Not every rave comes with snacks, and even fewer serve up little bowls of bolu kojo for their partygoers — but it’s only right to put a strong emphasis on food on the first day of Chinese New Year. This personal take on the traditional Indonesian dessert, courtesy of chef and Indo supper club founder Rahel Stephanie, features a miniature coconut-pandan bundt cake served over a layer of palm sugar custard, and garnished with edible flower petals. It’s not your typical rave snack, but GGI (pronounced ‘kee’) is not your typical rave.
The nightlife project started up in December 2021, after founder June Lam had resolved to create a space in London for queer people of colour — especially queer, trans and non-binary ravers of East and South East Asian descent — to gather. “It’s something I always felt like I needed,” he says, “to have the space to be with other queer and trans East and South East Asian people; to be with chosen family and be able to share culture together and celebrate one another.” The club night is also a hotspot for emerging talent, each iteration boasting a roster of queer ESEA DJs who dabble in industrial techno, electro, trance, gabber and more — with the occasional pop motif thrown in for good measure.
With a mind to documenting GGI’s second Lunar New Year party (and fourth event overall), we hit Hackney Wick with local photographer El Hogg to track down some of the rave’s best-dressed attendees and ask them about their plans for the new year, as well as some of the highlights of its celebration.
Mars, 22
What do you do? I’m a community organiser and performance artist. What brings you here tonight? GGI is just a really great collective. It’s a space for queer South East Asians to come together — I feel like London especially tends to lack those QTPOC spaces. Favourite thing about LNY? Just being with your loved ones. The joy that brings everyone together, having a good time, eating a lot of food. @commedesmartians
Bones, 29
What do you do? I’m an artist and musician. What brings you here tonight? GGI is my family. June, who runs it, is like my sibling. It’s very new and rare to be in a space where so many other queer Asians and South East Asians are celebrating themselves — especially as a community that is known for repressing things. Favourite thing about LNY? I would have to say the hongbaos! Get money! @yaya.bones
Blue, 22
What do you do? I’m a fine art student. What brings you here tonight? Wanting to feel the community during Lunar New Year. I just want to be among people I can relate to, see my friends and spend time in an atmosphere of queer acceptance. Favourite thing about LNY? The food! And the warmth that you feel from sharing it with your loved ones. I think it really connects people. @blueskystone
Robin, 21
What do you do? I’m a bartender and I’m an artist. What brings you here tonight? Because I finally saw (on Instagram) that there’s a queer, Asian event on! I wanted to come here and meet some new people. Favourite thing about LNY? Mooncakes. I’m not even Chinese but I’m all about that shit. @ro.eseng
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Dodo, 28
What do you do? I fuck about, I model, I go-go dance — whatever pays me money. What brings you here tonight? It’s fucking GGI! I want to be with my South East Asian fam on Lunar New Year. Favourite thing about LNY? The food, and the red envelopes. @dodopotato
June, 32
What do you do? I’m a community organiser and creative producer, and I founded GGI. What brings you here tonight? I run the party – I’m at work! What are you focusing on this new year? I’m focusing on abundance, but not just material abundance: spiritual abundance, and abundance in terms of friendship. @assignedfagatbirth
Puer Deorum, 25
What do you do? I’m a multidisciplinary artist. What brings you here tonight? I just tagged along with my friends. But I’ve been meaning to come to one of these for a while. What are you focusing on this new year? My intention for the new year is to travel to Asia for the first time, specifically Bangladesh where my parents are from. @puer_deorum
Nanzhen & Ruiji, 27 & 30
What do you do? N: I’m a DJ. R: Mainly sculpture, but sometimes security. What brings you here tonight? We love GGI! We’re long-time fans, we’ve been to all of their parties so far. What are you focusing on this new year? Just to keep doing the things we love. @nanzhen_____yang @ruiji_han
April, 18
What do you do? I’m a musician, Midwest emo and screamo. What brings you here tonight? My friends invited me, we’re all queer and Asian, etc. Favourite thing about LNY? It’s a new beginning! @fingernailbby
Yaya, 24
What do you do? I’m an animation student. What brings you here tonight? I haven’t been out in a while and I feel at home here. Favourite thing about LNY? Hotpot! I had some with all my Chinese pals before coming here to celebrate. @iiiaayiiaah
Mango & Samar, 26 & 25
What do you do? We’re an experimental punk duo called mirrored fatality. What brings you here tonight? One of our friends, Daebak, is performing. A lot of close loved ones are here tonight, and the art here is really inspiring! Favourite thing about LNY? Howling at the moon. @mirroredfatality
Tickets to upcoming GGI club events are available to purchase via DICE.
Credits
Photography El Hogg