteen musical performances are scheduled to take place throughout the entire event, featuring both local favorites and out-of-town talent. Odd Atrocity, Nancy Boys, and Dumpster Garden are among the local bands featured, with visiting acts including Spirit Board, Lylyth, Psych Ward Grips, and Platonic Boyfriends.

Central Outreach will also be on site providing STD tests as well as additional healthcare resources. There will also be a voter registration booth, which will feature information on which local candidates will be the best picks when it comes to supporting the queer community.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation, with additional donations of the following items being accepted at the door: non-perishable food items, binders, transgender/transitional products, and clothes. 

Doors at noon // Basement Transmissions, 145 W. 11th St. // All ages (with adult guardian), parental discretion after 9 p.m. // $10-$20 // For tickets and more information, including all of the performances scheduled visit: facebook.com/oddcityentertainment