From June 19-21 Z Space will host the 2025 Fresh Meat Festival of Transgender and Queer Performance. The show is the brainchild of Sean Dorsey, the man behind Sean Dorsey Dance. Dorsey is a transgender man who stands tall and proud in the face of the current vicious anti-trans backlash being instigated by the current administration. Dorsey considers this an important and pivotal time to be visible.
“This is an incredibly important time to uplift trans and queer artistry, truth telling and community,” Dorsey said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “This year’s festival is going to shower the audience with the love, fuel, healing and medicine we all need so much right now.”
This isn’t the first time Dorsey has performed at Z Space, a place he has come to love.
“Z Space is my artistic home and has been for a long time,” he said in a 2023 interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “It’s an absolutely gorgeous space to perform and see dance. They have been trans-supportive for so long and have all-gender bathrooms. They are family to us.”
The name Fresh Meat Festival was coined in 2002 by Jessie Bie of Steamroller Dance. Dorsey and his performance partners felt that the name allowed them to reclaim their power and sexiness as trans and queer performers, as well as their audacity in creating art in a society that often demonizes them. Dorsey noted that his company has been targeted by the right and alt-right for years.
“And it’s only getting worse,” he said. “But we are unstoppable in being joyously, raucously trans and queer. And we are doubling down on investing in trans and queer artistic innovation and excellence. Audiences need this right now.”
Diverse performers
Dorsey promises a smorgasbord of trans and queer entertainment at the Fresh Meat Festival, all produced especially for Pride Month.
“There’s a lot of buzz about this year’s lineup,” he said. “These artists deliver edgy, exquisite, extraordinary dance, theater and live music, and this star-studded lineup is going to bring joy, beauty and resistance to the stage. We’ve got world champion bachata dancers, gorgeous trans-Americana music, stunning South Asian contemporary dance, cutting edge drag performance artists, comedy, powerful storytelling and more.”
The full line-up is Aisha Noir, D’Lo, Ishami Dance Company, Jahaira and Angelica, JanpiStar, Mudd the Two Spirit, Shawna Virago, and, of course, Sean Dorsey Dance. The evening will be hosted by Churro Nomi.
“She is literally the best hostess in San Francisco, hands down,” Dorsey said. “She hosts the monthly drag cabaret Clutch the Pearls at the Make Out Room and all kinds of other events. As hostess, she brings a gorgeous balance of hilarity, heart, smart and sass. She also happens to be the alter-ego of our Managing Director Eric Garcia.”
Vision & heart
Dorsey explained what he and Garcia look for when they book an act.
“Myself and Garcia curate the festival,” he said. “And we look for innovation, vision, heart, care, artists who are really rooted in community, and stunning artistry. But the festival is about more than performance. It’s about gathering. Building sanctuary. Reclaiming the body, the stage and the future. Fresh Meat Productions reminds us that joy, rigor, care and resistance can coexist.”
And while most of the audience is likely to be queer, Dorsey noted that people from different communities do come and all are welcome.
“We attract the most fabulous audiences,” he said. “Our audiences are a gorgeous mix of so many communities, mostly trans, non-binary and gender expansive, queer, LGBTQ2SI+ and definitely our allies too. There is literally something for everyone. It’s a total celebration, party, love vibe, always.”
Fresh Meat Festival of Trans and Queer Performance, June 19, 20 & 21, 8pm, Z Space, 450 Florida Street, $10-$50. All performances ASL interpreted. KN95 masks required and provided.
https://www.zspace.org/
https://freshmeatproductions.org/
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