Pride with a Disco Vibe

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

YEAHBUZZY is not unfamiliar with Atlanta markets. It’s one of the important ways that the Atlanta-based clothing company not only sells their graphic t-shirts and accessories but also the best way to connect with the customer base and introduce even more people to the designs. But YEAHBUZZY creator, Buzz Busbee, decided to create his own vendor market event that is curated for and focused on our local queer community. His experience with markets also had several ideas for improving the concept. “For me, the best market experiences happen when not only the artists and designers are amazing but when the venue, food, drinks, and entertainment are top-notch too,” he explains, “that’s when you want to hang out but also get inspired by all the great vendors onsite. It becomes a vibe, you know.”

With that mindset, Buzz set out to put together a market for last year’s Atlanta Pride. He selected a variety of queer vendors and worked with Georgia Beer Garden to create a marketplace in their courtyard. He also teamed up with Deep South, which would provide the proper ambiance for the market. “The response was incredible,” Buzz says, “people came to hang out, have a drink and dance outdoors while being able to shop and support local queer artists/designers and DJs. It was clear that we did something right.”

Buzz has repeated the same format a few times since, and now he’s back at the Georgia Beer Garden, where it all started with Garden Disco on Saturday, June 11. “We’re super excited to be back at the beer garden, and we have some great designers and artists lined up for you. And of course, we have teamed up with Deep South again, so DJs Brian Rojas and Alexis Curshé will provide proper disco vibes,” says Buzz. He also chose Pride Month deliberately to have this market because he thought it would be timely with a torrent of less uplifting current events. “With everything going on, we need to take a minute to celebrate Pride and each other in this community,” he explains, “I think we need these moments a little more right now.”

Besides YEAHBUZZY, Garden Disco will feature a variety of select vendors, including Hell’s Belles vintage clothes (IG @Hellsbellesvtg), Queer Glass original handmade suncatchers (queerglass.com), Kerencia by Natasha Valencia one-of-a-kind design shirts (IG @natashamoda), Ezra James Vintage men’s clothes (IG @ezrajamesvintage), Prfenstein Prints & Goods (IG @prfenstein), and 100% Cool EFI Designs from upcycled materials (vallets.com).

Garden Disco is this Saturday, June 11, from 2-7 pm at the Georgia Beer Garden – one thing is sure: it’s going to be a vibe.