Our audience votes are in, our next theme is Masquerade Ball!
STRAP into our Dapper wonderland where mystery will be our liberation. The Masquerade Ball is for the lesbians, dykes, bisexual and transgender hotties celebrating spooky season. We're giving masked intrigue, unapologetic retro glamour, and drag. Inspired by the hidden salons and underground balls where dykes once found each other, we bring that spirit into the present moment with metrosexual clothes, retrosexual music, and a dance floor that doesn't quit! Come masked, come gay, come ready to meet your next great love affair (I mean camaraderie).
Masquerade balls have long been spaces of transformation, rebellion, and secret romance. For dykes, these gatherings were rare sanctuaries where love could exist without censorship. We honour that history while embracing a fourth-wave vibe: inclusivity, subcultural high style, and a celebration of every facet and gender-bending expression of lesbian identity. Expect couture DIY masks, world-class opera and cabaret acts, DJ sets that pull you to the floor, and an atmosphere charged with spooky-season masquerade elegance. This party is a statement of love, beauty, and dykeness that will always find a space in our events.
Dress Code
Black-tie inspired by: Venetian masquerade balls, fantasy, old timey. We encourage you to make or bring your own mask but we will have a few available to purchase at the door.
(Our events are “black-tie” to encourage people who want to come in suits, gowns, full drag - not to judge those who don't. It’s a safe space to be “overdressed” but we won’t strictly enforce this)
MASKS MANDATORY! (Bring your own or add it to your ticket)
This activity is supposed to be fun- not triggering, intimidating, or uncomfortable for anyone. if you would like to take your mask off even if you haven't done the activity, feel free to opt out.
The Venue
For our launch we took over a boys club, and you've been begging us to return ever since!
The Dalston Boys Club is a renovated old boys club, repurposed for private events, with a private CASH-ONLY (atm available) bar, in the middle of Dalston. The venue is a historic property that retains its original character and charm. As such, certain features reflect the age of the building and may differ from those found in modern facilities. We accept its kinks and creaks as part of our punk OFOS (old fashioned old school) ethos, but we understand how that may bring extra complications for attendees. We encourage you to read accessibility info and message us if you need anything in advance. We have no connections with the venue's ownership though, but we appreciate any feedback as organisers.
Accessibility
All performances are on the ground floor, but the main entrance has a step. Our security team will be briefed on how to assist people with mobility aids to use it. You may also message us to request guaranteed reserved seating as well. We will have lower volume of music on the ground floor for people with auditive and processing sensitivities, or who simply want to chat and vibe out.
For everyone's safety we will have our welfare team available all night who have certificates in L3 first-aid, an enhanced DBS check, L3 SEN manual handling and personal care training.
We offer free companion tickets and preferred space for wheelchair users and those who require a seat. If you need to avail of one of these options, or have any other accessibility needs you would like to discuss with us, please message us in advance.
Photography
Photos will be taken by Louise @butch.order
By buying a ticket, you consent to our event's photography. You can opt out of personal pictures by telling the photographer, or avoiding the camera. If we publish a picture with you in it, and you feel dissatisfied or concerned, please contact us about it.
Refund/Resale
Tickets are non-refundable. However, Outsavvy allows ticket resale through its platform once an event has sold out. We are also happy to accommodate privately-arranged resales, just give the name you booked under to the person you have sold your ticket to and we will allow them entry under your ticket.
Contact
Preferred: @dapperpresents (Instagram DM)
Alternative: Outsavvy messaging service (checked less frequently).
CONTACT US FOR LOW-INCOME CONCESSION DISCOUNT, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
Independent Event
We are not for-profit, a company, or label, we’re two fellow lesbian artists/organisers working hard to make this event happen. We aim to centre subcultures (butch/stud/fem/me), immigrants, people of colour, intergenerational connections, punk/alternative vibes. Sometimes are lucky to get funding, which helps us make the event less expensive for attendees while paying our crew better. That's our ideal scenario given our economical situation, but for this event we are running everything out of pocket. We appreciate all of your economic and moral support to help us keep this running. We will be as transparent as possible with you about this and are grateful for all the love Dapper has received so far.
DAPPERTIZER
We wouldn’t ask you to come all dressed up without offering a little help <3
Mask making and upcycling workshops, meet your date/friends, great music, vendors, extra dyke hangouts!
Location: Love Affair Basement (Duh), E2 7AX
Date: Sunday October 12th
Tickets: Free entry - workshop tickets available via separate Outsavvy. More information coming soon!
THE AGENDA
9:00 PM — Doors & Welcome
Check out the venue, have a drink, get your portrait taken, cards read, play the piano.
10:00 PM - Last entry & Cabaret
Cabaret begins, only entry after this time in case of emergency (due to venue licensing), but there will be a designated smoking area inside on the balcony. There will be 2 main acts (ground floor) and a dance floor throughout the night. MUSIC: Ground floor: 80's, dark wave, post-punk (lower volume/speaking level), Basement: Dancing (loud).
- 12:00 AM - As the clock strikes 12 we will finally reveal who is under the mask! Stay tuned for exciting mask off dynamics.
- 2:00 AM - Venue closes