How the shows, the dinners, and the directory actually work.
What is For the Curious?
For the Curious is a queer arts venture in Northern California with three parts that fund each other: a variety show that pays its performers, a supper club whose ticket sales cover those fees, and a directory that helps people find queer artists and queer-friendly venues.
Do performers actually get paid?
Yes. That is the reason the rest of it exists. Queer performers are asked to work for exposure more often than almost anyone else in the arts, and exposure does not cover travel, rehearsal, or the cost of building an act. The supper club is the funding engine that makes paying people possible.
How do I get on the bill?
Get in touch and tell us about your act. We are interested in drag, burlesque, music, comedy, spoken word, circus and the things that do not fit any of those words. You do not need a polished reel or a long résumé.
How do I get listed in the directory?
Submit your own listing. You write it, you decide what appears, and we review it before it goes live. There is no cost.
Why does my listing need approving first?
Because a public directory of queer people can be misused. Review means nobody can put someone else up without their consent, and it keeps fake and hostile listings out. It is about safety, not editorial control — we are not judging your act.
Can I change or remove my listing later?
Yes, at any time, for any reason, no explanation needed. Contact us and we will update or take it down.
What does it mean when a venue is confirmed?
Any venue can submit itself to the directory. A confirmed marker means For the Curious has some direct experience of the place and is willing to vouch for it. Unconfirmed listings are the venue’s own description of itself, not our endorsement.
I run a venue. How do I get listed?
Submit it the same way artists do. We are especially interested in venues that are genuinely accessible, so tell us about step-free entry, restrooms and parking — that information is hard to find and people need it.
How do I hear about dinners and shows?
The mailing list. Seats are limited and go to the list before they are announced anywhere else.
Can I host, sponsor, or partner?
Please get in touch. Venues on the North Coast that want to host a night, and sponsors who want to underwrite performer fees directly, are the two things that most immediately increase how much we can pay artists.
Still wondering something?
Ask us directly — we would rather answer than have you guess.