We are the internet kids; our online universes are fueled by the endless creativity and wonder we possess. If you’re in web3, hopefully you’ve made some friends based near & far, and exchanged words of support for one another in this strange new emerging world. While I’ve been *very online* for years, I’ve never had the experience I had last weekend in Austin, where I came together in person with other creators with intention, curiosity, and an openness that just can’t be replicated online. Enter Mutual Love Festival!
Day 1: Creator Panel and Mixer
To start, and to kick off Day 1 of this three-day adventure, I had the honor of moderating a panel with more talent, vision, and charm than I could have imagined. It’s one thing to meet online, but another entirely to meet in person, chat over drinks, dance until the bars close, sing karaoke, share 2am falafel quesadillas (STUNNING), and attempt to shoot pool (with surprising success!).
When it came to dreaming up the panel questions, Mutual Love (founders Alex + Anuva) gave their minimal input and then let me fly. I tried my best to do the diverse panel justice, and to tap into some core common themes that we could all see ourselves in. I guess they had reason to trust I could handle this task; it’s true, I’m a writer here at iridescent wave! And yet, like everything web3, my involvement and/or accomplishments still feel questionable at best. (Damn — should’ve asked everyone about feeling like that. Next time!)
It wasn’t too long ago (this time last year, actually) that I started this blogging experiment that continues to evolve. I did it with trepidation and a great deal of doubt in myself, as I’m no blockchain expert, and I’m sure I have a lot more questions than answers. And yet, I led with that truth, and here we are.
Where are we exactly? Well, we’re in a much different place than we were a year ago this time. We’ve seen crypto giants collapse after coming to great power via shady business practices (because web3’s reputation wasn’t shaky enough, lol), and an overall slowdown in NFT sales. We’ve seen creator royalties slip out from under us artists in the NFT marketplace wars in a fashion that feels a little too reminiscent of… every other blow artists have endured via capitalism ever? Idk. There is more trepidation, less blind belief in the power of the blockchain for good. Maybe we don’t have much power at all.
And yet, there is nothing more powerful than coming together in support and celebration of each other. If I was impressed with the panelists before I met them, spending time with them (in Austin, TX, no less! “Are we really in Texas right now?,” I heard my very northeast coast ass whisper-ask more than once) only deepened my awe of these innovators, leaders, and shakers. There were the musical ones (count me among this crew), and the more visual artists — masters of 3D, clothing & apparel brand owners, filmmakers, bull riders — the list of everyone’s talents, skills, and passions goes on, and you should check all of them out: Klara Vollstaedt, rem cycles, Mars Wright, Lee Knight, and Carmilla Sumantry.
Day 2 & 3: Dinner and a Queer Festival Day
Between Day 2, an intimate dinner + drinks celebration followed by what I can only describe as da club (shoutout to Rain on 4th!), and Day 3, the outdoor Mutual Love Festival crowded with incredible vendors and a performance from the legendary House of Lepore, I think Mutual Love Fest blew us all away.
I’m still processing all of these experiences — every meaningful conversation, every connection.
In closing (for now)
In closing for now, I guess I want to say that I’m so proud of us. I’m so grateful that people like Anuva and Alex and Esha (of social app Mysterious) can leverage their connects and resources to cultivate a beautiful 3-day festival for queer Austin + beyond. They poured into us, and we came through. They set a precedent for further events, further leadership, community, and building among & in support of each other. As an artist and as a founder, I felt seen + recognized, and that to me counts for more than I can express here on this blog, or in a Twitter thread, or on a Discord channel. It made me believe in myself a little more so that I can continue this i-wave work with a steady heart, knowing that there are people out there who have my back. And I got yours!
xo C