Good Asian Drivers Tour

First of all, apologies that I didn’t post photos of everyone. A lot of them were too dark and most of the time I was too busy mesmerized by the powerful words of everyone else to be paying attention to the damn camera.

But, man! What a night.

As folks drifted in around 7 and the air at the Middlesex Lounge started filling with the electric energy of queer people of color and their beloved friends, partners, allies and family, I knew I was gonna witness magic happening. As I mentioned in a previous post, QWOC+ Week is historic - there’s never been anything like it in the nation. And last night (and the rest of the week, I’m sure) was proof that QWOC+ Week should continue for years and years to come and set an example for other diverse cities across the country. The sheer importance of giving us a space to connect, share, and celebrate should not be underestimated. 

Letta Neely, a mentor, a friend, an artist I admired since I first stepped on the scene over 11 years ago, played MC and read some of her work. One in particular I enjoyed the most was a poem that was a list of things that she’s heard white people say. “Can I touch your hair?” “I love Bob Marley!” “I’m not responsible.” “I’m so responsible.” It was hilarious and appalling.

Speaking of people I admired, Judah Dorrington brought the house down with a soul version of “Superstar” and Teddy Pendergrass’s classic “Turn Off the Lights”. I mean, really. These are songs to which babies are conceived. The power of her voice alone knocked everyone off their seats, so when it was announced that, after decades of performing, Judah was finally releasing her first album, the crowd cheered as if there was no tomorrow. In a way, Judah (like Letta) had literally watched me grow up and had really encouraged me and pushed me as an artist. So it really warmed my heart to be on that stage. Kinda like coming home.

I’d never heard Kay Barrett’s work before, but I’d heard of Kay Barrett. I mean, who hasn’t heard of him? Now I know why. When Kay was on stage, every hint of distraction in your eye vanished and all you were able to focus on was the cadences of his poetry, his words reflecting lifetimes of history, and, well the astonishing pair of nunchuks that was doing a mighty dance around his arms. “I mean, I don’t believe in violence, but c’mon now!“ 

And there was Ignacio Rivera, a smooth, confident performer who unleashed a gripping monologue about a trans man in transition. Their work was solidly fantastic, a blend of poetry and theater, coming from a place deep in their gut - raw, unrelenting, and unapologetic.

Oh. And yes, and then there was us. 

Kit tried out a new piece written for trans men and trans boys.

And, well, I as usual just opened my pie hole and whatever came out came out.

And my online friend Wendy Hsu who writes this fantastic blog Yellow Buzz dissecting music and culture, came by all the way from Virginia to support. It’s a great time for queer people of color in Boston, all thanks to QWOC+. Thank you Aliza from Truth Serum, Adora from QWOC+, and QAPA and volunteers.

Tour Quote of the Day:

Letta Neely: Barack! Barack!
Everyone: O-BA-MA!