Cabaret, queer burlesque, stand-up, clowning, and the weird, unclassified hybrids of all have existed for so long that we hardly remember their beginnings. And they are still emerging – stubbornly imbued with the spirit of survival without subscriptions, institutional repertoires, or big PR – which is why they often remain invisible, “small”. At the Small Arts Platform, we are putting them under the spotlight for the eighth time: to shine in their declarative or meta-staging critique of the status quo – whether social, political, economic, aesthetic, or otherwise. There is still too much material for criticism, but on stage we take it with pleasure: light on the heavy, frivolous on the serious, serious on the delusions. Unlike recent editions, instead of the glitter of glamour, this year’s programme will be coated with a polish remover that reveals the rawness of subcultural and fringe artistic practices.
This year’s edition will be enriched by both domestic and international guests. The four-day programme will include performances, workshops, lectures, and DJ parties. Among the international guests, the small arts will be platformed by the French collective Cirque Queer; transformation artists Charlie d’Emilio, Olympia Bukkakis, and Maria F. Scaroni; Jeremy Wade; Androkill; and queer feminist stand-up comedian Claire Lefèvre. Among the domestic guests, Poetically Uncorrect will perform, and festival pioneers The Feminalz will once again impress, this time with guests from near and far.
Life is a small arts platform – come to the platform!
