Fabulous Arts Foundation Hosts 2-Week LGBTQ+ Arts Festival In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — To better support its mission of using the arts to create safe spaces and a platform for the LGBTQ+ community in the Sarasota area and beyond, the Harvey Milk Festival now has a new name — the Fabulous Arts Foundation.

The nonprofit has big plans moving forward, including raising the funds needed to build a queer arts and community center and launching a three-day drag culture festival at the Sarasota Opera House in the winter of 2022, Shannon Fortner, founder and president, said.

In the meantime, the organization is focusing on its upcoming 11th annual Fabulous Independent Film Festival, which incorporates pieces of the former Harvey Milk Festival, including live music and visual art events. This two-week LGBTQ+ festival, which runs Thursday through Oct. 2, offers art lovers a mix of virtual film screenings and in-person events at venues throughout the Rosemary District.

The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday at 800 Cocoanut Ave. for an interactive visual art event called “Queer Utopia” that explores themes of time travel and identity. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Q+Dance+Performing Art takes place at 7 p.m. Friday at the Players Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, and features contemporary dance artist and instructor Bianca “JustBee” Russell. Tickets for this event are available online here.

The Music & Arts Festival, which runs from 2:15 to 10:30 p.m., will take place Saturday at 1250 10th Street. Drag performer Selma Nilla — known for her appearance on the Netflix series “Nailed It!” — will emcee the event, which is headlined by the band Moon Kissed from New York City and SuperKnova, a transgender musician from Chicago.

As for the film festival, virtual screenings are available starting Thursday and can be accessed on-demand through Oct. 2.

A drive-in festival has also been planned Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 at 800 Cocoanut Ave.

This is the ideal event format during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows attendees to stay socially distanced, Fortner said. “It’s something cool and accessible and safe and you get to see a cool queer film in the Rosemary District.”

Tickets for the drive-in festival can be purchased online here.