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Tomorrow night!!! Join us for our feature Vi!!!

We're starting a new tradition at Speak Up! We'll have a prompt each month that you can use to inspire a new piece or help you decide what work you want to share.

This month's prompt is: What does joyful resistance look like to you?

Of course, you can share whatever you like 💕 Speak Up is FREE and welcome to all 🤗

THIS THURSDAY!!!

The next edition of Speak Up! is this Thursday Jan 29, 2026 from 5:30-7pm. All are welcome to share

Our featured artist this month is...Vĩ

Vĩ is a mixed Vietnamese Canadian nonbinary adult who uses they/he pronouns and makes their home in Moh’kinstsis, colloquially known as Calgary. A jokingly self-proclaimed modern day renaissance man, they dabble in multiple forms of art like slam poetry, dance, cosplay, voice acting, and more while working in the health care sector. Vĩ has presented at The Coming Out Monologues YYC, Reversed Racism, the Alberta GSA Conference, and Camp fYrefly North multiple times over the years sharing his experience and joy with the community. His work delves into what it means to be a queer child of a refugee and how identities intersect and influence existence. You can catch Vĩ at the local bookstore browsing poetry books, at local conventions cosplaying superheroes, or on Twitch streaming their favourite games, on Instagram, and Bluesky as vietna_bees!

WE'RE BACK!!!!! The next edition of Speak Up! is Jan 29, 2026 from 5:30-7pm. All are welcome to share 💕

Our featured artist this month is...Vĩ

Vĩ is a mixed Vietnamese Canadian nonbinary adult who uses they/he pronouns and makes their home in Moh’kinstsis, colloquially known as Calgary. A jokingly self-proclaimed modern day renaissance man, they dabble in multiple forms of art like slam poetry, dance, cosplay, voice acting, and more while working in the health care sector. Vĩ has presented at The Coming Out Monologues YYC, Reversed Racism, the Alberta GSA Conference, and Camp fYrefly North multiple times over the years sharing his experience and joy with the community. His work delves into what it means to be a queer child of a refugee and how identities intersect and influence existence. You can catch Vĩ at the local bookstore browsing poetry books, at local conventions cosplaying superheroes, or on Twitch streaming their favourite games, on Instagram, and Bluesky as vietna_bees!

Are you ready? The foil-wrapped festivities starch tomorrow... “WHY SO TUBEROUS?” goes live on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6pm MT (5pm PT/8pm ET/9pm AT) ✨✨✨

Featuring:
🥔 @melveex (emcee)
🥔 @frankiefingerling (performer)
🥔 @jayflairmagic (performer)
🥔 @kinglotusboy (performer)
🥔 @mx.bukuru (performer)
🥔 @mxquest (performer)

You can still get a free or Pay-What-You-Will ticket from potato.eventbrite.com for a potato-packed hour of hardy fun! Tune in from your living room, workplace, or other internet-accessible location of choice! All proceeds from ticket orders will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund, which is currently sitting at $721.86!!! 😱😱😱

Is your Internet unreliable or would you just prefer to make this an excuse to get dressed up and go somewhere? Email me at frankiefingerling@gmail.com or DM @frankiefingerling on Instagram to register for a spot at our cozy little watch party! We'll have a little projector and screen set up inside @thequiltbag with some light refreshments. You'll also get to see Jay's potato magic act in-person with your own naked eyeballs, as we stream it into the Zoom room! Wearing a face mask (there will be some available) when not eating or drinking is strongly encouraged.

If Zoom is giving you trouble, you can also tune in through @vietna_bees' Twitch channel at twitch.tv/vietna_bees!

Let's do this thing, hot totties!

