- July 26, 2024
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Lee Rubin, Alex Martinez, and Justin Pagan
Photo by Ian SwabyJen Emm and Chelsea Noble
Photo by Ian SwabyKatherine Derr, Ed Midler, and Claire Franklin
Photo by Ian SwabyMyles Rodriguez of Myles Optimystic performs.
Photo by Ian SwabyJulia Kaster, 8-year-old Olivia Kaster, Delia Diaz, and 12-year-old Keana Mercado huddle together under the main tent as a downpour of rain begins.
Photo by Ian SwabyDJ DaliGanja
Photo by Ian SwabyMeteorEYES member David Curran plays drums.
Photo by Ian SwabyJamie Butrum of The Players Centre for Performing Arts talks with Josh Kingston.
Photo by Ian SwabyRick Almarode of Ben & Jerry's ice cream provided bubbles for eventgoers.
Photo by Ian Swaby11-year-old Kali Wynn and 14-year-old Emily Maly keep the celebration going during a downpour, by dancing in the rain.
Photo by Ian SwabyAdeline and Teva Skovronek are thrilled by a stream of bubbles.
Photo by Ian SwabyMyles Rodriguez and Sophia Thomson of Myles Optimystic perform.
Photo by Ian SwabyAlaina and Jason Starr
Photo by Ian SwabyDave Nicholas and Michael Freeman
Photo by Ian SwabySteve McAllister buys ice cream from Rick Almarode, owner of Ben & Jerry's in Sarasota.
Photo by Ian SwabyGeorge Bikos, Miles Tweed, and David Curran chat with one another.
Photo by Ian SwabyMeteorEYES members George Bikos and Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, at the Be Fabulous Music & Arts Fest on May 14, 2023.
Photo by Ian SwabyMeteorEYES member George Bikos plays guitar.
Photo by Ian Swaby4-year-old Olivia Dally and Kailyn Dally
Photo by Ian SwabyMarty and Amanda Gworek enjoy music by MeteorEYES.
Photo by Ian SwabyKeynote Speaker Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez reads a pledge to the audience.
Photo by Ian SwabySteve McAllister said he has been coming to the Be Fabulous Arts & Music Fest since “way back when it was the Harvey Milk Festival” before its renaming recently. What keeps him returning, he said, is "the music, the people, and the essence of people coming together as a community to understand one another and to stand up for something.”
Members of the community filled the premises and seats at WSLR+Fogartyville on May 13 for the lineup of LGBTQ+ bands including headliner Palomino Blond, as well as bands such as Myles Optimystic and Proud Miranda, and keynote speakers Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez and Zander Moricz.
Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, said using the arts as a catalyst for social change has allowed people in the community to truly gain support, including for other initiatives they may be pursuing, such as the creation of nonprofit organizations.
“We persisted, we came together as a community, and we are standing tall,” Fortner said. “We are educating folks in the community, and people are finding support and meeting other community members, and we have been discussing how we move forward together as a community and continue to be visible – to be seen and to be heard.”
In fact, Fortner said, currently the Fabulous Arts Foundation is working on establishing its own center, with the goal being a space that will host its art therapy pilot program.
“In light of the pandemic and with everything going on, we want to find a way that we can offer an opportunity to have the community heal through the art,” Fortner said, also noting a five-year goal of creating a large performing arts and community center.