In 2020, local artist Tre’von “Tre G” Griffith and his husband, magazine editor Shelton Boyd-Griffith, spent two weeks organizing werQfest, a virtual event featuring some much-needed live entertainment and aiming to uplift St. Louis’ Black queer community.
Three years later, Tre G says they never imagined that the event would become what it is today: A full-fledged festival platforming national names and local artists to a wide audience. Singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr is set to headline this year’s festival, alongside a special performance from winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12, Jaida Essence Hall.
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The festival will be housed at The Big Top for the second year in a row. Gates are set to open at 5 p.m. on July 8, with performances kicking off at 5:30 p.m. According to their Instagram, werQfest 2023 is “back bigger, gayer, and even more sickening!” For Tre G and Shelton, improving production values and scaling up at a reasonable rate was a main priority. This will be the first time werQfest includes a national recording artist, though Bernarr has been “on the dream list to headline the festival” since the very beginning.
“[Bernarr] has gained a lot of traction and is really on the forefront of being a national queer Black artist,” Tre G says. “It’s a representation of what’s possible, so it’s showing the artists here that it really is obtainable. We probably didn’t think that maybe three or four years ago, but times actually are changing.”
In light of the recent anti-drag legislation considered by the Missouri House of Representatives, the duo also notes that it’s critical to show support for artists like Hall.
“Drag is such an integral part of the queer experience,” Shelton says. “Particularly with what’s going on around the country, I think having [Hall] on this platform speaks volumes to the work that we’re trying to build.”
Alongside the headlining acts, guests can look forward to a slate of appearances by local artists, including Sunny Rain, DJ Nico Marie, Umami, DJ PBnJeffy, Kristopher Lay, Robinson, Richard, and TENs Live! featuring Maven Logik Lee. At a satellite stage, the festival will pay homage to its virtual origins through recorded performances (à la NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts”) featuring Kimaiya Dance Company and Miyonnee Sateek.
Tre G and Shelton were excited to receive more than 40 submissions from artists in St. Louis and beyond during the festival’s selection process. They hope that werQfest 2023 can serve as an opportunity for up-and-coming queer artists and allies to “build new audiences and be introduced to new people,” Tre G says.
Beyond its performance offerings, one of werQfest’s main aims is to give back to the communities it amplifies. A vendor market at the event will highlight Black and brown-led businesses, and a portion of merch sales will go toward the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund. Further, two exemplary St. Louisans will be honored for their contributions: Executive Director of Action St. Louis Kayla Reed is set to receive the Community Advocacy Award, and artist Kameron Saunders will receive the Arts Impact Award.
As werQfest continues to grow, Tre G says he’s noticed a building sense of community amongst attendees.
“I would name it, like, the biggest Black queer family reunion in town,” Tre G says. “You don’t always get those spaces in Pride St. Louis, or even in The Grove necessarily. We want to provide the space that is needed, and clearly we think that it’s important and people appreciate it. So as long as the community wants us to keep going, I think we’ll keep going.”
