Meet Joy Greene | Performance Artist, Producer + Branding Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy Greene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks has been a pivotal aspect of my life and career. Embracing adaptability and a positive attitude, I navigated unexpected challenges, from the impact of pregnancy on my aerial performances to pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a burlesque dancer at the age of 40. The creation of events like ElectroLounge and Sunday School for Sinners at Red Light Cafe reflects my commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging norms in the world of performance art. Beyond my artistic endeavors, I’ve undertaken risks in establishing “She’s the Boss Here,” a passion project that empowers woman owned brands like Well Adjusted Buckhead and Art of Skin Atlanta and supports local artists. The risk of being open about my experiences as an autistic woman and managing autoimmune issues led me to adopt the ‘spoon theory,’ a unique approach to managing energy levels and avoiding burnout. Cultivating spirituality, engaging with support groups, and building a supportive community are part of my risk-taking strategy, contributing to my well-being and resilience in the face of challenges. Overall, taking risks has been instrumental in shaping my artistic journey and creating meaningful ventures that go beyond conventional boundaries.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is a dynamic blend of performance, event curation, and audience engagement as showcased in events like ElectroLounge and Ivana Coquetu’s Sunday School for Sinners. What sets me apart is not just the performances on my LED aerial hoop, but the experiences I create, emphasizing consent, kink education, and a celebration of authenticity- all set to (mostly) electronic music in a laid back environment.

Elevating flow arts and sideshow dance with elements like fire and knives, and bringing it to Atlanta venues, I’ve carved a space for these mesmerizing forms in the world of burlesque, a domain typically reserved for classical acts but often victim to gatekeeping. Breaking these norms, my performances push boundaries and challenge stereotypes, contributing to the diversification of the burlesque landscape. Better yet, pushing my own personal boundaries has carved a space for artists like me to feel inspired to do the same. It’s a privilege to have these performers request to work for me.

Like most artists, I have my hands in a few pots. I take pride in founding “She’s the Boss Here,” a passion project empowering brands and supporting local artists, showcasing my skills in branding, design, and media creation. Balancing the demands of my day job with performances and motherhood has been my journey.

It hasn’t been easy. I faced the challenge of being laid off as a new mother, navigating the complexities of balancing life and career, and contending with societal expectations of womanhood. Additionally, masking my autism in the workplace added another layer of difficulty. Yet, embracing adaptability, maintaining a positive attitude, and building a supportive community have been my tools to overcome these challenges.

The key lessons I’ve learned involve the power of authenticity, the importance of a positive mindset, and the value of a strong support system. My story is a testament to the fact that taking risks and embracing opportunities, even in the face of adversity, can lead to remarkable journeys.

What I want the world to know is that my art goes beyond conventional boundaries, fostering inclusive spaces for expression. Whether through events, branding, or supporting local artists, my journey reflects resilience, authenticity, and the belief that art can be a powerful force for positive change. It’s never too late to start your next chapter.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Alright, if my bestie’s in town for a week, here’s the plan: We’d hit up ElectroLounge at Red Light Cafe during the third week – it’s a funky mix of lounge, dive bar vibes, rave beats, and a guaranteed good time with fire and aerial performances, and yes there’s spankings.

For a chill start, coffee and beef patties at Hodgepodge Coffee. Then, we’re getting needed recovery with deep tissue massages from Foy at Well Adjusted Buckhead and facials from Kayla at Art of Skin in Tocco Hills.

Now, I’m not a big planner, but catching shows featuring Ada Manzhart, the Yammateurs, All That Jazz, Celestial Cabaret and Brie Frommage is a must. These guys know how to entertain. If Atlanta Fire Theater happens to be in town, you’ll be completely amazed by them.

Gotta do the touristy stuff too – Atlanta Aquarium for jellyfish, beluga whales, and a sea lion show. And my go-to spots: Aamar Indian Cuisine, Oakland Cemetery, Junkman’s Daughter, and Psycho Sisters and Crystal Blue in Little 5.

I’m a sucker for local vibes, so we’d hit up community farmers markets in Oakhurst, Grant Park, and East Atlanta Village. Love supporting Atlanta artists and each neighborhood has a market on diff days which you can find on their website cfmatl.org.

Decatur day for chill vibes? Grub at Victory Sandwich, ice cream at Butter and Cream, kid’s books at Little Shop of Stories. Then, we’ll just wing it – maybe check out BeltLine pop-ups, O4W skate park, Ponce City Market, and some wandering in Cabbagetown, stopping in at Littles Market and finding dope street art.

Atlanta’s got that free spirit vibe, at least on the south side- and I’m all about making it feel like home for my bestie.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve got to give a big shoutout to Dr. Jessica Propes at Well Adjusted Buckhead. This incredible boss babe, juggling two little ones under three, has built a wellness practice that soared even in the chaos of 2020. Dr. Jess does things differently, rocking office hours from 7-3, mentoring new chiropractors, and being a fierce supporter of women.

So, when life threw me a curveball—getting laid off as a new mom right after losing my own mother—Dr. Jess came to the rescue. She brought me on board to help out over the summer when her office manager bailed, and it’s been a game-changer.

Dr. Jess totally believes in the power of neurodivergent folks, and she’s proven it by running a mom-friendly practice, supporting mamas from prenatal to the craziness of motherhood. She gets the struggle of being a working mom and has been the voice in my head, pushing me to grow my personal businesses alongside my performances, all while keeping that work-life balance intact.

Grateful doesn’t even cover it. Partnering with Dr. Jess has been a blast—we’ve not only supported each other but also blown up her business, growing her brand, and having a ton of fun along the way. Here’s to Dr. Jessica Propes, a true inspiration in my story!

Website: https://linktr.ee/IvanaCoquetu

Instagram: @ivanacoquetu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088576669045&mibextid=2JQ9oc

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@IvanaCoquetu?si=DvzzCSG2lX-pJCDz

Image Credits
Cover image: Real Carolina Exposures Artistic Photos Atl Jake Whelchel Darkside Photos Atlanta Terence Rushin Jake Whelchel Real Carolina Exposures Ben Cook Ben Cook