Northside bar The Comet is holding a fundraiser this month that aims to both help trans youth and honor the memory of a Greater Cincinnati musician.
“Earlier this month, Cincinnati’s music scene tragically lost one of its brightest lights. Ty Holiday was a remarkable bassist, a talented show organizer, and a dear friend to many,” Burrito Boys Booking, the group helping organize the fundraiser, said in a press release.
Ty led her own band, prog outfit Anaphaunt, and was a talented bassist, show organizer and a friend to many, says Burrito Boys. She also contributed to many local projects like Heist, Stone & Snow and Chantelle & The Digs and helped out at and organized events like Burritofest and City Stompers: Prog Night at Northside Tavern. She was also a passionate advocate for the trans community.
“At the time of her passing, she was co-organizing a benefit for a charity focused on trans youth. At the request of her loved ones, the event will go on as scheduled and serve as a memorial to a powerful force,” Burrito Boys said.
“Transform - A Benefit and Memorial for Ty Holiday” will be taking place at The Comet on Friday, March 29 starting at 8 p.m. Proceeds will go toward Transform Cincy, a local nonprofit that provides free wardrobes to transgender and gender non-conforming youth and hosts events and provides community spaces for its clients.
Burrito Boys says following the Ohio legislature’s passage of House Bill 68, which banned gender-affirming care for trans youth in Ohio, and the death of nonbinary Oklahoma student Nex Benedict, they wanted to do something for the cause. They reached out to Ty, knowing she would have the insight and knowledge to make the event a success.
“The last thing we wanted to do was act in a way that was patronizing or out of step with the mission of such an event. Ty knew exactly which nonprofit would benefit from our efforts and put us in contact. Having someone in our corner with passionate opinions about how the event should be curated was immensely helpful. Losing our dear friend and such a talented organizer has been a tremendous loss,” they said.
Ty’s band was scheduled to headline the event. Instead, their time has been set aside at the end of the night to reflect and remember Ty. All the other acts scheduled to perform will still go on. Those include punk outfit Bug Juice, emo punk band Pickle Bucket and experimental rock duo The Ganzfelds, who will be making their debut. Kelly Eryn, a local electronica artist and close friend of Ty’s, will open the night with a solo set. All the groups involved have trans or gender non-conforming members.
Throughout the night, community members will speak about Transform’s mission and their own experiences as trans people.
Admission is completely donation-based, and all ages are welcome to attend.
The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside. More info: cometbar.com.
