Bad things do happen in the world like war, natural disaster, disease. But out of those situations arise stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
(Daryn Kagan)
Apocalypse can mean the unveiling of the deeper self of humanity.
(Barbara Marx Hubbard)
Every time we mention the world, we must remember that it is going to end.
(Edwin Balmer)
In a world in which both man-made and natural disasters are ever-increasing, we haven't lost everything until we have lost the ability to laugh.
(Cord Jefferson)
The International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction is championed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
This year's theme is Resilience Starts at Home, recognising that the home is both where disaster impacts are felt and the frontline of building resilience. Homes are where people live, sleep, care for each other, and seek shelter and security. This aligns with 2026's session of the World Urban Forum organized by UN-Habitat.
Disaster risk reduction relates to many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, but this year's theme of 'home' is most relevant to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which includes making human settlements inclusive and resilient.
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In honour of this, the theme for BONOBO!'s October event will be disaster.
A disaster is an event that results in great harm, damage, death, or serious difficulty.
A disaster also describes a situation that is very unsuccessful or extremely bad.
Please come with a short, true personal story from your own life that relates to a disaster. Please think widely, but please also consider the theme of 'home'.
A natural disaster?
A man-made disaster e.g. war, industrial accident?
A disastrous relationship?
A disastrous result?
A financial, culinary, artistic, or academic disaster?
Does your paid or voluntary work involve risk reduction or post-disaster management?
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As ever, the gathering is a non-sexual naked party for those who identify as men.
I would like to reiterate this is NOT a group sex party / orgy!
BONOBO! is in a studio space of a private residence within a converted factory warehouse. The feel of the venue is minimalist, with sparse furniture. Like a gallery space, I would encourage naked guests to keep circulating around the room to keep the socializing and conversation flowing! There will be some seating!
This is not an event for sexual activity. Although arousal (erection of the penis) is a normal part of male physiology and can be expected in the presence of nudity, the focus of the event is to share food, drink, and conversation and not bodily fluids or sexual pleasures! By all means please make connections, exchange contact details, and be friendly during the party.
I kindly ask all guests to respect the event as a safe space where guests can socialize without the pressure for sex. Please do not hesitate to speak to me as the host during the event if you have any questions or concerns about such activity. Please be respectful of each other - it would be nice not to have to be a sex monitor!
I am looking to build an online community of like-minded men that will be enhanced by meetings in person. In order to do this, I would ask interested men to be open to using an online platform (wildapricot.org), and to make a financial contribution towards events using an online payment system.
When booking on for an event, I would ask for dietary and drink requirements, allergies, and preferences in advance of the event. I would then use the income from bookings to provide everything for the event, including food and drink. This is not a profit-making enterprise and any surplus funds will be put towards future events.
As a result, participants do not have to bring anything to an event apart from themselves. Everything will be provided for based on the booking form information and the financial contribution provided in advance.
Please note however - no online booking? No entry.
Bookings strictly close at 12 noon on the day of the event (Tuesday 13th October).
Doors open at 6pm.
Food is served at 7pm.
Stories start at 8pm.
Last entry to the event is at 8pm before the storytelling commences.
For those who have been before, please tell at least ONE new person you think would enjoy the experience and encourage them to sign up.
Let's build this community together.
This party is for any man regardless of your relationship status or sexuality. Whether you are single, married, partnered to a man or a woman - all men who identify as men are welcome.
I look forward to seeing you and hearing your stories of disaster in Dolland Street in mid-October on the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction.
The film inspiration for this event's title is a film released the year I was born (1979) by director Francis Ford Coppola. Apocalypse Now is a film about the US-initiated war in Vietnam, a man-made disaster. It is loosely based on the 1899 novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.
There is also a song from the noughties by US songstress Kelly Clarkson called Beautiful Disaster. I particularly love her acoustic version.
Yours disastrously,
Lalith
https://www.behindyourmask.co