WerQfest in St. Louis will celebrate Black, queer creativity — and joy

A festival celebrating the music and culture of the Black, queer community enters its fourth year Saturday, when WerQfest takes over the Big Top in Grand Center.

National headliners Durand Bernarr and Jaida Essence Hall will be joined on the bill by a slew of St. Louis-based artists, including Sunny Rain, DJ Nico Marie, UMami and DJ PBnJeffy.

Musical artist Tre G and writer Shelton Boyd-Griffith founded the event, which has grown from an online-only affair into a full-on festival.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Jeremy D. Goodwin spoke with Sunny Rain and DJ PBnJeffy about their latest projects, and why they say it’s important to showcase the artistry of Black artists who are queer, trans or non-binary.