MashUp Weekend 2026

Powered by Music City Prep | Resurrection Renaissance

A cultural uprising rooted in the bold, brilliant spirit of Black LGBTQ+ communities who have risen from silence, shame, and suppression into unapologetic wholeness.

This weekend is a living tribute to the art, identity, and resilience that still pulses through our bloodlines. It is a call to return to ourselves — not as who we were told to be, but as who we truly are.

Like chrome — resilient, reflective, and unmistakably visible — we do not shrink, blur, or ask for permission. We shine because we exist. We rise because we’ve always deserved to. We show up as angelic beings with edges softened by survival and spirits sharpened by truth — unapologetically unique, fearless, and no longer willing to carry shame that was never ours.

MashUp Weekend is our boldest and most ambitious fundraiser of the year. We’re aiming to raise $100,000 — not just to produce an unforgettable weekend of art, connection, and celebration, but to directly fund MashUp’s year-round programs that offer trauma-informed mental health support, address racial and economic health disparities, and equip grassroots leaders with the tools and training they need to build thriving, resilient communities. This is how we sustain the heartbeat of our mission — keeping it alive, expansive, and deeply rooted in justice and care.

And as we rise, we also honor those among us who are already living the theme — community members who embody resilience, brilliance, and joy in the face of adversity. This is a weekend to uplift their voices, celebrate their light, and fuel the work that ensures no one in our community is left behind.

Come celebrate a rebirth.
Come dance in your freedom.
Come resurrect your joy. We are the Renaissance.

Full Weekend Schedule of Events:

Friday, February 20

FREE(k) Friday: A Declaration of Freedom We open with fire. FREE(k) Friday is a high-energy nightlife experience celebrating personal liberation and sexual autonomy. Expect DJ-driven dance floors, immersive performances, and an unapologetic celebration of freedom, complete with sexual wellness resources and education.

Saturday, February 21

MashUp Family Reunion (Day Party) We gather. We celebrate. We return to our chosen family. The Family Reunion is a daytime lovefest of joy, reflection, and connection — honoring the culture that raised us and the future we are building together.

The Resurrection Ball (Evening) As night falls, the renaissance takes center stage. The Resurrection Ball — hosted by the Music City ACC Ball — is a dazzling ballroom experience where categories, competition, and community collide in unapologetic expression, glory, and transformation.

Sunday, February 22

Giving Out Loud Brunch We close the weekend with intention and impact. The Giving Out Loud Brunch is our signature sendoff: a space to eat, reflect, affirm, and rise together — nourishing both spirit and community.

About MashUp!

MashUp! Nashville is a nonprofit that works to increase the visibility of health disparities and social inequalities that impact the well-being of Black LGBTQ folks. MashUp confronts health inequities and social injustice head-on, improving the lives and well-being of Black LGBTQ+ through education, advocacy, and community-driven solutions.