Feel Good Friday – Queer Night Halloween Was a Glittering Celebration of Community

Halloween came early at UMMA with this Feel Good Friday—Queer Night on October 24, where glitter, ghosts, and glamour collided in perfect spooky fashion. But like every Feel Good Friday, the night was truly brought to life by the incredible community partners who poured their energy, creativity, and passion into every detail. With performances curated by Detroit-based artist Venusloc, the evening was a playful, over-the-top celebration of joy and love for all.

“There are so many talented individuals in Detroit who deserve to be celebrated for their contributions to music and arts culture,” Venusloc said. “I have followed Queer Night for the last few years and was so excited to collaborate with UMMA on this event. It brings me great joy to have a hand in the curation of this important event!”

Performances by Baddie Brooks, Cherriel, and Na Bonsai brought powerhouse vocals, high-octane beats, and experimental soundscapes. For Na Bonsai, the night was about more than just the music.

“I wanted to create a special moment through music and performance—it felt like a space where anything was possible, and together we transformed it,”Bonsai said. “My hope was for people to feel seen, to have fun, and to be inspired, even just for a moment. Events like Queer Night remind us how vital it is to come together, to feel safe and celebrated in our self-expression. Queer spaces are endangered right now, and we have to protect them.”

Artists Ruby Flwrs, Miriam Uhura, Yhasmin Wilder, and Miranda Kyle captured striking mini portraits, while the UMMA Student Advisory Board immortalized the night through a paper moon–inspired photobooth. Guests arrived in unforgettable looks like a Fizzy Soda Pop, Marvel legend Loki , to an adorbs mini Walking Dead duo, giving the artists plenty of inspiration for their portraits.

“I was so excited to see everyone’s costumes—and even more excited to draw them,” Flwrs reflected. “Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, and this truly felt like the event for my own celebration. As a new participant in UMMA’s Queer Night, I wanted people to feel seen and free enough to enjoy the festivities around them and go home well fed.”

For Uhura, the evening marked an especially meaningful moment. “What excited me most was being part of such an inclusive and safe space for queerness to thrive and be present with art—it was a first for me as an artist,” she said.

Fellow artist Kris McKinney echoed that sentiment, noting how vital visibility and connection are across creative communities. “This was an opportunity for both participants and audience members to reach one another and, in so doing, expand our shared awareness”.

Be a part of the community that is Feel Good Friday at the next event, Feel Good Friday: Feel Good Frybread, on Friday, November 14, from 7–10 pm!