Riot Party has been paving the way within the kink scene bringing communities together through an exciting mix of cabaret, music, and queer excellence under their umbrella of rave culture. With multidisciplinary programming, Riot Party is all about centering art while prioritizing people of colour and sex workers across every area of their business model. We sat down with co-founder Maedb Joy, to learn more about how her own lived experiences have shaped the event so many people flock to from London to Manchester and beyond.
By BxSassy
Bethany Burgoyne is a fabulously fluffy, sassy writer, performer and multimedia producer providing educational entertainment for women and non-binary AFAB people. Having founded their own multimedia platform, The Sassy Show, in 2018, Bethany is on a mission to transform the portrayal of women and AFAB people within media, sharing personal narratives of womanhood, sexuality and self identity. They regularly speak on the topics of gendered appearance, sexuality, kink and reproductive health.
Here's the hard facts:
- Who's Welcome: Riot Party prioritizes people of colour and sex workers both on stage and on the dancefloor. This is at the heart of Riot Party’s ethos and expands across their marketing, employees, performers and attendees. However, everyone is welcome to join and celebrate those communities so if you are an ally, this party is for you.
- Party Schedule: Before the party even begins, Riot Party organizes pre-drinks in a pub close-by for those wanting to meet ahead of doors opening. Then the fun begins with a social hour of workshopping (think lap dance classes, kinky life modeling, and other creative gems) while queer traders and makers open their stalls to sell their wares. As the party gets into fall swing, it’s time for performers to take to the stage with a cabaret/show. Followed by endless tunes from a line-up of DJs keeping the dancefloor hot and sweaty and with two monitored playrooms, Riot Party is yours to explore until closing time. In London, the party takes place on a Sunday, starting at 4pm and ending at midnight.
- Dresscode and Etiquette: Kinky attire is a prerequisite for entrance and creativity is encouraged. Think colourful, sensual, skimpy, lacey, latex loveliness. Trainers are welcome but steer clear of everyday clothing. The centering of queer communities at Riot Party means homophobia and transphobia are in no way tolerated. Similarly, their ethos of providing a safe space for people of colour and sex workers means zero tolerance for racism and whorephobia. With clear messaging that calls out ableism, fatphobia and sexism, Riot Party is all about protecting people who may feel alienated or discriminated against in every day society. So respect is mandatory.
So, what is Riot Party?
Riot Party is the brainchild of two promoters whose individual backgrounds in live music and cabaret inspired their desire to create a night which would center their communities as a person of colour (Alex) and a sexworker (Maedb). Together Maedb and Alex dreamt up their event, Riot Party, which now hosts monthly events in London and Manchester as well as expanding to Bristol. Maedb explains how “we wanted to merge the best parts of the separate events we ran before” by bringing kink, music and art together. Underlying this decision was their desire to provide their communities with a space to be celebrated by platforming those who are so often discriminated against or pushed to the margins of society. In this way, Riot Party is so much more than just kinky hedonism. It is a movement of passion, change, and culture.
VIDEO: Watch Bethany's Interview with Maedb from Riot Party!
Building on Alex’s experience of running music events, the Riot Party dance floor is kept alive by a rotating line up of DJs who play Dancehall, R&B, Afrobeats, and Strip Hop. Pairing this with Maedb’s background in running multidisciplinary cabaret nights (namely her infamous night, Sexquisite) she tells us how “It wouldn’t be a Riot Party without a cabaret or a show”. This can be anything from pole dance to burlesque, spoken word to stripping, encouraging liberated self-expression and platforming artists who are people of colour or have lived experience as sex workers. The result is a party which both entertains and enlivens those wanting to liberate their self-expression and pump it out on the dance floor.
With a playroom that’s kitted out with elegant furniture, a sex machine, and mattresses inviting orgies, sensual play and intimate BDSM, Riot Party has found the bliss point between pleasure and play by implementing a strict code of conduct throughout the event and regulating the party so as to prioritise safety and care. With a chill space for decompression and the ever friendly market of trader and makers, Riot Party has something for everyone. This was an intentional decision which Maedb explains was based on her own experience of having ADHD and “enjoying having different things to grab my attention”.
For Maedb, finding a community of sex workers has been life-changing. She tells us how, before starting her cabaret night ‘Sexquisite’ in 2019, she had struggled to find people who could relate to her experiences. Motivated to change this reality for herself as well as others continues to inform her work today as an events programmer and organiser. “Riot Party is my safe space. It’s where I can tell everyone I’ve worked in the sex industry for over 12 years, that I’m queer, non-monogamous and so what?!”. This is a refreshing reality when so many social spaces are limited by heteronormative stigmas and whorephobic stereotypes. For Maedb, being around like-minded people was life-changing which is an experience she’s now able to offer many others who walk through Riot Party’s doors, providing people with a space where they can exist free of judgment.
VIDEO: A Day in the Life of Riot Party
With a host of friendly and highly efficient monitors keeping the dancefloor and playrooms safe, guests are sure to be taken care of when attending a Riot Party. Maedb’s advice to any newbies is to come along to their pre-drinks or midweek socials where you can mingle and connect with others. This community of friends, lovers, kinky ravers, performers, and artists that Riot Party is fostering transcends so many binary structures that we see dominant mainstream culture. From the welcoming of non-monogamous folk to queer, gender fluid individuals, their event is the perfect home for anyone looking for a chosen family. Set to inspire many more people throughout the country, Riot Party is the ideal event for anyone wanting to spread their sexy wings and find a supportive environment to be themself in.
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