Today we’d like to introduce you to Pangelica & Amy Reid Grl Pwr
Hi Pangelica & Amy Reid, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
GRL PWR is a collaborative partnership between Baltimore trailblazers, musicians, and cultural organizers Amy Reid & Pangelica Hall. Our mission is to cultivate queer joy through community-focused programming, nurturing an influential yet overlooked local culture.
Since its founding in 2014, GRL PWR events has become a beloved Baltimore institution, earning recognition and support from organizations like Baltimore Magazine, Bmore Art, the Grit Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council, and The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation. Beyond its initial focus, GRL PWR has expanded its programming to offer free financial wellness resources, community-building initiatives, and music resources for artists. One of our signature events, SWEAT!, is an annual, gender-expansive drag show featuring local artists and queer pop culture icons like Crystal Waters. Attracting audiences from across the region, SWEAT! has also welcomed drag legends such as Nina Bo’ Nina Brown and Tatianna. During the pandemic, we sought new ways to connect with our community and launched Butch Garden, an outdoor day party held at Peabody Heights on the first Saturday of each month from June through November. Now in its fourth year, Butch Garden has become a phenomenon, drawing 400-600 attendees and evolving into a vibrant intergenerational space that welcomes both young people and elders. We’re especially proud of this growth and, in 2023, celebrated our partnership with Peabody Heights by launching an official Butch Garden Beer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We’ve faced our share of challenges, particularly in creating an equitable, safe, and accessible space for our audience and collaborators. Fair wages are always a priority, though economic realities sometimes make this difficult, even forcing us to operate at a loss to ensure fair compensation. To prioritize safety at our events, we aim to have at least one security person and one mediator from the queer community present whenever financially possible. Accessibility is also key, and we strive to select venues that accommodate differently-abled bodies. Our biggest hurdle is the decline in financial support from the art sector, which increasingly forces us to rely on community support, bartering, and personal connections to continue our programming.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For a decade, since its inception in 2014, GRL PWR has been a cornerstone of Baltimore’s queer community, specializing in fostering vital connections and providing a crucial platform for queer artists. Pangelica and Amy Reid are both musicians with prolific and extensive careers. Some highlights from their collaborations include producing original work for the Walters Art Museum, DJing a Boiler Room set, and curating a panel for Red Bull Amaphiko Festival. However, we are most proud of still being an active organization despite the challenges we’ve encountered along the way. This longevity speaks volumes about GRL PWR’s commitment and impact, solidifying its role as more than just an event organizer but as a true community builder. Through diverse programming, including dynamic events like SWEAT! and Butch Garden, GRL PWR cultivates inclusive spaces where queer individuals can connect, celebrate, and find belonging. By consistently prioritizing queer artists in their lineups and initiatives over the past ten years, GRL PWR has actively supported their creative growth and visibility, enriching the cultural landscape and empowering the queer community. This sustained dedication to community building and artistic empowerment has cemented GRL PWR’s legacy as a vital and enduring force within Baltimore’s queer scene.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grlpwr.me
- Instagram: @grlpwrbaltimore
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/grl-pwr-united
