Last weekend the popular Milkshake festival took place in the Westerpark. Well-kept secret: for the real highlight of the festival you have to be at Mini Milkshake the day before. Café Dapper and the VVA were also well represented this time. Even René and Frans were present this year and loved it.
Lots to experience
“Welcome to Mini Milkshake and have fun! ’ a man (Fred van Leer) shouts with a megaphone from a high lifeguard chair. Mini Milkshake is already filling up nicely, even though the site has been open for barely half an hour. There is therefore a lot to experience this afternoon, such as dancing and going crazy at two different stages, playing bingo or making up and immersing yourself in glitter in the make-up tent.
Good atmosphere and diversity
Mini Milkshake has grown rapidly in recent years. In addition, the festival could count on many enthusiastic volunteers and supervisors this edition. The atmosphere of Milkshake is great for people with intellectual disabilities. The music, the rhythm and the bright colors: it is all very sensory and therefore also very suitable for the somewhat lower levels’. In addition, diversity is an important theme within Milkshake (the LGBTI community is strongly represented), something that often also applies to people with disabilities.
Being accepted
Just be yourself. That includes kissing. Monique and Frans had the greatest pleasure. Telling dirty jokes to each other. What fun we had!!!
As the festival draws to a close, more and more clients find their way to and on stage. “Rah rah ah-ah-ah!”: A boy grabs the microphone and sings along to Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. His name is Jess and he has been a visitor from the very beginning. Jess is ambassador of the Café Okay, a meeting place for LGBTI people with an intellectual disability. “This atmosphere of togetherness suits me well. Also I am not afraid here, it feels safe. And that is sometimes different in the outside world’, says Jess.
It was a great afternoon and definitely worth repeating.