Prominent Utrechters talking about their favourite spot in the city. This month: Rashida Tauwnaar alias DJ Shug La Sheedah tells us about the Steck garden centre in Overvecht-Noord. So… Steck? ‘I have a great love of nature and plants, and I think the formula at Steck is pretty special. The garden centre’s café, Noordertuin, mainly uses ingredients from their own garden, and they organise workshops and activities, like a ‘maize maze’ in the autumn. Children can do their thing here and have a chance to learn something. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer just over two years ago, I made a point of walking here every day for a cappuccino with oat milk or a midday snack to aid my recovery. This active approach seems to have worked: I was given the all-clear in October.’ Biggest disappointment? ‘All the speeding cars in Overvecht and the lads on scooters who don’t look where they’re going. I’ve already knocked two of them off their bikes, luckily without serious injury. I grew up in this neighbourhood and eventually moved back; I’m glad I did. There are lots of local initiatives and new houses. More local businesses from the community are now based in the shopping centre, like shops selling Moroccan wedding clothes.’ Guilty pleasure? ‘I love lying in, staying in bed until two in the afternoon, although my days of all-nighters as a DJ are over now. Having cancer, and losing both parents, has made me more serious. I’ve reinvented myself. I used to be up for anything, a real party DJ, but now I only do things that are close to my heart. I did a set to close Black Achievement Month in October, for example, I was part of the support act for Diana Ross and Lauryn Hill, and I teach DJ classes to talented youngsters. I had to learn about DJing myself, but now I want to pass on what I know.’ Best memory? ‘The thing that springs to mind is walking through the city centre with my brother, sister and mother. My mother was in a wheelchair by then, and didn’t have long to live. She had a rare brain condition and died at 66. She used to work in the council‘s Public Space department and we wanted to show her the beautiful renovation work on Hoog Catharijne. I inherited her pride of Utrecht to me. Having said this, I moved away from Utrecht for a while because I felt constricted. This has changed now, partly thanks to the House of Hiphop creative centre, where I work as a volunteer.’ Last thing you watched? ‘The première of the solo performance Desirée by the Rightaboutnow Inc. theatre collective, starring the actor Ritzah Statia. It’s on in Utrecht in early December. I’ve been following Rightaboutnow since they performed at my primary school. Desirée is the story of a young woman of colour, who has to cope with a teenage pregnancy and lover-boy practices. In the show, she talks openly about her mental health issues, and how she deals with them. I identified with her resilience: like her, I carried on, despite my illness and the loss of my parents. The realisation that I’m not the only one with a hard life really hit home.’ Inspirational Utrechter? ‘Natalja Macnack from the Surinamese Tori Oso foundation, which organises cultural activities to create more, stronger ties in the city. She prefers to stay in the background and let other people take centre stage. I’ve been DJing for 15 years now, and Natalja was one of the first to ask me to do a set, at a black hair event. People didn’t really take women DJs seriously back then, and sometimes I was even asked to do my set in a dress, which I refused point blank. I’ve always had my own style, and everything I enjoy seems to be coming together right now. As well as my work, I’ve got a part-time job as a teaching coordinator at EKKO. This combination has completed my story.’