REVERB | Queercore

REVERB: QUEERCORE

Join us for a night of celebrating and learning about the origins of queer punk rock. We will take a deep dive into the long, messy, and ultimately consummated relationship between queerness and punk culture with a panel moderated by activist Andy Bowen, featuring: journalist, scholar, teacher, and drummer Candace Hansen; Evelyn Veronica Garcia of Eevie Echoes; and Jael Holzman of Ekko Astral. Attendees will hear about the interplay between the liberatory and queer, antiracist energy inherent in punk, and the sinister flip-side of reaction, homophobia, transphobia, and racism. Following the panel, there will be live performances by Evelyn Veronica Garcia of Eevie Echoes (solo) and A Total Wreck.

ABOUT REVERB: COLLABORATION WITH AMERICAN LGBTQ+ MUSEUM

An immersive program series that connects the echoes of queer history to the present through captivating history lessons and live performances. Each event features a blend of lectures, music, dance, and interactive experiences, all set within a casual, speakeasy atmosphere. Participants can explore archival materials and ephemera that highlight a unique aspect of queer history, showcasing how its reverberations continue to shape and influence the LGBTQ+ community. Reverb creates a space to cultivate a deeper connection to queer history through both education and expression.

COLLABORATORS

MODERATOR:

Andy Bowen Andy is a seasoned activist focused on securing resources and rights for marginalized communities, especially transgender people, immigrants, and sex workers. She founded the Popular Front Project after working in the New York City Mayor’s Office, where she was often the only trans person in the room. She pushed leadership to publicly support trans communities during a time of rising federal hostility. Previously, Andy led Bowen Public Affairs Consulting (now Collective Public Affairs), lobbying for increased city funding for LGBTQ+ and economic justice organizations. She has a long-standing passion for moving public dollars to oppressed people and has won major victories in areas such as healthcare access, identity document reform, and job equity for trans and queer people in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.

PANELISTS:

Candace Hansen is a drummer, scholar, artist, event producer, and PhD candidate studying and teaching at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music and the Department of Gender Studies, writing for LA Times and Spin, and drumming for the Alice Bag Band, dimber, and the Josie Wreck Noise Whorechestra. Hansen is finishing their dissertation “We’re In This Together Now, Huh?” Deviant Drummers, Dancefloors, and Surviving in Queer Punk Time” a work based on their life as a punk musician and organizer, archival research, and interviews. Hansen produces Butch Bech Presents, a queer and trans music and performance art event, and to celebrate the completion of their dissertation, they are planning Rhythmic Ruptures: an event celebrating queer punk drummers on September 21st 2025 in Los Angeles. Hansen is working on an oral history project about the feminist punk festival Grrl Fair and compiling a collection of their journalism and music for the Candace Hansen Papers Collection to be housed at CSUF Special Collections Archive. Starting out as a zinester, Hansen’s award-winning journalism is grounded in DIY ethos and punk spirit with recent features about Elvira, Beverly Glenn Copeland, Hole, and Phranc receiving nominations and awards from National Entertainment Arts Journalism Awards and LA Press Club. Hansen has collaborated with organizations like The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, Gay Freedom Band LA, LA Zine Fest, Chic2Chic, LA Public Library, Queer and Trans Poetry Night, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Philosophical Research Society, Heavy Manners Library, Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, and more.

Evelyn Veronica Garcia is the visionary frontwoman and creative force behind the experimental rock band Eevie Echoes & The Locations. Known for her ethereal yet powerful vocal style and genre-blending approach to music, Garcia has carved out a unique space in the underground music scene, blending elements of post-punk, dream pop, and electronic soundscapes. With a background in both music and visual arts, Garcia is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans beyond the stage.

Jael Holzman is the frontperson and creative mind behind the genre-defying project Ekko Astral. Known for blending elements of synth-pop, ambient, and experimental rock, Holzman crafts music that transcends traditional boundaries, using atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics to create a deeply immersive listening experience. With a background in both music production and visual arts, Holzman combines their musical talents with a unique visual identity, bringing a multi-sensory approach to every release and live performance.

MUSICAL GUESTS:

• A Total Wreck
• Evelyn Veronica Garcia of Eevie Echoes (solo)

ABOUT AMERICAN LGBTQ+ MUSEUM

The American LGBTQ+ Museum (ALM) preserves, investigates, and celebrates the dynamic histories and cultures of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, as well as those of the emergent and adjacent identities among our communities. Using exhibitions and programs, we seek to advance LGBTQ+ equality through the lens of social justice movements, including, but not limited to, race, gender, class, immigration, and disability. Follow us and learn more at https://americanlgbtqmuseum.org.

ABOUT CULTURE LAB LIC

Culture Lab LIC is a 501(c)(3) formed to be the arts and culture umbrella for Western Queens. We present local, national, and international art of all genres, while supporting New York artists and other nonprofits by providing space, resources and a sense of community. Operating out of a 12,000 square foot converted warehouse, Culture Lab LIC hosts two fine art galleries, an 80 seat theater, classroom space, an 18,000 square foot outdoor venue, and a robust residency program. Culture Lab LIC is dedicated to upholding, equity, diversity and inclusion across all our platforms. Learn more at https://www.culturelablic.org.

ACCESSIBILITY

• The Gallery at Culture Lab LIC is wheelchair accessible from the street
• ASL Interpretation will be provided upon request | please email info@americanlgbtqmuseum.orgat least one week prior to the program

Culture Lab LIC strives to ensure that its services are accessible to people with disabilities. Culture Lab LIC has invested a significant amount of resources to help ensure that its website is made easier to use and more accessible for people with disabilities, with the strong belief that website accessibility efforts assist all users and that every person has the right to live with dignity, equality, comfort and independence. Learn more at: https://www.culturelablic.org/accessibility.

ABOUT THE PHOTO

Eevie Echoes & The Locations shot by hugo joan-rose