Artists selected for queer LGBTQIA+ cabaret Glory

LGBTQIA+ artists from across Scotland were invited to respond to selected objects from the RGU Art & Heritage Collections and to use them as inspiration for the cabaret performance on 9 November.

Organisers say they are overwhelmed by response to their callout and are looking forward to building on the success from the inaugural Glory event held in June, which showcased a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of queer experiences.

One of those selected for the upcoming Glory cabaret is a Syrian refugee who lives in Edinburgh, and performs under the stage name of Carmella (she/her). Her story reflects their journey as a drag artist in Scotland, starting from when they first arrived as a refugee in 2018.

Carmella will draw inspiration from a garment held in the RGU Art & Heritage Collections produced by Gray’s alumnus, Cameron Lyall’s, 'NO-PLACE', that reflects their own journey navigating undefined spaces.

They said: “I want to explore the idea of identity and belonging, especially in spaces where I’ve felt out of place.  I will use storytelling, film, dance, and Arabic music that I'll mix myself, to show how I’ve found my voice and my space in the drag scene while staying true to my heritage.

“I hope the audience feels connected to my story of finding a place to belong, even when things feel uncertain. I want them to experience the blend of cultures and the journey of self-expression, while challenging their expectations of what drag can be. I also want them to enjoy the music and movement as it celebrates identity and diversity.

“Since arriving as a refugee, Scotland has become my home, and it’s where I’ve been able to grow as an artist. The Glory project is amazing! It’s giving artists like me a platform to share our stories and identities, especially in a space that values diversity and creativity. The support from Look Again and APA is a great way to spotlight underrepresented voices.”

Jamie McCormick from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire will use music, singing, spoken word and movement, and draw inspiration from two pieces from the RGU Art & Heritage Collection. These include a knitwear collection by Gray’s alumna Linh Khanh Bui, entitled ‘Thalassa’, and a figurine called ‘Freedom’ by Richard Ross Robertson, that inspired the female standing figure on display in Hazelhead Park in Aberdeen.

Jamie, who performed in the first Glory cabaret in June said: “I hope the audience will be transported to some other worldly space, somewhere between land and sea, between mortal and mythical realms, and find themselves fully immersed in the performance. I love when creatives across different endeavours collaborate! I am excited to do a stage piece and to combine different elements of performance responding to a fashion design.”

Nelly Connor will share an audio landscape and spoken word performance, in collaboration with composer Lucien Miller, that explores her experience growing up in Peterhead, a place she describes as not being very queer friendly and which has shaped her into the person she is today.  Her performance is inspired by the RGU Art & Heritage Collections knitwear collection, ‘Thalassa’ by Gray’s alumna, Linh Khanh Bui.

Nelly said: “Growing up as a closeted trans person in a small town here in Scotland can be such a terrifying experience, the lack of community and representation can really start to leach at everything that you are. I hope through my performance I can shine a light on isolated queerness around the country and show that it can get better, the storm can pass and spread the importance of community at making that change a reality.

“Glory and the stage / support given by Look Again at Gray’s and Aberdeen Performing Arts for this night really encapsulates this community in all its beauty and diversity and I’m honoured to be a voice in that chorus.”

Event co-organiser, Bart Grabski from Look Again at Gray’s School of Art said: “We are thrilled to have received so many applications for November’s Glory cabaret and look forward to building on the success of the inaugural ‘Glory’ performance with an enthralling cabaret of performance, drag, spoken word, visual arts, stand-up, and dance.

“RGU contributes significantly to the social and cultural development of the region and is committed to enhancing the visibility of under-represented communities. We greatly value our close partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts, which is invested in creating opportunities for the queer sector and celebrating Scotland’s diverse creative communities. ‘Glory’ is a unique event, and we can't wait for the dark nights of November to be re-energised and illuminated by this exciting cabaret.”

Glory co-producer Hanna Louise from Aberdeen Performing Arts said: “It’s fantastic to see how well Glory has been received, and very exciting to be able to see the evolution of this wonderfully unique project, not only celebrating LGBT talent but, importantly, providing opportunities for artists to develop and grow.

“It’s really lovely to see artists like Jamie, who performed as a supporting artist for the first Glory cabaret, return as a headliner. We hope to see many more artists develop skills and take advantage of these opportunities as time goes on.”

Look Again and Aberdeen Performing Arts are committed to spotlighting and supporting LGBTQIA+ creatives through a new cabaret event. This collaboration aims to amplify the presence of queer artists in cultural programming in the city.

The project is funded by Aberdeen Performing Arts and RGU Art & Heritage Collections supported by Look Again at Gray’s School of Art. Tickets are due to go live on Friday 27 September.

Main image shows Glory panel members (left to right), Bart Grabski & Claire Bruce from Look Again, Jennifer Louden, RGU Art & Heritage Collections & Svetlana Panova, art curator & independent panel member. Gallery images show performers  Carmella, Nelly Connor and Jamie McCormick, and images from the inaugural Glory cabaret.