Sunday, June 23, 2024, 7 pm
Queer Nightlife: Disco, House, and the Detroit Techno Scene - 1970s to Present
At the College for Creative Studies
Walter B. Ford building, Wendell W. Anderson Auditorium
Moderator: Adriel "Fantastique" Thornton
Panel: John Collins, Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, and Aidel Hawkins
Photo: Christopher Cushman | Club Heaven, 1994
Mighty Real/Queer Detroit presents a panel discussion centered on the importance of LGBTQ+ welcoming spaces featuring music. "Queer Nightlife: Disco, House, and the Detroit Techno Scene - 1970s to Present" explores the evolution of music nightlife from the disco era to the present-day club scene and examines how DJ-driven music created welcoming Queer community spaces during the past six decades.
Adriel "Fantastique" Thornton moderates an intergenerational panel featuring noted Detroit grandees of club life, including John Collins, Aidel Hawkins, and Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, to discuss the symbiotic relationship between music and the Queer community.
JOHN COLLINS (Chair, Detroit Entertainment Commission | President, Detroit Berlin Connection | Board member, Exhibit 3000 - The First Techno Museum in the World.) With decades of experience as a DJ, producer, radio host, community organizer, booking agent, and curator, no one represents Detroit’s globally renowned music scene like John “Jammin” Collins. From witnessing the birth of Detroit techno to being a longtime member of the legendary Underground Resistance collective, Collins has touched every corner of Detroit’s rich dance music scene and continues to serve as one of the best musical ambassadors the city has to offer. John has residencies at Spot Lite and Spkrbox in Detroit.
worldwidefm.net/collection/john-jammin-collins
STACEY HOTWAXX HALE
For as long as there is music and those who faithfully dance, there will always be a place for the Godmother of House Music, DJ Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale. Hale has dramatically impacted American music culture, playing in famous theaters like the Apollo New York, Detroit's Fox Theater, and legendary underground dance music clubs like Detroit's Studio 54, and The Warehouse. She's a resident DJ at Spotlite Detroit and Marble Bar. She also has an international presence, including performances in England, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, and the USA.
AIDEL HAWKINS
Aidel Hawkins, Dolls Night Co-Founder, is a Certified Community Health Worker, Prevention Specialist, and event curator based in Detroit, Michigan. Aidel's study of public health and passion for artistry has bridged the gap between event production and program coordination featuring health communication.
Dolls Night is an advocacy group and event series that strives to create a community where trans and non-binary people can thrive with radical visibility, aided by the support they need to reach their goals and inspire change.
Hawkins, who owns STUDIO-C and Cupcake Nation, also serves as an HIV Prevention Specialist and PrEP Navigator at Corktown Health and was named an NMAC Next Generation Fellow in 2023.
ADRIEL "FANTASTIQUE" THORNTON
Born and raised in NW Detroit, Thornton is a pure Detroit creative contributor and culture creator. Earning a BA from Wayne State University, Thornton was introduced to the Techno and House music sound and debuted his club event, FAMILY, now in its 28th year and voted "Best Club Night in America." He helped produce DEMF (Detroit Electronic Music Festival), Dally In the Alley, Eastern Market After Dark, Dine Drink Detroit, the Knight Arts Challenge Award Ceremony, and Mighty Real/Queer Detroit. Thornton also serves as Executive Director for MoGo, Detroit's well-loved and used non-profit bike share system.