WHAT: A queer, feminist, experimental + therapeutic take on punk song writing, interlaced with anti-Zionist Jewish ritual and mysticism. Sessions include a combo of checking in + getting to know each other; framing / inspiration / prompts; structured parallel play; and time for processing + optional sharing. Facilitator will schedule 1:1 calls with each participant before the series begins to connect about access needs, relationship to the voice, and our Informed Consent Doc. This project honors the POC invention of punk, and a portion of proceeds will go to co-founders of the band Fuck U Pay Us via The Uhuru Dream House and a celebration fund for Jasmine Nyende. A portion of proceeds will also go to Rawa — a Palestinian initiative supporting emancipatory grassroots organizing throughout historic Palestine.
WHY: To splash around together in the creation of experimental punk music — to feel our aliveness + courage on a cellular level; to give less f’s about what doesn’t matter and root more wholly + wildly into what does; to deepen our capacity to fight for / build a liberated future for all bodies. The goal is not to leave with a ‘complete song(s)’ although that might happen!
WHEN: 6 sessions, Monday nights —>
August 11, 6-830pm -- THE MUNDANE
August 18, 6-830pm -- THE SWEET
August 25, 6-830pm -- THE SOUR
September 1 -- THE SCREAM. Possible Field Trip. (exact time and location TBD based on participant availability) (optional movie night afterwards)
September 8, 6-830pm -- BAND PRACTICE
September 15, 6-830pm -- SHOWCASE / CLOSING RITUAL
Reach out if you have conflicts with 1-2 of the above - we can probably work with that! Write to feralqueenapothecary@gmail.com
ACCESSIBILITY INFO: In-depth access convos during initial 1:1 calls. Masks required. See the “about” page for info on The Rotunda’s accessibility.
SOME OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:
NO SINGING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
NO SONGWRITING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
NO FAMILIARITY WITH PUNK MUSIC NECESSARY (here is an assortment of audio/visual/written resources re: femme queer trans + BIPOC punk for your research/inspo pleasure)
I will reference Jewish ritual, thought and practice throughout the journey. No connection to Judaism necessary.
This process centers the voice as well as lyric writing, but/and incorporating instruments, garageband, etc is welcome!
The title for this project comes from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, written by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask. "All the misfits / and the losers / you know you’re rock and rollers. And all you strange rock and rollers / you know you’re doing all right / so hold on to each other. You’re shining like the brightest star / a transmission / on the Midnight Radio"
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
$150 ~ EARLY BIRD SPECIAL until Wednesday July 16th!
$180 ~ Standard Membership available from July 17th until registration closes on Friday August 1st
Deeper sliding scale and payment plans available upon request ~ write to feralqueenapothecary@gmail.com
INTEREST CALLS AVAILABLE - If you might want to participate but are unsure, write to feralqueenapothecary@gmail.com to set up a free 15-20 minute zoom for Q&A
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR: Hi there! I’m Jo Roberts (she/they), a multi-disciplinary artist and LSW. I have facilitated a wide range of therapeutic groups and collective art experiments in spaces such as the Rainbow Heights Club, the Red Hook Initiative, Clapping Hands Farm, the Renfrew Center, and my own home / backyard. Midnight Radio is my absolute favorite of all things I’ve ever done. You can read more about how this project came to be by scrolling down to “My Story” at feralqueenapothecary.com/midnightradio. You can find testimonials there too.
REGISTER at feralqueenapothecary.com/midnightradio!