Afterglow returned April 25 at the Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark St., and showed that it’s no longer just a queer variety show.
Afterglow has intentionally or not become reminiscent of a 19th century European salon. The show is still low-key—but the vibe is warm, intimate, introspective, ribald in spots and altogether absorbing. There’s a mix of high- and low-brow comedy, mind-bending live music, and engaging poetry readings and spoken word performances—all with a welcoming queer flavor.
Whitehead discussed coming out to her parents that not only is she queer and trans but also polysexual, cracking, “If you really want to disappoint your parents why not do it with five other people?”
Next up was comedian Rey Tang who took the process of being romantic and newly trans into a whole new dimension. When she came out to her mother she was surprised that she took the news calmly, but when she told her how she wanted to be a stand-up comedian, her mother screamed, “Why do you do these things to me!?”
Tang later cracked on her obsessive romantic entanglements when she said, “If anyone is in me, I want to ask them, ‘Do you want to have children?’ I keep proposing to my gynecologist.”
Non-binary comedian Quinn James provided a hilariously positive spin on the rigors of growing up queer. He said, “I owe a lot to the bullies in high school…Without them I would have never figured out I have a degradation kink.” Regarding therapy and mental wellness he said, “I started seeing a therapist but stopped because the sex was terrible.”
Poets Nick Herrera and Alfie Bloom’s readings shifted the tone of the evening into more introspective territory.
Herrera said at the start of his set, “I’m going to read poetry…are you ready to get sad?” His “Queer Joy” inspired introspection and self-evolution in a with a wistful flavor rather than melancholy though. Another poem borrowed from noted poet Andrea Gibson.
Bloom’s readings seemed even more personal, and she borrowed lyrics from the band Flip Turn’s “Space Cowboy” and “Orbit.” Both artist’s work demanded an acute attention in both content and performance and were perfect for this space.
Vocalist/pianist Alex NO.EL Miller closed out the show in stunning style. Singing self-penned songs punctuated by their key plunking and a vocal dexterity that slid from whispers to growls to heaven bound heights, her music had the ragged beauty of Tom Wait’s early recordings coupled with Rickie Lee Jones’s unpredictable vocals. Miller is a talent to look out for.
Whitehead closed the show with an exciting announcement: The next Afterglow will be held on June 13 at the Summerdale Stage at Midsommer Fest. It will be interesting to see how this cozy event translates to the great outdoors.
