Dandy: The Inclusive Alt Bear Club Night Taking the UK by Storm
As we all know, the bear community came into existence because initially people with our bigger, hairier body types were shunned from mainstream gay events. And sadly, forty years later that still remains true. There is still an absolute need for bear space but we are now being called on to be more inclusive and diverse in our gatherings with respect to race, gender, and ability; and rightfully so. That is why it is so exciting when events like Dandy come along.
Dandy has thrown open its doors for bears, cubs, chubs, and those who love them but has simultaneously invited the whole LGBTQ+ community and beyond to join them for nights of fun and camaraderie on the dance floor. Everyone is welcome as long as they are cool, nice and want to party with the bears. And we are 100% here for it!
Deany Sevigny, the founder, promoter and one of the resident DJs for Dandy joins us to discuss this very special club night taking the UK by storm.
BWM: Hi Dean, thanks for joining me! What makes your event unique to other bear events in your city? Manchester is the home base, correct?
Deany Sevigny (DS): Firstly, thanks so much for reaching out! It’s really exciting to be interviewing for Bear World Magazine!
That’s right, Manchester is Dandy’s hometown. Along with being responsible for some of the best music the world’s ever seen, it’s also been the epicentre of the UK’s bear scene for longer than I’ve even been of legal age to join in. I think that’s a part of what makes Dandy special.
What I think makes Dandy unique to other bear events, however, is that the music is front and centre – I asked myself “if I’m in this community and I’m looking for a good night out, what will get me through the door and make a regular out of me?” And I realised of course that what makes me choose any night over another, is less about the crowd (although hot bears on a dance floor is always a welcome sight) and much more about if they’re playing the kind of music I want to dance to.
And not just dance to; sing and shout along to, as well!
BWM: What led you to create it? Tell us about the team behind Dandy.
DS: We recognised that the bear community was being underserved and under-represented by a lot of gay men’s spaces with very similar (restrictive) experiences.
Our ethos was “it’s for the bears, cubs, chubs, and those who love them” – we’ve always encouraged our bear crowd to bring their friends from outside of the community, their sisters, their ‘work wives’, their twink friends, their mums… Whoever! If they’re cool, they’re welcome.
Since then, the brand has grown arms and legs: there’s four of us now – myself and the incredible DJs Adaimia, Sugar Puff Daddy, and ADBT – running events across the UK and beyond, and we all bring a lot of different flavours and styles to our very eclectic clientele, from indie and pop to disco, alt. house, EDM, dubstep, metal, and anything else that takes our fancy.
The hard work and dedication we put in has seen the brand truly explode in 2024. We’ve spread our wings into other areas of the UK, as well as all the way to Greece to DJ at Bearly Athens!
BWM: What is the general vibe of the party and what kind of crowd attends?
DS: We promote that Dandy is “alt. LGBT clubbing for all the bears, beauts, femmes, freaks, Marthas, Arthurs, losers, bruisers, queens, and queers”, and that couldn’t be more true of the gorgeous people that come through our door every time.
The crowd tends to skew towards the younger end of the spectrum, but we still draw some gorgeous people of all ages. For example, one of my favourite regulars is 60, and he said to me at our last event that Dandy is the only reason he comes out to party over Manchester Pride weekend! That meant more to me than I can ever say.
As for the vibe: undiluted LGBTQ joy and a celebration of all bodies, all faces, and all genders… with a hefty dose of pizza midway through the night. Dancing all night long to amazing music burns calories, so we need to keep our people’s energy up!
BWM: You had me before the pizza, that just sends it over the top! (Laughs) What is your history and background in nightlife?
DS: I cut my DJing teeth at another alt. LGBTQ night in Manchester called Bollox, playing the kind of queer indie, punk, and disco tunes that I’d always enjoyed (think The Knife, Hot Chip, Peaches…).
It was actually myself and the man behind Bollox, my good friend Rod, that began Dandy together. From there we brought Adaimia into the fold, and when Rod opted to step back and focus on other pursuits, we decided to expand the team and invite Sugar Puff Daddy and ADBT into the mix.
Dandy was actually Adaimia and Sugar Puff Daddy’s first ever DJing gigs – and they absolutely killed it from the moment they stepped up to the decks! ADBT, meanwhile, has around 20 years of experience (he and I actually used to run a goth night called Anointed together, which took us all the way to Amphi Festival in Cologne in 2019).
BWM: When are the upcoming events? Where? Any DJs, gogos or entertainers to mention?
DS: Our very next event is Dandy Does London at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern on 28 September. That marks our debut in the south of England, and we’re joined by the hilarious and gorgeous A Man To Pet, so we’re all very excited for it!
After that is our Halloween party Pink Mass on 2 November, our wrestling-themed night Sting In The Ring for ManBears’ Pre-HiBEARnation weekend on 8 November, and then we’re guest DJing at the enormous and spectacular Homobloc on 9 November – all back home in Manchester. (Tickets are on sale now for all of the events mentioned!)
After that? Well, you’ll have to keep an eye on us to find out more!
We’d like to give special shout outs to: DJ Veles and Mike for everything, our brilliant and talented new friend Birkham, Mathu and Ian at What Do I Tell My Friends, everyone at Bearly Athens, The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Retro Bar in Manchester, and Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield; to Gareth Joyner for helping us tread amazing new ground; to the incredible talents of @patonyatesphotography, @mattitudinology, @majesticbadgerphoto, and @kelvin_oh_my_media on Instagram; to Paul and Kristian at Bear Belts and Pocket Bears Apparel; to Greg Roberts for all of your help and kindness; and to Beltrán aka Scruffy Stocky Cub (he knows why…).
BWM: Where can we follow the event on socials?
DS: You can see everything we’re up to by following us on Facebook and Instagram (@dandyqueersclub), and by joining our mailing list over at www.dandyclub.uk.
BWM: Anything else we have not covered but would like to mention?
DS: We’d love to work with more LGBTQ creatives, venues, and events, no matter where in the world. Our door is always open so please feel free to reach out via our socials/email, and let’s see if we can make something work.
P.S. Trans rights are human rights. Obviously.
