Queer Memoir and First Person Salon Series Present

Queer Memoir: Sticks and Stones
A queer storytelling event
Tuesday, July 20 @ 8pm
The Rotunda, Philadelphia

First Person Arts and Queer Memoir are collaborating to bring queer artists to the stage on July 20 at the Rotunda in a program that tells stories from your life experience, specifically on the topic of “Sticks and Stones”. This salon is for writers, performers, and anyone with a queer story to tell. You don’t have to identify as an artist to submit or participate, and we encourage a range of voices and experiences.

Participants will share memoir themed work in 8-10 minutes slots, using whatever genre or communication method they prefer. This could be reading from written work, informal storytelling, stand up comedy, a musical number, a dance, or something we haven’t even thought of yet.

First Person Arts, based in Philadelphia, transforms the drama of real life into memoir and documentary art to foster appreciation for our unique and shared experience. We believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that sharing our stories connects us with each other and the world. If you found us through a direct link to this page, you can find out more information about us at www.firstpersonarts.org.

Queer Memoir is a New York City based salon for new work inspired by a monthly theme, dedicated to memoir-based storytelling. We aim to give voice to our collective queer experiences, and preserve and document our complex queer history. More info at www.queermemoir.com.

How to contact us
Inquiries/submissions should be sent to: queermemoir[at]firstpersonarts[dot]org.

Submission deadline: May 31, 2010.

Guidelines:

To submit written work:
1) Send us a half-page writing sample on the theme, or a query in which you outline your story. You can supplement your written submission with a 2-3 page writing sample of a preexisting work. OR
2) If you have no preexisting work to share, and are not sure what to submit to give us an idea of the story you would like to tell – please email. We are happy to chat with you!
3) Note: we may eventually ask to see a completed draft of the piece you wish to share to help us in the selection process

For other genres/mediums, send us a link to an audio or video sample online with a one paragraph description of what you are proposing. If you don’t have a multimedia clip available, send us an additional paragraph describing your work in your genre. If necessary, we’ll meet with you to discuss your idea in person/via phone.

If you have a story to tell about the monthly theme but you’re new to sharing in public in this way, please email us!

When creating your memoir work, please be mindful of the privacy of others – think about changing names and identifying details. Also be aware that a Queer Memoir is a hate-free zone.

Writers/performers/storytellers for this salon should share one thing in common – a queer identity. “Queer” is a very broad term, which may intersect with any number of other identities or communities of which we are a part. There may not be one unified, comfortable queer community inclusive of all our various different experiences, but we hope to offer a safe space to share multiple voices, experiences and identities within this spectrum. We also recognize that “Queer” is an imperfect umbrella word, and comes with a legacy of hurt and rejection for some. We encourage participants who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Butch, AG, Femme, Sissy, Mary, etc., or have a history of being culturally allied with these identities or communities.

Selections will be made by Queer Memoir and First Person Arts.

Back to the Salon Series page.