About Rhinestone Steel

It began in 2012. Rhinestone Steel was started by Tree Martuccio and Clyde Jurysta as an all day queer music festival striving to support and expand Pittsburgh's queer music and arts scene. In addition to an annual music festival we hosted other events throughout the year, like homo aerobics and queer lectures.

The festival was a celebratory political action creating visibility and space for queerexpression with the goal of creating a more inclusive, queer, artistic space that people can participate, feel accepted and become motivated!

The last Rhinestone Steel music festival was in 2018, and it was a weekend long celebration that included music, fashion show, a smut film fest, a karaoke brunch and more! For six fabulous years a wide variety of music and arts from queer people with very diverse backgrounds, including performance artists, poets, musicians, dancers, and puppeteers were showcased,

In 2023 Rhinestone Steel was reborn as an annual queer fashion show. We’re so proud to offer a venue for the rad designers among us to exhibit their incredible work. Now more than ever we need to make time for queer joy and we’re so glad you’re here to revel in it.

Join with us to make 2026 and beyond magnificent!