Celebrate Pride 2024 at Shelf Life Books with a fun-filled extravaganza of local talent including drag performances by Dogiichow & Osmo Cis, literary readings by Skylar Kay and Bret Crowle, hosted by Kevin Allen.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Osmo Cis is an androgynous, time travelling drag king who landed in the scene in 2022. He is as offbeat as he is handsome, using humor in his performances to entertain audiences while making them wonder, “what does cis mean again?” You can find Osmo at his new drag-improv show ‘Whose Drag is it Anyway?’ on October 18 at Congress Coffee, every other month at the Ship and Anchor, or co-hosting the ‘HoliGAY Weekends’ show every long weekend Saturday at The Attic. He’s even on Instagram! @cosmonautbinary
Dogiichow is the Campy and equally Trampy sensation, they have been gracing stages and entertaining audiences across Alberta and beyond. Best known for their custom if slightly questionable fashion sense. When they are not being a drag jester for crowds of barking fans they can be found accepting challenges of hot dog eating contests, watching cheesy cult classic b-movies and judging arm wrestling contests. Their drag is a celebration of their two spirit indigiqueer identity and a love of entertaining. Where will their journey take them next? Space! Probably not but you’ll just have to stay tuned.
Skylar Kay is an emerging writer from Calgary, AB. She has an interest in Japanese literature, specifically haiku, and has been pursuing this interest in her poetry since 2016. In addition to being a haiku enthusiast in creative writing, Skylar also participates in the academic side of Japanese literature, seeing publication in both academic and literary journals.
Bret Crowle is a multi-genre creator who has spent the last year singing, dancing, playing pretend, and editing her forthcoming debut poetry collection for Frontenac House. The collection, Jesus is a Voyeur, will be making its way to you this October. When not creating, she can be found looking for faces in the clouds, listening to the same albums over and over again, and participating in the deeply healing art of noisemaking.
Kevin Allen is a fourth-generation Calgarian who has been documenting and profiling queer people and events for 30+ years. Kevin started the Calgary Gay History Project in 2012 to uncover and preserve stories from Calgary’s 2SLGBTQ+ past (www.calgarygayhistory.ca). The Project has achieved national recognition and led to the award-winning documentary film: Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story; and the best-selling book Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary. Additionally, Kevin works as a senior election administrator for both Elections Canada and Elections Alberta.
