Community building / Partnerships / Event production

Community & Events

Turning a studio into a place for people to come together.

Creator, organizer & co-host / scope varies by event

Originator Studios / selected events

The context

At Originator, I help bring people together through community programming, from a charity market for harm reduction to comedy nights that give artists space to perform.

Parking Lot Market

The market was my idea: a charity event benefiting the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance. I set up the partnership with THRA, brought in St. Elmo’s as a partner, booked vendors and music, designed the posters, and ran the day.

Held on May 16, 2026, the market brought together more than 20 vendors and artists, live music, food pop-ups, and a donation-based bar. THRA reported more than $900 raised and a wholesale box of free Naloxone distributed.

Watch the market reel

Source: THRA newsletter excerpt

Pink and orange poster for the Originator Parking Lot Market, a charity event for Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, listing a St. Elmo’s sponsorship, live music, food pop-ups, a donation-based bar and over 20 vendors and artists, on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cover of the market reel: “The First Parking Lot Market” in bubbly pink letters over photos from the day.

Poster design: Kate Blaising. Event reel: @kablaising.

Comedy nights

I co-host and help organize comedy nights with the artists, providing space at Originator for free. I promote the shows through event listings and social channels, help set up the room, run lighting, and support social media.

The work includes Pure Chaos × DEI Comedy, Queer Mic, and a Pride Show. Each night is a collaboration with the performers and organizers.

A comedian performing under a spotlight to a packed audience, in front of a blue wall with “Stand-Up Comedy in East Austin” projected on it.

Kate and another person posing back to back with arms crossed on a red-lit stage, with a projected stand-up comedy sign and a stool behind them.

Kate and another person sitting close together and smiling on a carpeted staircase lit blue, with a strip of small lights along the wall.

Comedy at Originator, with the performers and organizers.

Community fundraising

I also co-hosted a community fundraising car wash, supporting the space, event operations, and promotion.

Two people posing in a wet parking lot under a pink canopy, beside a hand-painted car wash price sign and a table where volunteers sit.

A sunny selfie of two volunteers in sunglasses and swimwear under a pink canopy with a hand-painted car wash sign.

Community fundraising at Originator Studios.

What came together

Community experiences that connect local artists, neighbors, and partners with the studio, with a clear purpose behind each event.

Collaborators & credits

Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, St. Elmo’s, participating vendors and musicians, comedy collaborators, and the Originator team. Poster design: Kate Blaising.