We had a successful showcase last year at Bergen Kjøtt, where we brought people together for an eventful night with art, dumplings, talks, music and DJ, and we will do it again this year. We intend to create continuity for people in our community, creatives, artists and musicians involved in 2024.
This year, we will be at a new venue! Thanks to Bergen Kunsthall for inviting us to participate in its 2023 Fall program so our community can reach more people at different locations!
What to expect at Drastic Social Bergen 23 Showcase
21-2145 In dialogue with Anine Fatou Båton of ” Female Minority Voices” 2145-22 Carmilly Yeung Artwork Tasting 22-23 Amalie Sadoni DJ set 23-24 Sam Mountain “Inner Light” EP release 24-0100 Superslut Live in Concert 01-0300 Lars of “Femøren”
“Mid-autumn festival 中秋節” is around the corner. Bertha Chan treats the early birds attending the talk to festive delicacies with a Norwegian Twist — her infamous Brunost Mochi dumplings and mooncakes to start the evening.
Anine Fatou Bråten
We will have a dialogue with Anine Fatou Båten, introducing to our community her project, “Female Minority Voices” from 21-2200.
Carmilly Yueng
Carmilly Yueng, a Hong Kong born visual artist living in Bergen, whom we met at Haunted69a gallery, will present two art project, “egg soup” at 2145
“In many languages, people often use the word “egg” to refer to chicken eggs, and the acknowledgement of eggs of other kinds is overshadowed. Meanwhile, people also have expectations of what food should be like. To challenge concepts like these, Carmilly made an edible sculpture, “egg soup”, with egg yolks shaped like frogs.”
The artwork “egg soup” tasting will be presented to our hosts and the people who signed up for the activity at the event.
Later in the evening, Carmilly will present her second artwork, an installation.
“knock” Doors are a medium to connect/separate spaces and carry symbolic meanings in various cultures. Carmilly always had a fascination with the ritual of door knocking, which represents an act of seeking permission. The interactions after the knock also reveal an interesting dynamic between the door knocker and those behind the door.
Carmilly Yueng
Amalie Sadoni
After the first hour of warming up, getting to know each other and settling into the space, it’s time to move our bodies with positive house and sticky Arabic tunes by Amalie Sadoni at 2200 to ease into the night of music performances. Amalie is a member of Vers Libre Radio, and she has debuted at Vestre this August.
Amalie Sadoni, image by Olav Eggestøl.
Sam Mountain
At 2300, Sam Mountain, musician and music producer, performs 4 of her tracks from her EP “Inner Light”, which will be released on the 22nd of September.
Sam Mountain, image by Maryna Kolpakova
Superslut
Followed by Superslut at 2400, our beloved electronic visual and sound art genie, with his electrified performance gracing Bergen Kunsthall again.
At our final hours, deep into the night, Sam Mountain will be coming back for a DJ set with her beloved melodic techno, followed by Lars, music show host “Femøren” from Vers Libre Radio, who will immerse the space with trance music as the finale of our showcase 2023.
Drastic Social will host a “Townhall Meetup” at 18.00 on 10 June at Bergen Assembly in collaboration with Vers Libre Radio and Reclaim Pride Bergen. Attendees can anonymously send in feedbacks about the topic — “What do we need?”
Drastic Social has been creating, collaborating and participating in events since we started in Hong Kong in 2019. By facilitating our collaborators and providing a space in our community, we have also built a support system for the ones in need.
From our perspective, we want to create a safer and more inclusive platform for creators to make things happen, to have the freedom to explore their identities, self-expression, innovation, joy and creation, and a space for all participants to fail, learn and grow. This explains the nature of our events which are usually geared towards queer communities, marginalised identities and newcomers who need more help getting started. Ultimately, we want to create a place where we can all feel we belong, thus making it easier to ask for help, take up space and communicate with vulnerability so we can be brave and embrace each other.
The Townhall meet-up hour will be a crucial moment for us to ask our communities some questions, so we can design better facilities for our people moving forward.
Vegetarian/ Non Veg Dumplings will be served from 18.00. Servings are limited so come earlier to get your free vouchers from 17.00 during Vers Libre Radio X Konsept [X] “Back to Back” DJ workshop!
Drastic Social is excited to join Reclaim Pride Bergen this year to provide queer folks and allies with an alternative programme during Pride month. Organisations joining forces are Afterschool Bergen, Comrades Inc, Vers Libre Radio and Konsept X, with guest speakers and performers from Asterisk, Nogoods, Fett and individual artists. Venues holding these events are Landmark, Pamflett, Bergen Assembly and Bergen Kjøtt, and more to be announced.
