Come Out of Your Shell: TurtleWithHat Dating Show

Come Out of Your Shell: TurtleWithHat Dating Show is a sapphic dating show hosted by Brooklyn-based creators Izzy Perez and Emma Fuente, known online as @turtlewithhat_. The event combines flirtation, comedy, and unpredictable moments as participants look for a possible romantic connection. Audience members who want to take part can submit a form for consideration; Izzy and Emma will select participants in advance, with submissions opening August 31, 2026.

Izzy and Emma have built a social-media community of more than two million followers. They met in high school in New Jersey, reconnected through Zoom in 2020, and developed both a personal relationship and a creative partnership. In addition to their comedic, personality-focused online work, they are filmmakers and artists.

When: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Showtimes: 7:00 p.m.

Venue: Gildenhorn Recital Hall, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland

Tickets: Free

Admission: General admission

Participation: Prospective participants may complete a consideration form. Submissions open Monday, August 31, 2026, and the hosts will choose participants before the show.

Performers: Izzy Perez and Emma Fuente, creators of @turtlewithhat_

Run time: Not specified

Ages: Not specified

Livestream: No

Festival: Presented as part of NextNOW Fest, The Clarice’s multi-day University of Maryland arts festival, which is open to the general public.

Accessibility: The Clarice offers wheelchair-accessible and size-inclusive seating, large-print programs, assisted-listening devices, sensory packs for adults and children, and quiet spaces upon request. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or by request at least six weeks in advance.