Exploring gendered performances as South Asian queer and trans folks.
THURS, JUL. 26 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Richview Library (Meeting Room, 1806 Islington Ave, Toronto)
FREE Event. FOOD provided. ACCESSIBLE space. For LGBTTIQQ2S/WSW/MSM “south asian” youth.*
To RSVP: qyartproject@gmail.com
Are you interested in drag or burlesque? Thinking about the connections between race, gender, gender identity, sexuality, and more … ? Wondering about south asian representation in performance?
Masti Khor and Sammy Samosa will facilitate a doubled up Burlesque and Drag workshop for South Asian queer and trans youth. You can explore either burlesque or drag!
a. Brown is Bawdy: A Bollywood Burlesque Workshop (Masti Khor)
Did you know burlesque was used to mock the rich? That South Asia has a history and a contemporaryculture that includes sexy dances? That people continue to use burlesque as a means of empowerment? In this workshop, we’ll learn about some of the radical histories of burlesque, focusing on burlesque performers of colour in North America and in South Asia. Learn a few sashays, shimmies and bump ‘n’ grinds! We will also be learning how to make pasties (aka nipple tassles) and will learn how to develop a character. Please wear or bring something that makes you feel sexy, whether that is stockings, a tie, silk gloves or jeans. Let’s feel great in our fabulous bodies!
*Please note that there will be no stripping in this workshop. Sexy movement, whatever that means to you,is encouraged but you are welcome to participate as suits you.
*People of all genders and abilities are welcome
b. Drag Workshop (Sammy Samosa)
Sammy Samosa will be facilitating a drag workshop, sharing his experiences from the various communities he’s performed in.
Sammy has been performing drag for over seven years, three of those years in Toronto. Previously, he performed and produced shows with Kings of Vancouver, DKUnited, Man Up and dakus of disco duniya. In Vancouver, Sammy advocated for higher pay for drag kings and also worked to address issues of racism and oppression within the gender performance community through an event he created and produced called Drag Union. Sammy spent two years as a co-producer of Colour me Dragg, a performers of colour-only stage in Toronto, where he helped out with events at Buddies in Badtimes Theatre. He has performed in various cities including Seattle, Winnipeg, Washington DC, and Austin. To expand his skills and knowledge around gender performance, Sammy has taken part in five international drag conferences, including a stint as a board member of the International Drag King Community Extravaganza (IDKE), and a co-producer of IDKE Vancouver. When he’s not busy being perfectly charming or devastatingly handsome, he also does freelance graphic design for organizations like Council of Agencies Serving South Asians. He also sings in a punk band called Secret Trial Five. His favourite food is biryani.
Need more info? Want to tell us what you need to more fully participate in this workshop? Want to RSVP? Email at qyartproject@gmail.com
*LGBTTIQQ2S/WSW/MSM = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2 Spirit, Women who have Sex with Women, Men who have Sex with Men
*”south asian” = We recognize that “South Asian” is a complex identity that cannot be encompassed by a simple listing of geographical places. We list the term in quotations to highlight its shifting meaning. We use the term strategically (we do not assume solidarity amongst all groups encompassed by mainstream definitions of “South Asian”) and we are invested in complicating it at every moment. Your definitions of “South Asian” and your self-identification as “South Asian,” are what matter.
*youth = 13-29 years of age
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