Reclaiming or reinforcing harm?

The 519 Black Collective presents Beyond the Beat: Anti-Queer Violence in Music, an in-person panel at The 519, on Friday, October 3 from 6 to 8:30 pm. This panel will be moderated by Courtnay McFarlane, and will include Polly Perry, Dr. ABC, Craig Dominic, DJ Blackcat, DJ Fresh Kidd, Kevin “Bubbles” Adams, and more. There will be a delicious meal, and brief dance party following the discussion.

This will be a forum for provocative dialogue about music that promotes or glorifies violence against 2SLGBTQ+ people. While some DJs and promoters continue to feature these tracks in queer spaces, others are deeply troubled by their presence.

Can this music be reclaimed by queer communities, or does playing it inevitably feed into systems of violence and self-hate? Is this just music, or a form of self-erasure? Is reclaiming these tracks liberating or complicit? Does “murder music” carry real world consequences, including financial support for openly homophobic artists and listeners?

A candid and respectful conversation with DJs, party promoters, and hype callers from across the spectrum of opinion, this forum isn’t about silencing anyone, it’s about listening, challenging, and examining how music both shapes and reflects our realities.

Expect disagreement, discomfort, and the possibility of new perspectives. Expect a charged conversation meant to reach far beyond the room, with each person challenged with continuing the conversation in their own circles post event.

This isn’t just about beats….it’s about who we are when we dance to them!

RSVP at The519.org/BTB