Hot Summer Gays fills Madison’s hottest days with queer-centric festivities

by | Jul 8, 2019 | 0 comments

Local party promoter Sarah Akawa has her work cut out for her this summer. The former Queer Pressure co-producer is set to host a series of ambitious and colorful LGBTQ-focused events in Madison, featuring everything from local DJs to drag kings to live music.

This is the third year that Akawa (also known by her DJ moniker, Saint Saunter) has organized the Hot Summer Gays series, and it looks to be the biggest yet. The tireless advocate for queer social events in the city has partnered with Dyke Dive, along with sponsor A Room of One’s Own bookstore, to organize four days of events spread out over two months, all with a focus on highlighting artists from more under-represented identities.

The first event will be a “Pants Off Dance Off” underwear party on July 19 at Robinia Courtyard, featuring Saint Saunter, DJ Millbot, DJ Kalycho, DJ Claire Dactyl, and DJ Daossier. Attendees are encouraged to wear “anything but regular clothes,” and Akawa specifically notes is “welcoming to ALL genders, orientations, races, ethnicities, sizes, shapes, etc. Haters stay home!”

The next day, July 20, the fun moves to the Wisco (aka the Willy St. Pub and Grill) for a variety show hosted by local comedian Cal Smith. Pick-up games of volleyball will run throughout the day, with a genre-bending line-up of acts from the region, including Madison’s own queer punk outfit Gender Confetti, self-described “galactic mermaid go-go DJ” NatanYael and surreal electro-popper Sym1 both out of Minneapolis, as well as AMY HZL of Duluth, and more.

Following a short breather, the series returns on August 16 and 17 for a drag night at Robinia Courtyard and a blow-out party at the Majestic.

Friday night will play host to DRAG QUEER at Robinia, a queer drag contest with a crowning of “the Drag Queer” at the end. Interested in performing? Sign-ups are open now.

Head over to the Majestic on Saturday night for the final fete of the series, during Madison’s Pride weekend, and featuring longtime local favorite rapper God-des of God-des and She.

DJ Keezy (Minneapolis), Dequadray (Madison), and KIlo aka Skitl’z (Madison) also feature on the bill that’s sure to be a killer party. (tickets here)

Article Tags

MGHA tournament
Advert 77
Ballet - Timeless - Banner

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MGHA tournament
Ballet - Timeless - Banner
Advert 77

Latest News

Cash & Olive’s Pub

Cash & Olive’s Pub

Jen O’Branovich and Courtney Sargent of Millie’s Coffee & Eatery in Cambridge have traded in the sunny space they formerly occupied in Galleria 214 to expand into a more Sconnie-style environment outside the main drag.

Pain Is In the Brain

Pain Is In the Brain

Nyle Biondi, MS LMFT, was one of the first out trans therapists in the state of Wisconsin and has devoted the past few years to helping others heal from chronic pain and health conditions.

Be Every Day

Be Every Day

A journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love decades in the making. Follow along and be inspired at how Martha Marvel discovered her truth.

Queer Joy Book Club

Queer Joy Book Club

A Q&A with the Social Media Administrator, Jamie Butler, about a monthly meetup at the Goodman South Madison Public Library. The Queer Joy Book Club strives to be inclusive by considering books available in the Madison library system that have an e-reader option, an audiobook option, or even a graphic novel.

TRACE Your Transition

TRACE Your Transition

Madison-born Taylor Greene (he/him) has created the world’s first mobile application for transgender and non-binary individuals. TRACE is an acronym representing the app’s purpose: Transition, recording, and community engagement.

Latest News

VIEW ALL LATEST NEWS

Recent Posts

Ballet - Love - 300x300
Division of the arts
Ballet - Timeless - 300x300

Events

SUBMIT AN EVENT

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Jobs

SUBMIT A JOB POSTING

VIEW ALL JOBS

Popular Tags

Pin It on Pinterest