Kim Smith: Part of the HOT! Fest

Show Description

“Smith performs as if he's a porcelain doll turning mechanically on a delicate music box. He's got a wide Mack the Knife smile…occasionally, he draws his supple hands across his chest as if wiping off illicit thoughts. Women probably find themselves wanting to mother him; gay men probably think he'd be ooh such fun to take home. He's all safe decadence and sly appeal.” - David Finkle, Backstage

2009 Bistro Award Winner and 2009 MAC Award Nominee, Kim Smith, charts a dark and whimsical path through the arrivals and departures of a neo-Weimar musical misfit in his latest jaunt through life's shadowy alleyways.  Accompanied by Ji Young Lee (piano), and featuring the music of Hollaender, Eisler, The Supremes and The Divinyls, among myriad glittering others. 

In 2007, Jungle Parade headlined the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in a highly acclaimed run at Melbourne's Trades Hall.  February 2008 saw Mr. Smith debut his acclaimed cabaret, Johnny Come Lately, directed and produced by Karen Kohler at New York's Don't Tell Mama, transferring to The Duo Theatre at DMAC. 

In April 2009, Smith will be presented with the Back stage Bistro Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award  as an outstanding performer on the rise, and will be honoured alongside Broadway and Cabaret legends Liza Minnelli and Charles Aznavour.  Also a recipient of the American Australian Association's Dame Joan Sutherland Award for aspiring artists, Smith is a member the Kabarett Kollektif, a troupe of New York-based artists dedicated to preserving the European cabaret tradition.  Kim appeared frequently at New York's Unisex Salon, and has headlined for Earl Dax's Weimar New York, Off The Cuff--Down Under and Tingel Tangel Club.  Other theatrical credits include Merrily We Roll Along (Charlie Kringas), The World Goes 'Round (Redroom Theatre), and the New York premiere of Jude, a new British musical after Hardy's Jude the Obscure (as Philotson). In 2005, Smith was featured in the Australian AIDS fundraising gala Hats Off presented at Melbourne's National Theatre.  Mr. Smith studied at the Ballarat Arts Academy (BA, Music Theatre), and has worked extensively with the Walt Disney Company. Mr. Smith now resides in New York City.

The 18th Annual HOT! Festival is a laboratory for inter-disciplinary queer performance from emerging and established artists at all stages of development. HOT! marks the point of convergence where queer people come together to be entertained, educated, challenged and inspired. The festival's performance-driven calendar also includes panel discussions, workshops and other forums that foster dialogue, a deeper appreciation of the work, and a sense of history within the community. The HOT! Festival commission is the world premiere of Penny Arcade’s Old Queen, a memoir of her life influenced by Quentin Crisp, Andy Warhol, Taylor Mead, Jack Smith, John Vaccaro and other queens who ruled New York in the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Additional HOT! performers include Justin Bond, Dynasty Handbag, Edgar Oliver, Janessa Clark, Glenn Marla, John Kelly, Judy Gold and the East Coast premiere of SF-based Sean Dorsey Dance with a prologue written and performed by Kate Bornstein. Also featured are internet darlings and Logo TV’s new comedy duo, VGL Gay Boys in their new stage play "Jeffery and Cole Make It Bigger." Tickets are on sale now at www.hotfestival.org.

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