This blog is overwhelmingly white...I wanna hear the queer and females voices of color proportionately represented.

Hello! Thank you for your feedback. Our blog only consists of the bios of the performers and of other info that was pertinent to the fest in Oct. What that means though is that, if our blog is a representation of the festival, Fierce Fest was overwhelmingly white. This is a problem. If Fierce Fest continues next year, outreaching to musicians and artists that are queer and/or women of color in a more effective way is imperative. And if there are any queer people and/or women of color in the Bellingham area who want to be involved in putting Fierce Fest on next year, you can email us at [email protected]

Thank you again for contacting us, please know that this is important to us.

-Safer Spaces Committee 

Hey there! We couldn't have pulled off the fest without lots of support from the community! Big shout out to some rad Bellingham businesses and organizations that helped including Casa Que Pasa, Pepper Sisters, Community Food Co-op, The Bagelry, McKay's Taphouse and Pizzeria, Terra Organica, The Shakedown, The Black Drop coffeehouse, Mallard Ice Cream, La Fiamma :: Wood-Fire Pizza, Rocket Donuts, Make.Shift, & Alternative Library!!!!!!

hope it was worth the trip! <3

greyhound journey to fiercefest . are you in oakland? bring us snacks nd love!!!

<3

From neelytherese: “Tabling with Colleen at fiercefest (this past) Saturday. Today we taught an intro to zines at a middle school. We are both really looking forward to the creations of the future generations.”

We survived the fest! Thank you everyone who helped! Thank you to everyone who came! Let’s keep making art, making noise, and building community all year long! Send us your pics, stories, favorite moments, and feedback! We’d love to hear from you!

<3<3<3

Getting ready for the fest!

MORE ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

SCENT FREE POLICY: From the Safe(r) spaces policy, here is a reminder of the scent free policy: We ask that no one wear strong scents for those who are sensitive to scents and could have adverse physical effects to themPlease, smoke away from the venue (this will be enforced)If you need to learn about what that means before you come, here are some great resources: Fragrance Free Femme Of Colour Realness, by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha:http://www.brownstargirl.org/1/post/2012/03/fragrance-free-femme-of-colour-realness-draft-15.html A FAQ on MCS and being scent-free:http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.htmlCHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES: We did a walkthrough of the space today and while there are no weird air fresheners or mysterious cleaners lurking about, someone in the walkthrough did have a bad reaction. There has recently been some construction in the space (wood paneling put up, carpeting torn out but not new carpeting put in) and possibly that may have caused it - ze is unsure what zir triggers are. We recognize that between this and the limits of our scent-free policy, this may not be an accessible space for all folks with chemical sensitivities. We are working to make sure that the sensory overload room especially is non/low scent environment.WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY: Both restrooms in the venue have may be awkward but if crowded but have stalls that are functionally wheelchair accessible, with bars and adequate clearance. The sidewalk leading to the venue has some uneven terrain; if this is an issue there is an additional more wheelchair-friendly entrance available. Floors inside the venue vary only slightly in height due to floorcoverings (doorjambs, carpet, torn out carpet) but all should be navigable.DEAF/HARD OF HEARING: Volunteers are available to provide interpretation as requested. Videos are not captioned, but a volunteer interpreter and a transcriptionist will be on hand for most of the event. Check in with the Safe(r) spaces team if you need any of these (or other) accomodations, and we will do our best to make this space as welcoming as we can.

Fierce Fest crew hard at work screen printing!

The Safer Spaces Team has finally finalized our policies! Here's the detailed version of what you can expect at the fest!

3 days till the fest!!!!!!!!  So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tomorrow is the last day to get a weekend pass for only $20 ($30 at the door) https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fierce-fest-2014/

So many talented artists we can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<3<3<3

Less then a week till Fierce Fest! Support the fest and get a screen printed copy of this poster as a perk! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fierce-fest-2014

Getting ready for the fest!

WORKSHOP: Dungeons and Drag Queens: Exploring What it All Means

If you've ever wondered about drag, this workshop is for you!

