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Artists Against Stigma - Positive lunch + Show

Lunch + show

30 Nov 2025

12:30

Toneelhuis, Komedieplaats, Antwerp, Belgium

A place where health is a right, joy is guilt-free, and art is a driver of change.
Yanis Berrewaerts

12:30 – 14:00: Lunch buffet & artistic program

Your host: drag king Raoul les mecaniques

Performances by: drag queens Ebony Nyota (Belgium) & Diva Beirut (France/Lebanon), dancer/performer Bas Van der Kruk (Netherlands), performance artists Caribe Montiel & Simon(e) Paetau (Germany/Spain)


15:00 – 16:00: Theatre Performance
Featuring: singer Leona Winter (France), spoken word activist Mel Rattue (UK), dancers Juan Cizmar & Marcos Arriola (Belgium) with live music, filmmaker Marina Vergueiro (Brazil).

Op zondag 30 november opent het iconische Bourla-theater zijn deuren voor Artists Against Stigma, een krachtig evenement dat kunst, activisme en gemeenschap samenbrengt. 


De dag start met een feestelijke Positive Lunch in de foyer, met live optredens van artiesten die leven met hiv. Drag king Raoul les mecaniques presenteert, met optredens van o.a. drag queens Ebony Nyota en Diva Beirut, performer Bas Van der Kruk, en een levend kunstwerk van Caribe Montiel & Simon(e) Paetau.


Daarna volgt een theatervoorstelling met o.a. dansers Juan Cruz Cizmar en Marcos Arriola, dragzangeres Leona Winter (bekend als winnares van The Switch Drag Race, de Chileense versie van RuPaul’s Drag Race)), en activiste Mel Rattue, die haar verhaal deelt als moeder en hiv-survivor. Filmmaker Marina Vergueiro toont haar film Letters to Myself, over de zichtbaarheid van vrouwen met hiv.


Je kan tickets kopen voor:

- De Positive lunch (12u30 - 14u) met artistieke intermezzo's + zaalshow (15u-16u)

- Enkel de zaalvoorstelling (15u-16u)


On Sunday, November 30, the iconic Bourla Theatre opens its doors for Artists Against Stigma, a powerful event that brings together art, activism, and community.


The day begins with a festive Positive Lunch in the foyer, featuring live performances by artists living with HIV. Hosted by drag king Raoul les mecaniques, the lunch includes performances by drag queens Ebony Nyota and Diva Beirut, performer Bas Van der Kruk, and a living artwork by Caribe Montiel & Simon(e) Paetau.


This is followed by a theatre performance featuring dancers Juan Cruz Cizmar and Marcos Arriola, drag singer Leona Winter (winner of The Switch Drag Race, the Chilean version of RuPaul’s Drag Race), and activist Mel Rattue, who shares her story as a mother and HIV survivor. Filmmaker Marina Vergueiro presents her film Letters to Myself, exploring the visibility of women living with HIV.


Tickets are available for:

- The Positive Lunch (12:30 – 14:00) with artistic interludes plus the theatre performance (15:00 – 16:00)

- Theatre performance only (15:00 – 16:00)


Artists Against Stigma is organized by Antwerp Queer Arts Festival, HIVISIBLE, Toneelhuis, and De Cinema.

Meet the Artist(s)

Bas Van der Kruk

Marina Vergueiro

Caribe Montiel & Simon(e) Paetau

Juan Cizmar & Marcos Arriola

Leona Winter

Raoul les mecaniques

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