9 unmissable LGBTQ+ events at ADE 2023

Amsterdam Dance Event is for everyone. The programming makes that clear from the off, with a gigantic schedule spanning everything from festivals to arts and culture, sustainability to tech, and various strands from ADE Beats (dedicated to hip hop, bass and beats) to ADE Green (its sustainability conference). You can go to a club night in a museum, you can go to a museum night in a club.

And, when ADE takes over, the city is generally bursting with queer parties, forward-thinking workshops, and inclusive spaces. But with this bounty of queer joy bundled into just 5 days in Amsterdam, you might find yourself a little overwhelmed with options – so, allow us to be of assistance. Here’s a list of our favorite LGBTQ+ leaning events taking place at ADE this year. Buckle up: it’s going to be a fiery one.

Looking for ADE inspiration? Head to our official ADE ticket hub now

Thuishaven ADE Thursday by IsBurning & Maricas

Thu, Oct 19, 2023, 15:00 – 04:00, Thuishaven

With a common goal of creating safer spaces – not to mention masssssive nights out – for queer partiers, Carlos Valdes’ LGBTQ+ night teams up with Spanin based FLINTA* latin collective MARICAS at ADE.

Amanda Mussi (BR) / Carlos Valdes (NL) / ISAbella (CO) / JASSS (ES) / Josh Caffé (live) (GB) / Juliana Huxtable (US) / Lakuti (GB) / Lola Edo (NL) / Saoirse (GB) / Titia (NL) / Vuur (NL)

LGBTQIA+ Networking Session

Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 17:45 - 18:45, Felix Mertitis

At ADE on business and keen to find your people? Head to Felix Meritis, where the deliriously cool Hoax LeBeau (DJ, host and co-founder of The Diverse Agency) hosts a networking session with HE.SHE.THEY’s Ashraf Ajjbair and Steven Braines. Heads up, you’ll need to be an ADE delegate to attend this event.

Ashraf Ejjbair (HE.SHE.THEY., GB) / Hoax LeBeau (The Diverse Agency, NL) / Steven Braines (HE.SHE.THEY., GB)

De Scorro x B.A.D (Club Night)

Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 23:00 - 07:00, De School

How does a ‘glimpse into utopia within the electronic music scene’ sound? Black Artists Database (B.A.D) and De School’s new concept night De Scorro host a club night featuring LGBTQ+ black and Latinx artists like Goth Jafar, NIKS, Arakaza b2b DRKNGHTS and more.

Arakaza (NL) / Batu (GB) / DJ Stingray 313 (US) / DRKNGHTS Collective (NL) / Goth Jafar (US) / KMRU (KE) / Mi-El (GB) / NIKS (GB)

Deck Interaction

Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 12:00 - 18:00, Sexyland Jump on the ferry to hidden gem Sexyland for a round table discussion, DJ workshop and then sets from an eclectic DJ lineup. This event comes courtesy of Amsterdam’s SCPPG, a female electronic music label and artistic management agency, and Hamburg collective INTERTRONIKA.

Rooted in Culture

Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 18:00 - 23:30, Tolhuistuin

Did you know that black history and LGBTQ+ community both contributed significantly to house culture? Get stuck into this workshop – collaboratively run by the Dutch Housedance Community, Steppin Into Tomorrow and Lynnee Denise – to learn more. There’ll be a masterclass with club veteran Zev, a audio-visual journey through the history of house and disco with Lynnee Denise and Steppin Into Tomorrow, followed by a Rooted in Culture session with DJ collective Chill on Tuesday b2b Chocolate Brown. Count us in.

Gay Guerrilla - minimal music with live ritual performance

Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 22:00 - 23:00, Zuiderkerk Through choreography, installations and sound and light design, see the LGBTQ+ essence of iconic music piece Gay Guerrilla come to sparkling life in one of Amsterdam’s most scenic churches. Artists Boris Acket and Christian Guerematchi 24classics present this interdisciplinary explore ‘having the right to be yourself’ through Julius Eastman’s composition. A real must-see.

Shelter presents: 5 years of HE.SHE.THEY

Sat, Oct 21, 2023, 23:00 - 07:00

Global inclusive collective HE.SHE.THEY descend into the subterranean haven of Shelter, bringing in a banging line-up to celebrate half a decade of brilliance. And if that’s not enough for you, the team will also appear on ADE Conference panel How To Create Positivity Out Of Frustration, to chat about how they turned disenchants into a worldwide agent of change.

Black Cadmium (NL) / Dr. Rubinstein (DE) / Ellen Allien (DE) / Maya Jane Coles (GB) / Volvox (US)

PORNCEPTUAL

Sun, Oct 22, 10:00 PM, Parallel

Not explicitly LGBTQ+ – but certainly queer – Pornceptual lands at Amsterdam for the fifth time with its diverse and inclusive celebration of pornographic art. With music from the best of the best, a cinema room, art performances and private spaces, the world’s your sexy oyster.

Cybersex (NL) / Dr. Rubinstein (DE) / The Lady Machine (DE)

Recharge and Revolt

Thu, Oct 19, 2023, 11:00 - 19:00, Melkweg Expo Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, the techno and rave scenes thrived, providing a haven for LGBTQ+ rights and self-expression. Raves became a platform for activism, fostering unity and promoting freedom and acceptance. This group exhibition explores themes of queer identity, visibility, utopia, and solidarity.

Creativity as a Protest: Langa Pride

Wed, Oct 18, 2023, 17:00 - 18:00, Kanaal40 (Bar)

A story of brand new pride in Langa, Cape Town; on 8 March 2023, the first ever Langa Pride was held – and Alex Revers (director) and Vivian (photographer) were there to capture it. Find out more at this ADE Lab session, moderated by Rick Busscher.