Join us in t'ARTopia for a queer-curated night of drag, comedy, poetry, cabaret and music from some of our most delicious t'ARTs.

We have invited some of our favourite performers to entertain you all, at a night that will be nothing short of t'ARTopian. 

We will be raising money for gender affirming surgery funds with this evening's raffle, so come with a couple of quid, win art and raise money for good causes!

Let's get mouth-watering

Welcome to Hunny's World - where bad girls go to heaven. Step into a night of queer liberation, expression and celebration. Join Hunny and her iconic lineup of FLINTA* performers for a night of music, movement and magic. 

Look forward to stripteases, drag, DJ's and comedy. Dress up as your dream self x

LA PLAQUE TOURNANTE (composers and sound artists FRÉDÉRIC ACQUAVIVA and LORÉ LIXENBERG) were delighted to present every first Saturday of the month
(from April 5 to Dec 6) a series of 9 exhibitions and events at THE OUTSIDERS GALLERY in London, after their initial location in Berlin-Neukölln.
This event marks the end of this series (hello, bonjour) of LA PLAQUE TOURNANTE in this space. We thank all of the people that didn't come. We don't like you anyway.

You are not interested in anything but scrolling on your smartphone and making selfies of your twat face. Anyway, you can't even read this text, so who cares.

For those of you who are still reading this and seeking for what Dick Higgins called "something else" and interested in the works of others, you are welcome to discover:
FRÉDÉRIC ACQUAVIVA (born somewhere, sometime ago).
"I know some people prefer SPOTIFY - sponsors of the military industrial complex - and have maybe never encountered some physical records (CDs, fake vinyls, QR-Code editions, cassettes, USB, hybrids, artist books) but these are some of the works I have published since 1994. On the walls. Up to your arse. You don't want them? Even better!

On the wall opposite, I have displayed books I've written on other artists, because I believe an artist should not only be interested in their own belly button".

PRÊT À CHANTER TM – The Café

LORÉ LIXENBERG, who recently was awarded the John Cage Award for Contemporary Performance, will present at 5PM her
of The VOICE PARTY. You are welcome to attend PRÊT À CHANTER TM, the café where nobody speaks. In a post linguistic society where language has collapsed, speech is antisocial.
Speech is toxic. Speech is banned. Sound has taken over. For one hour, everyone, barstaff, guests, pets, communicate only through sound: humming, yodelling, groaning, whistling, barking. PRICES ARE SET BY CREATIVITY. Meaning is optional. Participants: anyone brave enough to order a drink. Genre: post-internet, post-cyborg, post-language, real-time opera. No speaking in the toilets. The anti-speak detector is listening.

MEET FRÉDÉRIC ACQUAVIVA FROM NOON TO 5PM MEET AND SING WITH LORÉ LIXENBERG FROM 5PM TO 6PM

Sani Muliaumasealii - Cabaret Frangipani

Artfully adrift in the South seas, Sani resurfaces at VFD with a tide of musical and anecdotal reflections.

Part opera, Part song, full story…

“Cabaret Frangipani”

With David Harrod on keyboard

Expect Puccini, Leoncavallo, Gershwin, alongside original songs and selections from Sani's musicals Kava Girls & Baba the Bad Baboon.

Doors at 7pm, show begins 7:30pm

It's been 25 years since the year 2000 so we're capping 2025 off with a celebration of that and with a hilarious drag show of one of 2000's pop culture moments from both Karma and Loren! 

As for the music, we've got pop from Steps, S Club 7, Britney, Christina, Kylie, Samantha Mumba, Spice Girls, All Saints, Louise, Aqua, Madonna, Billie Piper, Destiny's Child, Backstreet Boys, A1 and *NSync. Madison Avenue, Spiller, Fragma, Sash!, Sonique and Modjo headlined the dance acts amongst a sea of garage and trance music (including the Big Brother theme!).

We’ll be playing the A list popstars from 2000 along with B listers like Northern Line, Atomic Kitten and Jessica Simpson along with loads of other pop and dance hits from 2000. Expect loads of forgotten gems you're unlikely to hear anywhere else (from Richard Blackwood to Made In London and Point Break). Our Bargain Bin first hour of 2000’s pop flops (from Nichola Holt to Lara Fabian and Cleopatra) kicks the party off as usual from 2pm.

