Gatas y Vatas is a festival and performance series centering daring work in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Now in its seventh iteration, the all-ages fest asks women, transgender and nonbinary performers to push their own boundaries and those of their audience. The fest is expanding and welcoming cross-disciplinary collaboration, too. The 2017 mission: crack barriers, connect artists, and help fortify the experimental art and music community in New Mexico.

Gatas y Vatas is seeking submissions and proposals for new or existing visual artworks and installations for the 7th edition of the festival, Oct 13-14, 2017, at Fusion Forum. We would like to invite women, trans, and non-binary artists of all ages to submit works, and particularly encourage works which address the festival’s theme of protest. Protest can be politically charged, but can also be subtle, emotional, and personal. We have equal interest in works which speak to larger social and cultural realities, and works which engage with protest and resistance in smaller and more intimate realms. Gatas has traditionally been a space of exploration, experimentation, and for many is a first experience of performing solo. In the spirit of pushing personal artistic boundaries, we welcome submissions which fall outside of the materials, methods, and scale of your everyday practice, submissions which represent personal risk-taking, and ones which engage our larger communities of performers and audience members either conceptually or through opportunities for interaction, play, and reflection. Proposals should include a short written description, artist statement, and 3-5 supporting images (concept sketches or past works are fine for proposed new works). Please email all materials to mckinnoncecilia [at] gmail [dot] com by Sept. 15 for consideration. Please share this with your friends, family, and community. We are very excited to be collaborating with visual artists this year and look forward to working with you .

Band lotto! Musicians of any genre throw their name in a hat. Names are drawn and bands are formed. Two weeks later, they take the stage. A fundraiser for GyV and ABQ Zine Fest. Drawing this Sunday Aug. 6 at Bandido Hideout.

I had so much fun at Gatas y Vatas this year in Albuquerque and Santa Fe!! This year was quite possibly my most favorite year in terms of the overall lineup. It was just so so good. I am still tired from it all, but still riding the memory waves. I will post my song from the 2017 comp album soon.

Tomorrow night is the last benefit to help raise up this year's festival. Thursday Night Girl Fight at Launchpad features: • SNAILMATE: nerdcore synth-punk snailmate.com • NIZHÓNÍ GIRLS: surf in the desert • HARD DATA/SOFT SPOT with BELLA TROUT: punk punk punk with a little bit of spunk • SCISSOR LIFT: solo project of Eliza Lutz Doors at 8pm • Music at 9pm $5 • 21+ Bring school supplies for Hózhó20's classroom donation drive! Plus, GATAS Y VATAS will hook you up with a freshly made button featuring this year's artwork AND a download code for the 2015 compilation! All donations and supplies go to classrooms and teachers in and around Shiprock that need the assistance. THURSDAY NIGHT GIRL FIGHT: Rowdy musicians and songwriters in the spotlight since January 2009.

We are still taking submissions for visual artists and installation art for this year's festival! Submit your proposals and work by THIS FRIDAY 9/15.

Showcase on Thursday at Ocotillo Room! Join us for this amazing lineup. Early show. Proceeds support the fest and performers. 

Apply for Gatas y Vatas 7 by midnight on Monday, Aug. 14! Our fest centers boundary-pushing solo performance by women, transgender and nonbinary performers. This year, we're also welcoming interdisciplinary collaborations. DM us with questions. Applying is FREE. gatasyvatas.com/submissions