BOFFO Festival 2023: A Radiant Day of Art & Beauty
This past Saturday, something truly extraordinary happened on the sandy shores of Fire Island. The much-anticipated BOFFO Festival, in collaboration with OCDChinatown, opened its welcoming arms to artists and audiences alike, gathering under the theme of FUGITIVE INTIMACIES.
The term “intimacies” could not have been more fitting. At BaBEC, we found inspiration and connection in the heart of BOFFO's mission. The brilliant performances, the rebellious music, and the dance that freed our bodies and minds spoke to the core of what BaBEC stands for: equity, accessibility, and celebrating BIPOC LGBTQ+ voices.
Our free sunscreen station added a small yet essential touch to the festival. It might have been about protecting skin, but it symbolized so much more. Protection, care, unity, and warmth – not just from the sun but from a community that stands together.
The lineup was nothing short of mesmerizing. Artists like Cassils, Dazié Grego-Sykes, Dorian Wood, and many more transformed the beach into a stage of resistance and creativity. They dove into Fire Island's unique ecologies, challenging norms and setting new futures for queer kinship in motion.
Curators Tavia Nyong’o and assistant curator Buffy did more than assemble a space for art; they created a sphere of queer sociality where every beat, every color, and every movement felt like a declaration of freedom. They reminded us why BOFFO has been an inspiration to BaBEC, a partner in our quest to deconstruct barriers and build bridges that connect us all.
Take a moment to explore the photo gallery below, captured by our gifted board member, Victor Jeffreys II, who wanted to freeze in time the beauty of a day filled with joy, creativity, and love.
All photos by Victor Jeffreys II
Together with BOFFO, we took a radiant departure from conformity. We danced on the waves of change and reveled in the winds of progress. It was not just a festival but a statement, a celebration, and a promise of a more beautiful, inclusive tomorrow.
