MACROCK XXVII

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April 5th & 6th, 2024
Harrisonburg, VA

PANELS

Panels are an unexpected yet crucial element of MACROCK. Each year, open discussions take place in some of the venues on Saturday afternoon. Most topics deal with important issues in college radio and the independent music and art community. Occasionally, topics extend to subjects loosely-related to MACROCK’s mission which include politics, DIY ethics, and grassroots organizing.

The 2023 panel was:

Inclusivity in DIY


DESCRIPTION: The Inclusivity in DIY Panel will cover a range on topics focusing on how to keep others and oneself accountable in moments of bigotry and sexual assault at DIY focused events. It is so incredibly important to make sure DIY spaces are safe for people of all backgrounds—especially People of color, women, LGBTQ+ identified people, people of differing abilities, and so on. This panel focuses in on why it is important to make sure these people feel comfortable in DIY and how to make sure they do.

Content warning: difficult topics will be discussed, discretion is advised.

SPEAKERS:

Nancy Grim Kells aka Grim (they/them) – makes music as Spartan Jet-Plex and is a recipient of a 2023 Songwriting Fellowship with the Virginia Commision for the Arts.  They serve as both a member of the Virginia Anti-Violence Project’s Board and the founder and Facilitator/Executive Director at nonprofit, Grimalkin, in Virginia, Grimalkin’s mission is to mentor and support trans and queer musicians, particularly BIPOC and disabled artists, using an artist-centered holistic approach to break down barriers, create new systems and structures of support, and expand the reach of marginalized voices. Grim identifies as non-binary, agender, and fluidly trans. Grim has a BFA from Tyler School of Art and a MS in Special Education and was a public middle school teacher for 14 years in both Los Angeles and Virginia. They also were a Vocational Counselor for 7 years, and they are currently a Certified Workforce Development Practitioner and Work Incentive Specialist Advocate (WISA).  As a disabled and neurodivergent person, disability advocacy is part of the work they do in and out of Grimalkin.

Eli Owens (they/them) – performs as (Eli)zabeth Owens, is an avant-garde harpist, songwriter, producer, video artist and music educator based in Richmond, VA. They graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Photo/Film and a BS in Psychology, and are a licensed K-12 Music Educator in the state of Virginia. Eli worked in several arts marketing, videography and editing positions before making a career switch in 2019. After getting licensed and teaching in K-12 for 3 years, they decided to transition to private music instruction to dedicate more time to volunteering for Grimalkin and investing in their own musical artistic pursuits. Eli identifies as non-binary, agender, disabled and neurodivergent.

Pat Schmitt (they/them) – I run / own Save The Cat Touring and Management; an independent music agency geared toward working with bipoc and lgbtq+ artists! I also have 3 artists playing this year– Meet The Bug, Hello Shark, and Survey Monkey. animal culture here I suppose.

Cel Grisolia (they/them) – transgender extraordinaire, general risk-taker, Roughshod’s own, not too shabby singer, aggravated artist, and writer of too many stories to count.

Manuel Lemus (he/they) co-founded and runs tape label Citrus City Records. Formed in Virginia and currently based in Brooklyn, NY, the label focuses in archiving and documenting sounds through physical mediums & highlighting artists from all over.

Danny Shea (he/him) – Danny does booking for The Jefferson & The Southern Cafe & Music Hall in Charlottesville Virginia where he is also the manager.

LOCATION: Three Notch’d Valley Collab House

TIME: 2:00 PM

ADDRESS: 241 E Market St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801

For Questions or to learn more about the panels please contact macrockva@gmail.com.

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MACROCK XXVII --- macrockva@gmail.com --- art / design & code: Jesse Riech and Harper Holsinger