by Alley Hector
MUSIC
Q
UEER
Music Fest
P
O
P h o t o g r a p h y
R
T
L
H o r a c e
A
N
D
L o n g
Ambitious but likeable and down to earth, Samuel Thomas embodies the Portland music geek per-
fectly. And he has been in a couple noise bands. But Thomas is more of a behind the scenes guy,
spearheading the Portland Free Music Project, which aims to wikify the entirety of Portland’s musical
history, and Genderf***ing Takeover, a party that embraces a wide array of drag and gender vari-
ance within clubs, bars and scenes that could use more queer exposure. But what is taking center
stage in his life right now is the Portland Queer Music Fest.
Now in its second year, the goal remains to bring LGBTQ music to a wide range of people, although
this year will feature two headliners in addition to a slew of smaller acts. Initially Thomas wanted to
focus on local acts but last year saw an avalanche of talent apply from around the world so opened
up the process. This year it also opened the floodgates, with more than 80 applicants that had to be
whittled down to 24.
Over the course of one Sunday, July 22, these two dozen bands will go nonstop from 2 p.m. to
2 a.m. in back to back venues, one of which is all ages. You better pack a lunch because as one
group tears down at Backspace the other will be ready to go at the Someday and vice versa.
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July 2012
JustOut.com
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