A documentary feature film shot over 12 years, A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY AND A HANDFUL OF BEES profiles composer Sxip Shirey and his magical world of circuses, opera, art and life. Following Sxip’s trajectory as a self-taught folksinger, his path through performance art, fine art composing and circus, this film documents an artist at the height of his powers.

But his longing for love and family, when he is constantly traveling the world, makes him wonder if he will ever find happiness. So when he finally creates his definitive work, The Gauntlet  - a site-specific musical experience with over 50 singers and dancers staged at Lincoln Center, The Sydney Opera House, Central Park, the Cleveland Museum of Art, NYU Abu Dhabi and Fredrickstad, Norway, the film reveals how Shirey and his now wife/choreographer Coco Karol have created beautiful webs of connection through gesture and harmony.

As audiences move among the singers, we know that Sxip has found all he was looking for. And in doing so, his beautiful, uncanny and mysterious music creates an international neighborhood of the heart - for his own little family and for the audience as well. 

Directors: Paul Kloss, Kerthy Fix and Jacob McCoy

Editor: Jacob McCoy

Camera: Paul Kloss, Kerthy Fix and Jacob McCoy

Music: Sxip Shirey

Jacob McCoy

Jacob McCoy is a designer, builder and video director.