Cabinet of Curiosities

Cabinet of Curiosities: The Fetishisation of Amputations, Spreading Joy, and Inclusive Cabaret with Tattoo Pole Boy, Andrew Gregory

I know I say this every month, but I had the best time sitting down to chat with Andrew. Getting to have such wonderful conversations with disabled perfomers is a huge reason why I do this podcast, and this episode was a real joy. 
 
Andrew Gregory is 51-year-old amputee pole performer/teacher living and working in central London. He is a two times world para-pole champion along with many other competitive pole titles, and has performed at events such as the Queen’s Jubilee and more. He’s also so full of warmth, so if you’re looking for some cheer while you drink a cup of something, this episode is bound to give you all the good vibes.
 
Follow him:
IG: tattoo_pole_boy

Cabinet of Curiosities: Allyship, Head Gremlins, and The Wisdom of Go Fuck Yourself with Chris-Jae Angel

It was such a delight to chat with writer, activist, sex worker, and all-round wonderful human Chris-Jae Angel. She is a vocal, brown, trans-non binary writer, sex worker and activist promoting radical self-love, acceptance and body positivity while fighting to platform marginalised voices in an ever-marginalising world. Having spoken at countless trans rights protests, podcasts and now recently published in Twenty-Eight, an anthology of queer voices by Kestral Gaian, they work to inspire, ignite and destigmatise what was forced into the shadows for far too long. 
Follow Chris-Jae on social media:
Twitter @chrisjaethey Instagram @chrisjaethey
Chris-Jae’s linktree is linktr.ee/ChrisJaeThey and that includes her full protest speeches, podcasts and support links, including their fundraiser for her transition goals. Why not wish Chris-Jae a Happy Birthday by contributing to her fundraiser?? 
 
You can also catch them at the Queer I Am podcast in Brighton May 9th https://www.designmynight.com/brighton/restaurants/all-brighton/arcobaleno/queer-i-am-podcast-live-and-unscripted 

Cabinet of Curiosities: Disabled Drag, Being a King, and Am I Queer Enough? with Himish Macbeth

I had a gorgeous time chatting with Himish Macbeth! Catch him at the RVT March 15th for King Frankie Sinatra's King of Clubs! Get your tickets here.
 
Himish Macbeth (he/him) a disabled drag performer from the kingdom of Fife, in Scotland. With a background in stage acting, he's been using drag as a medium since 2022, coming up through the Scottish Shut Up and King support network.
He's a raconteur and provocateur, and a fierce believer in disabled pride and disabled joy. The elbow crutches he relies on to get around are also a source of creativity and joyful movement - think acrobatic tricks, not apologetic sticks.
A little bit 'him', a little bit 'ish', Macbeth is half punk rebel, half pure camp silliness, with a heart of gold.
Read a full interview on Facebook (Shut Up and King) 
Instagram: @himish_macbeth

Cabinet of Curiosities: Community, Chaos Queers, and Accessibility with Caitlin Mckenna

JOY, JOY, JOY! Seriously, get your joy here! I had a wonderful morning chatting all things community and poetry with Caitlin. Highly recommend listening to this episode for a dose of feel good. 
Caitlin Mckenna (they/she) is a queer, communist, vegan poet from Leeds. Cait performsacross the North, released their debut chapbook Now Say it Back with Bent Key Publishingin 2022, and co-founded experimental spoken word night Bone Down. They're also hosting a fabulous and inclusive Valentine's open mic! Get your tickets here. 
Follow them: @caitisapoet on Instagram and Twitter

Cabinet of Curiosities: Glamourous Education, Unlearning Prejudice, and the Perks of Being Cerberus with Mild Peril

Mild Peril is a strange genderfuck drag artist who brings camp, sex and political satire to the stage. A finalist of Lipsync1000 and Top of the Slops, they incorporate their Asian heritage and queer identity in lipsyncing, dance and comedy.
I had a wonderful time sitting and chatting with them about the importance of creating a safe space for performers, being authentic, and how to educate an audience (while being glamorous). Includes a brilliant spoken word piece written and performed by Mild!
 
