BiFest Wales, Bay TV Swansea, and Eurovision

Upcoming gig: I’m performing at the local heats of the ‘Live at Your Local’ competition, taking place Thursday 15th June in The Uplands Tavern, Swansea! 8pm start, free entry, open to all. More details on my ‘gigs’ page.

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Last month I performed live on Bay TV Swansea’s lunchtime show ‘Down the Bay’ – check out the livestream here (I open and close the show):

A few days later I performed at BiFest Wales, an annual event that combines live alt music with a celebration of bisexuality (two things I’m very passionate about!). Despite developing a nasty cold a few days before the gig, I managed to ingest enough hot tea and pharmaceuticals to make it through my set without too much trouble.

Other fun stuff I’ve been up to this spring:

Attended my pal Eve’s annual Eurovision party! Every year a group of us get together, dress as a participating country, bring national foods from our chosen country, have a few drinks, lovingly mock the participants, and live-tweet the event. Eurovision night is Twitter at its finest! I could fill an entire blog post with my favourite tweets from the night (and have done so, in what was an overly self-indulgent move, even for me), but decided to restrain myself and choose just 3:

Can't believe that every year I get to watch a TV show that combines my key interests of camp pop music, elections, and rank incompetence.

— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) May 13, 2017

Hey Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica. We Europe are drunk and we are taking Australia with us. #Eurovision. pic.twitter.com/5TDMbEGiO2

— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 13, 2017

The past 12 months summed up in a screen-grab #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/pvC1xslnO9

— Ben Punter (@benpunter) May 13, 2017

Attended my pal Morgan’s fairytale-themed murder mystery party, dressed as Cinderella’s stepsister Griselda! I’m rubbish at murder mysteries, but I always enjoy the opportunity to stretch my social skills and speak to new people in a relatively structured environment (organised fun is a good antidote to my social awkwardness). It was also an opportunity to wear this excellent wig:

To mark IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia), I organised an event at work that explored trans awareness and inclusion in higher education. The session was delivered by the excellent Kit Heyam, with an introduction by Director of Student Services Kevin Child. The turnout was excellent, and I’m so pleased to be able to help spread the word about trans inclusivity and awareness in the workplace!

.@krheyam at our #IDAHOBIT event – beginning with the basics of trans inclusivity pic.twitter.com/F7M61QbzaK

— LGBT+ Staff Network (@LGBTswanseauni) May 17, 2017

@LGBTswanseauni absolutely delighted to be part of such a fascinating event. I learned new vocab & that I have MUCH 2 learn =WIN #IDAHOBiT17 https://t.co/Q60iDasLol

— Kevin Child (@KevDocChild) May 17, 2017

Two weeks ago Daf and I cosplayed at Swansea Comic and Gaming Convention in the Brangwyn Hall; Daf as Commander Shepard from Mass Effect, and me as Rick Sanchez from Rick and Morty! The atmosphere at the event was friendly and welcoming, and there were loads of great vendors selling cool geeky stuff. We had a great time!