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.