Downgirls Pre Pride Party: Prepare for a #mingetwinge

Venue: The Black Cap, Camden
Date: Friday 27 June

It was the night before Pride in London and you couldn’t NOT notice that the pre-pride party was going down. With extensive coverage on the Pride in London website, North London newspapers and with big names tweeting about the event I was excited to see what all the fuss is about and even more excited to find out exactly what a #mingetwinge was!

There were some big up and coming names on this bill. Guests were treated to an acoustic performance from Miri in the garden in the Black Cap, performing one original song and an amazing cover of Cheryl Cole’s “Parachute”. After this performance it was over to DJ Sandra Davenport to get the party started. Her set did not disappoint, Sandra and Missy Downgirl (Event organiser and host) could both be seen visibly dancing to the tunes in the DJ booth. The infectious dancing certainly bounced around the room. 

The venue itself looked amazing, the Downgirls mannequins were back out on display along with pride balloons, glow sticks and boards for photos with the caption “Prepare for a #mingetwinge” all went down a storm. 

Immani Love treated the crowd to some erotic poetry and got right into the crowds senses. Immani Love who won the Erotic Poet of the year award 2013 is definitely one to watch. Ruby Fortune then came on and dazzled the crowd with a sexy burlesque routine. It was then over to D-Rhymes and Larissa Eddie who absolutely smashed it. D-Rhymes who has collaborated with a host of well-known RNB and urban singers gave an exclusive performance of his singer “Rollercoaster” and Larissa Eddie (who performed at the Olympic Games in 2012) joined him for their new single as well as treating stars to her own single. It was refreshing to see an urban act like this at a night like Downgirls.



It was then over to DJ Chillz to take over the helm and she made sure the now packed venue at The Black Cap was dancing right through till 3am. 

Ruby Fortune returned for a finale performance this time dressed as a nurse and performed to Rihanna’s hit “Disturbia”. 

I pinned down Missy Downgirl and asked her about the term #mingetwinge 
“I thought it was relevant in a time when women’s visibility within the LGBTQ community and in the wider community is at an all-time low to find a term that was both tongue in cheek and empowering. Why can’t women be the sexual predators? Why can’t women who like women be taken seriously? When I see a woman I find attractive and I get a certain erm… twinge… I now refer to that as a #mingetwinge. I also have named a cocktail at Bar Titania after this term, as it’s not only women that can have this effect. Ask Rita for a #mingetwinge and say Missy Downgirl sent you! So if you're proud to be a woman that likes women you should be proud to have a #mingetwinge".


Amen! I could not agree more, Missy Downgirl promised that the next night would be bigger and better than the next and she is hoping to make sure that everyone that is #queerandfierce is in attendance. The next event is on July 11th at The Black Cap. However Missy Downgirl did hint that this might not be the only event she is involved with that weekend…. For more information regarding Downgirls you can find them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and at their new website. Missy Downgirl also welcomed all to add her on Facebook.

This event did not disappoint and the vibe in the room was something reminiscent of the Astoria days, it was nice to be in a truly mixed environment where there was a higher percentage of women in attendance with music that kept you dancing all night long. I cannot wait to attend the next event. 

Pride in London Parade - A Planeteer Perspective

I was hung over, it was raining, and I woke up in a bed that was not my own at 9.30am on Saturday 28 June, this was shaping up to be a standard Saturday and even more standard Pride. I was still hanging from the previous Downgirls night (do check it out on Facebook if you haven’t already) and made the journey into central to march with Planet London and managed to not be sick on public transport. 

Whilst this was not the first time I had been a part of the parade it was the first time I had been a part of a walking group and it was the first time I had been attending alone. Despite being an event organiser and promoter this does not stop the real me and my real alter ego who I won’t name (she will punch me) from getting shy. 

What I loved about the pride march was the organisation, if someone as hung over, and to be frank stupid could find this group out of a sea of people Planet London must have done something right. The minute I found the group I instantly felt at home and welcome and saw a lot of faces I recognised. I donned my Planet London t-shirt and felt instantly at home and one of the crew. 

Naomi and Katie made sure everyone was involved and made sure the more shy and timid of the group were never alone. As well as the placards, stickers, t shirts and branded umbrellas from Planet London, the big spectacle really was the tricycle, which featured its very own sound system. This made me literally LOL and at various points made me shout to the crowd “I want to ride my tricycle I want to ride it NOW!”.

I still am upset I did not get to ride the tricycle, for some bizarre reason I found it rather sexy… maybe it was the way it looked and was decorated… maybe it was the fabulous and fierce women surrounding it… or maybe it was because I needed to rest my hungover arse and it was the only available seat… we will never know!

Despite my hangover and the fact I had my arm in a sling (don’t even ask), I managed to dance whilst holding a placard and was buzzing the full duration of the march…. For those who take hangovers as seriously as I do, I promise you this is a hangover cure like no other! Who needs the gym?! 

Bravely, Naomi and Katie allowed myself and Immanni Love to take control of the microphone and I felt both proud and liberated to talk to the strong crowd that braved the rain… I even managed to use the term #mingetwinge.. at least a dozen times ;)

So if you want to have a Pride that actually makes you feel proud rather than drunk and disorientated (you still have plenty of time to do this after the march) and you want to march for a group who support the LBQ community unlike others who just want to take your money, lie to you and that will not help you in the slightest (I mention no names and I tell you no lies), I urge you to march with Planet London next year. I will be back and this time I want to ride my own tricycle and see if we can’t get some tricycle tricks going!!! 

Thanks for the #mingetwinge ladies… until next year.

Missy Downgirl