In late 2019, queer arts organizations across Atlanta came together to create an alliance dedicated to uplifting the LGBTQ arts scene in the city. After being derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Atlanta Queer Arts Alliance is finally making its return.
The group, which consists of Atlanta Freedom Bands, the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra, Our Song, Out Front Theatre, Out On Film, Southern Fried Queer Pride, and Voices of Note, is dedicated to building up the power of Atlanta’s vibrant queer arts scene through collective organizing.
“As we came out of COVID, everybody [in AQuAA] was trying to figure out — Hey, what are we doing individually, let alone as a group, collectively?” David Aurilio, Executive Director of Voices of Note and the president of AQuAA, told Georgia Voice. “We did our first event in May of this year, where we did a panel discussion, and we had some folks come in to just talk about the importance of queer arts and what that means for a community as large as Atlanta. From the support of that event, we realized together, we’re stronger, and we need to make sure that people see us and educate them that we’re even around.”
Aurilio says that having the diversity of queer arts organizations that Atlanta does is a rarity across the country, yet so many Atlantans have no idea these groups are here.
“There’s a wealth of opportunities in queer arts in Atlanta, which not many larger cities can boast about like we can,” he said. “You know, rarely do you have a queer theater and a philharmonic orchestra and three choruses — It’s just amazing that all this stuff is here, and I’m shocked still to this day that sometimes people will be like, ‘Wow, I never heard of that! … It is an embarrassment of riches. We were recently at a conference in Minneapolis, and we talked to some cities like San Diego, and they have huge choruses, but they were like, ‘We don’t have all of the stuff that you all have.’ We’re proud of that, yet not many of our own people are aware of that.”
To spread the word, AQuAA hosted a season preview event on September 4 at Out Front Theatre Company, where each of the seven members presented a video about their organization, a speech from a representative about what’s coming up for them this season, and a performance: Out On Film screened a short film included in its upcoming festival, the choruses each did a number, and the French horn section of the Freedom Bands performed.
Moving forward, AQuAA will continue to amplify its members’ impact by rolling out a master calendar on its website, aquaa.org, cross-promoting member events, possibly introducing an AQuAA season pass option, and increasing its collective fundraising efforts.
“Some of us can get grants because we have full-time staff,” Aurilio said of the need for AQuAA members to fundraise. “Some of the organizations do not have full-time staff, they’re all volunteers, so sometimes they don’t qualify for certain things. However, we can partner with those grants. We can get creative about how we can support one another. Arts funding in Georgia is horrible, and that’s shared with other theaters for the mainstream community. The queer arts are even more minute, so even less funding comes our way. We sell tickets and merch, but we can’t rely on just that. We need donors. We need people to support us.”
While buying tickets to AQuAA’s upcoming events is a huge support (you can use code AQUAA at checkout for 15 percent off!), Aurilio says that even making a single donation makes a significant difference and bolsters AQuAA’s ability to use its platform to make a difference for the LGBTQ community.
“We are an underrepresented voice in the bigger picture of society, but our voice needs to be at the table,” Aurilio said. “[Our mission is] about educating people, and we can do that through entertainment. Entertainment opens people’s hearts, and when their heart is opened, you can educate them at the same time; they don’t feel like they’re being preached at. What’s going to get us further is just helping people correct misinformation. Ours is a voice that needs to be heard.”
To learn more about the Atlanta Queer Arts Alliance, visit aquaa.org.
Atlanta Queer Arts Alliance 2024–2025 Season
Atlanta Freedom Bands
Atlantafreedombands.com
Tucktoberfest
September 29, 1:30pm
Tucker Brewing Company
Free
Atlanta Pride Parade
October 13, noon
Midtown Atlanta
Free
To Kids from One to 92
December 21, 7pm
The Church at Ponce and Highland
$20
Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra
Atlantaphilharmonic.org
You can buy a season ticket for $85 here.
October 19, 7:30pm
First United Methodist Church of Tucker
December 8, 3pm
North Decatur Presbyterian Church
March 1, 7:30pm
First United Methodist Church of Tucker
April 26, 7:30pm
North Decatur Presbyterian Church
June 14, 7:30pm
North Decatur Presbyterian Church
Our Song
Oursongatlanta.com
Season schedule TBA
Out Front Theatre Company
Outfronttheatre.com
You can buy a season ticket for $150 at outfronttheatre.com/season-tickets.
Hairspray
October 24–November 9
Starting at $30
Murder on the Polar Express
December 12–22
$35
At the Wedding
January 30–February 15
Starting at $20
Immediate Family
March 19–29
Starting at $20
Trick! The Musical
May 1–17
Starting at $30
Out On Film
Outonfilm.org
You can buy an all-access pass for $185 at outonfilm.org.
Out On Film 37
September 26–October 6
Landmark Midtown Art Cinema & Out Front Theatre Company
Southern Fried Queer Pride
Southernfriedqueerpride.com
Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @sfqp to keep up with upcoming events.
Voices of Note
Voicesofnote.org
Holidays in the Movies: Atlanta Women’s Chorus
December 7, 2pm and 7pm
Church at Ponce and Highland
Starting at $30
Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus 44th Annual Holiday Concert
December 20, 8pm; December 21, 2 and 6pm
Cathedral of St. Philip
Starting at $40
AWC + AGMC: “This is Me!”
March 15, 2 and 7pm
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church — Emory Campus
Disney Pride in Concert: AGMC
June 21, 7pm
Atlanta Symphony Hall