Features / queer cabaret
Queer performance night aims to convey Pride’s roots of protest
The House of Savalon is hosting a performance night as part of its artist residency, Get Qweird: The City of Beacon, aiming to bring queer performance back to Pride’s roots of protest and radical activism.
Ahead of the performance on Sunday at Bristol Beacon, Bristol24/7 spoke to producer and director of the event Astro-Zenica on representation, protest and pride.
‘Get Qweird: The City of Beacons’ edition will provide a platform to trans artists to perform
Providing a platform for trans artists
is needed now More than ever
“I saw this opportunity to bring together a group of trans, queer artists,” Astro reflected.
They added: “I wanted to provide a platform for these trans artists and build a sense of community surrounding the event.
“This brings performance back to prides’ core values of protest for members of our community.”
For Astro, it was important to practise radical activism when creating the space. Giving an emphasis on trans artists acts as an example for how other Pride events could curate their programmes.
View this post on Instagram
Why this space is needed
Astro said: “There still needs to be a larger emphasis on the trans experience and identity. With the prevention of Section 35 while there is continued erosion of trans rights.
“For example, teachers having to tell parents if their child has spoken to a teacher about transitioning.”
Section 35 was an act of the Scottish parliament that aimed to improve the system in which transgender people can apply for legal gender recognition through a gender recognition certificate. It was prevented from coming into law by the national UK parliament.
The House of Savalon is working with PHAT, a queer and femme security collective, and T4T, an event series platforming trans+ creatives that is providing music for the event.
“Giving this platform to T4T will be great for them to play at this giant concert hall in Bristol,” Astro said.
“The money raised by T4T goes back into providing gender-affirming surgery for members of Bristol’s trans community.”
Producer and Director of the show, Astro-Zenica alongside host, Elektra Duboir and performer Gender Criminal
The importance of creating intentional space
Astro wanted to create a playful space where artists feel comfortable performing. Giving artists this space to fully be themselves and do what they want can also be seen as a form of radical activism.
Astro concluded: “Queer music and performance isn’t about what someone thinks of your work – it’s about you having the space to say this who I am and this what I want to make.”
‘Get Qweird: The City of Beacon’ edition is taking place on Sunday at Bristol Beacon. For more information and tickets, visit Headfirst
All photos: Charley Williams
Read next:
- Grounded Circus LGBTQIA+ cabaret night ‘Queer as F*ck’ returns
- Bristol Harbour Festival announces full programme for 2023
- Bristol’s first and only queer security firm
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
