What becomes possible when a community believes in one another?
Sunday, October 11, 2026
1:00–3:00 PM
Doors open at 12:00 PM
Bank of New Hampshire Stage
16 South Main Street, Concord, New Hampshire
Not Afraid to Fail Fest is back for its second year!
Join Queerlective for an afternoon of courageous performances, community celebration, and joyful experimentation. This benefit and variety show brings together first-time performers, emerging artists, and community members willing to step outside their comfort zones and try something big.
Expect comedy, music, poetry, storytelling, drag, performance art, creative experiments, and ideas we may not have imagined yet.
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More Than a Show
Not Afraid to Fail Fest is also Queerlective’s annual community celebration and benefit.
Throughout the afternoon, we will look back at what Queerlective and our community have accomplished over the past year. We've supported artists and created welcoming gathering spaces and organized for change and built connections across New Hampshire.
We will celebrate the artists, volunteers, partners, donors, and community members who made that work possible. We will also share where Queerlective is headed next and invite you to help us build an even more creative, connected, and courageous New Hampshire.
Every ticket and donation supports Queerlective’s work bringing together art, advocacy, and community.
Take the Stage
Have you ever wanted to try stand-up comedy, read your poetry aloud, perform drag, sing in front of a crowd, tell a story, or share a wonderfully strange idea? Well, we're looking for people like you!
We are looking for people who are ready to challenge themselves and try something new. You do not need professional experience or a perfectly polished act. You only need an idea, a willingness to take a risk, and an open mind. We'll event help you prepare with a Stage Readiness Workshop September 13th with the amazing Gemma Soldati.
Performances will generally be between 3 and 10 minutes and may include:
- Comedy
- Music
- Poetry and spoken word
- Storytelling
- Drag
- Dance
- Theater
- Performance art
- Magic or circus arts
- Creative demonstrations
- Delightfully weird ideas that do not fit neatly into a category
Selected participants will receive support leading up to the event, opportunities to connect with other performers, and guidance to help them feel prepared for the stage.
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Event Information
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Doors Open: 12:00 PM
Show: 1:00–3:00 PM
Venue: Bank of New Hampshire Stage
Address: 16 South Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
Arrive early to connect with community members, visit the merch table, learn more about Queerlective’s work, and get settled before the show begins.
About Queerlective
Queerlective is a New Hampshire arts and community organization working at the intersection of art, advocacy, and community connection.
Our mission is to celebrate our shared humanity through queer joy, art, and community resilience. We create opportunities for people to gather, express themselves, support one another, and imagine what is possible when communities have the resources and encouragement to act on their biggest ideas.
Become a Sponsor
Every person who takes the stage at Not Afraid to Fail Fest is making a choice to be vulnerable, courageous, and authentic. Behind every one of those moments is a community willing to invest in spaces where people can grow.
By sponsoring Not Afraid to Fail Fest, you're doing more than supporting an afternoon of performances. You're investing in artists finding their voice, neighbors discovering their confidence, and a community that believes creativity and connection are essential to building a more just and joyful New Hampshire.
Sponsorships directly support:
- Artist stipends and performer support
- Accessible community programming
- Stage readiness workshops and mentorship
- Community arts initiatives throughout the year
- Queerlective's work connecting art, advocacy, and community
Sponsors will be recognized throughout the event, in promotional materials, on our website, and in our event program, with additional benefits available at higher sponsorship levels.
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Contact team@queerlective.com or request our sponsorship packet to learn more about partnership opportunities.
BUY TICKETS
APPLY TO PERFORM
