WHAT IS OUTWATCH FEST: In October 2023, LOOKOUT threw their first OUTWATCH party in the Blue Room at Walter Studios. The point of the event was simple: show Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ community they were valued, they were important, and they were more than what the news portrayed. That event launched an entire campaign to make sure LOOKOUT curated and fostered queer events that were aimed at building community and forging friendships.
For our second year, we’re announcing OUTWATCH Fest, a week-long program from Oct. 6-13 of those curated events, from open mic nights, film screenings, art auctions, to health and fitness. We have recruited some of the state’s most popular groups to help us with these events.
The theme this year is “LOUD(er)”, harkening back to the first Stonewall protest where people marched in the streets chanting, “Sat it Loud! Gay is Proud!”
PROGRAMMING:
Sunday Oct. 6:
Morning: Sunday Sips with thems & Skoden Coffee at Central Records in Phoenix
Evening: A free 45-minute workout with Everybody Lifting Club in Phoenix
Monday Oct. 7:
Movie screening of documentary "1946" with fireside chat afterwards at Gracie's Tax Bar in Phoenix
Tuesday Oct. 8:
Get LOUD! ppen mic night with Wasted Ink Zine Distro @ Nurture House in Phoenix
Wednesday Oct. 9:
Queer art auction by Trans Spectrum AZ atFirst UCC Church in Phoenix.
Thursday Oct. 10:
Community panel and workshop with a mix n' mingle party at Splinter Collective in Tucson.
Friday Oct. 11:
Morning: Coffee mix and mingle at Talega Coffee Tucson
Evening: "COMING OUT" mic night at the Downtown Clifton with Queer AF in Tucson.
Saturday Oct. 12:
"LOUD(er)" dance party by LOOKOUT at The Duce in Phoenix.
Sunday Oct. 13:
The Royale Recovery with YumBar and Stem Swag at The Royale in Phoenix.
BEFORE YOU RSVP, SOME NOTES:
OUTWATCH Fest is a free event for the community, so we rely heavily on donations instead of ticket sales.
We are asking that people donate $10 for every RSVP ticket, which acts a donation to LOOKOUT.
Please note that except for Everybody Lifting Club on Oct. 6 and the LOUD(er) dance party on Oct. 12, RSVP's do not guarantee entry, but they will get you in earlier if a line forms.
We are limiting ticket purchases to four tickets per person to ensure a wide array of people can attend. If you'd like to reserve group tickets (5 or more people) for any event, please email [email protected].