Planeta Centers and Uplifts Queer BIPOC and Sober Community During Pride and Beyond

Over the years, LGBTQ+ establishments and Pride celebrations have (thankfully) become more prevalent, accepted and even encouraged in Rhode Island. However, when you take a step back and look around, you’ll more often than not encounter a sea of white individuals with alcohol in hand (see: the fruit loop in downtown Providence). As such, many local queer spaces and events don’t always leave much room for other folks in the community to feel welcome or empowered.

Enter Planeta, a Providence-based multidisciplinary collective that centers and uplifts the QTBIPOC communities with performance, dance, art therapy and resource distribution.

Spanish for the word “planet,” co-founder Atlas Alvarado (they/them) says the organization’s name arose from the desire to reclaim the idea of being an “alien.” It was a designation they often encountered while filling out immigration paperwork following their move from Guatemala to the States around age twelve.

“It sometimes was hard for me to adapt to differences in culture,” they share. “Even at this age, in the Northeast, especially, it can be very hard to find folks that share similar intersectionalities, like being Latinx and queer and also an immigrant.”

As a young adult, Alvarado decided to move to New York following a divorce. While there, they met a diverse array of people who worked in the music industry and in social justice sectors.

“I kind of was rebuilding myself after such a hard moment in my life, and I saw so many possibilities,” they recall. “And I noticed that the thing that brought everyone together was their differences, and not their similarities, which is really interesting.”

But Providence held a special place in their heart, and so after nearly two years in the Big Apple, Alvarado returned to the Creative Capital with the mission of creating a space for culture-sharing through music and performance. They soon connected with a number of like-minded individuals and eventually together were able to build a collective called Que Dulce (“how sweet” in English) which mainly focused on sober programming involving dance, arts and resource sharing throughout the community. The collective lasted a few years before life came along and pulled other founding members in different directions, but Alvarado remained committed to providing a fun-yet-safe sober space for marginalized communities.

“I was like, ‘This is my life,” they say. “This is what feels amazing to me.’”

Fortunately, around that time, Alvarado and some friends were also diving into the local music scene. They ended up meeting Shiloh Cabot-Miller (they/them), who was looking to hire a couple of DJs for a work event. The two hit it off, and Alvarado soon asked if Cabot-Miller would be interested in co-leading a new collective: Planeta.

“It was very inspiring to me to come together to create this collective,” says Cabot-Miller. “From my perspective as a queer person from Rhode Island, it was hard to find a community. I was trying to learn about myself and trying to connect with others and trying to understand Providence as the hugely creative place that it is. I think that was really the moment where it clicked for me when we first met. We chose to move towards recognizing parties that existed in the city and uplifting and embracing the true power of collective in the way it already existed. And I think that is what continues to uplift us.”

And so, in late 2021, Planeta got its start as a monthly BIPOC-centered dance party held in various pop-up spaces across the city. The events often featured both well-known local drag performers as well as those looking to develop and practice their drag skills. Through these events the collective found a following and established a dedicated group of volunteers, including Killa Muñoz (they/them), who now serves as Planeta’s event designer.

“It was amazing to see this event that is not afraid to say BIPOC people are centered, especially in a world where they’re absolutely not. They’re marginalized. It felt safe and super inclusive, and just so much fun with great music,” Muñoz says.” So I was happy to volunteer. Right away, you could tell that anybody in involved with Planeta was just very  human and caring, just checking in with everybody, like, ‘okay, what’s your capacity?’ And it’s allowed me make art and to unblock a lot of creativity. That all drew me in from the start.”

As they all got to know each other better and work together more, Planeta only flourished. The collective took feedback from attendees and volunteers alike and started building more relationships with like-minded individuals and organizations in the area.

“We started to explore how the creative side of what we wanted to do could grow and also how that could reflect different parts of each of our identities and identities that we’re seeing in the community,” Cabot-Miller says.

What began as a small monthly dance party soon evolved into a community gathering space. Today is officially a 501C3 nonprofit.

“We did that mostly to ground down into our roots of what we truly believe in. Rather than Planeta just be a space of joy — which we do feel joy is a form of resistance, joy has always been at the center of what we do because it is essential for communities in our spaces to experience joy — but also have it incorporate creativity, expression and empowerment in all areas.”

The nonprofit designation additionally allowed them to keep their sliding scale model; Alvarado maintains that people should have access to these spaces and events no matter what they can afford. And Planeta also now has an official board, which includes Muñoz along with wellness and safety coordinator, Divine Muhammad (she/her), and event engagement coordinator, Mhina Johnbaptiste (she/her).

“We’ve been morphing and adapting as we’ve seen different needs and reacting in real time. Like, yes, partying spaces are important, but we also don’t want to just party for no reason,” says Alvarado. “Part of the framework of how we see this collective is we’re trying to create an environment where people can feel safe and comfortable.”

The goal is to eventually secure a permanent address where additional programming can occur and more needs can be addressed. A home base that is part venue, part administrative, and part landing space for the queer community at large. They hope to be able to make Planeta even more all-encompassing down the line by adding more programing for incoming generations as well as families. Alvarado likens the vision to a library of sorts.

“Something that I think is really beautiful about the library is that I can go there without it having to be a transactional experience. I know that it’s shelter for a lot of people. It’s an educational space. It’s a third space. And we’re hoping that we can get to the point where we can have a third space that focuses on not only the performance aspect of our roots, but also is an archival gallery, and a space for people to drop in whenever they want without there having to be a need,” they explain. “I’m always thinking about, ‘how come it’s so hard for marginalized communities to be able to find a place that they can just feel safe in and that they can just exist and that’s enough?’ That’s what we’re working towards.”

But while it may be a ways off — the team is currently in the grant-writing process for a space — there are still plenty of way to experience Planeta in the present. June alone promises a number of exciting events.

First up is a clothing swap in collaboration with Out With Us at Public Art Shop and Gallery, an African- and Latina-owned gallery in Providence. The swap is free to the public and will take place this coming Saturday, June 14.

Then, to kick off Pride weekend on Friday, June 20, Planeta is hosting a chrome-themed party from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the skate park next to Trinity Brewhouse, complete with a curated set from local DJs and performers.

The next day, on Saturday, the 21^st, they’re teaming up with local dance company, Haus of Glitter, for a family-friendly event at AS220 featuring movement workshops and signage crafting for the Providence Pride march.

That night will then see the return of the Sirena Perra Block Party on Fulton Street. Like last year, attendees will be encouraged to dress in their best mermaid attire and enjoy performances from Haus of Glitter as well as other local performers. A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit AMOR‘s Community Fund for ICE Detainees.

Finally, on Sunday, Planeta will again work with Haus of Glitter to throw a Cowboy Carter-themed ball at AS220.

If you can’t do June, however, no problem. Cabot-Miller teases there’s already plans for Planeta in the Park event at the 195 District Park on August 2.

“I would say just come as you are,” Johnbaptiste says when asked what people can expect of their first Planeta attendance. “That’s how I was first introduced Planeta — just going and being the best version of myself and then finding and connecting with people who also were the best versions of themselves. It just felt really good.”

And if you’re looking for more ways to support this wonderful collective, Planeta does have a Patreon with multiple tiers of involvement, or you can always donate in kind on their website. Or sign up to volunteer — Planeta will welcome any and all support with open arms.

“No matter how different or how similar you are, everyone can come together here. No matter how out you are or like closeted you are, or no matter how you identify, you would have a place at Planeta,” says Cabot-Miller.

For more information about Planeta, visit planetapvd.com, join their Patreon and follow them on Instagram @planetapvd.