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Event Details: DCTC Fundraiser Featuring The Shondes @ Phase 1 - :

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This post was submitted by Temim Fruchter, drummer for the New York-based queer band The Shondes.

It’s kind of weird and a teeny bit sad that I left the DC area for the glitterier pastures of New York before even becoming acquainted with The Phase.  I came out as queer in college, just a little while before I left town, so never actually got a chance to check it out until years later, when I was already well on my way to being a lifelong Brooklynite and playing drums in The Shondes.

And it’s too bad I missed out.  The Phase is a cozy and gloriously dive-y show-space and, at least from one now-New Yorker’s perspective, a seemingly vibrant gathering space for a diverse cross-cut of DC’s queer community.  But not only that – I think the beauty of The Phase is that they can party pretty hard but also prioritize supporting good causes by way of said partying.

Take, for example, the upcoming benefit they’re hosting on January 9th for DC organization the DC Trans Coalition – a benefit that my band, The Shondes, will be playing. Just to say a word about them: The DC Trans Coalition (DCTC) is a volunteer, grassroots community-based organization dedicated to fighting for human rights, dignity, and equal access for transsexual, transgender and gender-diverse people in the District of Columbia.  It’s a really important organization doing really crucial work to support the creation of a world where all people can self-determine their gender identity and expression free from discrimination, degradation, poverty and harassment.  DCTC’s history and mission are here, and I encourage you to take a few minutes to read about what they do and how you can support their work.  But bottom line is: local organizing that centers the experience and leadership of those most directly affected by oppression is so essential to making real, just change in the world, and DCTC is one of DC’s many examples of this kind of organizing.

So why am I talking about all this as a rock drummer who lost my claim to DC and to The Phase the second I set foot into Meow Mix as a bright-eyed-bushy-tailed young one 8 years ago?  I guess it’s just that I feel pretty lucky and excited to be in a band that is situated in queer and activist communities so that we can play shows like this and support the work of DCTC in that way, as artists.  I love coming back to DC to play shows, but it’s even cooler when it means we get to learn about and support the work of a good organization outside of our own city.

Point is, I hope to see you and yours at the show!  Clearly, a benefit show will not be remotely as effective unless YOU, my DC friends, are there.  With bells on!  At the Phase!  Ready to dance the night away in support of incredible local organizing work.

Details:

Saturday, January 9
Phase 1
525 8th St, SE
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
There is a sliding scale suggested donation of $3-$10.
All proceeds benefit DCTC.

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