Homo A Go Go

Homo A Go Go founder Ed Varga moved to Olympia from Minneapolis, where he had been putting on Homocore Minneapolis shows. His experience in Minneapolis lead him quickly to audio engineer work with Pat Maley, which lead to his involvement with YoYo a GoGo, the Transfused, and Ladyfest. These events inspired him to create a multidisciplinary festival that amplified queer voices and music. With 6 months to plan the event before the rainy season and the assistance of Beth Stinson, Teresa Carmody, Bridget Irish, and Pat Maley (who blessed the festival name as a riff off the YoYo a GoGo festival), and many others, Homo A Go Go was born. Homo A Go Go was billed as "A Queer Underground Music and Film Festival" and an alternative to the traditional Pride tropes. Venues included the Capitol Theater, the Limelight, the Midnight Sun, Le Voyeur, No Exit (the new name for Socket), the Olympia Timberland Library, Media Island, and the Mark. Performers included The Gossip and Tracy and the Plastics. One evening of performances featured Kate Bornstein, Eileen Myles, Nomy Lamm, and Tribe 8. Skate Like a Girl hosted two days of skateboarding clinics for all at the Capitol City Skatepark in Tumwater, in tandem with the festival. There were drag shows, a fashion show, over 20 workshops, and a concurrent queer film festival curated by Bridget Irish. Proceeds from the festival benefited the Gender Variant Health Project. Ed moved to LA after the first Homo A Go Go, but returned in 2004 and 2006 to host two more Homo A Go Gos in addition to organizing a San Francisco Homo A Go Go in 2009. Homo A Go Go was a groundbreaking festival that created a welcoming atmosphere and platform for queer folks and allies, and its influence remains significant today.