Miss Isley Can Tease Ya on expression and community.
You might have heard the word Neuro Spicy on TikTok or Instagram, but if you are unsure of the actual meaning, here is a breakdown. “Neuro-Spicy” is a fun way of saying neurodivergent. Being neurodivergent means that your brain doesn’t work the way a neurotypical brain works. You could have ADHD, depression, PTSD, OCD, be on the autism spectrum, etc. It just means your brain is divergent, not a neurotypical brain. Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you about the NeuroSpicy show.
“As someone with autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, sometimes finding a space where I click can be hard.”
The idea of a neurodivergent themed burlesque show first came to me after I had performed my autism acceptance act for the first time. I had many people come up to me (both performers and audience members) to tell me how moving it was. Then the thought formed, “What if there was a whole show like this? A show where every number could move people in the same way.”
It percolated in the back of my mind, and I started asking neurodivergent friends who were also enthused about it. I was excited to give them a platform, a place to express what being neurodivergent means to them, but more than that, it was exciting to create a space specifically for neurodivergent performers.
As someone with autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, sometimes finding a space where I click can be hard. While the wider burlesque and drag communities are lovely accepting places, it still takes extra energy to communicate with people.
Did you know that autistic people have significantly less trouble communicating with other autistic people? They only have significant trouble communicating with allistic (non-autistic) people. I didn’t for most of my life, I just felt like I wasn’t trying hard enough.
I’ve been diving into what it really means to be autistic in the last few months while I’ve been trying to recover from autistic burnout. I’ve been learning so much about myself. It’s been hard and joyful in turns. It’s hard learning things that I have felt I should have known my whole life. But I’ve also found hanging out with other autistic people takes much less energy than allistic people. And while I’ve had very understanding neurotypical friends, having a space with people who get being neurodivergent on an intimate level can be so freeing.
This event started as an idea to highlight the neurodivergent experience, but quickly turned into more than that. A group of people to talk to about our experiences, a place to go for support and community, and a place to celebrate art as created through a neurodivergent lens.
I’ve seen the beginning stages of all these acts, and I am excited beyond words to see them come to fruition and to share them with you. Whether you are neurodivergent yourself, or whether you just want to understand the experience, or support someone who is neurodivergent in your life, I think you will find this show to be an experience you won’t forget.
Miss Isley Can Tease Ya Instagram: @missisleycanteasya
We have an amazing line up this year, with performances from Annie Hoekley, Cunty Chaotica, Lila Lunar Witch, Miss Isley Can Tease Ya, Petra Perverse, Tal Tales, Tommy Tease, Queer Anne’s revenge, Vera Morphosis, and featuring Lacey O’ceans as the headliner.
Please be aware that there will be sensitive and possibly triggering material in this show.
General mission is standing room.
VIP tickets are seated and come with a NeuroSpicy Logo sticker and a stim toy.
