New queer club night Batty Mama is a down and dirty, open and enticing dystopic space for queer and trans bodies from all constellations reclaiming booties of colour by QTIPOC for QTIPOC.
Founded by queer artists and programmers Ama Josephine Budge (HYSTERIA), Hakeem Kazeem (Collapse the Closet) and Lasana Shabaz (Minstrels), Batty Mama has come into being in response to the lack of black and brown nights in queer spaces, with black and brown audiences, performers and programmers.
We wanted to bring together phenomenal talent, and hungry, empowered black and brown LGBTQ audiences to talk about celebrating body positivity and in the vein of Audre Lorde, the power of the erotic.
The first Batty Mama will launch at Dalston Superstore on July 29th. – Themed “cosmic blaxploitation boudoir”, – the evening promises to be immersive, daring and battylicious.
The night will feature a range of performance artists including Harold Offeh and Lasana Shabaz, DJs spinning everything from old skool 90’s r’n’b to bashment, afrobeats and funky house with live performances from singer Rebekah Ubuntu and live loop artist Xana.
Batty Mama comes from many highly charged critical and politicised conversations between the founders.
We wanted a name that would be challenging, and invoke historical imagery as well as pay homage to that age old tradition in queer communities of reclaiming language that is used against us.
In the wake of intensifying racist, homophobic attacks globally, especially under-publicised attacks on so many trans people of colour, we wanted to create a space of celebration and of coming together.
Sometimes radical activism can mean self-care, can mean community can mean dancing to amazing music all night long.
Whilst this is not a people of colour exclusive event, we ask white audiences to consider the importance of giving space to black and brown people of colour at queer venues, to think about letting other people go in first if there is a line, to be respectful, supportive and aware throughout the evening.
Racism, homophobia, transphobia and patriarchal behaviour will not be tolerated.
Batty buddies will be on-site if hugs, reassurance, support, or consenting dance-offs are required.
There will also be surprise live performances happening both on and off of the dance floor, immersing the audience in the world of Batty Mama. We are honoured to have had so many incredible artists collaborate with us on Batty Mama including photographer Ajamu, filmmaker Hayley Reid and Ghanaian photographer Eric Gyamfi.
It proves how much events like Batty Mama are needed. We hope it will be the first of many and can’t wait to see you on the 29th!
• Batty Mama is on Friday 29th July at Dalston Superstore (117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB), 9pm-3am. Free before 11pm, £5 after. Tweet & Instagram @TheBattyMama
