Pictured: David Baker, Ryan McCarthy, Josh Scheible and Caegan Quimby of Physical Plant. Photo by Shane Donglasan.

Kicking off yesterday night with a specially-commissioned three-hour performance installation from choreographer and artist Belaxis Buil, the Harvey Milk Festival returns for a seventh year to Sarasota, bringing live art, theater and musical acts from across the world to perform in promotion of LGBTQ communities and rights. Continuing tonight with a politically charged performance from acclaimed Cuban-American artist Octavio Campos at Florida Studio Theatre, the festival culminates Saturday at Five Points Park with a donations-only outdoor concert featuring 11 musical acts including New York dance-pop favorites Avan Lava, queer punk band PWR BTTM and the disco/New Wave-inspired Muscovites of Pompeya all the way from Russia.

“One of the best things about the festival is that it really has the feel of something put on by locals, for locals,” said Josh Scheible, guitarist and vocalist for Sarasota-based rock band Physical Plant, also performing this Saturday. The band’s second appearance in the festival, Physical Plant played the 2014 festival and Scheible said looks forward to returning, as much for the music as the message. “We definitely like to support this kind of event in any way we can,” he said.

With an opening ceremony featuring organizer and founder Shannon Fortner and Sarasota Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell, the concert will be punctuated by a candlelight vigil and keynote address from local student and activist Nate Quinn, a senior at Pine View School working for trans rights in the Sarasota school system. “I’m really glad they made the choice to feature Nate and it’s great to see the festival take that step, reach out and get into the activist community,” said Scheible. “It’s good to see those gaps being bridged.”

But social awareness doesn’t mean you can’t have a rowdy good time or put on a good show. Sharing the stage with international touring bands and acts from all over Florida, Physical Plant has to represent for its city. "We're looking to tear down the house," said Scheible. “We’re going to go out there and show that Sarasota can hang.”

“Octavio Campos: America’s Next President” begins tonight at 7pm at Florida Studio Theatre. Tickets range from $15-20, with $50 VIP options.

Music Fest begins Saturday, May 14, at 2:30pm in Five Points Park and runs till midnight. See full listing of bands and times at link below.

Pictured: David Baker, Ryan McCarthy, Josh Scheible and Caegan Quimby of Physical Plant. Photo by Shane Donglasan.

Music Fest at Harvey Milk Festival