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Two-S pirit Powwow

Tablehopper’s new look\, Art With Elders\, Johnny & June Forever\, Ben UFO\, Non Stop Bhangr a\, more to do this week.

FEBRUARY 1\, 2023

More than a few of my precious SF mem ories have come from attending the annual BAAITS (Bay Area Am erican Indian Two-Spirits) Powwow\, the largest gathering of LGBTQAI / Two-Spirit Native Americans. When it was held at SOMArts\, I loved popping in for the colorf ul pageantry\, sacred ceremony\, incredible dancing\, and Native American goods—don’t forget the loaded fry bread\, yum. It felt so good to be at a cultural gathering that celebrated and even revered non-gender conforming folks\, so very different from what’s going on in the rest of the world\, it seems.

Now the powwow\, whi ch is open to the public and streamed online\, is held at Fort Mason and B AAITS has a new executive director—Angel C. Fabian\, known in ceremonial s paces as Tlahuizpapalotl (Butterfly of Light). I can’t wait to see what th ey have in store. A press release quotes community advisor Amelia saying\, “This is a space for all of us to gather respectfully and celebrate Nativ e traditions. Whether you are African-American\, Native American\, White\, gay\, straight\, transgender\, whoever you are and wherever your roots or iginated\, come with curiosity and kindness and you will enjoy the company of 5\,000 like-minded good and connected people as we celebrate tradition s of music and art and togetherness.”

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Tlahuizpapalotl. Photo by Pablo Villicana Lara

Don’t miss this wo nderful Bay Area tradition. The Powwow takes place Sat/4\, 10am-6pm at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion\, SF. More info here.

Join us Monday\, Feb. 13th when US Rep. Pramila Jayapal will join our Nati onal Organize-to-Win Call to talk about what Biden can do with th e power of the pen to advance our priorities. And stay tuned for other spe cial guests!