Message from Misty

On the 15th April I left Manchester to do a six month season as part of a comedy variety Drag Show in Cyprus. Although I’ve worked abroad before, I had not been on extended leave from Manchester since settling there around 12 years ago. As varied and interesting as a job in the entertainment business can be, what can seem exciting to some, can become the norm to the ones living it. So in an attempt to lighten my workload and regenerate, I felt it was time for some different scenery and some sunshine. With that mission accomplished I return to Manchester, and specifically Canal Street, on the 7th November to begin work on events both old and new.

Back to the Old:

On Wednesday night I’ll be back at The New Union with my karaoke night.  It will be my third year as host there, and my regular singers have been expertly looked after Philth Zaddy in my absence.  My karaoke song collection has been updated in preparation and remember, The Misty Cam will be watching you. Arguably my most talked about weekly event is my Geek Quiz at Bar21 in the Northern Quarter which has developed an almost cult following. I have been in constant contact with the owners of the venue, and indeed many of the quiz teams, and pending an initial meeting in early December I will be returning as Quiz Master on Tuesday nights.

In with the New:

At the time of writing this, the only new thing that I’m allowed to confirm is that I will be joining the Barpop team on Monday nights as a weekly resident.  Barpop has always been my night out go-to place, and it probably has more Drag Queens than any other venue on the street, so I figured why not mix business with pleasure. More on this as they release the advertising. Although you’ll see me in other capacities in the Village beforehand, I will be doing a comeback Cabaret Special at KIKI on Sunday the 19th November at 9pm. This will be my first show in the Manchester area and it will contain material specifically created for this night, so it truly will be a one-off. Entry is free, but the volunteers from The George House Trust will be on hand to collect any donations you wish to give.

Giving Back:

My involvement with the two charities I support continues, and the first event will be the fifth Pitch to Enrich night for The AXM Foundation held at New York Bar on Friday 24th November. If you’re unfamiliar with the Foundation, it gives funding to your business idea, community group or charity following a successful pitch to our patrons in a Dragons Den-esque manner. If you wish to pitch or want more information, email info@axmfoundation.org or visit their Facebook page.

The George House Trust has always been an organisation close to my heart, and 4 years ago I became one of their Ambassadors. We welcome a new Community Fundraising Organiser in the form of Samuel Clarke with whom I’ve exchanged emails whilst I’ve been away. We’re planning a meeting this month to get better acquainted and become more familiar with his first fundraising campaign ‘Buy George a drink’, which will encourage people to simply donate the price of a drink by text, particularly on special occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s day. There are other things in the pipeline involving GHT and specifically Drag Culture which I’m hoping to make official by New Year, so watch this space. If you’d like more information on GHT services visit www.ght.org.uk

On World Aids Day (December 1st), I will be performing at Eagle as part of their ‘Cabaretfest’, which will include some of the biggest names in UK Drag and no less than 40 performers. Proceeds from this event will go to GHT and The LGBT Foundation.

2018:

My 6 months with The Stardust Show have been a blast, the old adage ‘A change is a good as a rest’  rings true. In fact, I feel like I’ve had both. As a solo artist I relish the jobs that put me into a company from time to time, whether it be a show like Stardust, in the theatre or Panto. It hones your skills, keeps you sharp and gives you an appreciation of the talent that is out there. Stardust will be recruiting for their 2018 season in the coming months - so if you think that this might be of interest to you or someone you know, see the Stardust Facebook page (Stardust Variety Show). From the moment that this foreign job presented itself I saw it as a risk.  Would everything that I had to give up still be there when I got back? Well, risk is part of the job, part of life in general in fact. I wanted to give myself time to miss what I already had, and I did. If you get the opportunity to do the same, take it, you won’t regret it. I don’t.

I am lucky enough to be based in one of the UK’s LGBT community strongholds, a place where ideas are formed and charity initiatives are commonplace, a Village which offers entertainment and comparative safety. My job keeps my wardrobe snazzy and funds my hobbies, and to that end, workwise I will go where I’m sent.  But when I come home, it will be to Manchester.

Published: 2-Nov-2017: (4599)