Much like the ever-growing catalogue of queer nights across the country, Club Are was founded on codes of self-expression. “I remember having conversations with friends about the vision for an experimental club night,” recalls co-curator Mika Kailes. “It wasn’t until I hosted a big birthday party last summer in my art studio that I found the courage to bring the vision to life. The energy and sense of community there felt quite special, and it made me realise that something was missing in London’s party scene.”
Kailes’ vision – brought to life alongside co-director Abdula Jama – fused visual art, fashion and club culture in the heart of Hackney borough. For Club Are’s fourth edition, installation artist Mab George Sanders created large-scale flower installations that were strung from the galleries above; performer Chloe Filani delivered a touching rendition of her spoken piece Negro Extacy, and Lorelei performed her own vocal piece and DJ set; light design was crafted by visual artist Sea Ho and sound technician Xavier Andrew; plus DJs including Rawting, Nina, Marie Malarie, 131bpm, and Kailes blended progressive hard house with groove and 00s cuts for an undeniable dancefloor experience. “The event is a celebration of various art forms that I’m passionate about,” explains Kailes. “It’s about crafting an experience that seamlessly integrates all these elements, rather than simply layering art and fashion onto a typical club night.”
Though the curation is based on Kailes own personal tastes, he was careful not to be prescriptive when it came to the fashion. “It’s important to create a space where people can feel free to express themselves,” he says, “and not set any specific rules or dress codes, allowing the fashion of the night to evolve organically with each event.” For this weekend’s edition, that expression was telegraphed through slogan tees, whether attendees were a “Hot Person at Work”, declaring boldly that “I Love Me,” or admitting that “This was the only shirt I had with no cum on it.” And while wraparound shades, rhinestone accessories and thigh-skimming mini skirts added a 00s-coded sense of escape, subtle political statements brought us back down to earth. One vintage tee declared “Lesbian and gay men support the miners” while another more recent one parodied “McBrexit” as a failing of the British state. But it was the multiple kaffiyehs, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, that spoke the loudest on Club Are’s gloriously free dancefloor. For everything that the night had to offer, click throught he gallery above for a closer look.