Follow them:
Instagram: @contains_mild_peril
Website: linktr.ee/Mild_Peril

Cabinet of Curiosities: Kink, Drag, and Camp Politics with Powdered Sugar

I had the best morning chatting with Powdered Sugar about kink, drag and disability... All of my favourite things! Merry Christmas and Solstice Blessings to all those who celebrate. 
Drag artist, kinkster, finalist in two of the UK's biggest drag competitions LipSync1000 and Church of Yshee 2022, Powdered Sugar is East London's favourite gender-fluid dumpster fire and a massive disappointment to their parents. Their work always aspires to confront audiences with difficult conversations about their lived experience. You're guaranteed to leave a Powdered Sugar act with something to think about, something to repress, and even sometimes with your newest kink! 
Follow Them:
Twitter: @linguistqueer 
Instagram: @collinsbrandpowderedsugar

Cabinet of Curiosities: Spinning Plates, Toilet Art, Doing the Thing, and Playing Search and Destroy with Dead Names, with Kestral Gaian

A joyous episode with Kestral Gaian, a transgender author, playwright, poet, and performer. She is currently represented by Reconnecting Rainbows Press for literary works, with a new book called ‘Twenty-Eight’ due for release in February 2023. Her stage credits include musical theatre, opera, and plays. She has a voice acting portfolio spanning video games, animation, and corporate work. Behind the scenes she has worked in production, management, and video mixing at a pre- and post-production level. Includes a beautiful recording of her poem Birds and Humans, sung by Melbourne Womens Choir. 
Follow her:
Fediverse: https://digipres.club/@LaCrecerelleTwitter:  @KestralWritesCohost: https://cohost.org/kestralLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kesgInstagram:  @KestralWritesWebsite: www.kesgai.com

Cabinet of Curiosities: Platonic Love, Surviving a Stroke, and Blagging Your Way to a Book Tour with Mugabi Byenkya

Mugabi Byenkya is an award-winning writer. In 2018, Mugabi was named one of 56 writers who has contributed to his native Uganda’s literary heritage in the 56 years since independence by Writivism (East Africa’s largest literary festival). Mugabi wants to be Jaden Smith when he grows up.
Mugabi will also be performing online at Rebel Riot Poetry on the 28th November, so grab your tickets! 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mugabi.byenkya/
Twitter: Mugabi Byenkya - sporadic engagement on socials (@mugabsb) / Twitter
LinkedIn: Mugabi Byenkya | LinkedIn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mugabs/
Website: www.mugabibyenkya.com

Cabinet of Curiosities: Failing Gender, Toxic Positivity, and Being comfortable in Your Own Skin with Leilah King

Leilah King is an ex-semi-professional footballer player, and poet. Her debut poetry collection Midnight Picnics in Tehran was published by Burning Eye Books in August 2019. Currently working on second collection, aiming to be released in 2023. Leilah has performed across the UK. Headliner performances include Bristol Harbour Festival 2018, Poetry Café in London, Leeds poetry festival in 2021, Cheltenham Literature Festival, and Find the Right Words in Leicester and WOMAD in 2022. She hosts a monthly open mic night in Bristol.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilah-king-she-her-1569701b2/
Instagram: leilahjanekingpoet
https://burningeye.bigcartel.com/product/midnight-picnics-in-tehran-by-leilah-jane-king

Cabinet of Curiosities: M.E, Disability-Informed Art, and Coming Out with JP Seabright

I had a wonderful evening chatting to Genderfux poet JP Seabright about coming out, disability, and finding ways to satifsy the creative drive.
 
JP Seabright (she/they) is a queer writer living in London. They have three pamphlets published: Fragments from Before the Fall: An Anthology of Post-Anthropocene Poetry; the erotic memoir NO HOLDS BARRED, and GenderFux, a collaborative poetry pamphlet. MACHINATIONS, another collaborative work is out later this year, as is Be∞Cause, a poetry microchap. JP is Assistant Editor of Full House Literary Magazine, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in October 2021.
 
Follow them:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jp.seabright.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/errormessage
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/jpseabright/
Website: https://jpseabright.com/