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Special Events
Something special is in store!
From live music to high tea, from documentary films to performance art, every year Fantasia Fair offers special events that are fun and exciting.
We explored the Homo Bonobo Project with
globe-trotting Belgian primatologist Dr. Ghislaine Pussait, as played by Shelly Mars. Inspired by the classic performance works of Jane Goodall, Al Gore, and the Pink Panther's
Inspector Clouseau, the show weaved themes of sexuality, love, and violence into a genuinely educational evening about our
gentle jungle cousins, the bonobo apes.
In 2010, Fantasia Fair hosted a special showing of "Becoming a Man in 127 Easy Steps." Presented by Scott Turner Schofield, named a
"Young Trans Hero of 2006" by The Advocate magazine, who gave a performance that employed multimedia storytelling, silk fabric acrobatics,
and audience participation to reveal the life of a man who just happens to have been born a girl.
Another special event came when internationally-renowned
classical pianist Sara Davis Buechner performed. Ms. Buechner is a master
pianist, having performed with many different orchestras including philharmonic orchestras in New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland and San Francisco.
You can listen to some of Ms. Buechner here.
In 2006, we enjoyed the 4-time Outmusic award nominee Namoli Brennet.
Her music has been featured on NPR, PBS and in films including the Emmy-award winning
documentary "Out in the Silence." If you have heard Namoli Brennet's work, you know just how intense, passionate, and gifted of a performer she is. If
you haven't heard of this transwoman, you can experience a bit of her effect by visiting her website, namolibrennet.com.
Angelica Ross graced the stage in 2011. Her personal journey is reflected in her music: from Navy recruit to fashion model to singer/songwriter. This is where life becomes art.
Fantasia Fair has been honored to provide a venue for a number of compelling and important films.
In 2005, Writer, director, and producer Susan Stryker gave a special showing of her film Screaming Queens. The film tells an important story in our transgender history
that pre-dates the famous rioting at New York's Stonewall Inn. Like Stonewall, it is a story of resistance against police harassment, a dramatic
turning point for the transgender community, and the beginning of a new human rights struggle that continues to this very day.
The movie Southern Comfort
 , directed by Kate Davis,
was the focus another year. This breakout hit and winner at nearly 20 major film
festivals had us mesmerized with its rare blend of humor, tragedy, and romance. The story chronicles the final year in the life of
Robert Eads, a female-to-male transsexual. Eads, diagnosed with ovarian cancer, was turned down for treatment by two dozen doctors
out of fear that such a patient as Eads would hurt their practice. By the time Eads received treatment, the cancer was too advanced
to save his life. The film begins Robert falling in love with Lola, a male-to-female transsexual and progresses through Eads and Lola
make their way to the Southern Comfort Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, before finally succumbing to his illness.
In 2003, Fantasia Fair was the venue for the first time ever North American showing of Georgie Girl, the story of Australia's first transsexual member of parliament and, in 2010,
the world premier showing of "Unraveling Michelle" which documented the transition of filmmaker Michelle Ann Farrell.
Fantasia Fair has hosted a number of book launches, including the award-winning
The Gender Frontier by Mariette Pathy Allen and "Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not" by Joanne Herman.
Also. the Fair has held art exhibits, high teas, live radio shows and even the occasional game show.
For 2012, Fantasia Fair is delighted to have with us a rising star in comedy, Ian Harvie.
Ian has been seen in Margaret Cho's: The Sensuous Woman,
MTV's LOGO: "One Night Stand Up" as well as numerous clubs such as "Mottley’s Comedy Club", "The Laughing Skull", "The Improv", The Funny Bone",
and dozens of festivals. Ian has become a favorite on many college campuses, and was recognized on the Campus Pride 2009/2010 "HOT LIST"
of the "Top 25 Favorite LGBT Artists, Speakers, Lecturers, Music Acts, Comedians, Activists & Much More!"
No matter what, the next Fantasia Fair is sure to entertain!
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