It is not often that I encounter a new performance space (for me) that is a paradigm all its own. That feels separate from the outside world yet welcoming to those from it, with its own internal logic, rules, lingo, community and history unique unto itself. That creates a 'bubble' where worldly cares fade away, a sense of time is lost and almost anything can happen.

In the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, up until tonight I had only encountered two venues that really fit that bill. The first is The Pocket Sandwich Theatre, with its 30+ years of wackiness and fun and community, and a positive, cheeky vibe all its own. The second is Scarborough Renaissance Festival, which has all of what I'm talking about in spades. A place apart, in a time removed from the everyday, a wonderfully interactive and inclusive world of its own with nearly endless possibilities.

Well, tonight I found a third. Open Stage at the House of Poets in Richardson.

fakefriar talked us into going (albeit explaining it somewhat poorly in the process) and I'm glad he did!

Tonight, in a delightfully experimental, ultra-supportive and chaotically inclined space where it seemed nearly everything and anything could happen, I saw among other things the following:

1) Several really talented musicians, including a young woman with a belting Blues voice in a 20something's frame. And some great original music
2) Two burlesque acts that were among the most creative I have ever seen. One of which was an absolutely brilliant and funny male act with some fantastic costume changes/reveals. And the other of which was done to 'Conjunction Junction' of all things. And neither of which was the least bit skeevy
3) Really cool dance play with various items including hula hoops, staves, flags and more
4) Some really funny comedy. Including one piece from a man in a rabbit fursuit
5) Some very nice slam poetry with a lovely gay vibe
6) My friends having a really good time and participating along, in that SAPAish way :~D

The evening even led to some deep (well, for me) thoughts about the nature of performance and how focus, intensity and level of specialization can differ from performer to performer and venue to venue. And about the nature of music and the differences in people who externalize vs. internalize it.

And it was lovely seeing several of my SAPA and playtron peeps and showing off my new hairstyle *grins*.

Anyway, the whole event was amazing, and I highly recommend for all my creative friends (which would be, well, all of you)! It happens every Monday night and we'll be attending again when we can.

Details can be found here: http://circusfreaks.org/

Love,
~~Kangi Tanka~~

Sooo, this is what I was rather mysterious about here last night. One of the last of the SAPA longhairs is no longer one as of Tuesday evening! :~)

This is the first (and perhaps not as good) frontal shot



And here's a better one with product in my hair and such :~)



And, the pièce de résistance, the back!



I am *SO* happy with this look, more so every time I see it. Loving the low maintenance nature of this cut (I can shower in less than five minutes even with shampooing!) and being rid of my long hair. I loved it and it was very fun, but it's time.

I came home last night having made up my mind pretty much on the spot, and we made it happen. Everyone at work today was head over heels in love with it :~)

*BIG GRIN*

Love,
~~Kangi Tanka~~

Before I forget (and before it's too late)...

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE EXCELLENT, EXTRAORDINARY AND EFFERVESCENT earthgirl3!!! Love ya dearly and hope it was a fabulous one! :~D

And, on a similar note since it started tonight...

A VERY HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE IT!!! May Raven's luck, laughter, mischief and joy be with you all on this, his most sacred day, and into the new year

A post on all my Yuletide misadventures is forthcoming, probably tomorrow

Love ya!

Love,
~~Kt3 the Celebratory~~

A SPECTACULARLY SUPERB BIRTHDAY TO THE ALL AROUND FABULOUS buffalobills!!!

Love,
~~Kt3 the Well Wisher~~

Hey all!

I say this fairly regularly in my journal but it bears repeating, especially as it's been a while, I have several new folks on my friends list and it's easy to forget.

I *VERY* rarely, to the point of almost never, have a chance to read my friends list

So if you post some important news, a request for whatever, an invite to a party or whatever else here and nowhere else, I will have no idea about it unless someone happens to tell me.

Just making that clear so as not to offend anyone when I don't reply :~)

Love,

~~Kangi Tanka~~

Hey kids!

1) I'm going to be trimming my flist once more now that I can finally read LJ at work again. Giving it an honest go is imposssible with a million and one peoples' posts to sift through. I do this quietly fairly regularly but sometimes get drama because someone feels slighted. So this time I'm letting everyone know. It's nothing personal, dears. But if we never talk, never email, never call each other, never hang out and we both live in DFW, we're obviously not close. No offense intended so please don't take any :~).

2) The addiction has spread -- now I'm completely hooked on City of Heroes as well! My gay-themed Mutation Blaster is now almost 14th level and I'm loving every minute of it! :~) I've even been thinking of theme music for my character. From one escape to another, I suppose, the Kangi Tanka way *grin*.

