Tag Archives: Third Street Theatre

Get out there and heart YYC Gay History

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

In the next few weeks, you can express your love for our City’s LGBTQ2 history in a couple of ways.

Firstly, this Saturday, there is a design charette for the Calgary’s YYC Legacy Project. This is moving the community consultation process forward. The first phase gathered feedback from over 400 participants and generated a dynamic Story Map. The design charrette will have architect facilitators to help participants share their ideas for the future creation of a commemorative LGBTQ2S+ public plaza in Calgary.

Design Charette Poster

Secondly, Sage Theatre is launching the world premiere of a new play called Legislating Love, by local playwright Natalie Meisner about the life of Calgary bus driver, Everett Klippert. The production will run from March 22nd-31st and was created in collaboration with Third Street Theatre and the Calgary Gay History Project.

The play synopsis is: “Everett Klippert was the last person to be tried, convicted, and jailed for homosexuality in Canada. Maxine, a young historian, discovers Everett’s case. She becomes consumed with finding out who he really was, past the headlines. This is the story of the struggle to define Klippert, beyond what history wants and needs him to be.”

Legislating Love Poster

We are excited to see one of our most momentous gay stories turned into art! Please join us; you can find tickets online: here.

{KA}

Apologies, Auditions, & Gathering

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Phew. The recent LGBTQ2 apology by the Government of Canada had us run off our feet with media interviews and correspondence with journalists. Fortunately, we found several volunteers to pitch in, to address the volume of sound bites requested. Here are some of the more interesting links if you missed them:

Kevin Allen’s interview with CBC North about Everett Klippert.

Playwright Natalie Meisner’s interview with Global TV about Everett and her upcoming play featuring his story.

Activist Nancy Miller’s interview with CITY-TV.

The Calgary Journal interview about the significance of the apology.

Donald Klippert’s interview with the Calgary Herald about his Uncle Everett.

The LGBTQ2 apology on November 28th was instigated by the Globe and Mail’s John Ibbitson who requested a posthumous pardon for Klippert from the Prime Minister’s Office. He made the ask in February 2016, after he wrote an in-depth feature chronicling Everett’s story. Last week we received a personal email from John referencing the historical research we shared. He wrote: “thanks once again for all your help. Wouldn’t have happened without it…”

Art has the power to both remedy and mend. We are excited to be collaborating with Sage Theatre and Third Street Theatre on the world premiere of Legislating Love: The Everett Klippert Story in March 2018. Sage Theatre has put out a call for theatre actors, and they are accepting auditions until December 20th.

Finally, Calgary’s LGBTQ2 community is gathering for the holidays on December 21st at the Palomino Lounge for A Queerly Festive Dinner. Nine community organizations have come together to produce this holiday meal and drag show which will be both delicious and free! (Donations are gratefully accepted). At this event, Alison Grittner from the YYC Legacy Project will reveal the voluminous community feedback that has been gathered for Calgary’s forthcoming LGBTQ2 commemoration project.

{KA}

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged Alison Grittner, bisexual, Calgary Journal, CBC, CIty TV, Donald Klippert, Everett Klippert, gay, Global TV, globe and mail, Justin Trudeau, Legislating Love, lesbian, Natalie Meisner, queer, Sage Theatre, Third Street Theatre, transgender, YYCLegacy

Goodbye Jonathan & 2016 Pride Week

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Jonathan-Brower The Calgary Gay History Project would like to give a shout out and goodbye to Jonathan Brower, a long-time volunteer with the project, whose special interest in Calgary’s queer theatre history was an important aspect of our work. Not only has his local queer theatre company, Third Street Theatre, commission the play 69, by playwright Natalie Meisner, but we just picked up two boxes of archival materials he has gathered referencing this ground breaking art form in our city. We admire and respect all of his contributions to Calgary and send him and his partner our best wishes for this new chapter of their lives.

Pride Week is coming up quickly and the Calgary Gay History Project will be offering two gay history walks during the “queerstravaganza” this year. One route will be through Downtown Calgary and the other at the University of Calgary. We are in initial talks to be involved in more Pride Happenings at the moment and will keep you posted via this website.

Thursday, Sept. 1st

7:00-8:30 PM Downtown Gay History Walking Tour

Downtown History Walk Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen on a walk through the city centre. We will highlight significant political and social events that affected the gay community. On the way we will pass by several historical watering holes where gays and lesbians gathered. Everyone welcome.

Meet: CommunityWise (The Former Old Y) 223 12 Avenue SW

U of Hist Walk Saturday, Sept. 3rd

3:00 – 4:15 PM University of Calgary Gay History Tour

Join University Alumnus, Kevin Allen, as he explores the University’s role in the emancipation of the LGBTQ community in Calgary. Combining personal reflections with historical references, the tour was a hit at this year’s academic conference, Congress.

Meet: Q Centre: 2nd Floor. Old MacEwan Hall, University of Calgary.

{KA}