Florida’s rave scene is no stranger to being lively. But Femmetek Entertainment breathes a different kind of life into the scene. Femmetek hosts femme- and nonbinary-centered events based in Central Florida. Founded by DJ, organizer, and visionary Bunnii Castano, Femmetek exists to push back against toxic hierarchies and rewrite what a rave community can look like.
Femmetek creates spaces where nonbinary, femme, and queer trans people are not only welcome, but celebrated. They’re on the decks, in the crowd, and behind the scenes. Bunnii’s mission is clear: no more spaces where femme and nonbinary folks have to shrink themselves. At Femmetek events, the energy is loud, raw, and unapologetic.
After a powerful rebrand born out of heartbreak and resilience, Bunnii has built something that feels revolutionary – and necessary. I was able to speak with them about what sparked Femmetek, what makes it vital to the scene, and what comes next for a nonbinary collective changing the Central Florida rave scene with one hard techno set at a time.
The Birth of Femmetek
I started hosting events with someone I was dating, and eventually, he turned my world upside down. I lost everything. In a scene where hierarchies run deep and protect the wrong people, I wanted to rebuke that. I wanted a queer space radically centered around those who are nonbinary and femme-presenting. Even though it was a painful journey, I thank the universe for taking away all of the disingenuous individuals from my life so I could blossom all on my own and create something so beautiful for the community that nursed me back to health when I was in such a dark place.
– Bunnii Castano
Lauren Nelson, Electric Hawk: What does it mean to hold space for nonbinary, femme, and queer and trans people of color in the electronic scene?
Bunni: This is a space to celebrate and honor the same ones who pioneered and trailblazed the emergence of electronic dance music. A lot of collectives have no clue about the roots of house and techno. They just book their cis white male friends over and over. Not to say they can’t be platformed, but to ONLY book these people is a huge disservice to the origins of this community.
Between the music itself and the culture around it, the entire scene exists thanks to trans people, Black people, queer people, and femmes. Chicago, Detroit, and New York – these places made the foundation. Although I’ve seen some improvement in more collectives aligning with the right intentions, there is also a heavy influx of young and ignorant collectives that perpetuate negative stereotypes of the EDM scene. There’s a lot of work left to do in the scene of Central Florida.
LN: For someone who’s never been, how would you describe the energy at a Femmetek event?
Bunnii: New Femmetekians should expect the energy to exude radical nonbinary artistry, unapologetic queer fashion, sexy hard techno DJ sets, and unhinged drag performances! I love sticking to a theme, so expect the same vibes as the promo and lookbooks I usually post.
From the organizer (me) to the DJs, hosts, vendors, venues, and staff, nonbinary people are always at the forefront! This is a place filled with radical acceptance for gender presentation, especially femme energy. We make sure no one gets discriminated against here, period.
I don’t book people based on fame or clout. We absolutely prioritize our community in every way, which is oftentimes overlooked in the rest of the electronic music scene.
LN: What’s been one of your favorite or most affirming moments at a Femmetek event so far?
Bunnii: It’s hard to pick just one. I think about my drag performers going crazy while everyone is screaming and clapping. It’s so lit and makes me incredibly emotional.
Or just standing in the back of the room in the middle of a DJ set, watching the crowd dance like crazy. That makes me feel so proud. It’s also affirming to recognize people who I’ve seen on social media finally come out to my shows and post about it afterwards!
The world needs more artistic and musical spaces for minorities and anyone who doesn’t feel like they fit in. You can make anything happen!
– Bunnii Castano
LN: Building a community isn’t easy. What challenges have come up along the way, and how have you moved through them?
Bunnii: After everything with my ex, it was really hard to trust people again. He tried to turn my community against me, but after I moved away from Orlando, I made so many connections in Tampa.
There were challenges, of course, but they weren’t impossible to solve. Mostly transportation, venue fees, decoration funds, volunteer staff, and sound equipment rental. But the only way out is through, and you must lean into your community. I’ve negotiated, traded, and asked for help to make sure all my events are stellar.
Huge shout out to Sophia Karaganis for driving me to and from shows, setting up lighting and sound, and always being there for me. She has been a huge reason why Femmetek was able to have such amazing shows this year.
LN: How have your own identity and lived experience shaped how you curate femme and nonbinary-centered events?
Bunnii: I have always been visibly queer. I’ve faced bullying, hate speech, physical and religious abuse due to my gender expression and sexuality. For a while, I had to hide my queerness a bit out of safety and peace of mind.
Now, at 23, I identify as a pansexual, sappho-romantic nonbinary person who is comfortable with they/them/elle pronouns. My gender is still something I’m exploring, but I mostly present femme. I know what it’s like to be someone like me and not have a safe space, especially in Florida nightlife.
There were no safe raves in Orlando for a while, and that led to hate crimes and bad experiences for my friends. I was able to provide that space for a while, and then was able to do the same for the Tampa Bay area.
I think it’s important that the organizer is someone who represents the mission and target audience. I am Femmetek, personified. The four main events that I want to host every year are extremely representative of my likes and aesthetics: The Non-BinaRAVE, Equinox/Solstice Soiree, Intergalactekk, and Club Hardcore.
LN: You’re also a DJ and producer! How does that work tie into your vision?
Bunnii: Yes, I am DJ Lunar Symphony! I can DJ any genre, but my love is hard, industrial, and acid techno. That’s what makes me feel alive. I also produce hardcore, gabber, and experimental techno. I am actually working on an EP that will include six songs, each one featuring a subgenre of techno.
Although it’s not the only inspiration, my personal sound is a huge influence on the type of DJs I book for Femmetek events. Whether it’s me on the decks or DJs like Vall3y, Project Pluto, or DJ Stardoll, you’ll always hear hard techno somewhere throughout the night.
LN: What’s next for Femmetek Entertainment?
Bunnii: Femmetek is officially international! I’m back in my home country of Colombia until October. I’m planning an all-femme lineup in collab with El Refugio Cafe Bar in my village, Villamaría Caldas. That’s huge for me because I never thought I’d be this openly queer in my very small village.
I also have some renegades in the works for August and September to host an all-night hard techno rave on a farm.
Why Femmetek Matters
Femmetek Entertainment‘s femme and nonbinary-centered events are rewriting the rules of rave and nightlife culture. Femmetek shows that spaces for safety, freedom, and radical expression are not only possible but necessary. In a scene still dominated by social hierarchies, Bunnii proves that community, authenticity, and resilience can build something stronger: community. It is an invitation for marginalized groups to take up space and do it loudly.
Support Femmetek and DJ Lunar Symphony:
Soundcloud | Femmetek Instagram | Lunar Symphony Instagram
Stay in touch with Electric Hawk & all our coverage
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitch | Radio Show
Looking for new music? Keep up with our weekly Spotify Playlist, Fresh Hunts. Updated every Friday with all the latest releases. Whether it’s the newest drops from all your favorite artists, some old-school, or underground… we want you to hear it.