Love,
~~Kt3 the Strangely Loving Online Gaming Far More Than Tabletop These Days~~

Hey all.

This is not directed at everyone, obviously, but as I don't know who's been rumourmongering about me (only that it's been happening) I'm posting this here. I'm not making blanket statements about anyone, just communicating a message.

If you think I have been unprofessional, lewd or inappropriate in the street or backstage this year, you are incorrect and have either jumped to conclusions or believed something someone else told you. I have done nothing of the sort. I am well known as a consummate professional in SAPA who does not break character in the street, does not seek to make patrons uncomfortable and does not do anything in the street just to get my own jollies. Yes, I am playing a period gay character, but that's only one aspect of Exeter and one most average joe-type patrons never see unless they watch afternoon Court Dance or Pub Sing. As I've said a thousand times before, I am not doing what I'm doing for political reasons or to hunt and prowl, but as a way to present an interesting and much forgotten aspect of our period and as a way to reach out to our gay audience and include them in all the fun.

If this does not apply to you, please feel free to disregard. Love ya. :~)

Love,

~~Kangi Tanka~~

So a couple of weeks ago tomorrow I got a ticket in Addison for expired registration. The cop told me I had two weeks to take care of it. Like an idiot I didn't look at the ticket to make sure that was correct.

This morning I had a couple of hours scheduled off to go get both the registration and ticket taken care of.

Only I slept in later than I meant to and then had a flat tire when I got out to my car. So after that was resolved I had just enough time to get to work on time.

I have to get up very early tomorrow morning to take care of this as a result. I'm scared they're going to arrest me as it's past the 10 day grace period the ticket says.

Any suggestions?

Also, today work was heinous.

And now I have to call my landlords and ask if I can postpone my rent 'til the 4th.

Shit.

Love,

~~Kangi Tanka~~

So last night my darkblood777 whisked me away to Stonebriar Mall, where we ate, shopped around (had to go drool over the boots I've been lusting after for years again) and ended up seeing "Ice Age 2", which was moderately amusing. His company, however, was as always a complete and total delight.

Then it was home and after some hanging next door with drema, fakefriar and gilesdancer, eventually to bed. Sleeping in the same bed is something we only *very* seldom get to share these days with our insane schedules and differing hours, and it was thus a rare and wonderful treat. Falling asleep in his arms made everything right with the world for me. *grin*

Just had to share this moment of sappiness. Do with it what you will. :~)

Love,

~~Kangi Tanka~~

In a nearly unprecedented move I'm posting this publicly so that anyone and everyone can see it. This song captures how I feel about love -- and in particular gay love, as well as gay rights, Proposition 2, same-sex marriage and the sanctity of all love between consulting adults better than I ever could. Please, let it inspire you to better understand, accept and love your gay and lesbian friends, family, neighbours and fellow Americans and encourage those you love to do the same...

"Love is love is love
No matter who is giving
Love is love is love
No matter who receives
Love is love is love
Loving is part of living
Where there is living there is life
And there love is

Why do we live divided
'Cause of whom we love?
'Cause of color or creed?
All people need love, not just from the people they're of
We can't reap the harvest
Until we plant the seed that

Love is love is love
No matter what your color
Love is love is love
No matter what your name
Love is love is love
Oh no there's nothing duller
Than to love only what's the same
That's not what love is

People state 'Love is love' but they don't believe it
Sometimes hate is in the way you differentiate
Politics and love don't groove -- do I have to prove it?
Love is music, you're the dancer, truth's the rhythm
Can you dance the answer now?

Love is love is love
No matter what the question
Love is love is love
No matter what the cause
Love is love is love
Loving is my one suggestion
There ought to be a law
That LOVE IS

Love is love is love
No matter man or woman
Love is love is love
No matter straight or gay
Love is love is love
Take it to your room and
Let your love lead the way
To where love is

Where is your love?
Please don't be ashamed of love
Don't be afraid to show what you're feeling
Don't be afraid to let the world know who you love
Don't contradict, don't restrict
Don't be tricked into hiding that you're made of

Love is love is love
Love is love is love
Love is love is love
Where there is living there is life
And there love is
Love is love is love
It's true there's nothing greater
Love is love is love
For every creature great and small
Love is love is love
Our common denominator
'Cause where there are people there is life
And there love is"

-- Tom McCormack, "Love is Love"

On a related note, I'm coming out at work tomorrow. I've lived in the shadows too long there. :~)

Love,

~~Kangi Tanka of the Liberation~~