London queer sex-positive rave Joyride announces Dublin edition

London's queer sex-positive rave Joyride is coming to Dublin.

The debut Irish edition of the popular party will soft launch with a social event at Dublin's Racket Space on 21st November, followed by a rave at The Grand Social on 21st December.

The first event on the 21st will comprise a "fireside chat" with Joyride co-founders — Irish sex educator MJ Fox and Mancunian DJ Lydia Fikan — "exploring sex parties, Joyride, the ‘kink scene’, community building and sexual exploration".

Meanwhile, artists confirmed for the rave in December include Caít b2b Síofra, Mercorn (Tender), Rhyzine and Dark Mavis. Tickets can be picked up for both events here.

Speaking about the Dublin edition, MJ Fox said: "It feels very symbolic and significant to have my hometown of Dublin as our first international destination. We’ve witnessed huge shifts in Irish attitudes towards sex and sexuality in the last few years—most clearly with marriage equality and the repealing of the 8th Amendment. There’s now an openness to different sexualities and facets of sexual exploration that would have felt very foreign even half a decade ago. 

"At the same time, as these shifts have been happening, we’ve seen these unreal homegrown queer parties and DJs doing bits, and we thought, OK, Dublin, we see you. Let’s try this out."

Joyride launched at London's Corsica Studios last year and has been putting on bi-weekly events in London since then, hosting DJs such as Melle Brown and Taxila, eoin dj, Marie Malarie and Henderson, Club Fitness with TALK2FRAN.K, Ms.G and Manfredas.

The party aims to promote values of joy, playfulness, and exploration, and create a sex-positive safe space while showcasing a broad spectrum of dance music. A playroom, custom designed by Domhnall Nolan has been conceived to challenge preconceptions of kink furniture and club darkrooms.