Mackenzie Meleski, Contributing Writer
Crescent Collective and Studio Two Three became a stage, a catwalk and a costume party as people gathered in celebration of queer joy for the Grimalkin Festival, according to Grimalkin Records’ website.
Grimalkin Festival returned to Richmond for its second year on Oct. 14 and 15, with a remaining date on Oct. 21 with online performances on Youtube, according to Grim Kells, the founder of the festival and Grimalkin Records. Grimalkin Records is a nonprofit record label that supports queer and trans artists and hosts benefit concerts throughout Richmond, according to Kells.
This year hosts not only a wide array of artists from all over the country but many changes, according to Kells. Crescent Collective hosted the event on Oct. 14, while Studio Two Three hosted it on Oct. 15. The festival took a leap from one day to three days and now features more than 15 musical performers. The previous year featured nine performances, according to the Facebook event.
The festival also created a day of online performances on Oct. 21 to foster inclusion, Kells said.
“We thought, this year, we’ll just have a third day where folks that are either unable to play live or because of distance or health or disability could then still be part of our festival,” Kells said.
The first Grimalkin Festival took place in August 2022 at Fallout, according to Kells. Attendees experienced a day full of music and community with performances by queer and trans artists. Although the event was small, it was important because it provided a space for queer expression and celebration, Kells said.
“We wanted to create an event for our community where we can celebrate what we’ve accomplished and done together,” Kells said.
Kells wanted the festival to emphasize fair pay and opportunities for all, they said. Grimalkin Festival pays its performers and crew in addition to utilizing volunteers and interns. The festival also used a “pay what you can” model for ticket sales.
“We’re creating opportunities for people to just share their skills, their art and music and get paid for it fairly — that just directly fits in with our mission,” Kells said.
The event featured various vendors, artists and community partners such as Health Brigade, River City Harm Redux and Virginia Anti-Violence Project, who presented information and resources at tables scattered around Crescent Collective and Studio Two Three, according to Kells.
Grimalkin Festival had volunteers and interns to assist with organization and set-up, including interns from VCUarts Kinetic Imaging department, according to Kells. This was a change from last year, where Kells and a few other Grimalkin Records employees organized and operated the entire festival, Kells said.
Eli Owens, who releases music under the name (Eli)zabeth Owens, performed at the festival on Sunday. Owens has been a longtime contributor to Grimalkin Records.
Owens studied photography and film at VCU and has been “making music their whole life,” they said. Although they can sing and play piano and guitar, their primary instrument is the harp.
“I would say my stuff is folk pop or artsy pop,” they said.
Owens performed original music at the festival, utilizing their harp and electronic sound, they said.
Owens is a longtime friend of Grim Kells and joined Grimalkin Records in 2018. They were interested in the organization because of their love for music and non-profit work in Richmond, they said. In addition to producing music and performing at the festival, Owens runs the website, social media and advertising.
“Our vision for Grimalkin fest is that it’s just a celebration of queerness and diversity,” Owens said, “It’s a place for us all to celebrate our accomplishments, no matter how small they feel. And for everyone to just be themselves and feel supported.”
Cin the Ciege performed on Saturday, Oct. 14, featuring songs from his collection, “The Gaytrix.” Cin the Ciege’s self-produced music is a “hip-hop alternative with some R&B, pop and soul in there,” he said. Cin the Ciege uses music as a method of expression.
“I want to let people know who I am and what I stand for and that I’m not backing down,” Cin the Ciege said.
This event marked the first time Cin the Ciege had performed at Grimalkin Festival, he said. He saw the performance as a “celebration of the collective community.
“They really made me feel at home,” Cin the Ciege said, “I have really never felt more comfortable in my life.”
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