QUEERAPALOOZA: Giovanni’s Room music festival returns

This weekend, the legacy and history of one well-known LGBTQ cultural institution will be celebrated through an energetic and colorful music festival. Giovanni’s Room’s QUEERAPALOOZA will be in full swing this Saturday, June 8, from noon to 6 p.m. and everyone is invited out to take part in the occasion.

The festive party will take place right outside of the venue (on the 1100 block of Pine Street) and will feature a line-up of different entertainment spanning local queer bands, musicians, DJs, and drag performers. The roster of talent includes Emcee Robert Drake, Marcus G., Tony and The Kiki, Samantha Rise, Fyre, Icon Ebony Fierce, Ugli, Abi, DiscoDisciple and Gloom Eat. 

And as a release notes, attendees can also peruse a diverse array of queer and supportive vendors offering artwork, crafts, and vintage items, plus food and drink from local businesses, dancing in the street, books and merchandise curated by Giovanni’s Room, and other surprises. The all-ages event is open to the public, with no cost to attend. Any shopping and purchases are pay-as-you-go. 

“Giovanni’s Room has stood as a beacon of support and acceptance for over five decades,” says Philly AIDS Thrift’s Executive Director Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou in a statement. “It remains an invaluable resource, offering a welcoming and educational space for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as their families and friends. Beyond its role as a friendly local bookstore, Giovanni’s Room fosters a sense of community, extending a warm welcome to all.”

The occasion is meant to highlight the history of the venue, which has been in the community since 1973. As the release also notes, Giovanni’s Room has always provided a safe space for individuals who may not be able to live openly in other areas of their lives. In recent years, the store has redoubled its efforts to welcome trans youth, who have faced heightened discrimination amidst the recent waves of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Giovanni’s Room almost closed its doors in 2014, but after local non-profit Philly AIDS Thrift stepped in, the venue was able to keep operating, and was renamed Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room in honor of its 50-year legacy and history. It continues to sell new and used LGBTQ+ books, as well as clothing, bric-a-brac, housewares, collectibles, and art. It also operates an online bookstore, QueerBooks.com.

“At Philly AIDS Thrift, we are dedicated to breathing new life into cherished spaces, and Giovanni’s Room is no exception,” Kallas-Saritsoglou stated. “Thanks to the unwavering support of our local community and people worldwide, both our in-store and online sales continue to thrive.”

Kallas-Saritsoglou continued: “We extend a heartfelt invitation to everyone to come and share in the joy of QUEERAPALOOZA.We hope that new and old customers alike will join us in expressing our gratitude for this history, our joy in our present, and our hope for the future.”

For more information about QUEERAPALOOZA and Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, visit phillyaidsthrift.com