There are two events I would move Heaven and Earth to never miss. Cleveland Public Theater’s Pandemonium and this one, The Cleveland Museum of Art’s Solstice. It is our monthly Mix event on steroids. Twice the people, inside and out. Big dollar ticket, unlimited food and drink. DJ indoors, live bands on the museum steps. And me, valued, an integral part of the event’s fabric. June 21, 2025, here we go!
There are probably 5,000 or more attending the event. Believe me, I am quite visible. We are hosting (yes, we) the Takashi Murakami exhibit. Part of the exhibit is a giant pagoda that was built inside the museum’s atrium. While I only joke about this, when I die, I think they will name the entrance to the East escalators after me. Been there for almost a decade now. It is Kandi’s corner and people seek me out there. This evening was no different. Hug after hug. Picture after picture. Many with me, I took many for patrons. People all around me, eating, drinking, including me in conversations, chatting me up. Pure love, joy, happiness, every single second there.
One highlight. I met a couple of ladies. One and I just started talking about this and that. She asked me why I volunteer at the museum, after I extolled my complete indifference to art. I used a line I use often: I look the person in the eye, waive my finger back and forth between the two of us and tell them I love “this”. “This” is the connection with human beings, which I have become quite good at. She grabbed and hugged me. And that was “this”!
After toiling for two hours, I was free to enjoy the event like anyone who paid, three hours hanging with my dear friend Jennifer, her friends and many more that I know and made. I was in my element!
The absolute highlight of the evening was that my beloved (I cannot stress that word enough) doctor was there. We have a connection you cannot imagine. She is a breast cancer survivor, a survivor of domestic violence, has a daughter who had many health issues in her childhood. Molly paid for her asshole (there is no word strong enough to describe this vile human being) ex-husband to attend medical school, he then cheated on her, beat her, divorced her. Asshole then paid zero child support and Molly literally lived on tomato soup while every dollar went to the care of her daughter and paying the mortgage. Again, a world class asshole. I feel almost guilty being a simple trans felon… Folks, we ALL have issues, challenges.
Molly and I sat with her new boyfriend outside, listening to the band and just talking. Yeah, she does interchange the “he’s” and the “she’s”, but for me, it just means she gets and respects me. This time spent was just the best. We expressed our love of each other many, many times.
I texted Molly when I knew where I could be found and told her I was cuter today that yesterday (my boyfriend look). I got the ❤️. Yep, I was on cute overload!
Solstice did not disappoint. I recently joked about God messing with me.
Seems He has my sense of humor.
2 Responses
You radiate so much joy, and it’s so clear how deeply loved you are in that space. That part about “this”—the connection, the hugs, the human-ness of it all—really got me. I’d love to find ways to contribute more to our local art museums or music venues too. Thank you for sharing this beautiful glimpse into your world. 💖
Also, how did I not realize you were in Cleveland??
I love the cute floral dress, it looks great with the wide belt. Your ability to make that human connection is a gift, one that gives you the best experiences!