Performance artist Swingerella – alter ego of mum-of-two Andrea Smith – travels from Birmingham to Delhi in India to raise awareness about domestic violence (Photograph: Swingerella)
I love Birmingham! Here in New Delhi at the Women’s Economic Forum, I miss Birmingham.
It’s 48 degrees in the shade and I am out of my depth. From walking the streets of Birmingham with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), a pen and paper I am now taking the world by storm with the show I wrote there in Victoria Square – Swingerella’s Dark Fairytale.
In Delhi discussing dv. @TheSun @kaveeta @dviolenceuk @FreedomProgramm @flamingjuneuk @femalearts @IAmBirmingham pic.twitter.com/CfWVZVhPPN
— Swingerella (@swingerella_) May 16, 2016
Not only that, I have established a Goddess Tribe of artists in Brum that I plan to spread round the UK and the world.
Not enough? You Brummies are never satisfied! Well, next week I visit the Sheroes Hangout in New Delhi to talk to acid attack victims ahead of two fundraisers in Brum, the Goddess Ball at the Hare and Hounds and the Goddess Exhibition at the 6/8 Kafe.
Swingerella has travelled to the Women’s Economic Forum in Delhi to perform (Photograph: Swingerella)
You want more? You always want more!
Last night, I was asked to perform part of Swingerella’s Dark Fairytale on the big stage in front of 1,000 people. The poem? We Survive. My topic? Domestic abuse. Yes you read right. I am taking the subject of domestic abuse onto a global stage, after creating the show in Birmingham – at the Mockingbird Theatre.
My second poem? We Will Remember is the voice of all those people who never made it out of violent relationships. Did it kill the room? Yes. But the power was there and feedback is good. “Where are you from?” they ask.
“I am made in Birmingham,” I say.
Performance in New Delhi clip. @LouiseRawAuthor @IAmBirmingham @BrumNotesMag @BrumHour @LTSjulie @Jekyll_n_Hyde pic.twitter.com/bCQas4cWaj
— Swingerella (@swingerella_) May 17, 2016
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Birmingham – get behind me. I am doing this for you, for survivors everywhere. Not just of domestic abuse of mental health issues, loss and disappointment. Get behind me Birmingham because I am a small powerhouse on a HUGE, HUGE stage. And I am taking you with me. Because I love Birmingham. It saved me. x
Made in Birmingham.
Another one tomorrow. x
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You can find me online at www.swingerella.co.uk, and on Twitter and YouTube.
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Swingerella
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Swingerella is a comedienne, compere and self-proclaimed “Goddess of Fabulousness” who is currently campaigning against domestic violence as part of the Goddess Foundation. You can follow her on Twitter @Swingerella.
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