Erotic as in "the bridge which connects them is formed by the erotic—the sensual—those physical, emotional, and psychic expressions of what is deepest and strongest and richest within each of us, being shared:…"*
(Audre Lorde)
Erotic as in "utterly devoted to pleasure for pleasure’s sake – the maximisation of that pleasure, and the refusal to belittle pleasure as a secondary narrative in the making of our image."
(Jason Okundaye)
Welcome to another Black History Month with B.O.S.S.
This time, Somatic sounds, Spoken Word and Burlesque from RARE TREAT, ODETTA and the B.O.S.S. crew, all on the theme of A Black Queer Erotic
SCHEDULE
6.30pm: Doors
7pm: RARE TREAT (dj set)
8.15pm: The economics of the event
8.35pm: ODETTA (burlesque)
8.45pm: Spoken Word, Readings, Poetry
9.00pm: ODETTA (burlesque)
9.10pm: Spoken Word, Readings, Poetry, Discussion
9.30pm: RARE TREAT
10pm: FIN
This evening is not only about showcasing some of the creative ways black, queer people are exploring the erotic for themselves, it is also about creating opportunities for others to do the same via an experiment in Community Interdependence…
*Please message us on IG or at blackobsidiansoundsystem@gmail.com if you need a low- income ticket.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Experiment in Community Economics.
In Oct 2025, Adedamola represented B.O.S.S. at a retreat called “Experiments in Marronage”, organised by 2 grassroots organisations called Kinfolk Network (@kinfolknetwork) & Medicine of Black Economics (formerly Decolonising Economics)
As part of that project we learned about African heritage economic thought, alternative ideas and histories to capitalism, and recent examples of our elders pushing back against the machine in creative ways.
We also received £800 to experiment with some of the concepts we learned about during the process, which is how A Black Queer Erotic came about; I decided to experiment with the foundational structure of something we do all the time, events.
The 1st part of my experiment is Funding.
Usually Pardner, SuSu, Saving circles are set up between individuals but why not between grassroots organisations too?
Both Common Press and B.O.S.S. agreed to match the Project funding to create a total working pot of £2400 giving me a little more room to play with, multiple opportunities for Common Press to make money and the potential to run the experiment multiple times and actually apply learnings each time.
The 2nd part of my experiment is Transparency.
How do we begin to create our own definitions of value?
How do we fund the events, spaces and organisations we need but clearly can’t rely on our governments to provide?
My thinking is transparency is a small way to start communal conversations about labour, value, resources and how we manifest better worlds, so I've made all working info about the event available in this FOLDER (Readings, Budget etc)
Feel free to comment on anything, request something you want to know or just nosy about
See you at the event,
Adedamola x.
.
.
.
.
.
B.O.S.S.
Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S.) was established in the summer of 2018 with the intention of bringing together a community of queer, trans and non-binary Black people and People of colour involved in art, sound and radical activism. Following in the legacies of sound system culture they wanted to learn, build and sustain a resource for our collective struggles. The black-led system, based in London, is available to use or rent by community groups and others with the purpose of amplifying and connecting them. B.O.S.S' work also includes technical workshops, live performance events, club nights, art installations and various creative commissions
RARE TREAT
Rare Treat is an international DJ based in London, a portal into the full breadth of the Global African diaspora. Her sets move seamlessly through Dancehall, Afrobeats, Jungle, Jersey Club, Baile Funk, Kuduro, Amapiano, and House edits, while honouring deeper roots in Reggae, Afrobeat, and traditional African instrumentation. She plays open-format with intention, reading rooms and moving people across genres without losing the thread.
ODETTA
Odetta is a Burlesque dancer inspired by the jazz age, especially the chorus line dancers of the Harlem Renaissance. Already well versed in Swing styles and Lindy hop, she decided to add Burlesque to her many skills, graduating from the Black Burlesque School in 2023. Prepare for a very silly, very sexy time.