The Sappho Show is a monthly performance event spotlighting queer female and non-binary performers brought to you by singer/songwriter Kim Sheehy from She Collective and producer/director Lisa Freshwater from FEM.
Why The Sappho Show? Well, Sappho is a little like us. A poet at heart, a lover of women and much of her work is lost or unknown. Sure, she was around in 500 BCE on the Isle of Lesbos, but we don’t think that much has changed. We still need a safe island (or, in 2020 a digital island) to meet up and the fact is queer female performers are still massively underrepresented.
FEM and The She Collective are committed to supporting queer women’s voices creatively and financially.
Lisa Freshwater said: “we noticed women’s spaces in Sydney are either networking events or raging parties. We want to create a relaxed, inclusive space where queer women and their friends feel comfortable to take time out of their busy lives, meet up once a month and connect while supporting queer women performers”
Kim added: “We don’t think that much has changed since Sappho was writing her queer poems on the Isle of Lesbos around 500 BCE. We still need a safe space to meet up and the fact is queer female performers are still massively underrepresented and we’re often asked to do gigs for free. We’re creating a platform for performers to shine and ensure they’re well supported, promoted and paid for their efforts”
ARTFORM
Music, cabaret, comedy
AUDIENCE
LGBTQ+ women and allies
SUITABLE FOR
Music venues, festivals
LENGTH
1 hour, can be adjusted to suit event
The Sappho Show launched in December 2019 at The Vanguard in Newtown. The 2020 shows were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions but went live online in June 2022, then returned to the Basement at the Imperial Erskineville with the same good vibes and best queer female performers.
We’ll have an exciting announcment coming up in lat 2021. Keep your dance card free in December!
LINE UP
May 2020 – Digital
Sydney based singer and songwriter, Dani El-Rassi
Australia’s Top Female Speed Painter, Sarah Rowan
‘Irresistibly sultry’ soul, pop & R&B singer, Rayn
December 2019 – The Vanguard Newtown
Musical theatre darling Akina Edmonds
Comedian, singer and YouTube star Jordan Raskopoulos
The Sappho Show co-producer and The Voice All Star Kim Sheehy
