ELK GROVE, Calif. — This Saturday, June 22, a series of burlesque and drag performances will take center stage at A Seat at the Table Books in Elk Grove. The event, called "Black Magic Coven Burlesque & Drag Show," will include a wide range of acts featuring some local Black performers, all in the spirit of celebrating Black Pride.
"I'm super excited because it's kind of like my Sweet 16 with burlesque," said Mone't Ha-Sidi, a performer, as well as the producer and emcee of the event.
Ha-Sidi's journey with burlesque started when she saw an ad on Craigslist about a new burlesque troupe. She also started taking pole dancing classes around that time.
"I never thought that burlesque would take me to places that it has," Ha-Sidi said. "A lot of people, with our acts, we're able to draw from whatever inspirations we have."
Ha-Sidi's range of performances is wide, from "nerdlesque," described as a nerd-culture spin on burlesque drawing inspiration from pop culture, to political acts centered on the Black American experience and mental health.
This weekend's event was organized with intent — Ha-Sidi wanted to provide a space for Black and queer performers to share their art form. It's something Ha-Sidi strives to do year-round, not just during Pride Month in June.
"I would say in like all mediums of art, [Black performers are] kind of underrepresented. I feel like people are with our rhythm, but not our blues," she said.
The phrase describes the societal tendency to appreciate and embrace aspects of Black culture while disregarding Black people, as well as Black struggle and experience.
"For example, a lot of nights that are deejayed with R&B or hip hop are not actually by Black people because venues don't want to have black deejays and don't want to bring a Black audience in. My dad's a deejay and he's experienced it, too," Ha-Sidi said. "A lot of times when we as artists speak out about the racism or anti-Blackness we experience, we're cast as the villain even though what we speak is factual to our lived experiences."
Ha-Sidi said diversity and inclusivity extends across all forms, not just race. It also includes body diversity and gender identity diversity.
"I am asexual. A lot of people forget that the A in the LGBTQIA+ is for asexual or aromantic. And so I want to create spaces for those who are not as visible, for fat performers, Black queer performers, for ace performers, for people who don't see themselves on screen or on stage," she said.
Although the industry has taken great strides to be more inclusive, Ha-Sidi said European beauty standards and specific body types are still more celebrated in burlesque. She knows first-hand just how much of an impact representation can make.
"Black Panther came out when I was about 40 years old, and I cried when I saw that because it was my first time seeing Black people represented in such a way that we're not used to," Ha-Sidi said. "It's just very, very important for all kinds of people to be able to see themselves in spaces that they never thought were available or open to them and also be able to do roles or pursue avenues in career that they thought was closed off to them because of who they are."
It hasn't always been easy for Ha-Sidi to create those spaces for Black and queer performers in Sacramento. In 2022, she was one of 45 artists who received a grant through the city of Sacramento's Seeding Creativity program. With the funds she received, she planned to produce a first-of-its-kind all Black burlesque festival in Sacramento. However, she was unable to secure a venue space and instead had to host the show virtually.
Ha-Sidi said throughout her career, she's been on the receiving end of racial and sexual harassment, while she continues to be vocal about the importance of safe spaces for all people. She hasn't let any of those experiences slow her down.
"Even through struggle, I have managed to perform from Alaska to Panama. I've won multiple awards," Ha-Sidi said. "I've kind of persisted through all of this adversity that I have faced and I'm still very proud of the things that I've been able to accomplish for a Black girl who grew up in Del Paso Heights."
The "Black Magic Coven Burlesque & Drag Show" starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and attendees must be at least 18. Tickets are $25.
More happening this weekend: Juneteenth celebrations at Black Miners Bar