Date: 10 June 2023 Time: 12-23.00 CET Where: Bergen Assembly — Halfdan Kjerulfs gate 4, 5017 Bergen Fee: Free Entry for Queer folks and friends
On 10 June, Drastic Social will be hosting an event at Bergen Assembly from 17.00 onwards in collaboration with Vers Libre Radio and Konsept X.
Before our programme, there will be Drag Story Hour for Children! from 12-14.00 and Queer Cafe from 14-16.00.
At 17.00, Vers Libre is in collaboration with Konsept X to host a “Back to Back” DJ workshop for Women, Trans and Non-binary folks who have had some DJing experience to try out the “back to back” technique in a duo DJ set. Sign up on VersLib.re
At 18.00, Drastic Social will host a “Townhall Meetup”, asking the attendees, “What do we need?” to facilitate and build up our community with resources we can gather within.
From 19.00 on, we will have Vers Libre Special, Live in recording with DJK, DJ Blue, Soccer Moms and Toyota Carina with VJ Olalys.
Subscribe to the Drastic Social Mailing list and on social media for more schedule announcements in the next!
Reclaim Pride Norway is a coalition between small independent organisations and queer activists. An eventful week in Oslo last year paved the way for folks in Bergen in 2023.
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest news on Drastic Social. Thank you for your support!
Maryna Kolpakova is a Ukrainian photographer based in Norway. She envisioned herself being a photographer from a younger age, although she pursued film directing in her study under familial pressure. She quickly realised her true calling is undoubtedly in capturing lights and shadows and the beauty of humanity through her lens.
Maryna remained devoted to her passion for photography, and her work reflects her artistic vision and dedication to her passion.
Vagina Monologue: An Original Theatre Play by Feminist Storytelling
Not to be confused with “The Vagina Monologues**” but inspired by its conversations, “Vagina Monologue” is an original theatre play written and performed by Feminist Storytelling. It is a communal theatre and storytelling platform based in Bergen, Norway.
About the play
What does our body tell us about our boundaries, desires, and identity?
A woman gives birth, and a true story unfolds.
One by one, seven protagonists recount their pregnancies, spaceship battles, baptism and heritage.
Interconnected, their personal stories are beautifully woven into one giant tapestry of the protagonists’ experiences.
Vagina Monologue lifts the veil on what usually remains unsaid. In this space, the word “cunt” is no curse, but a source of strength and power, a creator of worlds.”
Drastic Social went to VM’s rehearsal last weekend to get a feel of the creation. While we get a glimpse of the production setup, each storyteller’s personal dialogue is still under development and at the formation stage. It is definitely a good challenge for the members of Feminist Storytelling to leap from the usual setting of a small group and social sharing at the library to a structured play at the auditorium at Litteraturhuset.
We look forward to this weekend’s premiere.
Event Information on Facebook, and you can get your Tickets here.
Date: 28 & 29 April 2023
Time: Friday 18.30-21.00 Saturday 14.00-16.30
Place: Litteraturhuset i Bergen (Østre Skostredet 5-7 5017 Bergen, Norway)
Photos are taken during rehearsal.
Production Posters by Graphic Designer and illustrator — Yifeng Zheng
Drastic Social Showcase — Merenpelko, Feminist Storytelling, Juan Qin, Jennifer Tang and Erwin Rapid Navarro Drastic Social Showcase presents a community party with our friends in Bergen on the 3rd of December. The Bars at…
Feminist Storytelling is a community theatre and storytelling platform based in Bergen, Norway. The organisation is in cooperation with Litteraturhuset i Bergen, and their events are curated by different volunteers, artists and storytellers monthly.…
“As the full moon rises high in the sky and the trees rustle with an otherworldly breeze, a mysterious gathering occurs deep in the woods’ heart.
Strange lights flicker in the distance, illuminating the way for those who dare to venture into the darkness. As you approach, you can hear the faint sound of otherworldly music and the flickering flames of fire dancers twirling their way through the shadows.
Let yourself be transported to another realm, where the impossible becomes possible, and the unknown becomes known. Welcome to “The Outer Limits”, where the spookiest creatures and most beautiful festivities await.”
Drastic Social X Clothing Swap Bergen — “Masculine Wear and Plus Size Edition”
Clothing Swap Bergen (CSB) is an organisation promoting slow fashion in Bergen; they run a community clothes swap monthly, mostly at Bergen Kjøtt Fabrikhallen hall, plus ad-hoc events like this time with Drastic Social.
Listento our talk about the Swap happening on the 26th of March — Drastic Social Radio: Clothing Swap Bergen.
On 26th March 2023, CSB is collaborating with Drastic Social for a Masculine Wear and Plus Size edition to cater to the community who aren’t straight size or not too into their usual crowd-pleasing floral and frills.
