Rose: You Are Who You Eat at Cultural DC
I have the honor and privilege of performing with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret.
Rose: You Are Who You Eat by John Jarboe is a show that I had the pleasure of writing a song, I will not disobey Mom.
Rose: You Are Who You Eat is a concert experience exploring gender queerness and queer ancestry through the metaphor of cannibalism.
Attendance Details
Dates: April 1-2, 2022
Tickets: Pay-What-You-Can, options for special add-ons!
Showtimes: 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm
Running Time: 75min
Location: CulturalDC’s Source Theatre, 1835 14th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Performance and Artist Information
THIS IS A TRUE STORY
In 2018 my Aunt revealed I had a twin in the womb.
She said, 'You know you had a twin in the womb?'
I didn’t know.
She said, 'You ate her. That’s why you are the way you are.'
This was a lot to swallow.
I had just come out as genderqueer. My aunt’s processing of my gender as a result of fetal cannibalism is the seed for this piece: a celebration and 'digestion' of this new found twin, who I later learned would have been named 'Rose'.
A shrine of music, image, objects, and text, Rose brings together a team of queer artists, including composers and musicians Emily Bate, Daniel de Jesús, Pax Ressler, and Be Steadwell with director Mary Tuomanen, to tell the legend of John and Rose. Jarboe, known as the founding artistic director of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, explores this tale through musical styles ranging from art song to 1980s pop ballad, elaborate floral-inspired costumes made by Rebecca Kanach, intimate storytelling, and a feast of wordplay. This evening will feature a concert of original songs performed by a live band and set alongside a garden of images made with filmmaker Christopher Ash.
John Jarboe (she/her) is a director, singer, writer, producer and host serving you revolution, herstory, queer community making, and a whole lot of glitter. She is the founding Artistic Director of The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, the largest queer performance organization in Philadelphia, recently known for hosting a 12 hour International Festival of Cabaret called FEAST as well as making a mobile stage out of a 15 foot box truck called The Beardmobile. The Beardmobile toured for the first time to Washington, D.C. in October 2021 with support from CulturalDC. She has directed and written original work performed at La Mama ETC, Philadelphia Musuem of Art, Joe’s Pub, Opera Philadelphia, The Wilma Theater, Guggenheim’s Works & Process, and Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series. As a director Jarboe has directed and helped create shows for Cookie Diorio, legendary Mezzo Stephanie Blythe, and for Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo. As as writer and performer Jarboe has toured to Paris, Poland, New Zealand, and most recently received commissions and two residencies from Works and Process at The Guggenheim.
COVID Safety Measures
All attendees must show digital (picture on your phone) or physical (actual CDC cards) proof of full vaccination and booster, presented with a matching photo ID. We are currently NOT accepting proof of vaccination through mobile or third party apps. Masks are mandatory at all times in the venue. Audiences are encouraged to practice social distancing. These policies are meant to keep audiences, staff, and artists as safe as possible from the spread of COVID-19.
