Shows how studying the women's music festivals provides insights into the role of music and lesbian community formation. This book argues that the women's music festival is a significant institutional site for the emergence of black feminist consciousness in the contemporary period.

Eileen M. Hayes argues that the women's music festival, with its foundation in lesbian feminism, is a significant institutional site for the emergence of black feminist consciousness in the contemporary period. She offers sage perspectives on black women's involvement in the women's music festival scene, the ramifications of their performances as drag kings in those environments, and the challenges and joys of a black lesbian retreat based on the feminist festival model. With acuity and candor, Hayes elucidates why this music scene matters, Veteran vocalist, percussionist, and producer Linda Tillery provides a foreword.