TheirStories: Queer South Asian Voices
TheirStories: Queer South Asian Voices
Āliyah has curated an all star line-up of DJs, community organisers, musicians, performers, writers & more for an evening of conversation, performance and music to platform and explore queer South Asian experiences. Building from a long cultural legacy, the vibrancy of the UK’s South Asian communities has continually woven its way into the fabric of our creative landscape, from the grassroots to the mainstream and beyond. Amongst this, queer experiences have at times been cast to the side instead of being afforded the same space to coexist and shine. This event aims to centre and celebrate queer South Asian stories within this movement. We invite some of the voices from this community to share from multifaceted, intergenerational, and authentic perspectives while looking at the past, present, and future. This event is open to all, and we encourage connection throughout.
The evening will feature a panel discussion, led by Aliyah Husna, live performances from Bolly Illusion & Shivum Sharma, and a DJ set by Club Kali founder, DJ Ritu, with space to socialise and connect across communities.
Space is strictly limited. RSVP HERE or by emailing london.restaurants@standardhotels.com
Panel:
Āliyah Husna / Thempress (host)
Performances:
DJ:
DJ Ritu
Doors 6pm, talk begins at 6.30pm, followed by performances & DJ.
Access info: The Standard, London is a fully accessible venue, and the event will be held on the ground floor with step-free access. There is an accessible bathroom directly next to the event space. The event is seated on a first come first serve basis, with some standing room. If you would like to reserve a seat due to your access needs, please reach out to laurie@thechateau.org.uk and we will be happy to accommodate you. The main event will last approximately 1hr 45 mins, including a 20-minute interval, and will be followed by a DJ set.
Āliyah Husna aka THEMPRESS (they/them) is a creative producer, DJ, presenter, educator, writer, and community facilitator. They are an advocate for queer, disabled, and global majority communities in music and beyond. With a background in grassroots community building through the arts, Āliyah believes in the power of connection and creation, accessible education, collective care, documenting and storytelling, spirituality and wellness as tools for radical change. Their practices and passions are rooted in queer liberation, ancestral honouring, holistic healing, fluidity, dualities, nature, the cosmos, and infinite curiosity for co-creating alternate futures.
Āliyah is a facilitator at the Good Night Out Campaign, Education & Community Manager at Voices Radio, and part of the collectives Riposte, Pink Islands & Bumpah.
TheirStories is an intergenerational LGBTQ+ platform & event series, created to investigate, celebrate and uplift the diverse narratives and stories of the UK’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, with talks, performances, cultural moments and music. Curated by Laurie Belgrave, founder of The Chateau, and currently resident at The Standard, London, these nourishing conversations between generations of queer creatives, artists & humxns provide a much-needed space for learning, reflection and connection, for both the queer community and allies looking to educate themselves on queer issues. TheirStories values and celebrates our history, contextualising our existence with the stories of the queer people who came before us.