From trans sound art to queer drag, mixed in with some surrealism, a live archive, and a poetic Black gay coming-of-age story. This is an evening of queer joy not to be missed.
This event is part of Queer and Now, a festival dedicated to the powerful role of LGBTQIA+ art and culture in the UK.
Black Ops Poetry
‘Black Ops Poetry’ was born out of the self-doubt of a youngish Black man, forced to mask and covertly express himself in a world where those who are Black, gay and on the spectrum are made to feel like they should be happy with the status quo. He aims to put the world to rights with his pen and paper (Apple notes), performing witty, dark poetry about self-doubt, discrimination and his coming-of-age.
Claye Bowler: Live Archive
Addressing the erasure of queer and trans narratives and objects in museum collections and archives, this work rectifies: exploring accessioning, packing and body as archive.
Claye Bowler explores archives and creates alternative forms of archiving through sculptural practices. He subverts erasure in the archive by using casts, photographs, performance, and film around his own and friend’s experience. He incorporates the aesthetics of a museum store to sneak his work into ‘the collection’.
Drag Syndrome
Drag Syndrome are an internationally acclaimed, groundbreaking performance collective featuring highly addictive queens and kings with Down Syndrome. Known for their strong stage presence, performance skills and bold attitude, Drag Syndrome are a cultural force gaining a mass global fanbase.
Mascette
Mascette is an alternative pop musician specialising in hardware synthesisers and live drum machine manipulations. They’ll be performing a live, semi-improvised synthesiser, drum machine and guitar pedal set across the evening.
Wet Mess
Wet Mess is a wet mess, horny for your confusion. They work across visual art, drag, dance, theatre, including choreographing videos for Will Young and London Grammar. Recently, they were part of Travis Alabanza's Sound of the Underground (Royal Court) which received 5 stars in the Guardian; and winner of Not Another Drag Competition (RVT) 2021