We are KALEIDO: a sparkling queer collective of artists & performers creating all kinds of abusrd experiences. Want to know more about where we came from and what we stand for? Read on darling! 💗

We create in the spirit of the Radical Faeries, a non-movement born in the 1980s in the United States as a radical alternative to the mainstream gay movement. Since then, the faeries have spread across the globe, drawing inspiration from pagan, feminist, ecological, communist, and anarchist traditions. You’ll recognize us by our independence, community spirit & unapologetic self-expression. And that self-expression shines brightest during our legendary No-Talent Shows.

KALEIDO Collective was born at Folleterre, the heart of the European Radical Faeries. There, a bunch of campy queers fell under the spell of the No-Talent Show, the creative highlight of every gathering. Three years ago, in a squatted carwash in Utrecht, we hosted our very first show KRANKENHAUS. What started as a birthday party gone off the rails became the birth of KALEIDO!

Over the past three years, we’ve brought our shows to many places: Vrankrijk, Sexyland, Ruigoord, Bruiloft festival, Zwarte Cross, De Sering, Theater de Meervaart, EKKO, De Nijverheid and TivoliVredenburg. Possibly our favorite spot is the Queer Space at Landjuweel, where we queerify Ruigoord! We love quirky venues where we can treat as many visitors as possible to an unforgettable hysterical experience.

No theme is too much for us. From addiction to sex, from queer theory to trashy drama, and from alien invasions to twink death: we turn it all into stories you won’t find anywhere else. While we keep our shows as accessible as possible, our in-between acts by all kinds of (non)-Talented performers offer playful reflections on the world we live in.

In all sorts of playful ways, we invite vistiors and performers to explore how they deviate from the norm. To (re)discover the queerness within: how are you different in your gender expression, sexuality, or preferred relationship style? And in what ways are you holding back from expressing yourself in your most authentic way?

We embrace the rebellious spirit that the queer community has always carried in resistance to normativity. To dare to be yourself, to liberate yourself from societal judgment and imposed boundaries. That liberation is what we aim to celebrate at the heart of every show. But at KALEIDO, we do this in an extravagant and absurd fashion. For example, imagine a gang of queer villains infiltrating a festival, out to queerify everything and everyone in sight... 

We believe that when you recognize queerness within yourself, you develop a deeper understanding of our vast diversity and fluidity. In a time where empathy and acceptance are severly under pressure, and where trans & non-binairy lives are increasingly scapegoated, we fight back. In true Radical Faerie spirit, we do this through self-expression, love, vulnerability, and playfulness.

We see that many queers grow up with a deep longing for creativity and self-expression. But as teenagers, that expressive spark often gets shut down. And then, suddenly, you're an adult, caught in a capitalist system that values productivity and profit above all else. Wonder, joy, and authentic expression quickly get buried under the pressure to perform.

We think that’s a damn shame! And we want to be a counterforce. Letting go of deeply rooted ideas about performance, success, and commodification of art is incredibly freeing. At every KALEIDO show, someone makes their debut on stage, someone who never thought they’d dare to perform. A talent night like at summer camp, where you’re finally allowed to show your inner child.

We challenge the elitism of traditional art spaces. Through the interactive nature of our events, we offer our stage to as many people from our community as possible. Everyone deserves to feel safe stepping into the spotlight, even if it’s messy or imperfect. Especially if it’s messy or imperfect! By doing this, we push back against the toxic grip of perfectionism and pressure to conform. Authentic expression is for everyone, and we’re here to offer an open stage and loving crowd.

Our collective now consists of a vibrant mix of Radical Faeries, all enchanted by the magic of the No-Talent Show and eager to spread and multiply this creative whirlwind. Our core team includes five fabulous members, each contributing something essential to bringing ourvision to life. Around this core is a growing community of queer artists, workshop facilitators, performers, DJs, and builders. From makeup and decor to hosting and music: together, we build a playground for discovery, self-expression, and queer joy.

We’re all volunteers, passionately dedicated to KALEIDO. This year, for the first time, we’ve received funding from three arts foundations and work closely with Stichting de Bruiloft. We’re using this support to make our shows even more legendary, from costumes to set design, and from stickers to megaphones.

Will we see you too at our next show? Contact us if you're curious or want to work together! ✨