Shaan Knan is a London-based EDI consultant, educator and heritage professional. He is the Project Manager of Club Kali’s Where East meets West project.

He has previously founded and run landmark LGBTQ+ heritage projects including A Legacy of Kindness, Rainbow Jews, Twilight People and Rainbow Pilgrims – made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

As a sound artist, radio producer, community facilitator and educator, Lucia Scazzocchio has been nurturing and curating hyper-local contexts, distilling diverse and disparate stories and conversations that weave individual personal stories to illustrate and explore wider social narratives.

She calls this ‘Social Broadcasting’. Driven by creating engaging participatory radio and audio experiences that she ‘audioscapes’ into imaginative on and off-line broadcast initiatives and formats, Social Broadcasting represents the versatility of audio as an evolving social and artistic medium.

www.socialbroadcasts.co.uk

Sakib works for LGBT+ Consortium as London Engagement Officer. They have a background primarily within the creative sector across the visual and performing arts starting out however in fashion. Alongside this, they have worked with the South Asian LGBTQ+ community. Sakib’s work has seen them hold many roles mostly they see themselves as an artist, curator and producer.

One of their favourite activities is putting on the kettle “for a cuppa” rather different from their time ‘living in nightclubs” but they can still be tempted (quite easily – especially if it’s a Club Kali night 😊) out to throw some shapes.

Seán McGovern is a Heritage Project Manager at the London Borough of Islington. He managed the Islington’s Pride project, which collected, preserved and celebrated Islington’s influential contribution to the story of British LGBTQ+ history.

Seán has extensive previous experience as a film festival producer and programmer, working with BFI Flare, BFI London Film Festival, and was head of GAZE: Dublin International LGBTQ+ Film Festival from 2020 – 2021. Community heritage is both his work and passion, with experience in restorations, public art, community engagement, oral history collection and public events.

I am a curator with a passion for making culture and heritage spaces more accessible, enjoyable, and relevant to underrepresented audiences. My recent work at a borough council museum has involved securing grants to improve community investment in their heritage, creating a more inclusive and expansive permanent gallery, and delivering temporary exhibitions on a range of historical and art historical topics.

Jennifer is a curator, cultural producer and researcher with a decade of experience working in curation and cultural production through exhibitions, film festivals, community events and public programmes. Currently she is Head of Programme and Collection (Curator) at Queer Britain. Prior to joining Queer Britain she was Curator, Public Programmes at Tate Modern and Tate Britain where she led on Queer and Now (2023) with E-J Scott. She has taught on both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and is currently researching her PhD thesis at the University of Leicester titled ‘An exploration of how museums of gender and sexuality (from 1981-present) curate and disseminate alternative understandings of identity, and how their work affects public debate.’ Supervised by Professor Richard Sandell.

Freelance creative working across figurative and abstract art in oils, acrylic, and mixed media. One-off upcycled wear with each piece remodelled to date.

Alongside visual art, I produce music as part of the same process to include individual experiences.

Follow the work: Instagram & TikTok @jazzbhopal and @dillettantethe

DJ Ritu MBE is a globe-trotting turntablist, broadcaster, producer, curator, Fine Arts graduate, equalities activist, and the voice of the UK’s definitive independent global music show, A World in London. Her 37-year career includes two decades at the BBC, co-founding 90s cult label Outcaste Records, and touring in over 35 countries as a band-leader and solo artist. Ritu is a pioneer of the ‘Asian Underground’ and Bhangra scenes, opening doors for other artists globally. She has been decolonising dancefloors & radio airwaves since the 80s, connecting cultures through music, and trailblazing paths for women and PoC artists.

Ritu is the founder and artistic director/DJ of the world’s two longest-running South Asian music club nights – Kuch Kuch Bollywood Nights (23 years) and Club Kali (28 years) – and the UK’s first ever queer SWANA music club, Hoppa (est 2000).

Formerly the SOAS Concert Series Producer, Ritu is a member of the Mayor’s London Music Board, and European World Music Charts panel.
In 2023, DJ Ritu was awarded an MBE in King Charles III first birthday Honours list, for services to music and broadcasting.

Rita (OBE) took her inspiration for Club Kali from her work in the field Domestic Violence (DV). A Social Psychologist, she established innovative projects including BAME Refuges and services, Outreach Projects. She re-established the UK’s only National LGBT DV Helpline. As a Consultant / Trainer, and expert in this field she understands the prevalence and impact of issues on the lives of LGBTQ people.

The need for a safe space drove Rita & DJ Ritu to establish Club Kali as a safe, and celebratory event space welcoming all LGBT/Queer people. Club Kali’s unique model provides a sense of belonging and support for this community, now more than ever on issues such as coming out, prejudice, HIV, mental/physical health, domestic violence, forced marriage, discrimination, and issues to reduce the isolation we face, and to work with partners to address the gaps toward creating a more just, and equitable world for our communities.

www.clubkali.com