*For Immediate Release*
Black Queer Advancement Festival (BQAF) Headlined by LeToya Luckett
Houston, TX – January 17, 2024 – The Normal Anomaly Initiative, the city’s premiere Black LGBTQ+ organization, proudly announces significant developments and exciting news for the community. The BQAF Celebration will be on March 14-17, 2024, with the premiere event, the BQAF Music Festival, being held on March 16, 2024, from 4 PM- 2 AM at Warehouse Live Midtown (formerly Rise Rooftop) at 2600 Travis Street, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77006. The theme for the 2024 Celebration is Homecoming, with our Headliner being former Destiny’s Child group member LeToya Luckett.
Thematic Focus in Date and Venue Change
The Normal Anomaly Initiative, Inc. opened Houston’s first Black LGBTQ+ space in March 2021. Over the last three years, they have searched for a standalone space to house their programs and community drop-in and use space. On their third anniversary, they will open Houston’s only standalone space for Black LGBTQ+ persons in Houston’s Historic Third Ward on BQAF Weekend. This prompted a change to the date of BQAF that will be solely centered on the community advancement made when we work together. With this, they are partnering with organizations locally and nationally to develop these events, including their Presenting Sponsor, ViiV Healthcare’s Accelerate Initiative, Premiere Sponsor, HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Title Sponsors, Allies in Hope and the City of Houston funded by Houston Arts Alliance, and Media Sponsors, ABC13 Houston and Outsmart Magazine.
A Glance at Our Achievements
Over the past three years, The Normal Anomaly Initiative has made incredible strides toward progress, visibility, and enduring significance to the Houston community and regionally. Some include being featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show and the Lil Nas X ‘Baby Registry.’ BQAF has also grown into multiple events that reach over 3,000 people annually. Their Project Liberate cohort– a cohort of 19 Black and/or LGBTQ+ social enterprisers– is a particular highlight since they have paid internships to produce this year’s festival, and this program is being looked at to expand regionally through HIV Prevention Trials Network Study 096: Building Equity Through Advocacy to Memphis, TN; Atlanta, GA; Montgomery, AL; Dallas, TX, and South Florida. This year, we are excited to announce that moving forward, we will continue to expand the festival during the Spring to commemorate the sustainability of both the organization and the celebration.
Tickets Open for BQAF Music Festival 2024
As we leave our celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are excited to announce that tickets and sections are open for our 3rd Annual Music Festival on March 16, 2024 from 4 PM- 10 PM at Warehouse Live Midtown Headlined by LeToya Luckett with Black, queer artists Sevndeep, Damez, JeRonelle, Thot Squad, Martell Lacey and TazDaRealist with an Afterparty to follow with Talameshia, Charlie Xile and our friends from Atlanta, Anatomy X from 10 PM- 2 AM. You can get tickets at the Warehouse Live Midtown or The Normal Anomaly websites.
Host Hotel and Events for the Weekend
Our host hotel for the weekend is at Springhill Suites by Marriott Houston Downtown/Convention Center located at 914 Dallas Street, Houston, Texas 77002, and the nightly rate is $149/ night. You can book here at this link. We will also have our Annual Pitch Competition for Project Liberate presented by Shipt on March 14, 2024. The Welcome Reception and Grand Opening of the BQ+ Center at 2310 Arbor Street is on March 15, 2024, from 6 PM to 9 PM; you can RSVP here.
Quotes
Ian L. Haddock, Executive Director: “We are so excited to present our third year of BQAF Week to the community. This celebration is the highlight of our year and the culmination of so much community work, particularly highlighting our program participants and their work to produce such an amazing event.”
LeToya Luckett, Headliner: “ As the headliner of this event, I am excited to perform because my LGBTQ+ fam has always made me feel seen & loved! It’s beautiful to be able to connect through music & I can always expect good vibes & fierce lewks! I can’t wait! “
Stay Connected
To stay updated and connected with The Normal Anomaly Initiative, follow our social media channels and visit our website for more details.
Facebook: @thenormalanomaly
Instagram: @thenormalanomaly
Website: www.normalanomaly.org
**For Media Inquiries:**
Ian L. Haddock
713.815.0767
www.normalanomaly.org
