Thanks to everyone who made the Get Joey to Fringe local fundraiser at Epilogue Books in Chapel Hill a smashing success on Saturday, June 17. I can’t believe I got to play for such an incredible audience of friends and loved ones (and local passersby) in a venue that is both gorgeous and comfortable. Kira and I moved to Chapel Hill in 2019, which means our ability to build community has sometimes felt difficult and fractured by the pandemic. But seeing Epilogue filled with so many people who love and care about us made me realize that while the journey has been different than I expected, I’m surrounded by a community of incredible humans. I am so happy to share my life with you all.

Joey Cougar and the Starfish haven’t played in front of a live audience for almost 14 years! Thanks to Stephen “Long Cold” Winters (bass) and Harris “Chilly” Winters (drums) for learning the songs, making them their own, and adding some sweet grooves.

We raised almost $2,000 from the local fundraiser, which is overwhelming and appreciated deep in my heart. It puts me so much closer to my total fundraising goal and because of it, I now have the funds to fully cover my venue rental at Fringe!!

There’s still a little ways to go to get to my goal, and just a couple weeks before my June 30 deadline. Please donate if you can, share with friends and family who can donate (or who want to support some queer blasphemy across borders), or pass around a tip jar to random strangers and send the cash to North Carolina. Thanks for however you want to support.

I’m so close to having the funds I need to make the dream of taking Breaking Up With Jesus to Fringe a reality!! Check out some photos from the show on Instagram.

It’s happening! We’re throwing a local fundraiser Saturday, June 17, 4-6pm at Epilogue in Chapel Hill, NC to help raise money for Get Joey to Fringe! Featuring the music of me and my band Joey Cougar & The Starfish, with guest musicians, Stephen Winters and Harris Winters, on bass and drums. You marked your calendar, now grab your FREE ticket.

Why a ticket? So Epilogue has an idea of how many people to expect! The event is open to the public, so tell a friend, grab your tickets and get ready for a fundraiser with house party vibes at a kick-ass local venue. Think of it like The Eras Tour, but cheaper and with fewer stunts! If you forget or don’t have time to get a ticket, no worries, still show up.

I can’t tell you how excited I am that we’ll be at Epilogue. It’s this little LatinX-owned queer-friendly indie bookstore and coffee shop conveniently located across the street from the UNC Media Arts space where Breaking Up With Jesus premiered in December 2021 and where I teach my performance studies classes each semester. I go in nearly every day for coffee and often end up leaving with a great new book of poetry or graphic novel. 

Back to the point of this post! The fundraiser is a chance to share another side of myself with you through original songs and a few covers (hello, Aquabats). And because my partner, Kira, is a stunning creative artist, we’ll have homemade BUWJ t-shirts you can purchase. Not only will you look sweet and hip wearing these shirts, you’ll help me raise funds to get to Fringe. As the saying goes, “Come for the music and cause, stay for the swag and Epilogue churros.” I’m pretty sure that’s somewhere in the Gospel of John. That John just loved a free beverage holder and delicious pastry. 

In case you missed it, check out this interview with Jazz Incognito on WXYC 89.3 where I talk about taking Breaking Up With Jesus to Fringe and the upcoming fundraiser. Thanks Will Vizuete for having me!
Can’t make it to the local fundraiser, but want to help? Donate here. 

Joey

P.S. Epilogue churros and pastries…. You won’t be disappointed. I mean it. In case you need another reason to come out.

My first one-person show, Breaking up with Jesus, is premiering December 9 – 12 as part of the Process Series through the Department of Communication at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

People can reserve tickets here – https://tinyurl.com/RSVP—Breaking-Up-With-Jesus

I’ll be back at Milk Bar in San Francisco on Friday, October 13 as part of HellaFunny’s showcase.