COME INSIDE 2018: Sex & Culture Theater Festival Kicks Off 10/1

Inclusive, inquisitive, and insightful, the Come Inside Festival brings performers from around the world to Portland for two weeks of intimate theater that celebrates sexual expression. Like a cross between Hump and TBA, with a dash of Hannah Gadsby's Nanette, Come Inside reminds us that sex can be fun (and funny), and stories truly are medicine.

Dance Naked Productions is delighted to ignite the third bi-ennial festival with an Opening Gala at the Alberta Rose Theatre on October 1 before moving to the intimate CoHo Theater for a smorgasbord of succulent (and stimulating!) sex-positive entertainment from October 3-14, 2018. With over 35 performances (8 mainstage shows, a play reading, a workshop, and an erotic open mic), Come Inside has something for every orientation, inclination or fascination.

Every part of Come Inside is hand-job selected by the sex-obsessed and creatively inspired Eleanor O'Brien, artistic provocateur of Dance Naked Productions. Herself a performer (GGG: Dominatrix for Dummies, Lust & Marriage) O'Brien has toured fringe festivals across North America to bring the most riveting and relatable storytelling back to Portland. The Come Inside Festival, in its third iteration since 2014, "...is entirely made up of theater I want to see," says O'Brien. "What we need right now is art that helps connect people. That makes people feel less alone. These shows are as subversive as they are uplifting. They're like Brené Brown on steroids. They invite you (pun intended!) to come inside."

A proud recipient of a 2018 RACC Project Grant, O'Brien is committed to finding artists whose work pushes boundaries, and illuminates complexities. These artists lace laughter with activism, radiate authenticity, and deliver stories that expose our shared humanity (and the sex that got us here in the first place)!

New Zealander Ren Lunicke returns to Portland with "Ze": Queer as F! A runaway hit at Come Inside 2016, Ze is a one-person, genderqueer, kinky, femmesexual, polyminded, gay-divorcee PRIDE parade through the real life of Michelle/Ryan. Shirley Gnome, whose comedy album just topped the charts on iTunes Canada, is bringing her new show Taking It Up the Notch. Her ability to find humor in the most unlikely of places only part of her charm. Her personal brand of feminism is inspiring, hilarious, and a favorite of none other than Dan Savage. Fertile Ground Portland alums Sean Andries and popular podcaster Siouxsie Q (The WhoreCast) are bringing Fish Girl, their parable about sex work, fresh from the San Francisco Fringe - where they snagged Best of the Fest.

Seattle celebrity Woody Shticks (one third of The Libertinis and one whole bag of fun) comes down hard with Schlong Song, a scenic route to the bone zone full of too-true tales, hanky-panky hijinks, and pure #propagaynda. Valerie David reveals the secret to getting laid post-cancer as superheroine The Pink Hulk. All-star Tonya Jones scores with sports-themed Tough Brown Leather, which explores healing sexual trauma and finding empowerment through...football? Plus, your sexiest questions get answered by queer sex educator Dirty Lola with a healthy side of burlesque in Sex Ed A Go-Go.
Come Inside 2018 will include plenty of local flavor with a reading of Tip of the Tongue by author and playwright Allison Moon and a workshop production of Sexology! The Musical by Melanie Moseley.

DATES

Oct. 1, 2018 - Opening Gala at the Alberta Rose (3000 NE ALBERTA STREET
PORTLAND, OR 97211). Tickets $20 at AlbertaRoseTheatre.com
Oct. 3-14 - all 35 performances at The Coho Theater (2257 NW Raleigh St.
Portland, OR 97210).

Tickets $15 advance/$20 door (festival passes available).
Buy tickets to the festival and see the full schedule at www.DanceNakedProductions.com.