Ep #5: Making Space: Moving Toward Safer Music & Arts Scenes

Femme FM

In this week’s episode, we speak with musicians and artists who are challenging racism/transphobia/homophobia/sexism/ableism/et al. in their communities. They’re fighting for safer spaces and creating their own to give voice and platform to QTBIPOC musicians and artists. We speak with documentary filmmaker Hana Jama of Ottawa’s Babely Shades collective about challenging racism in the music scene, backlash and support from the community, and working with promoters to get more women and femmes of colour at shows--as well as on stage. The Khyber Centre for the Arts Artistic Director Hannah Guinan joins us in the studio to discuss the work she’s doing with South House and Avalon to make the Halifax centre a safer space--which includes a comprehensive sexual assault policy and mandate and an upcoming town hall for community feedback on March 7. Co-host Shaya Ishaq talks about DJing as self-care and shares her experience at Intersessions, an “Inclusive Sound Initiative” that provides safe spaces for women, femme, non-binary and queer folks to learn from talented women and femme DJs and performers. Blank Canvas--a contemporary art space in Toronto, particularly meant for black and diaspora artists--is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 25th to raise money for their new space. The gallery opened in 2016, and on New Year’s Eve, it was hosting an event which welcomed a range of artists, including queer and POC youth. During the event, a police check for a special permit to serve liquor in the space became violent. Police tasered Black Canvas’ co-owner John Samuels, and a few days later, the gallery’s locks were changed without any notice. Hana Jama and Shaya talk about how it has impacted the arts community in Toronto and especially BIPOC artists. Articles // Event links: Khyber Town Hall “Keeping Ourselves and Our Communities Accountable” March 7 event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1139831312810586/ The story behind Babely Shades collective: http://thesparkmag.com/artists/babely-shades/ The Veldt - more on Hana Jama’s documentary: https://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/article/white-music-for-black-people-the-veldt-band “Staying Underground” DJ Shyshaya mix: https://www.mixcloud.com/StayingUnderground/collaborator-042-shyshaya/ Black Canvas is running an Indiegogo Campaign to help pay legal fees and fund their new space. You can support them here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/reinstall-blank-canvas#/ Music featured: Princess Nokia - Tomboy Chudi Harris - The Realist I Everett - At Your Door The Veldt - Everlasting Gobstopper Bambii - FADER mix