Belgian’s daring hit Party concept EXTRAVAGANZA takes normally place every two months in Antwerp and now they are going to celebrate their 3rd year with the party “EXTRAVAGANZA: MEN AT WORK” this Saturday the 27th of May at Cargoclub in Antwerp!!!
Its concept slogan ‘Come as you are’ says it all: it’s an open-minded event and welcomes a crowd of various kinds. Extravaganza is above all a place where you can be and express yourself in all openness. Time to see how open some of the crew members and the organizers are. PINK IN OUR LIVES spoke with them and will feature each of them on our website.
Third one in the spotlight is one of the beautiful female dancers of EXTRAVAGANZA: Maddy Kengen
Her bio is: ‘Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk’. Well I guess ABBA is right! Ever since I can remember I have been dancing passionately. When I was barely three years old I started taking classes. Starting with ballet/ jazz I got to dance with the ‘big girls’ for an audience and it was then when I lost my heart to performing. Later on I started to learn about hiphop/ house dancing and started to teach. I joined several dance-companies and became Dutch Hip Hop champion a couple of times. We even won some international championships and became the 4th of the whole world! My heart still truly belongs to performing so now I can say I have been dancing together with some people I really admire. Such as SNAP!, Rozalla, Fatman Scoop, Martin Solveig, Buscemi, Hot Chocolate, Candi Staton, Dr Lektroluv, Natalia and many more. I’ve had the opportunity to dance at huge events such as: Tomorrowland, Studio 54 Sportpaleis, I love the 90’s, Reverse, Laundry Day, Only White, Gay Pride, etc.
So now, as a new chapter I can proudly say I am a resident dancer/ entertainer/ performer of the wonderful Extravaganza family. And when I say family, it’s because it really feels like one. Everyone is welcome, free and special. Dress up or strip down. Just come as you are…
What does Extravaganza means especially for you?
“Extravaganza to me is a group of creative people (in any way possible) that come together as a family to create a place where everybody can be free, sexy and have fun in their own special way. For me as a dancer it gives me the space and opportunity not only to move but also truly entertain and get to know our audience. That is a very special feeling.”
Tell us your greatest Extravaganza memory of all the parties that has been done?
“All our Extravaganza parties are absolutely great! A very special memory is when we all visited the Gay Pride in the channels in Amsterdam on a boat. We had to ride our bikes like a big Extravaganza parade through the city and then party on the boat. This really made us come together even more and we had loads of fun all weekend. Good times!”
How do you feel about Gaypride and do we still need it these days?
“Being proud of who you are will forever be needed. And why not celebrate it?”
What is your ultimate Extravaganza DREAM concept/outfit?
“Let me just first say that Harald is THE best! He always makes me feel beautiful, sexy, fun, crazy, kinky or whatever is needed for that theme. He works his ass of every time and he deserves so much credit! The man with the golden hands and the golden heart. My dream concept would be something like a Mad Max style. Harald could really go crazy.”
If you could change something in the LGBT community, what would it be?
“I wish for everyone in this community to really be kind to one another but most of all to themselves. Don’t compare yourself to other people, you will never win that game. You are your own special self. Accept what’s there and most of all: what is not. Embrace it, love it and celebrate it together with your Extravaganza family.”
How would your life look like after TEN years from now?
“Wow, 10 years from now I hope that Extravaganza will have lived on, with even bigger parties and crazier events. For myself I hope to be healthy, and to have traveled this big world even more.”
Tell our readers a secret about yourself that not many people know about you?
“That I’m secretly in love with my co-dancer Janneke? Oh no wait everybody knows that hahaha.. No just kidding but she is my soul sister and we love working with our Extravaganza family!”
Short answers/reactions:
Favorite holiday destination: “Colombia or Myanmar I’m madly in love with both.”
Last time you laughed: “I laugh every day, even if it’s just with myself.”
Marriage or children: “I would love both.. and hopefully in the near future.” (One wish will come true soon, because Maddy and her hunky boyfriend Gunther will give birth to a baby this July)
Favorite music: “Everything that moves me, gives me chills, goosebumps or happy tears”.
Clubbing or bar hopping: “Clubbing after I’ve hopped a few bars ;o)”.
Favorite sexual position: “However my beautiful man wants me.”
Pink In Our Lives: “You can never have enough pink in your life, or glitter, or heels.”
Favorite designer: “Harald Ligtvoet off course.”
Naughty or nice: “Nice during the day.. Naughty by night…“
Milkshake or Tomorrowland: “Milkshake.”
Boxers or briefs: “My man looks hot in both, without as well…”
Future goal: “To live in the moment, be light and present. Travel even more. Keep enriching my life with beautiful moments, memories and adventures..”
Keep in touch with Pink In Our Lives to find out which Extravaganza personality will be featured next. Find also out more about this great party concept at www.extravaganza-party.be
Unfortunately Maddy will not be there upcoming Saturday, because she is very PREGNANT and could not look even more beautiful than before but she does. We wish her and her man Gunther all the best wishes with their soon-to-be-there little baby and we are so happy for them. But join us and this amazing crew for a celebration at Cargo Club and party till dawn with them!!!
Please follow us for more at Facebook, Youtube, Instagram , Twitter or Tumblr
Fill out your email address at www.pinkinourlives.com for more updates, news, stories, parties and more!!! DON’T SAY IT, BUT SPRAY IT!!!
Big kiss,
Lesley Middleton, owner of PINK IN OUR LIVES