When: March 26th, 11.00-16.00 Where: Bergen Kjøtt (Skutevikstorget 1) Tickets: Kr 50-100 (at the door)
To have a sneak peek at what will be at the swap, follow @DrasticSocial on Instagram. There will be new information weekly leading up to the event day!
Below is the information from Clothing Swap Bergen to explain their A-Z to joining a clothes swap (Norsk nederst | Norwegian text below)
Welcome to Bergen’s biggest clothing swap event! We believe sustainable fashion is for everyone, including those who wear plus size clothing (XL and up) or what is typically considered/sold as “men’s wear”. However, we have noticed that these items can be harder to find on the second-hand market and our previous events. This is why we have decided to team up with Drastic Social and organize an event completely dedicated to swapping MASCULINE and PLUS SIZE CLOTHING ONLY!
This means we will not be taking in/putting out women’s clothes below size XL at this event. Like always, we will serve coffee, tea and vegan/gluten-free pastries in the cafe area. There will also be a repair workshop where you can drop in to find help and materials to repair, upcycle or alter any clothes you brought from home or found at the event.
Note: Bergen Kjøtt is renovating its elevator, so there will be no accessibility for wheelchairs at this event. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience and hope to welcome everybody at the next occasion.
How does it work?
Dive into your closet and collect a max. of 10 clothing items. For this special event, all items you bring must fit the description of ‘masculine’, ‘plus size’ (XL or up), or both. You are also welcome to bring purses/bags, shoes and jewellery. At the swap, you receive points for each item, depending on its type and quality. Take your time to look through our well-stocked racks for items you like, and pay for them with the points you received. The clothes you brought will be made available for newly arriving swappers, and you’ll get to leave with a newly swapped outfit! As we have our own stock, clothes are available immediately. Note: Bring your old point card to use any points received at previous events!
Repair cafe Repair your own clothes at the repair cafe. Our experienced volunteers will help you make small repairs, like attaching a button, closing a hole, or replacing a zipper. You can also alter the clothes you found at the swap or work with the rag materials we have collected. The workshop is included in the entrance fee. The amount of repairs you can do depends on how busy it will be.
Bergen Kjøtt is an old factory and is working to facilitate better access roads. There’s an entrance at street level, with accessibility for service dogs. There are toilet facilities for all genders and that are wheelchair accessible. Escorts have free admission but must register in advance. Unfortunately, the elevator is being renovated during this event, which makes the swap itself not accessible for guests that depend on elevators. For more information check www.bergenkjott.org/kontakt.
/// WELCOME
Bergen Kjøtt actively supports an anti-racist, inclusive environment for all genders, backgrounds and functional abilities, which does not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.
——————————————————————–
NORSK:
Velkommen til Bergen’s største klesbytte arrangement! Vi mener bærekraftig mote er for alle, også for de som bruker større størrelser (XL og oppover) eller det som typisk anses/selges som herreklær. På bruktmarkedet samt våre tidligere arrangementer har vi imidlertid lagt merke til at disse klærne kan være litt vanskeligere å finne. Dette er grunnen til at vi bestemte oss for å slå oss sammen med Drastic Social og organisere et arrangement spesielt dedikert til å bytte KUN MASKULINE og PLUS SIZE KLÆR! Dette betyr at vi ikke kommer til å ta inn/legge ut dameklær under størrelse XL på dette arrangementet. Som alltid skal vi servere kaffe, te og vegansk/glutenfri bakst i kaféområdet. I tillegg skal vi ha et reparasjonsverksted hvor du kan stikke innom for å reparere, ombruke eller endre klær du tok med deg eller fant på arrangementet.
OBS! Bergen Kjøtt renoverer sin heis, som betyr at det ikke er tilgang til Fabrikkhallen der arrangementet finner sted for de som er avhengig av heisen. De det gjelder får gratis tilgang til reparasjonskafeen i første etasje.
Dykk ned i skapet og samler maks. 10 klesplagg. Til dette arrangementet må alle klesplagg du tar med passe til beskrivelsen av “maskuline”, “plus size” (XL eller oppover), eller begge deler. Du kan også ta med sko, vesker eller smykker. Ta deg deretter tid til å se gjennom de velfylte stativene våre for å finne noe fint og betal for det med poengene du mottok. Klærne du leverte vil bli gjort tilgjengelig for nyankomne byttere, og du drar hjemme med det nye antrekket ditt! Ettersom vi har eget lager, vil det være klær tilgjengelig helt fra starten. Obs: Du kan bruke poeng du mottok ved tidligere arrangement.