Rewoven Futures : VFD's

Clothing Pop Up

Donations appreciated

To support a member of the VFD Family

Two years ago after experiencing a transphobic incident on their doorsteps and a lack of front line service support, one of our community members' resilience and capacity were deeply affected. The past two years have been a long and difficult journey of recovery and rebuilding from the ground up.

In that time, they've worked tirelessly to manage outstanding debts, sign up for benefits, go through assessments, and access essential healthcare.

Now, with a dedicated case worker and a supportive team, they're finally starting to find their footing again.

We're asking for your help, we're looking to host a clothing fundraiser at our Outsider's Gallery on the 15th November 12pm - 6pm, free entry.

We are asking the community to donate clothes which will be sold to raise funds.

Fashion has always been a real source of joy and self-expression for them.

Every bit of support helps, whether through donations, buying an item of clothing, sharing this message, or offering encouragement.

Two years of rebuilding, beginning to function again. With our help, they can thrive.

Please drop your donations to VFD

Outsider's Gallery /64 Stoke Newington

Road / N16 7XB.

We are here Tuesday till Friday, 10am to 6pm.

Our number is 02071268462 or DM us to confirm times to drop donations.

We are looking for clothing only and no housewares.

Love,

VFD

An Evening of Art & Culture: Book Signing + Screening with ORLAN

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the radical and transformative world of ORLAN, the iconic contemporary French artist renowned for her groundbreaking approach to identity, body, and art.

An event by La Plaque Tournante (Frédéric Acquaviva & Loré Lixenberg.) Acontinuation from the series of works ‘OUTSIDER BODIES.’

Book Signing & Screening of STRIP TEASE: ALL ABOUT MY LIFE, ALL ABOUT MY ART – ORLAN’s provocative autobiography.

An exploration of ORLAN's revolutionary work across diverse mediums including sculpture, photography, performance, video, 3D art, AI, robotics, augmented reality, and even biotechnology.

Alongside a screening of her cutting-edge projects that span sculpture, photography, performance, 3D art, AI, robotics, augmented reality, and more.

There will be a pop up display of some ORLAN artworks (curated by F. Acquaviva) & other books available at this event:

ORLAN Striptease £30 (36 copies)

ORLAN Exogène, Editions AcquAvivA, 2017 £25 (5 copies only) 

ORLAN in CRU4 Magazine (with poste, DVD etc), L@B, 2018, £20 (10 copies only) + one of 30 deluxes with an original photograph or ORLAN £400 (1 copy only) 

ORLAN in Frédéric Acquaviva's Seminal, CD in DVD Box, L@B, 2022, £10 (10 copies only)
Don’t miss this chance to engage with one of the most daring and revolutionary figures in contemporary art.

We are BACK - as is Diana! Its 1997 and Girl Power is everywhere! The Spice Girls dominate the charts, Louise, Dannii Minogue and Gina G fly the flag for the pop girls. Katrina and The Waves won Eurovision, Janet Jackson returned and All Saints, Natalie Imbruglia and Shola Ama launched.

The boys were busy too though with Backstreet Boys, 911, Boyzone, Hanson, North & South, No Mercy and Five all making the top 10. Robbie Williams launched his solo career proper, Kavana adorned bedroom walls and Will Smith was the man in black. Not content with the charts being full of pure pop, Texas, Republica and No Doubt added some guitars to the mix. 1997 also saw HUGE dance anthems from Gala (and her trombelese), Ultra Nate and Dario G - not to mention the trio of hits from Sash! And just as the year was ending, we said hello to bright new things Steps and Aqua!

We’ll be playing the A list popstars from 1997 along with B listers like Michelle Gayle, Lisa Stansfield and Skunk Anansie along with loads of other pop and dance hits from 1997. Immerse yourself with memorabilia galore from 1997 adorning our walls including our much loved chart wall and don't forget to pay your respects to Diana, Princess of Wales in the memorial book… Arr Di might just make an appearance on the day!

Expect loads of forgotten gems you're unlikely to hear anywhere else (from Jimmy Ray to The Course and Clock). Our Bargain Bin first hour of 1997’s pop flops (from Mary Kiani to Newton and **whisper ** Kylie Minogue - yes it was that year) kicks the night off as usual from 9pm.

