Chicago · Founded 2021
MUSAS FEST
Chicago's Latine, Queer & Femme-Fronted Music Festival
Founded in Chicago in 2021, MUSAS FEST is a music festival and series created to amplify Latina/e, women and queer-fronted artists through live music, community and culture.
About the Festival
What Is MUSAS FEST?
MUSAS FEST is a Chicago-based music festival and series dedicated to amplifying women, queer, latine fronted artists. Since 2021 Musas has been building intentional stages — not just for representation, but for community, artistry and joy. The event was held June 25th, 2026 at Navy Pier Chicago.
From intimate Noche de Musas showcases to Queer Fiestas Patrias and Sor Juana Fest, MUSAS has consistently created spaces that highlight the incredible latina/e women and queer artists often underrepresented in Chicago's music landscape.
In June 2026, MUSAS FEST brought that vision to Navy Pier's Wave Wall Stage during Pride at the Pier — its largest platform yet.
June 25, 2026 · Pride at the Pier
MUSAS FEST at Navy Pier
MUSAS FEST took the Wave Wall Stage at Navy Pier during Pride at the Pier — four acts, one night, the largest platform in the festival's history. This is what five years of community building looks like.
Renee Goust
Headliner
The Braided Janes
Live Band
Wiliana Veras feat. dancer Lucy Rainz
Performance
Roxyo Sounds / Músicas al Frente
DJ Set
Date
June 25, 2026
Pride at the Pier
Venue
Navy Pier
Wave Wall Stage · Chicago, IL
Presented by
MUSAS FEST
Navy Pier Skyline Sessions
Our Story
Founded in Chicago, 2021
MUSAS Fest began as an artist-led response to the need for more safe spaces for queer, latina/e, women artists in the music industry. Building on the work of many other before us, MUSAS helps bridge that gap providing not only stages for a more equitable music scene in Chicago but educational workshops for the very same people we serve. By the people, for the people.
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MUSAS Founded
Founded in Chicago as an artist-led response for the need for more women on stages and festival lineups. Our goal, to create a safe space where creativity could flourish and connections can be made.
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Building the Community
Noche de Musas showcases, Queer Fiestas Patrias and Sor Juana Fest established MUSAS FEST as a consistent platform for queer Latina/Latine women and femme-fronted artists across Chicago.
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Navy Pier — Wave Wall Stage
MUSAS FEST brought its Latine, queer and femme-fronted programming to Navy Pier's Wave Wall Stage during Pride at the Pier on June 25, 2026 — its largest platform yet and Musas Fest introduction to Navy Pier as cultural curators. This Musas Fest stage takeover announced the larger two-day festival which will be held at Navy Pier in 2027.
MUSAS FEST Programming
- ✦Noche de Musas — recurring showcase series
- ✦Queer Fiestas Patrias — LGBTQ+ Latin heritage celebration
- ✦Sor Juana Fest — femme and queer-centered cultural programming
- ✦MUSAS FEST at Navy Pier — Wave Wall Stage, June 25, 2026
- ✦Ongoing performances and community events (2021–present)
March 15 & 16, 2025 · National Museum of Mexican Art
La Décima Musa
Presented in collaboration with Museica's Art Studio — a two-day, multidisciplinary arts event celebrating the life and advocacy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Highlighting women and the LGBTQ+ community through poetry, art, music, and education.
Day 1 · March 15 · $15 · 21+ · Fashion · Music · Art · Market
The Braided Janes
Live Music
Madera Once
Live Music
DJ Roxyo Sounds
DJ Set
Erika with a 'K'
Spoken Word
Julieta Zavala
Fashion
Jaqui Arte
Live Painting
Day 2 · March 16 · Free · 10:00 am · Workshop
Workshop · Clay Sculpture
"Volar"
by Gabriela Jiménez Marván
A clay sculpture-making workshop exploring what freedom means to each guest — tied to Sor Juana's ability to transcend through creative expression. Gabriela brings Mexican folk art to life through clay and drawings.
About the Curator
Jessica Rodríguez
Founder, Museica's Art Studio · Singer-songwriter, The Braided Janes
A Mexican-American multidisciplinary artist, educator, and activist from Chicago. She is the singer-songwriter for The Braided Janes and the founder of Museica's Art Studio — a creative space in Bucktown.
Holding a B.A. in Business Marketing from Northeastern Illinois University, she blends her passion for art and music to inspire change. A first-generation Chicana and gun violence survivor, Jessica uses her art to foster healing and inclusivity.
She co-founded The Braided Janes in 2011 and opened Museica's Art Studio in 2017, quickly making it a Chicago staple. Currently expanding her multidisciplinary arts programming across the U.S. and internationally.
Press Coverage
Windy City Times · "La Decima Musa event pays tribute to feminist icon" · by Vern Hester · March 17, 2025
"Pretty much leveled the South Side of Chicago with a multi-cultural, multi-discipline happening featuring live music, live painting, performance art, poetry, fashion design and sculpture."
Windy City Times · La Décima Musa · Sor Juana Festival 2025
Event Recap
Watch the Full Recap
Questions
About MUSAS FEST
What is MUSAS FEST?
MUSAS FEST is Chicago's Latine, queer and femme-fronted music festival and series, founded in 2021 to create intentional stages for queer Latina/Latine women, femmes and underrepresented Latin music artists.
When was MUSAS FEST at Navy Pier?
On June 25, 2026, MUSAS FEST brought its programming to Navy Pier's Wave Wall Stage during Pride at the Pier, featuring Renee Goust, The Braided Janes, Wiliana Veras feat. dancer Lucy Rainz, and Roxyo Sounds / Músicas al Frente.
Is MUSAS FEST a queer Latina music festival in Chicago?
Yes. MUSAS FEST is a queer Latina/Latine music festival in Chicago centered on femme-fronted and queer Latine artists. It is Chicago's first documented Queer Latina/Latine femme-fronted music festival.
What does femme-fronted mean at MUSAS FEST?
At MUSAS FEST, femme-fronted means every stage is led by women, femmes and queer artists — not as supporting acts, but as headliners and primary performers. This is central to the festival's identity.
Why does MUSAS FEST use the word Latine?
MUSAS FEST uses 'Latine' as inclusive, gender-neutral language that reflects the full breadth of the communities it serves — including non-binary, gender-nonconforming and queer femme-identified artists. This complements rather than replaces Latina, women, femme and queer.
How can I book MUSAS FEST or get involved?
For booking, press, sponsorship and partnership inquiries, reach out through Museica's Art Studio — the creative home of MUSAS FEST in Chicago.
Stay Connected
Stay Connected with MUSAS FEST
Follow MUSAS for upcoming programming, events and announcements. For booking, press and partnership inquiries, reach out through Museica's Art Studio.