Heritage Activists & Liberation Artists (HALA) Presents
Salon HALA: A Queer Art Salon Inspired by Resistance & Community
February 14, 2025
Brava Cabaret
Doors at 6:30pm
Join us for Salon Hala, a queer art salon in the spirit of the Parisian art salons of the past. Organized by the Hala Collective, this unique event blends community recognition, live performances, and interactive games in an immersive, celebratory format.
Salon Hala is a space to uplift queer voices, celebrate community elders and activists, and engage in radical joy through art, music, and movement.
This event will benefit the Bay to Gaza Mutual Aid Collective. Food will be provided in support of this vital mutual aid effort.
TICKETS
1. Free (Indigenous or can't afford)
2. $10 (Students)
3. $20 (Standard)
4. $40 (Sponsor)
Salon Hala is divided into three sections, each celebrating different aspects of our queer community:
1. Honoring Community Elders & Activists
A heartfelt tribute to the local queer activists and elders who have shaped the Bay Area’s queer community and activism.
2. Interactive Games
Inspired by NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, the games will be led by a panel of dynamic local figures who blend humor, insight, and activism. Audience participation is encouraged!
3. Live Performances
Featuring music, dance, and spoken word by local queer artists, creating an unforgettable night of artistry and expression.
Panelists & Performers
Mama Ganuush (She/They): Drag artist, activist, and founder of TheHalaCollective.com Known for her fierce and captivating performances, Mama Ganuush is a powerful voice for queer Palestinian resistance.
Bianca Brown (She/Her): Singer, songwriter, and musician. Captivating and resonant, Bianca sings and plays with intention and passion, weaving Black Futurism into her art.
Monica Berini (She/Her): Folk dancer, percussionist, educator, and writer. Monica focuses on movement arts rooted in community traditions, with expertise in Egyptian baladi and Southern Italian tarantelle.
Brooke Lober (She/They): Teacher, writer, and social movement scholar. Brooke is currently researching the legacies of antiracist and anti-Zionist feminisms in the Bay Area.
Deeg (They/Them): Revolutionary dyke and activist. Deeg works with QUIT! (Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism), LAGAI: Queer Insurrection, and Gay Shame.
Camellia Boutros (She/Her): Palestinian/Lebanese-American composer and multi-instrumentalist. Based in San Francisco, Camellia brings soulful Arabic music to her performances.
Nida Liftawiya (She/Her): Palestinian activist, artist, and educator. Nida’s work focuses on uplifting Palestinian narratives and building solidarity through art and education.
Mimi Klausner (She/Her): Mimi Klausner is a lifelong activist engaged in anti-war, feminist, and LGBTQ+ liberation movements. She co-founded OUT/LOOK: Lesbian and Gay Quarterly, one of the first publications to center both gay men and women. Over the years, she has worked to advance police accountability, empower communities of color, and advocate for Palestinian liberation.
Simon Petty (He/Him): Member of the Celestial Hotties Art Collective. Simon will perform stripped-down versions of original songs, bringing warmth and intimacy to the stage.
Community Impact
Salon Hala is more than an event—it’s a movement. By bringing together diverse voices from the Bay Area’s queer community, Salon Hala fosters connection, builds solidarity, and centers activism through art.
Proceeds from ticket sales will support future events by thehalacollective.com, continuing the mission to uplift local artists and activists.
Food & Mutual Aid Partnership
Bay to Gaza Mutual Aid Collective will provide food for the event.
Proceeds will directly support Bay to Gaza’s vital mutual aid efforts, including healthcare and education initiatives in Palestine. Learn more: www.bay2gaza.org
About Hala Collective
The Hala Collective is a community-driven initiative dedicated to creating spaces for radical joy, queer resistance, and all liberation through art, storytelling, and cultural events. The collective prioritizes centering marginalized voices, especially those of queer and trans BIPOC communities.
Press Contact
Mama Ganuush (Founder)
Contact: admin@thehalacollective.com
Website: http://www.thehalacollective.com/
Social Media: instagram.com/thesalonhala