Reparasjonskafé
Reparer dine egne klærne i reparasjonskafeen. Våre erfarne frivillige hjelper dere med å gjøre små reparasjoner, som å feste en knapp, tette et hull eller bytte ut en glidelås. Du kan også skreddersy klær du fant på byttet. Verkstedet er inkludert i billettpris. Hvor mange reparasjoner du kan gjøre avhenger av hvor travelt det vil være.
Bergen Kjøtt er en gammel fabrikk og vi jobber med å legge til rette for bedre tilkomstveier. Vi har tilkomst fra gatenivå, tar imot servicehunder og har toalettfasiliteter tilgjengelig for alle kjønn og tilrettelagt for rullestolbrukere. Ledsagere har gratis adgang, men må registrere seg i forkant av arrangementet. Dessverre blir heisen renovert da arrangementet finner sted, som gjør at den er ikke tilgjengelig til de som er avhengig av heisen.
/// VELKOMMEN Bergen Kjøtt støtter aktivt opp om et antirasistisk, inkluderende miljø for alle kjønn, bakgrunner og funksjonsevner, som ikke tolererer noen form for trakassering eller diskriminering.
Clothing Swap Bergen (CSB) organises large-scale swapping events, repair cafes and upcycling workshops. CSB believes that sustainable alternatives to fast fashion are for everyone and help you share and take care of the clothes you already own.
Rustival is a 2-day outdoor festival focused on electronic music, with experimental workshops for interactive elements and downtime. Usually, there is no public transportation to this secret island, so don’t miss the chance to explore and have fun with a group of nice people in a safe and open environment.
Mlem fuels your raves and festivals with delicious, nourishing food and big flavours that aren’t you’re average festival fare. Mlem are Yukta @yuktas_99 | Sanika @sanikaisthename | Amanda @_akwan3| Alison @sapphireketchup & our party volunteer crew ❤️🔥
Date: 19th Jan 2023 Time: 9:00-11:30pm Place: Terriblebaby, 4/F Eaton Hotel 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
About the album
During the pandemic, DJ Misty Penguin stopped waddling in the local Techno scene and drowned herself in the sea of her old CD collection, listening to a lot of bedroom producers and admiring their DIY / ‘less is more’ / ‘no shits given’ approach to music making.
With this in mind, Misty reached out to her guitarist brother TripleBasil, and together DIY-ed an album of storytelling about Misty’s struggling trans life, and other dark thoughts about self-destruction, titled “<(“)!<(“)!<(“)! Songs for Cleo (And approaching death)”.
The album’s style is a mish mash of music from the old CDs, early Depeche Mode, New Order, under the radar projects like Locust from R&S, indie singer-songwriters like Cellars, with tips from Telvanni of JVSY, and tutorials from dusty old Computer Music magazine.
About the release party and supporting acts
Opening DJ set by Tynee
Tynee has kindly accepted our invitation to play a set for us, she has a long standing reputation in being one of the finest Techno and Breakbeats DJs in HK, and a long time supporter of Misty’s endeavours in creative arts, a sister from another mother. We have invited her to play her favourite tunes that haven’t fit in her usual job as a dance floor general.
Featured Artist
Lezlie Chan 陳映同 is a local up and coming singer songwriter with a similar approach to writing songs – using confessional life experiences in music as a conduit to encourage self-love among peers. She is an icon in breaking gender norms, you have seen her as the face of Eaton’s Women Festival, or in the ViuTV program 肥美人 and she advocates for freedom in talking about women’s bodies, and calls for new aspects in discussing beauty, through her music and exposure. She will perform a suite of new original songs from her upcoming 2023 album. It is an honour to have her as our featured artist, as her content is unique and forthcoming.
Guest guitarist — Casey Anderson
Due to scheduling conflicts, TripleBasil is unable to perform, and good friend Casey Anderson stepped up to the plate to infuse his musical prowess with his guitar.
Casey Anderson is one of the hottest DJs and modular synthesiser advocates in HK and needs no introduction, before coming here, he toured America with dearly departed friend Byron Head, playing guitar, accordion and keyboards when he was a teen. Outside the DJ stage, he is a humble educator, producer, LGBTQ ally, and Misty is forever grateful to have him rocking out together at this party.
Dance Interpretation
Joining Misty on stage is trans sister Briar Armani, who will be making modern dance interpretations of the music.
Briar Armani is a dancer, spiritual partitioner, and educator. She is a transfeminine who fought through mixed cultural settings, she values the importance of authenticity and would like to help spread the beauty of identity exploration and actualisation through heartily artistic expressions.
To round off the night after live performances, there will be a back to back to back DJ session for us to dance the night away.
Drastic Social 
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