79 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2
Freaks Are Chic!
Pallina Michelot
L
es Louves is a collective of emerg-
ing artists from marginalized
communities to create together.
As part of the Nuit Blanche project in Mon-
treal, Les Louves put together Freaks are
chic!, a multidisciplinary event including
workshops, performances, and a dance
party for and by the LGBTQ+ community.
"'Underground' can mean below ground,
darkness, being hidden from view — so
we explored this possibility while linking
to the theme submitted by Nuit Blanche in
Montréal2020: a night in green," explains
Pallina Michelot who is part of Les Louves.
"For us, green represents the green of
night vision binoculars; that green that
For us, green represents
the green of night vision
binoculars; that green
that finally gives the
opportunity to be seen
in the dark...
finally gives the opportunity to be seen
in the dark. We see not only an event in
green according to the play of light… but
also the different cultures of 'freaks'."
Their event included conversations
that unpacked the meaning of the word
"freak" as it relates to queer history
and community. As Pallina puts it, "This
was a queer event that would not only
be a positive appropriation of many
freak cultures (those who have already
appropriated the term, including people
who have had the term imposed upon
them), but also to honor those people
who have suffered or who we have erased
from history."
A link to Les Louve's
Facebook page where
you can learn more
about them and their
activities!
