When Dustin Stern, Director of Creative Programming, was asked what his highlight of 2022 was, he submitted this piece:
“The Moss Park Market Queer Wellness Festival was one of the larger events we’ve ever put on at the Moss Park Market.
We had the following agencies present there and tabling:
The 519- St James Town Community Corner
- 2Spirits
- Expand Project
- West Neighbourhood House
- Mutual First Aid
- Vaccination Table
- GetAKit.ca & The I’m Ready Project
The festivities began with a beautiful opening ceremony, song and blessing by local indigenous community member Danni, who goes by Black Bear Woman, and their Auntie. All performances including Che and their bandmates Kai and Shiloh, and spoken word artist Rochelle Ellar were strikingly inspiring. Mother Dainty Poseida brought amazing energy and turned the courtyard space into a runway with participation from about 20 community members learning, and then performing, strutting wth panache in Ballroom/Vogue styling. Definitely a first for the space! Emcee and vocalist “Xica the Diva”, local Moss Park community member did an incredible job all day and closed out performances with a live cabaret and vocal performance that brought me to tears. Such a display of empowerment and prowess.
In the afternoon, the space was converted into a roundtable focused around the artists, and another focused around community agencies in conversation with local community members. The important questions asked to community members included “What makes you feel at home in Moss Park?”
100 delicious meals were provided and cooked by local 2SLGBTQ+ community members.
It was a day I’ll always remember.”
If you’d like to help support our community events, please click on this link
