Listening Room: Queer melancholia and the closet in classic house by WAYWARD

​This edition of Listening Room is presented by WAYWARD on the theme Queer melancholia and the closet in classic house. Expect a radio show format — a fluid DJ set weaving house music selections with archival audio, layered with storytelling.

​House music was born in the early 1980s out of black queer resistance and artistic experimentation in Chicago, and the nightclub scene surrounding it was often thought of as a pure escape from the racist homophobic mainstream culture and a space for unbridled queer expression. But these outward expressions of joy belie a deeper melancholy within much of the music, with artists wrestling with grief in the midst of the AIDS crisis, lamenting of the state of racial and queer politics, and exploring the sadness of being closeted amidst family or broader community. This mix centers these more melancholic elements of house, both thematic and musical, blending house tracks from the 80s and 90s with audio archives that more closely explore the sadness often lurking beneath the musical surface.

​​​​​The space will be open 3pm onwards with non-alcoholic cocktails and tea for sale. Music starts at 7.30pm. Silence is expected once the music starts.

​About WAYWARD

​WAYWARD is a dj and radio host from Oakland exploring untold black & queer histories in club & house music. They perform with @clubtriste & @freqshow, and host a musical narrative / storytelling show called pleasure club on badradio.biz.

​About Listening Room at York Street Collective

​​Listening Room is a series of guided listening sessions curated by local artists — each exploring a distinct musical narrative — presented live on our hi-fi sound system.

​​​​York Street Collective is celebrating the creativity and collaboration of the Mission and broader Bay Area through a 4-month long popup powered by Square and SF New Deal. We will run a community gathering space featuring quirky non-alc cocktails & coffee, curated artwork & designed goods, local small biz products and near-nightly events.