LGBTQ+ SCHEDULE

60 MINS. | THE CAGE, KRESS

May 10, 9 p.m.; May 14, 6:45 p.m.

Comedian Jeff Klein brings his humor and wit to Tampa Fringe with the premiere of his one-man show. He details how he sees the LGBTQ+ community and how he feels they, and the rest of the world, see him. “This is a culmination of my stand-up comedy and life experiences, trying to find where I fit into the community and creating a lane for other beige gays like myself to feel seen,” Klein explains.

60 MINS. | HCC OUTSIDE

May 11, 8 p.m.; May 14, 8 p.m.

Pop on a pair of headphones and join time-traveling research company SCROLL as they attempt to discover what truly happened during The War of 2098. Located outside, silent disco technology creates a rich 360 soundscape while physical actors and interactive historians welcome you to a sci-fi world. “This is our company’s first time at Tampa Fringe and we are excited to be bringing a piece of immersive, experimental theater to a new audience,” co-writer, artistic director and actor Megan Markham says.

45 MINS. | THE COOP, HCC

May 12, 7:15 p.m.; May 13, 1:15 p.m.; May 14, 3:15 p.m.

Local cabaret artist Vulva Va-Voom premieres their new show! This tragicomedy interprets the performer’s real-life experiences of queerness and gender identity through the lens of their recurring onstage character. Billed as fairly sincere and emotionally intimate, this scripted piece with improvisational moments features music and more. Va-Voom is also serving as head writer for sister company Boiled Horse’s show “Stroke of Genius: Pantomime Masturbation Throughout Performing Arts History.”

60 MINS. | REHEARSAL HALL, HCC

May 10, 9:15 p.m.; May 13, 7:15 p.m.; May 14, 8 p.m.

It’s the 1950s and time for women to take a stand against the patriarchy. Get ready to divide the City Gate Apartment Complex when Liz rallies up the women and children to teach men a lesson in taking your spouse for granted. With the fellas out of the picture, Liz, her gang of housewives and the building’s co-owner Tina learn about all the things that come with their newfound freedom: both the sweets and the sours.

60 MINS. | THE COOP, HCC May 11, 8:45 p.m.; May 13, 2:45 p.m.; May 14, 8:15 p.m. A story, a confession, a revelation — this play takes place in the past, present and infinity of Gary’s mind. Armed with his theme “anything can happen” and a pair of leopard print underwear, Gary dreams about kissing somebody but finds himself in New York City addicted to phone sex, attending memorial services for strangers and more. Through surprising friendships Gary discovers his greatest poetry, humor, pain and hope.

60 MINS. | REHEARSAL HALL, HCC

May 12, 8:30 p.m.; May 13, 2:30 p.m.; May 14, 4:45 p.m. This musical follows the ups and downs of Ruth Ann and Earl as the couple meets, falls in love and has a child despite Earl’s wandering eye. Ruth Ann finally has had enough and leaves, however neither of them are happy after they divorce. Eventually they realize that they can’t live without one another with songs like “It Started with a Kiss” and “What Did I Do Right.”

60 MINS. | THE FRINGE THEATRE, KRESS May 11, 7:15 p.m.; May 13, 8:30 p.m.; May 14, 1:45 p.m. The world ended but the Happy Place’s memory lives on. Come learn about the magic that once was from former caretaker Rat Man. “I am much more interested in queering the aggro nature of the postapocalyptic narrative and focusing on the importance of community for survival,” writer Bruce Costella says. He calls the show “a fantastical combo of storytelling and interactive elements that invites the audience to tell the story with me.”

40 MINS. | THE CAGE, KRESS

May 11, 8:45 p.m.; May 13, 8:15 p.m.; May 14, 8:30 p.m.

Come laugh at the kinkiest freaks in the animal kingdom in this examination of animal intimacy with comedian Amica Hunter. “I am a queer, trans nonbinary artist with a love for animals, death, comedy and the bizarre,” they say. “My show at this festival is all about animal mating habits — and let me tell ya! These wild earthly beasties are queer as heck. Kinky, too.” This show will make you completely rethink the birds and the bees.

60 MINS. | THE FRINGE THEATRE, KRESS

May 12, 10:30 p.m.; May 13, 6:45 p.m.; May 14, 3:30 p.m. This piece centers on the performer’s unexpected fascination with old barns, exploring the usefulness of beauty as she looks back at her own mental illness. “As an out, bi solo performer, making shows is a big part of how I make sense of the world and myself in it,” Erika MacDonald explains. She says the show “is an ode to friendship, bi resilience and to all the unexpected ways we hold ourselves and each other up.”

American Stage welcomed new Managing Director Anthony Winter-Brown and freeFall Theatre welcomed new Executive Director Craig Badinger April 10. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com.

Aquariius was crowned National Bearded Empress 2023 on April 17.

Watermark Wednesday benefited PFLAG Riverview at Zoie’s April 19, where raffle participants raised a total of $1,300 in support of the organization. The funds included a generous match from Zoie’s. Read more and view a photo gallery at WatermarkOnline.com.

ARTpool Gallery celebrated 15 years in St. Petersburg April 20.

Eric Roper and Hector Garcia were married April 20. The Lady’s Room celebrated one year in Largo April 22 and is raising funds to remain open. Learn more at Facebook.com/TheLadysRoomLargo.

St. Petersburg staple Cocktail celebrates three years May 7.

SMART Ride beneficiary Empath Partners in Care is seeking community support ahead of this year’s 20th fundraiser. The organization will field a cycling team and provide crew members to assist cyclists along the 165-mile route and is seeking volunteers for both roles Nov. 17-18. Informational sessions are scheduled through May 24 in Tampa Bay. “The funds raised will benefit the Tampa Bay community so we can provide more education and prevention services as well as ensure our HIV+ community members have what they need to live healthy lives,” EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim says. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com.

St. Petersburg politico Christopher Farrar (April 27); SMART Rider Carlos Lozano (April 29); Tampa licensed mental health counselor Anthony Quaglieri, St. Petersburg mainstay Russell Sutherland (April 30); Tampa socialite Channing Floyd (May 1); St. Petersburg communication pro Josh Cruz, St. Petersburg golden girl Corey Malyszka, myXOadventures owner Daniel Milks, St. Petersburg’s Karen Kunz, FedEx ground employee Marcus Brewer (May 2); Tampa Pride President Carrie West, Tampa Bay entertainer Ericka PC aka Aaron Perry Cruz (May 3); Vintage Interior’s owner Timothy Huff, Fabulous Arts Foundation activist Grace Korley (May 4); Tampa Crowbar owner Bonnie Plumbtree, St. Petersburg author Richard Randall, Tampa Bay activist Robert Brennan, St. Petersburg Officer Chris Bragg, Tampa staple Orlando Garza (May 5); Enigma bartender Justin Palmer, Tampa Bay bartender Jon Jusino (May 6); Tampa Bay performer Tim Cain (May 7); Tampa Bay activist Sasha Citino, St. Petersburg server Jason Grawey, Cocktail manager Alex Gomez (May 8); Animal lover Sarah Wilson, Travel advisor Terry Thompson (May 9); St. Petersburg gender therapist

Tristan Byrnes, former USF executive admin assistant Eric Anderson, Tampa Bay entertainer Dale Wilson aka Power Infiniti (May 10)