The theme of this year’s MashUp Weekend — Resurrection Renaissance — is more than just an opportunity to dress up like fetish angels or extras from the Met Gala’s 2018 Heavenly Bodies theme. It’s a spiritual awakening for Nashville’s queer Black community. Consider this line from the organization’s mission statement: “When society tells Black LGBTQ+ individuals they must choose — between their culture or their identity, their faith or their truth — we create spaces where people don’t have to choose.” MashUp organizes community-building events year-round that are all specifically designed to be “safe spaces for blk folx to connect, discuss, share, support and more,” and this weekend’s major fundraising event will show the best they have to offer. The whole thing kicks off with Free(k) Friday — a 21-and-older party designed to celebrate personal liberation and sexual empowerment. On Saturday, there’s a free family-friendly event during the day that also functions as a wellness market, but Saturday night is the big event — the Resurrection Ball. Hosted by Music City ACC Ball, this will be the place to be and be seen. Find out more and get a weekend pass at mashupnation.org.
Feb. 20-22 at various locations
