The Future is Queer with Sissy Fit
Ready to see something new? Want to stretch your theatrical boundaries? Maybe learn a bit about yourself? You need to stop by and check out the TD Amplify Cabaret series. These free, no-holds-barred cabaret style performances celebrate a groundswell of Calgarian artistic talent from outside the ‘mainstream’ and you’ll be able to watch it virtually, from the comfort of your own home.
There are two remaining presentations of the TD Amplify Cabaret series this season – Braving Beauty from curators Toyin Lamas and Marshall Vielle and Sissy Fit: A Queer Cabaret from curator Brett Dahl. If you’d like to learn more about Braving Beauty, you can click here to read the blog story.
The seed of Sissy Fit was first planted six years ago when Brett Dahl and Joshua Dalledonne (Associate Director of Social Impact at Arts Commons) worked together at One Yellow Rabbit. They had joked around the office that one day they would create a gay theatre production of epic proportions. It was all in good fun, but after they left One Yellow Rabbit, Brett started to ruminate on the idea.
“I noticed that there was a lack of showcases for Queer artists in our province. So many other theatre centres like Toronto, Victoria, even Lethbridge have their own cabarets and Queer festivals – and Calgary doesn’t have an outlet for Queer theatre. There’s drag shows, and stuff like that, but not theatre,” says Brett. “So, for a long time I really wanted a space where other voices could be heard. Josh came up with the idea of the cabarets, and he knew that I had a desire to put on something to showcase Queer talent in the city.”
The name Sissy Fit comes directly from Brett whose on-stage drag persona, Sissy, hosts the evening.
“I chose the name Sissy Fit because there’s something irreverent about it, something subversive about it,” says Brett. “It’s this uproar, it’s this fight back – a bit sexy, a bit empowering – and that’s what the name includes for me.”
Sissy Fit had its inaugural performance two years ago on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, but even if you saw it then, this year’s performance stands to be a completely different beast.
“The first Sissy Fit was an homage to the past, so this year we're looking forward: The Future is Queer. We have a new cast and new energy,” says Brett. “I wanted to pick a theme that would inspire audiences and artists to imagine (and realize) the potential of a Queerer future. This year may not be a live event but it's going to be bigger and bolder than ever before!"
Join Arts Commons Presents for the TD Amplify Cabaret watch party of Sissy Fit: The Future is Queer Cabaret on July 25 at 7pm. This free virtual cabaret watch party will also be attended by the cast and curators, so you can share your comments with them real time.
