
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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About The 2023 Oaklash Festival =
The Oaklash Festival is the Bay Area's premier celebration of drag and queer performance. Our 2023 Festival will feature panels and workshops throughout the month of May leading up to a full weekend of nonstop DRAG including live performance, DJs, artists, music, dancing, vendors and more Friday May 19th - Sunday May 21st! Kings, queens, and queers from all over the Bay Area and beyond will join together for this annual celebration of local queer culture. Check out our full lineup of events here.
Curious about applying to Oaklash this year?
Watch this Application Walkthrough webinar with Oaklash co-founder Mama Celeste!
03:22 - Drag and Other Performers • 13:00 - Original Music • 15:30 - DJs
17:49 - Panels & Workshops • 22:44 - Vendors & Exhibitors • 30:15 - Volunteers
Tickets
All Oaklash events are NOTAFLOF: No One Turned Away For Lack of Funds, though limited tickets may be available at the door so pre-sales are encouraged! All revenue at our gates and pre-sale registrations sold through Eventbrite are suggested donations which go to support our artists, event staff, production fees, and overhead costs. All surplus proceeds help Oaklash provide resources and opportunities for queer and trans artists in the Bay Area all year round, and ensure that we can continue to keep our festival going for years to come!
Pre-sale tickets for all of our events this year start at $20 but discounted full weekend passes are available at $50 for a limited time! Click here to get yours now!
Our block party is an all-ages family-friendly event but all other parties are 21+ only with valid ID. All events will take place at ADA compliant venues and feature ASL interpretation during performances.
Performers
We are looking for kings, queens, dancers, clowns, comedians, burlesque performers, DJs, live musicians, and all types of queer and trans performers from the Bay and beyond! Don't be shy -- show us what you got.
Live performers must be able to travel to one of our official venues in Oakland where a stage manager, sound tech, and lighting will be provided. There will be no tech rehearsals or opportunity for lighting cues. Live performers must cancel if they begin to show any symptoms of COVID-19.
This is a highly competitive process. More than half of people who apply will not be selected to perform. Last year we had over 300 applications, and this year have only 60 spots to fill. To ensure fair and equitable participation at our event, each year we assemble a group of producers and performers from around the Bay Area to curate the lineup of the festival. This year's curators include Nicki Jizz, Beatrix Lahaine, Jota Mercury, Phoebe Cakes, Major Hammy, Obsidienne Obsurd, Maha Wam, Charles Hawthorne, Kochina Rude, LOTUS BOY, and Mama Celeste.
Click here to apply! Deadline to apply to perform at Oaklash2023 is Sunday, April 2nd
Panels & Workshops
All Oaklash panels and workshops are entirely free! Though space may be limited so RSVPs are recommended. More information coming soon!
We are currently accepting applications for folx to host panels and workshops to take place in person or online over the course of the month of May 2023 leading up to our main festival. Please indicate your preferred date, time, and venue.
All in-person events must take place in Oakland.
Click here to apply! Deadline to apply to host a panel or workshop is Sunday, March 26th
Vendors & Exhibitors
We'll be selecting a small group of local artists, businesses, and organizations to showcase at our event, which will attract thousands of attendees from all across the Bay Area. Priority will be given to queer, trans, and POC-led exhibitors.
Possible Times:
Saturday, May 20th • 1PM - 8PM
Sunday, May 21st • 6PM - 10PM
Rental Rates:
$50 - Individual Artist or QTBIPOC-Owned Business
$100 - Food Vendor
$200 - Small Business (Revenue Under $99k/yr)
$300 - Mid-Size Business (Revenue $100k-$999k/yr)
$400 - Government Agency
$500 - Large Business (Revenue Over $1mil/yr)
$1000 - Event Sponsors (Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities)
Optional Additional Rentals:
Canopy Tent - $150/each
Folding Table - $20/each
Folding Chair - $5/each
Vendors will be required to submit their sellers permit numbers and proof of liability coverage up to $2,000,000 with "Oaklash" and venue listed as additionally insured. Food vendors must submit proper health and sanitation permits.
Click here to apply! Vendors accepted on a rolling basis, though deadline is Sunday, April 16th
Volunteers
We're looking for volunteers to help make this festival a reality. We are looking for in person and virtual volunteers including ushers, tip kittens, set up/strike, ticketing, backstage assistants, streamers, mods, videographers, stage managers, COVID compliance officers, A/V assistants, and more for our annual event.
The Oaklash Festival 2023 will take place Friday May 19th thru Sunday May 21st, but we also need volunteer support for our panels and workshops all throughout the month of May
Click here to apply! Volunteers accepted on a rolling basis.