VENUS MOUND UNBOUND 

A CRITICAL COMMENTARY ON SHEMANIC ACTIVITIES.

VAGINAL MUSINGS IN THE AGE OF SEX REFORMATION AND HERSTORY 

ZOE BEDEAUX  AKA T.I.P ARTIST, ALCHEMIST,SHAKTIVIST, TEXTUAL HEALER,  

FOUNDER OF COSMOTICS WITCHCRAFTED BY VIDA

TAKES YOU ON AN EXPLORATIVE ODYSSEY INTO THE HEART OF CUNTSCIOUNESS.

COME JOURNEY INTO THE CENTRE OF THE YONIVERSE!

THE IMMORTAL PORTAL INVITES YOU 

TO ENTER THE CAVE,

TAKE HER IN HAND,

TO UNDERSTAND,

TO GET HER, 

TOGETHER

FOREVER!

SHE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.

IN THE END  

IT IS SHE WHO SHALL SAVE THE DAY!

LET IT BE DONE! 

Everyone will be invited to anoint themselves with Love Dust and Snap Dragon Love bombs Cosmotics Witchcrafted by Vida before entering the space.

Presented as part of MANAKI - queer creative health and social justice project funded by ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND

A safer, low-pressure therapeutic space for trans & non-binary people to come together, talk, and support one another.

Jen, who is welcoming you into this weekly space has 7 years experience working as a therapist, 3 years experience working with a gender specialist in gender-affirming healthcare. She also has a BA from the University of Michigan, A PGDip in Psychology from London South Bank University, 

More information about our resident therapist here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/394970/jennifer-todd/

Mondays

13 October

20 October

27 October

3 November

10 November

17 November

24 November

1 December

Doors 6:30PM | Sessions 7:00-8:30PM
The Outsider’s Gallery at VFDalston (Accessible Venue)
18+ Only | FREE | Reserve A Spot | Max 10 people  per session

Each week we hold space to:

Share lived experiences
Talk about gender and identity
Navigate day-to-day realities
Offer practical advice + peer support
Connect with others in a supportive, facilitated environment

There’s no set agenda, no pressure to speak, and no expectation to commit every week, just an open door for honest conversation, care, and communi

Pre-booking is required - registration closes the Sunday before each session Sessions are FREE but limited to 10 participants per week

By the end of the 8 weeks, we will provide a one-page resource of collective learnings, signposting, and support networks.

Venue Info:
The Outsider’s Gallery at VFDalston is a fully accessible space. For any additional access needs, feel free to get in touch.

Open hearts, open minds, no expectations. Just a space to be.

Presented as part of MANAKI - queer creative health and social justice project funded by ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND

join Liv Ello and their patchwork pack of writers, performers, dreamers and screamers for an informal evening of scratching our bits in front of each other in the infamous basement of VFDalston 

this is a space of embracing mess and mutual encouragement – where the ‘what if’ and the ‘what the fuck was that’ sooth like savlon and sting like knees on concrete as we fuck up, feedback our thoughts and figure it all out together in a this safe space of sharing new ideas and creative discussion 

join from 6:30pm for a group writing exercise to get those fingers throbbing before we slip into an evening of scratch performances, group natters, weird sparks, and all the unexpected collisions that happen when artists share space 

bar open. breaks happen. ideas leak. 

come to scratch and leave with new itches. 

Thursday 9th October 6:30pm-10pm @ VFDalston 

PWYC tickets (recommended: £5) 

The Lineup

DOORS – 6:15pm 

6:30pm – 7:00pm –  group writing exercise + opening from Liv Ello 

7:00pm – 7:15pm – pre-sharing mingle 

7:15pm – 7:30pm– 3x sharings + feedback 

7:30pm – 7:45pm– break/mingle 

7:45pm – 8:15pm– 3x sharings + feedback 

8:15pm – 8:30pm – break/mingle 

8:30pm – 9:00pm– group discussion 

9:00pm – 9:45pm– x4 sharings + feedback 

QFC is a friendly workshop that brings families together through costume, character and play. Led by creators and facilitators with many years of experience, the session gently builds, using games that guide participants to create a simple costumed character and to share these creations with each other through more games and performance (if desired!). 

