After Dark in the Utopian Sanctuary

On Friday, July 31st, as the sun set over the NDSM wharf, Queertropolis unlocked its night persona for Night at Our Place.

This event was a true celebration of community, where everyone stepped up, played their part, and offered their talents to bring a fantastic night to life. Born as a close collaboration between project curator Gabriele Bonomi and Treehouse director Camille Dewit, who masterfully organized the technical logistics and invited the guest DJs, the evening proved what happens when radical hospitality meets grassroots teamwork.

"We were all equal, despite being all so wonderfully different."

Resident Flash Tattoos & Sonic Journeys

The night kicked off across the resident artist studios at Treehouse NDSM, where professional tattoo artists Wouter Space, Charlotte Apers, and StudioTomBon opened their doors to welcome visitors for custom flash tattoo sessions.

Inside the Pavilion, the atmosphere built through distinct sonic and visual layers:

• Cello, Electronics & Voice by Kalle: Cellist Kalle presented two captivating pieces combining cello, electronics, and vocals, featuring compositions by queer composers.

• Live Performance & Visual Direction by Guido: Guido Hoek delivered a moving live performance and co-managed the live visual projections alongside Masha and Spider.

• 3 Live DJ Sets: Three selectors curated electronic tracks that kept the dance floor energized throughout the night.

Drag Showcase: "Dreams & Nightmares" by Samt und Seuche

The emotional and energetic climax of the night arrived with "Dreams & Nightmares", a high-octane collective drag showcase presented by Samt und Seuche, a group of 6 incredible artists who traveled all the way from Kassel, Germany.

From start to finish, performance after performance unfolded with relentless, electrifying energy. Beyond brilliant lip-syncs to tracks like "Shygirl", Rihanna's "Shut Up and Drive", and Miley Cyrus's "The Climb", the showcase delivered a deeply political, radical, and sensitive message delivered with strength, fierce smiles, and pure vulnerability:

"We are not the monsters they make us out to be!"

Samt und Seuche represented a new generation of young, uncompromising artists who have no fear of expressing themselves, occupying the stage, and fighting proudly for the rights of everyone.

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Community

Night at Our Place was made possible by the hands, technical brilliance, and generosity of a dedicated collective team:

Camille Dewit (Treehouse Director), for co-building and hosting the vision. Daniel, for managing and providing the sound system. Francesco, for designing and controlling the stage lights. Guido, Masha, and Spider, for creating and managing the live visual projections. Wouter Space, Charlotte Apers, and StudioTomBon, for opening their tattoo studios. All guest DJs, performers, and incredible attendees, for proving that a world founded on mutual care and radical expression is already here.

Photo credits: Allart