Saturday 9th November | 6:30pm | £8-£14 advance tickets (plus PWYC option)
QUEER(JOY) is a celebration and showcase of LGBTQIA+ artists from the Brighton scene and beyond, with each event focusing on a different creative space, this one being poetry and spoken word!!! Our aim is to create a space for LGBTQIA+ people to come together, find community, and enjoy and appreciate queer art(ists) with one another. Follow us on Instagram!
Come and get cosy for a night of spoken word by 6 incredible local poets, with the space then turning into a dance floor for a closing DJ set.
Featuring...
Subira Joy
Subira Joy [they/them] is a Black, genderqueer performer and activist based in Sussex. Their work weaves together the personal and political, through experiences and imaginations, spoken with rage, softness and laughter.
With an eclectic performance style that moves through spoken word, performance art, dance, playwriting, drag and cabaret, Subira is interested in art as a tool for activism and social change.
Subira's show 'Kill The Cop Inside Your Head' was a 2023 Eclipse Award winner and was longlisted for the BBC Writers Popcorn award. They supported Kae Tempest earlier this year at Brighton Festival and are the 2024 Stuart Hall Fellow at University of Sussex.
Subira Joy
Noah Sumptions
Queer trans poet from up t'Midlands, founder of Dyke Night, snail enthusiast, and all-round icon in the local scene, Noah Sumptions [they/them] has a penchant for diving deep into the awkward, sometimes unspeakable parts of the human condition. Once lovingly told that they "took the age old art of poetry and sh*t all over it", they’ve previously performed at Glastonbury, Trans Pride Brighton and pretty much every open mic in Brighton. We're so excited to welcome them back to QUEER(JOY), this time to compère the night AND perform!
ULTIMATE TIGERFROG
What happens when a tiger meets a frog? ULTIMATE TIGERFROG! A collaboration between Reanna Valentine and Sekinue, where spoken word meets harp in a blend of lyricism and captivating improvisation. They'll be joined on stage by the virtuoso cello and unstoppable charisma of Robin (Bee & Jackrabbit). UTF's on-stage presence is as joyous as it is brutal in its honesty, inviting in emotion and depth.
Fresh to the scene, UTF released their debut EP ‘What Matters’ in 2024.
Ultimate Tigerfrog
Misha MN
Misha MN is a non-binary grande dame of romantic tragedy and the spoken word. Torch songs for tortured souls, harlot of the Heartbreak Hotel. Their work combines classical references, popular music and brutalist poetry in a unique way. The Goddess is drunk and out of control, she imbibes spirits because she wants a soul.
Misha MN
Mally
Mally [she/her] is a multifaceted creative navigating her flow in this world. Her passion for words drives everything she does — whether it's through poetry, acting, or singing. Poetry, in particular, has been a powerful tool in helping Mally find her voice and empowering others to express their emotions. For her, it's an outlet that fosters connection and healing. Mally is dedicated to creating spaces where individuals can embrace their vulnerability, especially in a time when society often discourages it. She believe that vulnerability is not only essential but also transformative.
Mally
Robin Kathaas
Robin [any pronouns] is a poet who was born and raised in Belgium, but now lives, laughs, and loves in Brighton. Their cat is more interesting than they are. They can be found on Instagram at @robin.kathaas (unless they get sick of instagram, in which case they can be contacted via postal dove, maybe, if you ask the dove nicely.)
Plus our DJ for the night...
Mafu
Mafu [they/she] is a Brighton-based DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for genre-spanning high energy DJ sets and edits on SoundCloud. For this QUEER(JOY) Club, Mafu will bring a chill kinda ambient DJ set from their laptop, crafting an atmospheric backdrop to complement the evening’s poetry. Expect immersive soundscapes that blend subtle melodies with introspective tones, enhancing the spoken word with a calm but reflective vibe.
We'll also be joined by...
Brighton Queers for Palestine
Brighton Queers for Palestine are a collective of Brighton-based LGBTQ+ folk and allies who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people's struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. They’ll be selling a collection of handmade goods, crotched pieces, prints and other wonderful treasures to help raise funds for multiple initiatives, including Lebanon Emergency Aid, Family Evacuation Funds, eSims, and Palestinian Diaspora Well-being Project.