By Micah Jacks
Chicago DJ Ariel Zetina of Smartbar gears up for The Diamond Formation URL taking place this Saturday, August 1. The livestream benefit event, hosted in partnership with Red Bull, will shine light on the Queer music scene as well as organizations aiding the community at large.
Photo Courtesy of Discowoman
The Diamond Formation URL also seeks to reclaim dance music for Black people as its originators. The ‘dream lineup’ curated by Ariel herself features performances by artists including DJ Stingray, Akua, DJ SWISHA, Kush Jones, and Miss Twink USA and many more. Listeners across the globe will have the opportunity to join together during this innovative virtual rave, creating the perfect online safe space as the world adjusts to life during COVID-19. Beneficiaries for the Diamond Formation URL consist of local organizations providing support and resources to the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities such as Brave Space Alliance, Afrorack, Molasses Chicago, Little Village Support Network and Metro/Soundbar.
As a Latina trans woman, Ariel uses her music to not only dive deep into her own Belizean background, but as a means of activism, thus inspiring and exhilarating trans individuals. Through initiatives like the Diamond Formation URL, Ariel is able to bring awareness to issues troubling various layers of her identity and the identities of others, while concurrently rejoicing in the unique beauty of intersectionality.
On August 1st, stream the Diamond Formation URL here starting at 2:00 PM.