Organizer, producer, and host of the queer variety show this Saturday says that as a Rhodes College freshman, they were foolishly allowed to prance around on stage. It was at that moment the thought occurred to them: “Let’s do queer art.”
In 2017, Barbie Wyre started doing just that at Growlers by organizing all-ages, open-stage events as a queer community building tool. Then 2020 happened.
Now in 2021, Wyre is back in a big way.
“This is the biggest show I’ve ever produced,” says Wyre. Without a breath between words, a rapid-fire event description follows: “Underground queer bands. R&B. Soul. Punk. Rock. EDM. Aerial. Fire. Belly dancing. Stilts. Contortionists. Two videographers. Live painter using neon and glitter — must have glitter. Have you seen the movie Hedwig and the Angry Inch? It’s my favorite.”
Wyre even has a tattoo inspired by the movie. A picture of the tattoo was sent to the movie’s director John Cameron Mitchell, who co-wrote the stage musical of the same name with Stephen Trask. “Mitchell said he liked it,” says Wyre playfully. “So now I have full Hollywood access. By the way, did I mention that anyone who shows up in pajamas gets free unlimited popcorn?”
Show up in your pj’s if you like popcorn and quirky queer movies. You can attend the music, variety show, and movie portion of the event separately, but all-day access is only $20. It’s a steal.
What comes next? Wyre says there is already a show in the works for July 2021.
Clash of the Queers Variety Show, Black Lodge, 405 N. Cleveland, Saturday, June 26, 3 p.m., $5-$20.