The Friday before Pride in Amsterdam this year went to Kwaku Festival. In the Nelson Mandelapark, there were loads of festivities, way too delicious food and lovely performances. We went there early to bring our gear to my family where we would stay the night, always a blessing for that weekend. And then right on time for this party!

Getting there, we were getting ready and looking through all the stands for dinner. There was way too much to choose from, we could hardly boil it down to any selection at all. So we just went for one that was near and seemed pretty okay. Turns out it was going to rain quite heavily, we were lucky to be dry in the big area from the food stall. We had quite a delicious meal, such nice roti and it was just one the best I ever had.

Then, we went to the stage and we were so close, there we met my friend’s mother and her partner. The show was so great, the energy just flowed everywhere when they hit the stage. The Sledge family was there with a lot of members, so cute! They started with Everybody Dance, which is a Chic cover, of course. Fabulous. There were so many songs that were so old, but so alive with the crowd. It was all fun and happy, what a great time to enjoy this. And that, for a festival I never heard of before, also it was quite cheap, always good. It felt amazing.

It was so awesome to be there and enjoy all the songs. I really felt “Thinking of You”, what a song. I always keep thinking of someone special, who at the time needs it, when that song is on. The feels! I really enjoyed it and it was so lovely to have enjoyed this concert with my bestie. I also enjoyed some of the songs I did not know as they are from before my years, but they were great too. All from the danceable disco era, and the show was really cool. So good to have seen that plus We Are Family and Lost in Music live, from the originals!

Afterwards, we went to some places to dance at the festival, there were some DJs doing their thing, and it all felt incredible. Terrific sets and what an audience. Everyone, like really everyone there who could hear this music, was dancing, way different from some other festivals. The vibe was so great, really enjoyed it there and had such a great time. Afterwards, we hit the gay bars in the Amsterdam centre with friends.

There’s a video from someone which features bits here, check it out!