E-News Februari 2025 - Get Ready for 2025: New Events & Workshops. Let’s make some New Memories!
Hello dear Okapis,
As we step into 2025, we reflect on a remarkable year shaped by new friendships, the power of music, creativity, and heartfelt moments that brought us closer. From the birth of L’Okapi to boundary-pushing performances and meaningful conversations on mental well-being, we’ve seen how music and art(ists) inspire resilience, spark joy, and create change—even in uncertain times.
💛 Thank you for being part of L’Okapi. We wish you a warm and wonderful winter season and can’t wait to create new memories with you!
This year, one of our main goals is to grow our community and create more accessible, low-key, and exciting ways to connect through creativity.🌟 L’Okapi Nights – our new monthly tradition – is at the heart of this. Join us for a (free) Community Dinner, Empowering Workshop, and/or Role Model performances, where we come together to inspire and uplift one another.
And we’re starting the year with two incredible events! 🔥 February & March – Experience the power of community at the L’Okapi Queer Night and L’Okapi House of Strength Night, where we celebrate and learn from empowering and inspiring voices.
Who’s joining us?
** All events are free — just don’t forget to reserve your ticket(s)/spot(s)!
SAVE YOUR SEAT(S) / SPOT(S)
TUE 18 FEB
L’OKAPI QUEER NIGHT
20.00 - 21.30 at Muziekgieterij
For the fourth L’Okapi Night ever, we’re teaming up with Queer Art Club Maastricht. Expect a celebration of self-expression, queerness and everything in between and beyond, amplifying the voices and stories that colour the spectrum of social norms, featuring a dazzling drag show, lecture about the Art of Drag and a very personal Q&A with drag artist Boots!
The evening will be opened by a concert of a local Okapi artists who just followed a performance workshop with Boots herself.
Get ready to shine — dress to slay!
It’s FREE, but spots are limited! Secure your spot now:
TUE 18 FEB
DINNER & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
17.30 - 20.00 at Muziekgieterij - In collaboration with Queer Art Club Maastricht
Step Into the Spotlight, bring your wigs, wings, make-up and sparkling dresses and join us for a fabulous Drag Performance Workshop led by the fabulous Boots. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or simply curious to try something new, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to embrace your unique style and let your inner star shine through storytelling and stage presence.
Beforehand, enjoy a community dinner, where we’ll connect, share stories, and celebrate the power of individuality.
It’s FREE, but spots are limited! Secure your spot now:
SAT 29 MARCH
DANCE & STRENGHT WORKSHOP
17.30 - 20.00 in Maastricht (Location Coming Soon)
by L’Okapi Artist Roshanak Morrowatian. Followed by L’Okapi House of Strength Night
Join us for a powerful and transformative dance workshop led by award-winning choreographer Roshanak Morrowatian, exploring movement, resilience, and connection. Inspired by the ancient Persian tradition of Varzesh-e Pahlevani (Heroes’ Sport), this workshop blends strength training, rhythm, and dance to unlock the power of the body and the collective spirit.
Push your boundaries while connecting deeply with others with the House of Strenght Workshop & Night.
It’s FREE, but spots are limited! Keep up with us online to make sure you’ll get a spot.
7 & 22 FEB
L’OKAPI ROLE MODEL NIGHTS
In collaboration with The Social Run & Mondriaan
VAN SCHADUW NAAR LICHT - L’Okapi Role Model Night at the Pesthuys Maastricht breaks the silence around mental health by sharing personal life stories. No fictional roles—real people take the stage to share their true experiences of pain, sorrow, joy, and resilience with the audience.
This heartfelt theater performance explores mental health through real-life stories of loneliness, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. Using spoken word, theater, music, and poetry, it offers a powerful, immersive experience. By breaking taboos and fostering reflection, it creates connection, understanding, and awareness, leaving a lasting impact on the audience and society. SOLD OUT 4x !
Spotlight on
"Personally, I see (creative) expression as the antichrist of depression — defying, dismantling, and transforming it into something powerful."
L’Okapi Artist
Charlotte Haesen
For singer-songwriter and L'Okapi founder Charlotte Haesen, music is more than an art form—it’s a means of healing, transformation, and connection. Blending influences from her Dutch, Burundian, French, and Scandinavian heritage, Charlotte’s voice carries stories of self-discovery, resilience, and the raw beauty of human emotion.
Through L’Okapi Foundation, she helps builds a platform where music, art, and community intersect, offering workshops, performances, and creative safe spaces that encourage people to truly listen—to music, to each other, and most importantly, to themselves.
L’Okapi’s New Home: Bankastudios
As of February, L’Okapi Music moved into our new creative home at Bankastraat 3, Maastricht! We’re thrilled to share this space with inspiring partners like Bankastudios, Intro in Situ, and Video Power—a hub for artistic collaboration, innovation, and community.
This marks a new chapter for L’Okapi, where music, community, and storytelling will come together in exciting new ways. Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀✨
Behind the scenes
A lot is happening, not only frontstage but also backstage! As L’Okapi grows and evolves, so does our team. This month, we’re excited to introduce a few of the amazing people joining our board behind the scenes to create a strong and helpful backbone to make it all happen.
“I believe in the power of community to drive positive change and support one another.” - Jolien
Jolien van den Houten – Chair
Jolien is deeply committed to promoting participation and well-being, especially for young people. With a background in (scientific) education and occupational therapy, she brings an analytical and solution-oriented approach to community building.
Liesbeth Bonnemayer – Secretary
Liesbeth has over 30 years of HRM experience in academic and industrial organizations, specializing in operational, strategic, and policy-level roles. She is actively involved in cultural and social initiatives, including serving as Chair of the Friends of the Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof and coordinating workshops for Dress for Success.
Tiuri van Rossum – Member
Tiuri is passionate about the development of individuals, groups, and organizations. His activities focus on board-level advisory, strategic policy advisory, and organizational development. Drawing on a scientific background in Public Administration and a PhD in Educational Sciences, he bring a multidisciplinary perspective that allows him to work transdisciplinary across multiple domains.
Snap shots
Snap shots
“Music knows no boundaries. It’s a universal language, a loyal friend in moments of joy, reflection, and struggle. In a world increasingly divided, music can bridge gaps—bringing people together regardless of backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives, reminding us of our harmony in humanity.”
L’Okapi aims to be a haven for everyone to play, listen, learn, connect or share what’s on their mind. Expect interactive concerts, skill-building workshops, thought-provoking talks, community gatherings, ongoing research, and, above all, lots of music. Whether as a musician or scientist, professional or amateur, student or caregiver. Feel free to join!
Made possible with the support of
