The place to search out queer South Asian events within the UK this summer time

UK Delight and South Asian Heritage Month are each now hallmarks of the British summer time. We’re seeing delight parades throughout the nation as websites of pleasure and protest, in addition to South Asian communities coming collectively by means of workshops and talks to rejoice shared histories.

Because of a rising variety of collectives lately, now we have seen an increase in platforms, occasions and membership nights which are making area for each LGBQTI+ and South Asian identities. Serving to to push this motion ahead is London’s queer Bollywood membership evening, Hungama. I first got here throughout Hungama after interviewing founder Ryan Lanji for the RepresentAsian podcast. Since beginning out in 2017, his events have grown from casual YouTube DJing in native East Finish pubs to raves throughout main venues and establishments within the capital together with Cloth, Colors Hoxton and the Tate Fashionable. Merging Bollywood with membership tradition, Hungama is a safer area for South Asian queers to specific their complete selves on one dancefloor. 

“Merging Bollywood with membership tradition, Hungama is a safer area for South Asian queers to specific their complete selves on one dancefloor”

Hungama is certainly one of many occasions championing these a number of identities, alongside supporting extra artists from South Asian communities to hone their craft. Take musician Shivum Sharma, who repeatedly DJs at Hungama nights and has a busy summer time lined up with the launch of his EP, curating membership nights and DJing throughout a number of Delight and South Asian occasions. 

“You possibly can actually really feel the joys of with the ability to categorical one thing that’s so true to you,” Shivum tells me by way of Zoom. “Chatting with my friends at Hungama, we felt we needed to disguise components of ourselves previously. Now in these areas, we may be so expressive. You possibly can shout alongside to Bollywood songs that rising up, none of our friends knew. There’s such an pleasure having that in a membership area.”

“Now in these areas, we may be so expressive”

Shivum Sharma

His enthusiasm isn’t only for himself and his contemporaries, however for youthful audiences too. “Moderately than emotions of embarrassment or battle, being unashamedly South Asian and queer is one thing these younger folks can see rising up. I don’t know what we’re going to see from this subsequent technology of youngsters however it’s going to be wonderful.”

Being at a South Asian-centred doesn’t simply prohibit you to Bollywood and Bhangra. Because of the emergence of teams equivalent to Daytimers and Dialled In, we’re seeing safer queer-friendly areas for South Asians within the digital music scene too. 

“There’s such variety in these teams, which fits in opposition to the stereotype that there’s one South Asian style,” Shivum says. “When reserving South Asian collectives, folks typically anticipate a sure sound, which is one thing we’re nonetheless having to disprove.”

“Now I may be in all of those areas and play such a wide range of music. When DJing with Daytimers, I’m extra experimental and dance-y, however with Hungama, I like to play pop, RnB and Bollywood vibes. It’s actually wonderful to see a number of scenes growing.” 

It’s refreshing and thrilling to see this vary of dancefloor areas created by Hungama, Daytimers and plenty of extra.  And over this summer time, there’s an abundance of events that settle for and rejoice the intersection of those identities and cultures – listed here are a few of gal-dem’s favourites. 

SHiiKu Presents Mushy Spawn at Loco Klub, Bristol — 29 July

The Bristol-based Shiiku Collective is curating a tender, queer, immersive multi-media occasion at Loco Klub that can centre the World Majority and LGBTQI+ artists, organisers and hosts. 

Be part of the monster-themed evening the place there will likely be a spread of imaginative efficiency areas for spoken phrase poets, dancers, installations and DJs. You can be greeted by hosts there to information and help your expertise – look out for his or her “protected area” rooms in the event you want a second of quiet.

Anticipate a night of artwork, performances and DJ units accompanied by otherworldly decorations, costumes and interactions with relaxed power. Purchase tickets right here for £8. 

Physique Actions Pageant at numerous venues throughout Hackney Wick, London — 30 July 

Celebrating the total spectrum of queer membership tradition, Physique Actions is East London’s first queer dance music competition. With a day and evening celebration, the competition will convey collectively an enormous vary of DJs, together with these from Daytimers and Hungama.