Beginning with a brief history drag as a tool of survival and resistance and how that has shifted and changed through the decades and the function of drag today in the age of Rupaul's Drag Race. But like with drag we can't always be completely serious and we wish to have some fun with you so bring your questions and bring your inner diva, if you're lucky you just might become a queen for the night, or awaken then queen within for the rest of your life! - Justin Yau-Luu and Zach Moujaes

WORKSHOP: Self-Publishing Extravaganza

Also led by Sara Century, this workshop will discuss the role of zines/self published literature throughout history, and particularly within radical, queer and feminist histories. We'll share various tips for self-publishing, tools for overcoming unforeseen obstacles, resources and organizations such as zine libraries and online archives, and much more.

WORKSHOP: Sara Century’s Guide to Running Your Own Sound

This workshop will be led by multi-media artist and musician Sara Century, who is also performing at the festival! Running sound is a field dominated by white guys and we wanna change that. We'll learn about PAs, amps, adaptors, etc. as well as how to make do/create a DIY, alternative setup with the equipment provided. The workshop will also cover helping set up bands and home recording! Perfect for musicians and nonmusicians alike, all experience levels welcome.

Less than a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIERCE FEST is a radical queer & feminist D.I.Y. festival dedicated to dismantling oppression, building community and empowering marginalized voices.

From the manifesto:

"Because we can use art and music as tools for empowerment, reclaiming space, solidarity and education.

Because we refuse to accept unsafe, oppressive conditions for marginalized people in our communities and the underrepresentation of trans, queer and female artists.

Let’s build intentional, accessible, all-ages safer spaces in which consent, call-outs and accountability are encouraged, as well as continuous learning and growth.

Our ambition is fierce when it comes to standing up for marginalized people and inspiring our community. Let’s be loud, take back space, take care of each other and TAKE ACTION!

Bellingham, WA, October 3rd-5th 2014. We acknowledge that this event is taking place on colonized Lummi and Coast Salish territory.”

Find the 2014 Lineup and more info here!

Pre-order tickets and help fund Fierce Fest here!

Check out our Call For Volunteers!

WORKSHOP: Vulnerability in Queer Spaces, led by the Queer Resource Center

This workshop will focus on vulnerability in radical queer spaces. People will have the opportunity to write down problems they have encountered in radical queer spaces that would otherwise be safe spaces. We will paste up what people have written (anonymously) and hold a discussion to unpack some of the issues, discussing how we can address them when they arise and how to prevent them from occurring in the first place. We aim to promote inclusivity and solidarity in our local queer community so that individuals feel welcome and empowered. This workshop is being put on my WWU's Queer Resource Center's Nika, Dreya and Coco.

We made our goal on indiegogo!!!! Thank you everyone so much for your support!!!!!!!!!!!! The campaign is still open and you've got till the first to reserve your perks and get a discounted weekend pass---> https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fierce-fest-2014

HELP FUND FIERCE FEST!!!

Fierce Fest is a radical queer & feminist D.I.Y. festival dedicated to dismantling oppression, building community and empowering marginalized voices.

October 3rd - 5th in Bellingham, WA (colonized Lummi and Coast Salish territory).

Fierce Fest is completely volunteer run and not-for-profit. Our goal is to raise $800 which will go towards:

Renting accessible venues.

Reimbursing artists, bands, and workshop facilitators for their time and travel expenses.

Printing zines and promotional materials.

Other various expenses that go into organizing a 3-day festival.

There are lots of rad perks for donating including all-access weekend passes, T-shirts, compilation CDs, tarot readings, instrument lessons, personal portraits and much more!

Any remaining funds will go to support Queer Rock Camp in Olympia, WA and Girls Rock Camp in Bellingham, WA.

Check out our manifesto here!

WORKSHOP: Radical Mental Health and Community Care

We come to this workshop with an understanding that psychiatric care often is a form of violence for marginalized peoples. how can we move beyond structures of the psychiatric industrial complex? how can queer communities care for each other?  this is not a skill share, more of a sounding board for community & self care in radical queer communities. We will be exploring subjects such as how the medical industrial complex inflicts violence upon people, especially those most marginalized and how ideas about mental (un)health uphold structures of oppression, especially for those experiencing mental (un)health issues.  This is intended to be a space exclusive to people who are mad/crazy/sick/who experience mental (un)health, we ask that allies respectfully do not attend this workshop. - Ro Sigle and Kyan Furlong