VFD is collaborating with QFC apart of MANAKI our new queer-led, community-based project that brings together a range of arts and cultural practices under one framework. 
 

Cabaret is the most fun and fundamental of the theatre arts and it provides an in-the-moment and accessible means to share spontaneous creativity and to celebrate each other. 

Expect laughter and connection as we build community through silliness and celebration. 

Led by Sally & Arkem - here's a little about them: 

Sally trained as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist and worked for 20 years in the NHS, leaving in 2017 to pursue clowning and poetry and the therapeutic potential of play. 
She created Queer Family Cabaret with Arkem Mark Walton, after she found that clowning and performing with her daughter helped them to have fun together and (looking back) to weather the dreary skies of UK’s retrograde gender policies. 

Arkem Mark Walton is a performer, maker and creative enabler. They work in cabaret, story-telling and craft. Arkem has performed on the hallowed stage of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, in the galleries of the V&A, down The Rabbithole at Glastonbury and in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. They enjoy taking the audience on a giddy journey through songs and poems with D.I.Y. drag stylings and a clowny edge. Arkem also enjoys helping curious folk to find new sides of themselves through costume, make-up and accessory making.

The workshop will run between 2pm and 5pm:

2pm-3pm: We will meet each other in the space and create a character.

3pm:There will be a break with snacks.

3:15pm-4pm: We find a costume and play more theatrical games.

4pm-5pm: Continued silliness, a group sharing and we will end our time together. 

This workshop is about empowerment through play and feedback is enthusiastically encouraged! 

Join us in t'ARTopia for a queer-curated night of drag, comedy, poetry, cabaret and music from some of our most delicious t'ARTs.

We have invited some of our favourite performers to entertain you all, at a night that will be nothing short of t'ARTopian. 

We will be raising money for gender affirming surgery funds with this evening's raffle, so come with a couple of quid, win art and raise money for good causes!

Let's get mouth-watering

Time: Doors - 7:15pm, Show starts - 7:30pm

Plus, you can be the first to buy a copy of volume 3 of our sell out, limited edition mini-journal ‘Trans Tongues’ with your ticket to pick up at the event!

Diarisms is a night of creative, critical, and personal engagements with diary writing. 

Featuring:

Tom Bland 

Lian Bi @bilian1221 

Natalia Syzmańska 

Kelly Wu @kellywustudio 

Jan @condensedsoymilk 

Izaac Elliot @izaac_elliot 

Oona Evergreen @oona.web 

M. Griso Dryer @mgd___mgd 

+ more TBA

When: Thursday 11th September (slight change from date mentioned in the open call!). 

Doors at 6:30 and readings begin at 7pm. 

In partnership with Doc'n Roll Films, VFD present a screening of the acclaimed new documentary on former Hackney resident Genesis P-Orridge. 

Genesis P-Orridge lived their art to the extreme. A pioneering musician, avant-garde artist, spiritual explorer, and gender revolutionary, Genesis has appeared in many works — but never this intimately. In this authorised, raw documentary, award-winning director David Charles Rodrigues (Gay Chorus Deep South) captures the final year of P-Orridge’s life.

Featuring William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Timothy Leary, Alice Genese (Psychic TV), David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets), Nepalese monks, African witch doctors, and a surprise cameo from Queen Elizabeth, the film offers never-before-seen archives and performance footage from Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A (host TBC)

The screening takes place at VFDalston No64 in the basement space, this is a relaxed environment, there is a set of stairs to reach the basement.

A relaxed screening of Pariah — a powerful film about identity, queerness, and self-expression.

Join us for a relaxed screening of Pariah – a powerful, tender film exploring identity, queerness, and self-expression through the eyes of a Black lesbian teen.

We don’t see enough stories like this – and we want more space to watch, feel, and reflect together.🎬 Watch the trailer here: Pariah Trailer

🧃 Snacks provided🧸 Fidget toys available🫶🏾 Low-pressure, low-stimulus vibes

This space is by and for Black & POC neurodivergents – whether you're out, questioning, masked, or just curious, you're welcome here and you're the prioty.

