Spotlight the calendar: Carlos Gu, The Bitten Peach and Kakilang are launching East & Southeast Asian Pride UK in London this July, a packed evening of performance, market stalls and dancing that gives ESEA LGBTQIA+ communities a visible, celebratory space to meet, perform and be seen. Tickets, timing and highlights make this one to watch.

Essential Takeaways

  • What it is: A new Pride night celebrating East & Southeast Asian LGBTQIA+ communities, with drag, cabaret, live music, dance and burlesque.
  • Who’s behind it: Presented by Strictly winner Carlos Gu alongside queer cabaret company The Bitten Peach and ESEA arts charity Kakilang.
  • Where and when: Electrowerkz, London , doors 7pm, main show 9pm, club night through to 3am on 24 July 2026.
  • Community-led: The evening starts with a market fair of charities, community groups and vendors, offering a friendly, visual and tactile way to connect.
  • Atmosphere: Expect two rooms of DJs after the main show, theatrical variety acts and a warm, celebratory crowd.

Why this matters: a dedicated queer Asian space in London

This isn’t just another club night; it’s a deliberate, visible space for East and Southeast Asian LGBTQIA+ people to gather in community. Carlos Gu said moving to the UK was when he felt free to be himself, and this event is part celebration, part giving back. The market fair and charity stalls before the main show make the night feel rooted and practical, not just performative.

Kakilang’s involvement underlines the cultural mission , they’re one of only a few Arts Council-supported bodies focused on ESEA artists. That institutional backing helps the night sit somewhere between grassroots party and serious arts showcase, which is exactly the sweet spot for visibility and fun.

Who’s on the bill: talent, variety and drag with bite

Expect a main-stage show that mixes drag and cabaret with live music, dance and burlesque , a real variety bill that echoes The Bitten Peach’s approach. The Bitten Peach has built a reputation for bringing queer Asian stories out of the underground and onto bigger stages, so the show will probably be theatrical, sharp and often very funny.

If you like nights where each act surprises you, this will deliver. And for anyone cautious about seating or accessibility, look for organiser updates , events with community partners often publish practical info in the run-up.

Carlos Gu’s role: star power and representation

Carlos Gu brings headline recognition from television, which matters in two ways: it draws attention and it signals representation. As a dancer who became the first Asian and openly gay Strictly champion, his name helps the night reach beyond niche circles and into a wider public conversation.

That visibility can translate into real gains , more press, bigger audiences and more opportunities for emerging ESEA performers. It’s also a reminder that Pride comes in many forms; this one blends celebrity appeal with community curation.

Practical info: tickets, timings and what to expect on the night

Doors open at 7pm for the community market; the main show starts at 9pm and the club night runs until 3am with DJs across two rooms. If you want to browse stalls and chat with community groups, arrive early , the market is the social heartbeat of the evening.

Tickets are available online; book sooner rather than later if you want to secure a good spot for the show. Consider travel and late-night plans too , Electrowerkz is central and well served by transport, but late finishes mean pre-planning is sensible.

What it signals for the scene: more spaces, more stories

This event is part of a broader push to create cultural spaces for queer Asian artists and audiences. The Bitten Peach, founded in response to underrepresentation, and Kakilang, with long-term arts partnerships, show that this is a coordinated effort, not a one-off party.

Look ahead and you’ll see potential: repeat events, touring productions and collaborations with larger institutions. For guests it’s a chance to support artists and charities, for performers it’s a platform. For everyone, it’s simply a lively, warm night out that’s about identity, joy and creativity.

It's a small change that can make every celebration feel more like home.

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