The Mouthwater Cabaret Watch Party and Artist Talkback brought together a vibrant and engaged audience for an afternoon of dance, conversation, and community. Watching the cabaret collectively in the Mouthwater Cuntry virtual space was both joyful and moving. Audience members shared reactions, reflections, and encouragement throughout the screening, creating a sense of connection that extended beyond simply viewing the performance.
The dances themselves were inspiring, beautiful, and deeply affecting to watch. The artistry, vulnerability, humor, and skill on display sparked lively discussion among attendees. The comedy was hilarious and banter was fun. Following the screening, the artist talkback offered fascinating insights into the creative process, artistic choices, and experiences behind the work. The conversation added rich context to the performances and generated thoughtful questions and dialogue among participants.
For many attendees, this was their first opportunity to experience a cabaret performance because of disability-related barriers, limited access to community spaces, or ongoing safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The care and accessibility practices that Mouthwater Dance incorporated into the original 2024 event—including ASL interpretation, masked audiences, and high-quality recordings—made it possible for both in-person and virtual audiences to participate in meaningful ways.
The event demonstrated how intentional accessibility can expand who gets to experience dance, performance, and artistic community. Together, participants celebrated not only the remarkable work of the artists, but also the possibilities created when access is treated as a creative and community-building practice.
Archival May 10 invite
For many people at the event, this was their first time being able to see a cabaret due to disability, limited community and safety concerns with the on-going pandemics. The care and work that went into the in-person event in 2024 by Mouthwater Dance to have ASL interpretation, masked audiences, and recordings allowed this event to be accessible then and now for virtual audiences. If you want to see this show and experience it with an audience, on May 10th from 1-4pm PT/ 4-7pm ET Calling Up Justice and Mouthwater Dance will be hosting another watch party of the ‘Mouthwater Cabaret’ with an artist talk back at the end. ASL support will be there for the artist talk back and you can register here. Hope to see you there!
On March 1st Ry hosted a watch party of the ‘Mouthwater Cabaret,’ a showcase of Disabled and Queer burlesque dancers, drag performers, go-go Dancers, lip-syncers and more. It was a fun viewing full of people awed by the performances, commenting gifs to celebrate and sharing delight by watching together. This watch party was held in the Garden, a collaborator and 24/7 BIPOC space, during their Social Hour event.