Club Bisous
A safe, inclusive queer hub in Umeå where
creativity, community, and performance meet.
What is Club Bisous?
Club Bisous is Escarpin Productions’ flagship event, rooted in cabaret and queer performance traditions. It provides a stage for a wide range of acts, from drag and burlesque to dance, poetry, and experimental performances, giving artists the freedom to explore, experiment, and share their work.
Every edition, guided by a new theme, celebrates creativity and collective expression. By blending performance, music, and playful experimentation, Club Bisous creates a space where queer culture thrives and audiences encounter fresh artistic perspectives each time.
Our Community
Club Bisous is built by and for the queer community. Every event provides a safe, welcoming space where performers and audiences can express themselves freely, connect with others, and celebrate queer culture. From newcomers discovering drag and burlesque for the first time to seasoned artists testing new ideas, our stage encourages experimentation, growth, and authentic expression.
- Events in our first year
- 8+
- Artists featured so far
- 15+
- Attendees per event
- 200+
- Community members involved (artists + volunteers)
- 50+
Who’s behind Club Bisous
Club Bisous is organized by Escarpin Productions, a grassroots initiative creating queer performance spaces in Umeå. Originally independent, the event quickly became a regular highlight thanks to strong community support. Today, RFSL Umeå collaborates with Escarpin Productions, providing institutional backing and helping Club Bisous connect with the wider queer community, while Escarpin continues to drive the artistic vision and production.
Why Club Bisous Matters
- Strengthening queer infrastructure in the north
- A platform for artistic risk-taking
- Community as cultural production
Northern Sweden has limited recurring queer cultural spaces. Club Bisous creates continuity, a regular platform where artists and audiences can gather, collaborate, and build long-term networks rather than one-off events.
By lowering barriers to entry and welcoming artists at different stages of their careers, Club Bisous supports experimentation. New ideas are tested, performers gain experience, and audiences encounter work that might not fit within traditional venues.
Club Bisous is not only an event; it is a collective effort. Artists, volunteers, organisers, and partners contribute to each edition. This shared production model strengthens social bonds while sustaining queer cultural life in the region.
Tickets that open doors
We prioritise accessibility. Tickets are available at multiple tiers, including pay-what-you-can Community tickets, discounted tickets for RFSL members, and free entry for personal assistants accompanying guests. The structure ensures that financial barriers are reduced while sustaining artists and production.
Ticket tiers
- tier
- Regular Ticket
- Description
- Supports venue costs, artist fees, and production. Each purchase sustains the event and the artists involved.
- Get tickets
- Get tickets
- tier
- RFSL Member
- Description
- 25% discount for members. Membership is free for those under 25 or with limited income.
- Become a Member
- Become a Member
- tier
- Bisous Community
- Description
- Pay-what-you-can tickets reserved for queer community members who cannot afford the regular price. Limited availability.
- Contact us
- Contact us
How to get involved
Club Bisous is powered by community. On stage, behind the scenes, or through collaboration, there is space to contribute.
- Performers
- Artists of all experience levels are welcome. Drag, dance, spoken word, music, experimental acts, all forms of queer expression are encouraged.
- Volunteers
- Roles include wardrobe, ticket scanning, stage support, and setup. Volunteers gain event access and insight into the production process.
- Collaborators
- We work with organisations and creatives who share our values to expand queer cultural life in Umeå and beyond.
