Normally, the thought of large social events fills me with the same kind of joy that the idea of scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops and carrying a flimsy backpack of venomous spiders might bring!
However, the prospect of a trip to The Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar felt unmissable and I was comforted by the fact that it’s a safe space, visited by folk who are more into self-expression and creative freedom than critiquing others.
I trundled up the evening before, and one of the first hurdles was realising I couldn’t get hold of the proprietor of my accommodation to get into the room. I found myself huddled in a corridor, surrounded by boxes upon boxes of books that would be on display the next day, and scratching my head. ‘Come on Kaz, think…here’s a crazy idea…I could just try the door!’ Bingo! The door opened as I pulled the handle down as if I’d said ‘Open Sesame!’ Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones!
Phase 1 was accomplished. I would not be sleeping in a corridor that evening with a cardboard box as a pillow. Later, as I was checking out the upstairs rooms, I heard an almighty crash. It transpired that the pool table had collapsed into a sad-looking pile, one end leaning towards the floor, reminiscent of the Titanic, its bow submerged and its passengers (the balls and rack) slipping off into the distance, as if dragged down by a mighty current. My helper had put mild pressure on it to pot a ball, and it had crumbled as if a wrecking ball had smashed into it.
Luckily, the journey to the event in the morning was uneventful, and even the act of carrying more books than your local Waterstones up the stairs felt like a welcome bit of exercise.
In my booth was white leather seating and ambient strip lighting – the latter courtesy of a chap called Roy, who was offering professional massages in the booth next to me. As I lay out my showcase of books, it was fascinating to watch the flurry of traders buzz around and organise their tables, creating beautiful displays of inviting products, some of which bathed under the glow of black lighting, creating a hypnotic glow-in-the-dark effect! The stalls were adorned with everything you could dream of, from gas masks and rubber, to saucy candles, holistic wares and implements that would make your regular Muggle run a mile!
The best was yet to come – the doors finally opened and gradually attendees made their way to the top floor. I witnessed an eclectic landscape of pink PVC and lacy thrills, black rubber and hoods, spikes, devil’s horns, latex and even a character cosplaying as a furry, cartoon hybrid, part friendly bear, part duck. I can only assume that some of the revellers were so dedicated to the aesthetics of their designs that they were willing to sacrifice food, fluids and bathroom visits. If there’s a secret trick to this, hidden panels that open, yet look seamless, I’d be intrigued to know the inner workings as to how this is managed. One Cosplay enthusiast dressed from head to toe in latex and boasting humongous Devil horns! Now that’s commitment to the cause!
They confided something along the lines that sitting down was a struggle, and they couldn’t hear much. “Pardon?” I called over the music.
My helper for the day had dressed in a Union Jack dress, which culminated in me launching into Spice Girl renditions every once in a while, waving my crop like a magical wand – it certainly was an antidote to the numb bottom syndrome you can get from working at trade fairs.
As the day got busier, I leaned into my (slightly) more serious side and chatted to guests as I handed out books, and discovered their stories and how it had all begun. Some had been interested in the scene for decades and had fascinating stories to tell – such as the chap who once got robbed by a Nun, and others who were much newer to the scene and radiated with excitement and curiosity. The one thread connecting all of these lives was the love of self-expression in a safe place where they could explore different facets of the human psyche and feel a sense of connection. The room buzzed with energy, life and the bubble of excited chatter, in a hue of vibrant colours and fabrics, a backdrop to the shifting moods, laughter and joy.
It’s always a wonderful moment too when someone takes one of my books tenderly in their hands and looks at it with curiosity and wonder, and declares, “I would love to read this!”
“Then read it you shall, and may it bring you invaluable insights and the encouragement you seek,” I inwardly whisper, as they wander off into the crowd, a smile playing upon my lips.
It was an eventful day, filled with intriguing moments. Sadly, I didn’t attend the afterparty, which I heard was an absolute delight. My hyperfocus had danced out onto the stage in a finale of cognitive pirouettes and was now transforming into something quieter, more of a gentle stretch than anything too vigorous. One thing essential for traders and industry insiders is boundaries, and creating space to separate work from their personal lives, whatever that may entail. For me these days, it’s knowing when to call it a day, slip into a pair of comfy PJs and dream up my next plan!
The Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar is on every 3rd Sunday of the month in Birmingham. If you’ve not been yet, pop it on your bucket list and prepare to be dazzled!
https://www.instagram.com/birminghambizarre/?hl=en
If you are looking for something surreal for your reading list, something that might just make your eyes pop on stalks, all my titles are available on Amazon. I hope you find something fascinating within the pages that inspires your own journey.
Love and Light
Kaz B
