doughev – KIRBY

“Fairy knows / Where when to take cover, fuck in the / Shadows. Dance in the night of day.”

For their upcoming appearance at Soft Fest 3 with the Angie Quick, Kirby will be launching an all-new chapbook, Softie put together specifically to mark the occasion!

When Finner (Midnight Mass Books) approached me to be a part of London’s beloved grassroots festival envisioned by the lovelies at Soft Flirt, I got so turned on by the whole idea of a festival devoted to S O F T (shades of the electronic music Festival of Drifting i.e. Labradford, Pan•American mid-90s) She thrives in softness… plush meadows, moss patches beneath a tree, of course… she IS a shade plant, not to mention in their heart of hearts, a “softie”… a term herstorically applied as somehow pejorative which always puzzled me, “The Fairy of Delicates,” whose greatest strengths are a tenacious weave of grace and tenderness. So, I wanted to make/bring something special for MEET CUTE and culled from new writings I’m in the thick of spinning for my new book Fairy (Spring 2027, Palimpsest Press), and all this has brought Softie into being. That, and London inspires the fuck out of me, the mightiest visionaries, artists and queers I aspire to (shout out to Good Sport, TAP, Andrés & Kyle, Ian, Karen *kisses* all!) and a place she feels right at home. “Let’s get soft!”

One of the funnest things, was the photo shoot for the promo and (beauteous) cover images with fellow poet and sweetest guy you’re ever likely to meet, Daniel Ramalho who’s opening his own vintage “soft-friendly” space, Racket near the Junction, Toronto. Also, special thanks to R. Kolewe for their design/layout work (KFB) & Jim Johnstone assisting with the print run.

This is one of two Pride Month events she’s giving this year. I’ll be fresh from raising temperatures at Natural Born Sinners Erotic Reading Series (June 11th) at Three Dollar Bill in Parkdale (TO) Hosted by Nasty Bee & Faith.

And, the anticipation of sharing the stage with my FLA (“Favourite Living Artist”) and DIVA! THE BABY ANGELA! is a homecoming of sorts. My very first reading in London was with Dale Smith and Angie opening, the night we met, and it’s been sweetness ever since.

All this to say, my heart is already singing and she’s doing her Nu Shooz flip-flop dance! Do come.