After five years of organizing, we finally unveiled the Denna and Estella Strickland historical marker in Georgia. I can’t believe it, and it appears we’re just getting started. For those of you who aren’t up to speed, I started a research project back in my master’s program to uncover the true story behind how two Black women – mother and daughter – were killed by police in their home in 1932.

Alongside the living descendants of the victims, there is now a 250-pound cast iron marker located at the cemetery where Denna, Estella, and most of the immediate Strickland family is buried. The marker corrects the historical narrative that these two women were killed by white men as an act of self-defense. Instead, thanks to the heroic reporting of the Black Press, we know that these women were killed for trying to protect their family. 

If you want to watch some of the remarks – including mine – you can tune in to YouTube. Photos to come.

In this week’s newsletter, the most exciting part is a Juneteenth show that crosses genres and identities to bridge community across the Cleveland arts scene. Keep reading, and as always, I’ve got a few pop culture recs for you too.

Thanks for reading,
Dakotah

Featuring local musicians, drag performances and DJ sets, CROAK! is a free variety show happening this Friday at 5 O’Clock Lounge in Lakewood.

In Cleveland, it can be pretty easy to find a rock night or a drag show, but it’s much harder to find a event that bridges the gap. On Friday, you can catch performers from across genres and disciplines during CROAK! in true variety show style.

Live musical performances include high energy rock band Guiche alongside R&B artists A.M. The Queen and Elii Ormond. The show is organized to break-up the music performances with drag acts from Abel N. Willing, R.J. Tha King and Transsexuella, rounding out the evening with DJ sets from Nunkkah and Xavier, Kimpiid and Kiwii.xx. 

“It’s my first Juneteenth performance,” A.M. The Queen said. “I’m excited to have the ability to perform as an artist with freedom [and] I’ll be thinking about the artists of the past and the people who fought for me to have the ability to do this today.”

A.M. The Queen, a solo performer formerly of Cleveland-based pop group S.Y.S., is releasing an album later this summer, titled “I Won’t Write Songs Like This Again.” With a few dozen unreleased tracks up her sleeve, her new music tackles themes of self-criticism, while finding moments to “Choose Yourself,” the name of the upcoming lead single off the record.

Ines Bakia, the lead singer for Guiche who curated the event, said the show started out as a release show for their new single “Croak,” but quickly pivoted to a Juneteenth-focused line-up when they confirmed the date with the venue. “It’s very DIY, and more about dancing and connection rather than hype for the song,” they said.

“This is very separate from the scene that Guiche is typically in,” Bakia said. “We’re in a very male-dominated and white-dominated rock scene, so this is a chance to get rid of some of the cliquey-ness and create community.”

Nearly all of the performers for the evening are queer and/or Black, something that Bakia said was “non-negotiable,” especially given the time of year.

“Shows like these shine a spotlight on Black culture and queer culture together,” drag king R.J. Tha King said. “We share a similar fight, so being able to celebrate together is a beautiful thing.”

CROAK! A Juneteenth and Pride Variety Show (21+) is free, but you should plan to bring cash to tip performers. The show will kick off at 7 p.m. at 5 O’clock Lounge in Lakewood. 

We’re here, we’re (mostly) queer.

If you listen to folks like Jamila Woods, Chance the Rapper, or other talented Chicago artists, you have likely stumbled upon Noname. 

Sundial, like so much of Noname’s music, packs powerful political messages in catchy wordplays backed by beats that are fun and just flow. There’s nothing more that I can really say about her that she couldn’t say better herself.

Surprise surprise, it’s another album that I recommend listening to — at least once — from start to finish. If you’re looking for just one song, “Hold Me Down” is one of many that fit the moment.

Back in early 2024, I was lucky enough to catch Noname at Grog Shop. Unfortunately, Cleveland didn’t make the cut for her upcoming 2026 tour, with its only Midwest stop in Chicago.

Believe me, it’s only been by sheer coincidence that I haven’t recommended Tegan and Sara in this section so many times, so I am just as shocked as you are that they are turning up for a completely different reason. Did everyone else know about this?!

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara follows the queer pop duo through a decade-plus-long catfishing scheme where someone – or a group of people – pretended to be Tegan Quinn online, starting up friendships and romantic relationships with fans that turned toxic. Some fans were misled for years, before the truth came out that they had not in fact been corresponding with one of their favorite musicians.

As a big Tegan and Sara fan, I had no clue, and it sounds like that’s a bit intentional as most of this didn’t come out publicly until the documentary was released a couple years ago. It’s a great, but kinda terrifying, watch and definitely broke up the rest of what I’ve been watching.

In the spirit of Pride, I am recommending one of my favorite graphic novels: Kiss Number 8. It’s a gorgeous – and funny – story about queerness and buried family secrets. You’ll just have to pick up a copy to find out the rest.

If you’re looking for more Cleveland-based Pride events, check out The Buckeye Flame’s comprehensive Pride Guide. For example, Mx. Juneteenth – a queer and Black-centered abolitionist collective – is hosting its big event on Saturday, June 20.