Love Extravaganza Dinner & Open Mic

Love Extravaganza Dinner – A Feast of Flavour, Connection & Queer Magic

On August 1st, the Treehouse Pavilion was transformed into an extraordinary dining space — intimate, unexpected, and overflowing with character.
The floor was layered with soft carpets and cushions, a long low table surrounded by sofas and floor seating. This table was more than just a place to eat — it was also the stage, the centre of the evening’s performances. Covered in yellow, red, and purple tablecloths, decorated with candles, vintage objects, flowers, and feathers, the setting radiated an atmosphere that was both extravagant and welcoming: chic yet simple, refined yet deeply engaging.

Guests were greeted with a welcome drink — limoncello and pomegranate spritz — before finding their seats. At each place waited a small plate with three vegan meatballs. Suzanne, our radiant host, asked everyone to wait before eating: each would be savoured at a different moment in the evening, as part of a shared sensory journey.

The first meatball was eaten in isolation, eyes closed — first smelled, then slowly tasted. Pianist Otto accompanied the moment with an emotive improvisation, evoking solitude and introspection. This was followed by the real appetiser: delicate puff pastry bundles filled with cauliflower mozzarella and a surprise ingredient — mushroom, spinach, tomato, or beetroot — symbolising our inner uniqueness beneath a shared exterior. A blooming tapioca chip flower with mango hummus completed the plate, carrying the message: let’s open up and bloom together without fear.

Throughout the dinner, Suzanne wove the courses together with reflective questions, invited guests to take the stage, and encouraged contributions to the Love Extravaganza Wall — a collaborative space of writings, collages, colours, and any form of expression.

The main course was a vibrant rainbow bowl of rice noodles, tomatoes, carrots, paprika, cucumber, red cabbage, beets, and blueberries, topped with fried garlic, ginger, and sesame. The second meatball was to be shared with the person next to you — a playful exchange, accompanied by Otto’s lively and fleeting melody.

Then Enorma Jean took the stage with a dazzling lipsync to Don’t Touch My Tomato (originally sung by Trinidadian calypso singer Phyllis Dillon in the mid-20th century), followed by a touching personal story about socio-cultural differences between Italy and the Netherlands.
We also had a round of introductions — each guest sharing a sentence or a few words — creating a true sense of knowing each other across the table.

The third meatball was eaten while looking across the entire table, connecting with everyone present. Otto’s music now turned joyful and celebratory. Suzanne then asked which meatball was the most delicious — and the majority voted for the third. The twist: all three were identical. The difference was in our perception, shaped by the experience.

Dessert was yet another playful experiment: a dessert station with creams (coffee, chocolate, matcha, lemon) and toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate, sprinkles, and candies. Each guest filled two tartlets — the first for themselves, with their favourite ingredients, and the second to gift to another participant as a reflection of themselves. Watching the creative, colourful results was pure joy.

After the final performances and heartfelt thanks, DJ Silver took over the decks and transformed the Pavilion into a dance floor. Guests stayed, danced, and laughed late into the night.

Everything was perfect: the smooth collaboration, the professionalism of the Treehouse team, the sweetness and openness of the guests. The biggest reward? The smiles — everywhere.

Photos by Babet @hausoftrout