Summer nights in São Paulo are steamy but they're no match for the heat of a Mamba Negra party. At the March 5th event, sweat dripped off walls, bodies and speakers in spirit with the chosen theme of "minha cuceta igual piano." Roughly translating to "play my ass like a piano," it referenced MC Byana’s 2012 hit "Minha Buceta Você Toca Igual Piano," producing sensual energy on both the stage and the dance floor.

Many attendees wisely chose to wear the bare minimum for the ten-hour-long event, which took place in a 100-year-old building that once housed Ford's first car factory in Brazil. Residue from afternoon rains was still in the air, but inside the space, it felt like a world operating on its own terms. Amid a sea of kaleidoscopic outfits, goth kids, Rio funk enthusiasts and drag queens shared moments of dance floor communion, celebrating their non-conforming existences.

Founded in 2013 by DJ Cashu and Laura Diaz, AKA Carneosso, Mamba Negra operates as a queer-focused club night and collective that's rooted in political activism. Whether releasing music or hosting livestreams, its community-oriented ethos has made it a safe space for regulars and newcomers to experiment with sounds, clothes and dancing. Its recent return after a pandemic-induced hiatus is especially welcomed in Brazil's far-right political climate, where the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals are constantly threatened under President Jair Bolsonaro's administration. "You can't be sad here, I feel an immense joy," TikTok user Alexandre Diorio summed up in a review of a 2021 party.

Last weekend's gig featured a range of local acts new and known. These included Valentina Luz, MU540, MC Naninha, rappers Tasha & Tracie as well as DJ BADSISTA. Multi-instrumentalist Malka performed a new live set while Porto Alegre-based Fritzzo and Omoloko from Belo Horizonte made their Mamba Negra debut. It's incredibly meaningful to play for Mamba Negra's attentive crowd, Fritzzo told Resident Advisor. Saskia, a multidisciplinary artist based in São Paulo and a Mamba regular, points to the party's careful curation as its main appeal. "It's a taste of the Brazilian underground," she explained. "They truly bet on people who are starting out. It feels like open research on contemporary electronic music made here."

Meet some of the faces who graced the March event.

Augusto Chiarella

"I come to techno parties to express who I am in an intimate way," the trendy dresser from São Caetano said at his second Mamba Negra event. He was deciding between rocking a metallic dress and a harness, but he eventually went with the former option because it matched his "futuristic" style.

Camis Mendes

This visual producer was inspired to attend Mamba Negra after getting a first-rate recommendation. "My friend loved it, it was the most inclusive [event] she ever went to," Mendes said. "She's a trans woman, so I deeply respect her feelings. I needed to check it out." It doesn't matter if you're from the perifa (periphery of São Paulo) or if you're patricinha (preppy); everyone's here to have a good time, Mendes described.

DJ Fritzzo

Playing for the first time at Mamba Negra, the DJ recounted her 1:30 AM set as really high energy. "I'm very emotional to see my friends in the front. I feel very accomplished as an artist."

Giulia Del Bel and Taciana Bastos

This party is an opportunity to have fun with your look, commented actress Del Bel. "No one will be shocked if you decide to put on something extravagant." Her friend had a different take on rave attire. "I feel like it's hard to be different because everyone is thinking about doing that," said Bastros. "I thought about coming all in white but my shoes would get dirty."

Jabari

Wearing a shirt that says "Expensive Shit," one of the projects by sister duo Tasha & Tracie, this filmmaker said Mamba Negra is one of his favourite parties. "It's only my second time but my friends would always recommend it."

Jefferson Roberto and Janderson Marques

This couple hasn't missed a party since 2019. "It's all about being yourself," said Marques. "The look represents so much about you so we put our personalities out there to find what we're going to wear. This is also the place to wear what you don't normally."

Luma Paula Nascimento and Thamires S

Jewellery designer Nascimento didn't originally plan on coming tonight but has been enjoying the event so far. "I'm here by chance…. I really wanted to see [Tasha & Tracie] live."

Renan Guerra

"I feel like Mamba is always surprising and never what you expect from a party that plays techno. The lineup shows that. Choosing to enjoy the night in a Jup do Bairro t-shirt and short shorts, he was excited to rave with friends after two years of cancelled events. "The venues are so important. This place is huge with different ambiences. I'm loving it."

Sand Melo

"It's my first time here. I'm trans, Black and loving it. I just met you guys and everything is great." Melo described her look as something she can "go fetch some bread in or to go on a first date with a boy."

Saskia

"I'm wearing what we call a mandrake girl look. Every part of the look was less than R$10 (1.50 pounds) and bought at 25 de Março street. My hair was made by Aya Ibeji, an amazing researcher on Black history and nagô braids. She knows what portals she opened in me." Saskia wanted to get braids but still be able to head bang during the evening, so she decided to put on some colourful laces. "We don't live only for making art, we're also after beauty."

Serpente Gabriel

A performer who helps with the party's production, Gabriel is in charge of the Mamba Negra merch, which includes t-shirts and tulle blouses. "Fashion's too skinny, so what I bring to Mamba is celebrating beauties that are outside the box."

Tamiris Marques

"I feel a little embarrassed sharing thoughts on what I'm wearing," said the professional body piercer. "I would say largado (which means to not give it much thought), because you have to be very comfortable to enjoy the experience to the fullest."

Yela Evangelista

The stylist and model summed up her look in three words: "summer, bikini, freedom."