Are you ready? The foil-wrapped festivities starch tomorrow... “WHY SO TUBEROUS?” goes live on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6pm MT (5pm PT/8pm ET/9pm AT) ✨✨✨

Featuring:
🥔 @melveex (emcee)
🥔 @frankiefingerling (performer)
🥔 @jayflairmagic (performer)
🥔 @kinglotusboy (performer)
🥔 @mx.bukuru (performer)
🥔 @mxquest (performer)

You can still get a free or Pay-What-You-Will ticket from potato.eventbrite.com for a potato-packed hour of hardy fun! Tune in from your living room, workplace, or other internet-accessible location of choice! All proceeds from ticket orders will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund, which is currently sitting at $721.86!!! 😱😱😱

Is your Internet unreliable or would you just prefer to make this an excuse to get dressed up and go somewhere? Email me at frankiefingerling@gmail.com or DM @frankiefingerling on Instagram to register for a spot at our cozy little watch party! We'll have a little projector and screen set up inside @thequiltbag with some light refreshments. You'll also get to see Jay's potato magic act in-person with your own naked eyeballs, as we stream it into the Zoom room! Wearing a face mask (there will be some available) when not eating or drinking is strongly encouraged.

If Zoom is giving you trouble, you can also tune in through @vietna_bees' Twitch channel at twitch.tv/vietna_bees!

Let's do this thing, hot totties!

If your Internet connection isn't great at home or you'd just prefer to be around some trans-affirming community members while enjoying a potato show, send an email to frankiefingerling@gmail.com to register for a seat at our cozy little "WHY SO TUBEROUS?' live watch party. The QUILTBAG has generously offered their time and space in-kind for an even more special experience for some of our community members based right here in amiskwaciwaskahikan (colonially known as Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).

At the live watch party, we will have a small theatre seating layout with a projector and projection screen. You'll get to see @jayflairmagic's potato magic in-person as we stream it to the Zoom room! There will be light snacks and beverages available for watch party guests. Face masks will also be available. Wearing a face mask when not eating or drinking is strongly encouraged to help protect our community members during flu season.

If you'd prefer to stay home and away from people, that's cool too! You can get a free or Pay-What-You-Will ticket from potato.eventbrite.com and join us virtually on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT) from your internet-accessible place of choice for a tuberous time. Featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund. 

The QUILTBAG is a 2SLGBTQ+ retail shop carrying queer & trans wares in Edmonton, Alberta and online. "QUILTBAG" is a fun-to-say variation of the LGBTQ2S+ acronym. It stands for queer, questioning, unlabelled, intersex, lesbian, trans, two-spirit, bisexual, asexual, gay, genderqueer, and more. Queer and Metis owned, thequiltbag shop carries an always-changing assortment of custom and curated accessories like pins, pronoun buttons, patches, stickers; art by local artists; homeware; gifts; and trans gear including chest binders and compression underwear.

A lot of ya’ll are gonna be having some big dinner things this week and there had better be at least one potato dish (the more the merrier).

Scan the QR code on this abridged poster or use the link in my bio to send us a photo of one or more potato dishes, so we can feature them in a slideshow at “WHY SO TUBEROUS?”.

I hope you’re prepared for late 1990s/early 2000s PowerPoint aesthetics, because that’s what’s gonna happen. Just fry and stop me!

Grab your free or Pay-What-You-Will ticket from potato.eventbrite.com and join us on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT)! Be a couch potato from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of spud-tacular entertainment featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Poster designed by @riley_tenove

A lot of ya’ll are gonna be having some big dinner things this week and there had better be at least one potato dish (the more the merrier).

Scan the QR code on this abridged poster or use the link in my bio to send us a photo of one or more potato dishes, so we can feature them in a slideshow at “WHY SO TUBEROUS?”.

I hope you’re prepared for late 1990s/early 2000s PowerPoint aesthetics, because that’s what’s gonna happen. Just fry and stop me!

Grab your free or Pay-What-You-Will ticket from potato.eventbrite.com and join us on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT)! Be a couch potato from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of spud-tacular entertainment featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Poster designed by @riley_tenove

🐐♑ Welcome to Capricorn season! ♑🐐

I’m Frankie Fingerling, a neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist with ancestral roots in southern China and Hong Kong. I’m an occasional burlesque and drag performer, producer, emcee, and classically-trained pianist. I draw on my background in adult education and curriculum development, personal healing journey, and continuously evolving worldview to shape what and how I create. My mind and body humble me everyday, as I uncover my true capacity and pace for navigating life.

I'm throwing a potato-themed birthday party for myself because I want to. But you can make my birthday even more tuberous if you want to...

🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Get yourself one of Frankie’s Favours! Simply select your item(s) of choice and add them onto your free or Pay-What-You-Will order through our ticketing page at potato.eventbrite.com!

Flip through this very a-peeling carousel for more details on what you can get for you and for me!

Join our sack of potatoes on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT) from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of absolute nonsense featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Photo credit: Plain Jane Events YYC

🐐♑ Welcome to Capricorn season! ♑🐐

I’m Frankie Fingerling, a neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist with ancestral roots in southern China and Hong Kong. I’m an occasional burlesque and drag performer, producer, emcee, and classically-trained pianist. I draw on my background in adult education and curriculum development, personal healing journey, and continuously evolving worldview to shape what and how I create. My mind and body humble me everyday, as I uncover my true capacity and pace for navigating life.

I'm throwing a potato-themed birthday party for myself because I want to. But you can make my birthday even more tuberous if you want to...

🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Get yourself one of Frankie’s Favours! Simply select your item(s) of choice and add them onto your free or Pay-What-You-Will order through our ticketing page at potato.eventbrite.com!

Flip through this very a-peeling carousel for more details on what you can get for you and for me!

Join our sack of potatoes on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT) from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of absolute nonsense featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Photo credit: Plain Jane Events YYC

🐐♑ Welcome to Capricorn season! ♑🐐

I’m Frankie Fingerling, a neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist with ancestral roots in southern China and Hong Kong. I’m an occasional burlesque and drag performer, producer, emcee, and classically-trained pianist. I draw on my background in adult education and curriculum development, personal healing journey, and continuously evolving worldview to shape what and how I create. My mind and body humble me everyday, as I uncover my true capacity and pace for navigating life.

I'm throwing a potato-themed birthday party for myself because I want to. But you can make my birthday even more tuberous if you want to...

🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Get yourself one of Frankie’s Favours! Simply select your item(s) of choice and add them onto your free or Pay-What-You-Will order through our ticketing page at potato.eventbrite.com!

Flip through this very a-peeling carousel for more details on what you can get for you and for me!

Join our sack of potatoes on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT) from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of absolute nonsense featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Photo credit: Plain Jane Events YYC

🐐♑ Welcome to Capricorn season! ♑🐐

I’m Frankie Fingerling, a neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist with ancestral roots in southern China and Hong Kong. I’m an occasional burlesque and drag performer, producer, emcee, and classically-trained pianist. I draw on my background in adult education and curriculum development, personal healing journey, and continuously evolving worldview to shape what and how I create. My mind and body humble me everyday, as I uncover my true capacity and pace for navigating life.

I'm throwing a potato-themed birthday party for myself because I want to. But you can make my birthday even more tuberous if you want to...

🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Get yourself one of Frankie’s Favours! Simply select your item(s) of choice and add them onto your free or Pay-What-You-Will order through our ticketing page at potato.eventbrite.com!

Flip through this very a-peeling carousel for more details on what you can get for you and for me!

Join our sack of potatoes on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT) from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of absolute nonsense featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Photo credit: Plain Jane Events YYC

🐐♑ Welcome to Capricorn season! ♑🐐

I’m Frankie Fingerling, a neurodivergent multi-disciplinary artist with ancestral roots in southern China and Hong Kong. I’m an occasional burlesque and drag performer, producer, emcee, and classically-trained pianist. I draw on my background in adult education and curriculum development, personal healing journey, and continuously evolving worldview to shape what and how I create. My mind and body humble me everyday, as I uncover my true capacity and pace for navigating life.

I'm throwing a potato-themed birthday party for myself because I want to. But you can make my birthday even more tuberous if you want to...

🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

Get yourself one of Frankie’s Favours! Simply select your item(s) of choice and add them onto your free or Pay-What-You-Will order through our ticketing page at potato.eventbrite.com!

Flip through this very a-peeling carousel for more details on what you can get for you and for me!

Join our sack of potatoes on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (5pm PT/6pm MT/8pm ET/9pm AT) from your internet-accessible place of choice for an hour of absolute nonsense featuring the talents of @melveex @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest! All proceeds will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund.

