An upcoming event in Sarnia will bring together members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies for a night of music, connection, and celebration.
Queeraoke, a one-night karaoke event hosted by Queer Joy Events, takes place Saturday, May 31 at Refined Fool Brewing Co. on London Rd. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with karaoke running from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10, with 50% of proceeds supporting Sarnia-Lambton Rebound’s Spectrum program for LGBTQ2S+ youth in the region.
The event is organized by Reba Joy, a Brantford-based event creator who founded Queer Joy Events in 2023 to build spaces where queer people and allies can feel safe, be playful, and connect with others in community. Originally from Sarnia, Joy says they’re looking forward to returning to their hometown to bring an event they wish had existed when they were growing up.
“When I was growing up in Sarnia there weren’t any outwardly queer people, let alone queer events,” they said. “Growing up in the 90s in a city like Sarnia, meant that the only time I heard about queer people was when they were being made fun of or talked about as if it was something that needed to be hidden.”
“I suppressed my queerness so well that it was hidden even from myself,” they added. “It wasn’t until my late 20s that I learned more about myself, and came out.”
Joy launched Queer Joy Events during Pride Month with a games night in Brantford. Since then, they’ve hosted 20 events, partnered with 10 local businesses, and raised over $2,000 for queer-focused charities.
“I’m passionate about creating events that delight and provide opportunities for people of all ages to be silly,” they said. “Whether it’s through games, improv, karaoke or crafts like paper bag puppets or drawing dinosaurs with accessories, I aim to give people space to get creative, express themselves authentically and act like a kid again.”
Queeraoke is open to anyone who supports a safe and joyful environment.
“We invite anyone that will support a safe and joyful environment for all,” said Joy. “Allies are welcome as long as they respect what the event is for and don't bring any hate into the environment.”
“Including anyone that wants to support is important because that’s how we build a more inclusive and respectful community.”
They noted that the act of showing up, even as an ally, can be affirming.
“Plus I didn’t come out until I was 29 and would’ve considered myself an ally before that,” Joy said. “Something that helped me was going to queer events and seeing people be authentic and express themselves. Helped me learn what it could be like to express myself fully and it gave me the confidence to come out.”
“I don't expect that to be the case for everyone,” they added, “but I do believe that anyone can benefit from an environment where everyone is able to express themselves without fear. Whether you’re gay, trans or straight, we have all felt the pressures to fit in and we all want to feel acceptance and belonging.”
Joy also emphasized that the event is accessible for those attending alone.
“Events are easy for people to show up solo too,” they said. “Often we have people show up by themselves and by the end of the night have new connections and friends. At Queeraoke, we often have complete strangers decide to sing songs together because they find out they love the same musical or artist.”
“Showing up solo works well for a few reasons: one, we typically have an activity, and in this case karaoke, for them to join in on. And two, as your host, I am fully okay with putting myself out there saying hi, breaking the ice and introducing them to other rad people.”
“I tell each person that they can choose their own adventure for the night and be as social as feels comfortable to them,” they added. “I know sometimes the initial conversation is awkward, but I don't mind embracing that in order to help them feel comfortable. I will gladly look silly if it helps others feel at ease.”
Promoting the event also brought challenges.
“Actually as I started to advertise this event in different Facebook groups, I did receive a comment of hate,” said Joy. “I reported it and it was taken down quickly by the group admin, but seeing that negativity just reinforced how important it is to have these events in Sarnia and to show that we won't back down or hide our joy.”
Joy described what to expect on the night of the event.
“The night is filled with a lot of laughs and silliness. There's the opportunity to sing your favorite musical or Disney songs, sing along with the whole room or meet new people and do a duet or group song,” they said.
“I do find that people who are shy at the beginning or wary of karaoke typically, often feel more comfortable to get up on stage at Queeraoke,” they said. “There's been people that said they would never sing in front of a group of people and yet I see them singing their hearts out at our events. It’s pretty special to see the level of comfort and support in the room.”
Joy also reflected on what queer joy means to them personally.
“After coming out, there was a lot more I had to think about compared to when I identified as a straight woman,” they said. “Now I had to think about where was safe to travel, or wonder if my new neighbours would accept me and my partner moving in next door.”
“Plus when I heard stories of hate I would feel it deeply. Seeing that in the news or even the vandalism in my own town, made me scared and sad. So I started Queer Joy, not to ignore the bad things out there or the work we need to do in that respect, but instead to show what we're fighting for and to remind us why acceptance is so important. Plus we all need a break to laugh, smile and bring lightness to our days.”
For those unsure about attending, Joy offered this:
“Give it a shot. You get to make the night what you want it to be. This isn't your typical bar karaoke either– it feels welcoming in a different way. Plus there are alot more musical numbers, Disney songs and dance moves throughout the night. It’s incredible!”
Although currently a one-time event, Joy said they are open to returning.
“Although I couldn't do weekly or monthly events in Sarnia since I live a few hours away, I would love to do one or two or more events a year. After this event, I’ll see if there’s a demand for it because I would gladly come back to host!”
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Queeraoke at Refined Fool
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., karaoke from 8 p.m. to midnight
Refined Fool Brewing Co. (London Rd. location)
$10 admission | 50% supports Sarnia Rebound’s Spectrum program
Follow @QueerJoyEvents on Instagram
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