Comedian Daniel-Ryan Spaulding has traveled around the globe to perform in over 50 different countries. His one-man show titled Power Gay has grown in popularity and acclaim.
As an advocate for Israel and an outspoken political activist, Spaulding has continued to make waves wherever he goes in the world. He heads to the Windy City to gab with his fans at Carnivale Chicago this August.
Windy City Times: So you are coming to Carnivale with your act? I worked there as a bartender in the past where I mixed up hundreds of mojitos!
Daniel-Ryan Spaulding: Yes, It’s my first time in Chicago.
WCT: You are based in New York?
DRS: Yes. I moved there towards the end of last year in October. I lived in Europe for 12 years before that and I am originally Canadian.
WCT: Did you develop your Power Gay show in New York?
DRS: I have been doing standup comedy for 15 years. I grew up in Vancouver and started my act after I finished university.
In 2011, I went to Australia for six months and toured throughout there. I met people at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival who told me about doing comedy in the UK. I went there and that’s where I developed my career.
WCT: Talk more about the development of it.
DRS: For the first year I lived out of a suitcase. I was backpacking from country to country. At that time there was a lot of English comedy starting and growing throughout Europe. I built a touring career for myself by traveling to other countries. Within in a year that became my job. I performed throughout the world in 50 countries.
I was based in the Netherlands for four years, then Berlin for five years. That’s where I met friends from Israel and became aware of the political situation there.
WCT: What led you to be outspoken about Israel?
DRS: I moved to New York and October 7th happened right after that. I made videos about the conflict and I educated people about it. I have been combining activism with terrorism and comedy, along with gay rights in the Middle East. I have been living a powerful gay life since then! [laughs]
WCT: What would you tell people about the situation in Israel?
DRS: People should focus on peacebuilding. There are many Arab and Muslim voices that respect Israel’s right to exist and want to coexist in peace. I think everyone just wants the war to end, for Hamas to surrender and for the hostages to be returned.
WCT: How did you begin changing your life?
DRS: I gave myself a year plan. I was overweight and over 400 pounds. I had a drinking problem and had a hard time during the pandemic.
I got gastric sleeve surgery and a number of different procedures to improve my appearance.
WCT: What stopped you from drinking?
DRS: I had an awful hangover for several days. I went a few days without drinking then felt better, and by day six I realized I had to stop.
WCT: That sounds similar to my story.
DRS: Being sober is a better way to live after you get older because it’s easier to get up in the morning. I feel fresh as a daisy and have energy every day now. No one is going to pull someone out of it. They have to do it themselves.
WCT: What makes someone a Power Gay?
DRS: It refers to being an empowered person in life and someone who isn’t afraid to say what they think. Gay men have a special role to play in society because everyone loves us. We connect with men because we are men. We connect with straight women because we both have sex with men. Lesbians like us because we have both been through similar things. The voice of a gay man is very powerful and a voice that people like to listen to.
That is something I put into my work along with talking about these difficult subjects such as war and terrorism. I am so gay that I am not a threat!
WCT: What are your plans after the Chicago show?
DRS: I will be making a show in LA then I will relaunch my show for a run in New York. I want to write a book even if it is short.
I hope the world doesn’t fall apart depending on the United States election, but other than that I have no plans!
Bring your IDs as this performance has a 21 and over age requirement. Adults and Power Gays should all come out to see him at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26 at Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market. Tickets can be found at carnivalchicago.com and danielryanspaulding.com has more on this dynamic funnyman.
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