Photo credit: Plain Jane Events YYC

**Update from December 18, 2025 court ruling**

Thanks to a certain union of crusty politicians, there is legislation in the books that blatantly violates the constitutional rights of transgender people in Alberta and specifically targets transgender youth.

Earlier this year, @skippingstoneca, @egalecanada, and trans community members succeeded in getting an injunction to temporarily block Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (formerly Bill 26), which aims to prevent youth in Alberta from accessing gender-affirming medical care.

Unfortunately, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, a judge lifted the injunction after the Province invoked the notwithstanding clause to shield its trio of anti-trans bills earlier this month and successfully appealed the injunction. When invoked, the notwithstanding clause allows the Province to override court challenges based on the potential infringement of constitutional rights. This causes so much unnecessary direct and indirect harm towards trans people in Alberta, especially youth and their families and friends.

Egale Canada and Skipping Stone continue to advocate for trans rights in Alberta and will seek a new injunction on the basis of constitutional rights infringement not subject to the notwithstanding clause. It's even more important now to support the trans-centered programs and resources provided by Skipping Stone.

Skipping Stone is a Calgary-based not-for-profit organization that empowers transgender youth and adults through gender-affirming classes, social events, and programs. They also have a lot of great resources to support trans folks navigating name and gender marker changes, using gender-affirming gear safely, and have a lending library full of books with positive trans and queer representation. Visit their website at skippingstone.ca to learn more about their amazing work!

Proceeds from “WHY SO TUBEROUS?” will be donated to @skippingstoneca and specifically its Trans Affirming Legal Fund. Get your free or Pay-What-You-Will ticket from potato.eventbrite.com and we will see you online on Thursday, January 15, 2026 starting at 6pm MT (5pm PT/8pm ET/9pm AT)!

The (Blue Tom) cat is out of the bag! Frankie Fingerling is turning 35 in a month and you’re invited to the party!

Join us for “WHY SO TUBEROUS?”, a potato-themed virtual variety show taking place on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6pm Mountain time (that’s 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern, or 9pm Atlantic). Get your free or Pay-What-You-Will tickets at potato.eventbrite.com to enjoy the talents of @frankiefingerling @jayflairmagic @kinglotusboy @mx.bukuru and @mxquest, guided by the hosting stylings of @melveex, all from the comfort of wherever you have a decent internet connection!

All proceeds from this thing will be donated to @skippingstoneca’s Trans Affirming Legal Fund to support their court challenge against anti-trans legislation that was distastefully introduced in these parts by a group of ne’er-do-wells…

Stay tuned for more starchy nonsense!

Poster by @riley_tenove

Mama's got a brand new bag 💪🏽

Not too shabby for 8 months postpartum 💕

No filter either, just me

Mama's got a brand new bag 💪🏽

Not too shabby for 8 months postpartum 💕

No filter either, just me

Mama's got a brand new bag 💪🏽

Not too shabby for 8 months postpartum 💕

No filter either, just me

Mama's got a brand new bag 💪🏽

Not too shabby for 8 months postpartum 💕

No filter either, just me

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

The highlight reel from last night's Speak Up! A big thank you to our feature, Faith, for sharing their vulnerability, strength and resilience with us ❤️

Also many heartfelt thanks to all of our readers for sharing beautiful and moving pieces. The lesson and vibe of the night was vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness💪🏽

Speak Up will be on pause next month for the holidays, but we'll meet again in January. Stay tuned for our 2026 dates!!!!

Tomorrow night!!! Join us for the November Edition of Speak Up featuring Faith.

Faith is new to performing but not new to surviving. They write from the mess, the magic, and the moments that kept them alive and hindered; parenthood, neurodivergence, heartbreak, and the unexpected softness that found them anyway. They don’t claim to have it all together, but their poems know exactly where they came from.

Speak Up is a once a month poetry open mic in the heart of the city's NE. The NE has some of the most diverse, vibrant communities in the city and we aim to highlight those voices with Speak Up

Join us for an inspiring night of vulnerability, joy, raw expression and authenticity. Best of all, it's free! See your beautiful faces there 🙌🏽