Strictly Silk—An All-Female Dance Party (2018–)
In late 2018, the fierce women of the Nest Collective curated, produced and performed at an all-female dance party, where diverse women—cis or trans, from different tribes, sectors of interest, sexual orientations, religions—met, danced, partied and had an absolutely glorious time! Since then, Strictly Silk has grown to become a gathering that centres joy, safety and community for women and non-binary people of all origins, faiths and generations.
Project Leads: Njeri Gitungo and Akati Khasiani (Executive Producers) Event Production and Logistics: Jim Chuchu (Design and Graphics), Mars Maasai (Sound Consultant), Noel Kasyoka (Equipment Consultant), Kendi Kamwambia (Accounts Support) and Njoki Ngumi (Programs Support).
Strictly Silk project leads and executive producers - our very own Njeri Gitungo (Ziggie) and Akati Khasiani (DJ Atiani)
The collective conceptualised Strictly Silk as two explorations. The first was as a reflection on the creative capacities of the women of the Nest Collective, by themselves, with the men doing support. We work very well together on all our different pieces, and we know what the work processes look like internally, because we all individually contribute into everything we put out. That being said, we’re also very aware of the ways artistic outputs can inch towards being gendered, when matters are left to their own devices without conscious effort and intervention. Women tend to be mostly credited for the support, logistics and implementation, work which tends to be invisibilized, and men are usually most publicly honoured for conceptual aesthetic, creative and technical labours.
Secondly, we sought to approach the event as a medium of artistic expression that would allow us to action our insights around our diverse audiences.We reflected on the dancefloor as room for the valid entertainment and escape it offers, and also as a space for people to build familiarity and community, get to know each other, learn with and celebrate each other. We considered specifically the constituencies of women and non-binary people, who have to constantly avoid, survive and mitigate harassment in most mainstream hangouts and parties during of social engagement and nightlife. We wondered what it would look like to have a party just for them, to celebrate their full diversity, hosted, protected and served by people who look like them, who are them, and who fully understand their context.
From all these thoughts we present Strictly Silk: an evolving dance-party/ community experience for all women aged above 21. This safe space is deliberately queer, trans and GNC affirming and celebrating; allowing women and non-binary people of all origins, faiths and generations space to take a beat, breathe, drink, laugh, and dance. We encourage everyone to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable, happy and free. The music and vibes are set by an all-women’s lineup of DJs and live performers, including the Nest’s Ziggie (Njeri Gitungo) and Atiani (Dr. Akati Khasiani), who are also the event’s co-executive producers, as well as Kendi Kamwambia (DJ Ca$hy).
Every single entertainer and service provider on site, including kitchen, service, medical and ticketing, is a woman or non-binary person, and we’ve been thrilled to bring together excellent technical teams, covering lights, sound and even pyrotechnics, as well as strong security teams, all led by skilled women practitioners. Alongside the party hosts and support, we also feature a festival element: vendors of goods and services which are interesting and exciting for our audience, ranging from food and drink, to fashion, accessories, body art and adornment, pleasure merchandise and many more. We also provide dedicated spaces for relaxation and conversation, for people who may be seeking a more laid-back experience.
We are deliberate about closing the door on cisgender men for this event, and all men, even the men of the Nest Collective, who help out with support, logistics and setup must leave before the event begins and can return only after its end to help with set down. We generate tons of great energy and good vibes with and among each other, and bask in it all for a little bit, before heading back out into a world we know and for which we have strengthened our armour. It will never solve all our problems, but it works to create a space where, even if for just a few hours, we can shelve a significant number of them.
Strictly Silk is a dynamic part of the global shift within which women and non-binary folk are increasingly organising autonomous, secularised spaces for themselves, that are welcome of all sexual orientations and gender identities, from nightlife to workspaces, vacation venues, living arenas, festivals, workshops and shared learning, fitness, wellness and many more. Together with our audience, we are happy to continue to create and present this experience centring safety, joy and community. For the latest updates, follow Strictly Silk on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