Let us know if you have specific access needs — we’ll do our best to support you. 💜

https://www.instagram.com/blackandneurodiverse

Hidden Bodies is a life drawing class that celebrates the beauty & diversity of Queer/Trans+ people; challenging norms of mainstream art spaces. In a world where traditional life drawing often perpetuates narrow & heteronormative beauty standards, Hidden Bodies provides a platform & opportunity to immortalise marginalised bodies in art.

This class invites artists of all levels to explore and appreciate the human form; destigmatising & normalising Queer/Trans+ bodies.
 Whether you are a seasoned artist or picking up a pencil for the first time, Hidden Bodies offers a supportive, inclusive, and affirming environment. Come draw with us as we embrace the complexity of human form and elevate the bodies and experiences that so often go unseen.

Hosted by Sam Sun, and our life model is Zee.

Zee (they/them) is a writer and speaker exploring the intersections of Blackness, Queerness and Trans identities. Find their work on https://substack.com/@souldeep

The class will be lead, but not tutored.
Class structure will include a warm up of 10 short poses (1-3 mins), some 2 min drawing exercises that include movement, animation, stylised drawing, art swapping, technical exercises & audience participation. Longer, more traditional life drawing poses include 5 min, 10 min, 15 min & 20 min poses.

Artists are invited to bring their own materials; if you don't have your own, not to worry!

Drawing materials, boards & paper will be provided for a small cash donation of £2.
All are welcome—bring your curiosity, creativity, and openness. Let’s redraw the lines of life drawing, together.

The event is in the basement space of No64 The Outsiders Gallery, it has a set of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.

Funded by Arts Council England

ARIANA TIKAO

SOUND BATH / KAURANGA ORO

Taonga Puoro (Singing Treasures) are Traditional Maori Instruments deeply connected to spirituality and storytelling within Maori Culture. They often mimic the sounds of the natural world such as the wind and the sea. 

Join taonga puoro practitioner Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) for a transformative experience that merges the ancient restorative power of taonga puoro with the resonance of karakia and waiata (sung incantation). 

In this special event, environmental voices, elemental gods (atua) and ancestors come alive through the sacred sounds of taonga puoro, guided by the gentle yet powerful energy of Ariana's practice of Hine Wai Ora. This feminine energy of the atua wahine, symbolises connection and release, and will create a profound sense of relaxation. 

As the soothing tones wash over you, you’ll enter a state of deep calm, allowing tension to dissolve and mental clarity to emerge. The therapeutic sounds foster a powerful healing space where wai (water), waiata and karakia (sung incantation) coalesce, offering not only an immediate sense of peace but also lasting benefits such as improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and wellbeing.

There will be cups of tea and food afterwards for grounding.
 

This event will take place downstairs at the Outsiders Gallery - a cool, calming and tranquil space to keep you sheltered from the heat. 

Join us in t'ARTopia for a queer-curated night of drag, comedy, poetry, cabaret and music from some of our most delicious t'ARTs.

We have invited some of our favourite performers to entertain you all, at a night that will be nothing short of t'ARTopian. 

We will be raising money for gender affirming surgery funds with this evening's raffle, so come with a couple of quid, win art and raise money for good causes!

Let's get mouth-watering

Schedule:

7:15pm -  Doors Open

7:30pm - Start

10:00pm - End

t’ART is a queer-led arts and lit collective, that creates space (on the page and in real life) for marginalised voices. Lineup

Nyongbella - Drag

Nyongbella is a life sized Bratz doll and fashion editorial come alive. She is truly a rarity, and with supermodel poise and showgirl glamour, she's ready to leave everyone wanting more. 

Teresa Rendell - Poetry

Writing has proved an invaluable vehicle for expressing the instability of grief following the loss of my dad, David, to MND last year. Finding humour as well as darkness has proved to be, granted, a foreseeable challenge, but one which has developed and grounded my creative practice. I’ve performed at Up the Creek, and VFD, and in my work invite you into this deeply personal and vulnerable journey of bitterness, recovery, and the absurdity of living with what’s left.

Christopher Lieberman - Comedy

Christopher Lieberman (he/him) is a queer writer, actor, and comedian from South London. He has self-produced two solo shows, including the award-winning "Bunny Man", and he has performed at venues across London, Brighton, and Edinburgh.