Ragbagalia Arts Fest
As Chicago emerges from its winter burrow, a new cultural fixture is set to bloom with a historic headlining performance. Ragbagalia, a brand-new femme and queer arts festival, officially announces its inaugural event for May 16, 2026, at Sleeping Village, featuring the legendary ESG on their highly-anticipated “Final Dance” tour.
For many, this will be the final opportunity to witness the seismic influence of ESG—a band whose minimalist funk and post-punk rhythms provided the DNA for hip-hop and house music—on a Chicago stage. Their farewell performance anchors a curated “ragbag” team of
artists dedicated to reclaiming space for voices that deserve to be heard. “In today’s political and cultural climate, safer, femme-forward spaces feel more necessary than ever,” says Tracy Evans, Founder of Ragbagalia. “Bringing ESG’s ‘Final Dance’ to this stage is the ultimate tribute to the underground. We are pairing these icons with emerging voices to build something that is both revolutionary and a celebration of the legacy they’ve built.”
Inspired by the radical history of the Riot Grrrl movement and the space-making narratives of authors like Sara Marcus and Carrie Brownstein, Ragbagalia disrupts the traditional festival model. The event is entirely women-led and multidisciplinary, centering women, femme, queer,
and marginalized artists across music, performance, and visual art.
Alongside ESG, the lineup includes Chicago’s own She’s Crafty (all-female Beastie Boys tribute), and powerhouse acts Period Bomb, Uniity, and Pleeay. Rooted in the city’s supportive arts community, Evans and co-leader Ashley Barlow (co-founder of littleHEADbutt Studios) have designed Ragbagalia to prioritize safety, authenticity, and accessibility. Held at the ADA-accessible Sleeping Village, the festival emphasizes affordability
with an all-day ticket that includes live music and a curated pop-up gallery. In keeping with its commitment to equity, profits from the event go directly to the participating artists, with remaining funds donated to the festival’s primary partner, Punk Rock Saves Lives.
