Where can you find gender-bending ballroom, a gay vogue-off, transgender hip-hop, gravity-defying trapeze, thundering taiko, and queer Bomba? San Francisco, of course, but this time it's all in one place at this weekend's the 13th Annual Fresh Meat Festival, the nation's highly acclaimed, one-of-a-kind transgender and queer performance performance festival. This year, says festival director Sean Dorsey, will make television history with Matrix directors Lana and Andy Wachowski.
The festival, he says, will literally provide the stage for the Wachowski sibling's new Netflix series, Sense8. The famed directors are filming a scene for Sense8 at this year's Fresh Meat Festival so fest artists and attendees will get to be a part of television history as out trans woman Lana Wachowski pairs up with an out trans man (Dorsey) to bring San Francisco's transgender and queer talent and community to the screen.
"I am thrilled the Wachowskis are filming at this year's Fresh Meat Festival,
says Dorsey, the famed choreographer and modern dancer behind The Secret History of Love. "We'll get to show the world the electric energy and talent of San Francisco's transgender and queer community!"
The festival takes place June 19-21 at San Francisco's Z Space, features a stunning lineup of the nation's most trailblazing transgender and queer artists, including Rocco Katastrophe, Cohdi Harrell, Maikaze Daiko, Shawna Virago, Las Bomberas de la Bahia, Jocquese Whitfield, Star Amerasu, and more. There are post-show receptions nightly with DJ Miz Rowdy (complete with photo booth, drinks, and dancing) and all Friday June 20 performances are ASL interpreted. Tickets are $15-$25 sliding scale and advance purchase recommended.
