Let yourself be seen from the inside. Let’s go Beyond the Surface.
Beyond the Surface is a refreshing connection experience for anyone craving something more meaningful than the usual small talk. Meeting new people can feel shallow—but this event proves that real intimacy can happen anywhere, even between strangers.
Guided by creator Sharlene Durfey François and her Intimacy Cards, you’ll move through rounds of partner-based connection using Emotional, Physical, and Energetic prompts. You’ll be invited to lower your walls, share openly, and explore authentic, judgment-free interactions. Here, weird is wonderful and being yourself is the whole point.
Think of it as a new kind of game night—one where the prize is a genuine moment of connection, a new friend, or simply a deeper understanding of yourself. Come alone or with friends, and bring an open mind and an open heart.
Space is limited, and every ticket includes a 5€ voucher toward your own deck of Intimacy Cards so you can continue to go beyond the surface long after the event.
Our cozy new private venue will be shared a few days before the event. Don’t forget your house shoes—and your curiosity.
Let’s go beyond the surface together.
Join the telegram group for updates or follow @intimacycards on ig.
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Beyond the Surface : Last one of the year!
Date: Dec. 11th, 2025
Time: 7-10pm (arrive between 6:45-7) no one allowed in past 7:15pm
Where: Private Location (Neukölln) You will be sent the location the week of the event. “BYOHS” - Bring your own house shoes! -
If you're tired of small talk and craving connection that goes beyond the surface… this event is for you.
If you're curious to experience intimacy in a new way, come with an open mind and an open heart.
If you're tired of feeling like you have to perform or filter yourself to be accepted, and you want to meet others who are also seeking something real - this gathering is made for you.
This is not a dating event.
It’s a space for people to connect deeply - platonically, authentically, and emotionally. No pressure, no pretense, just presence. -
Sharlene, the creator, artist and founder of the Intimacy Cards and Beyond the Surface will be your MC for the evening, curating your experience with the Intimacy Cards.
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Ticket price is 20€ and includes a free welcome drink. Bring cash for more drinks and a chance at the raffle (to win a deck of Intimacy Cards and some other prizes).
Ticket price also includes a 5€ voucher off a deck of Intimacy Cards.
Get your ticket here
What are they saying?
“One thing which many people value about Berlin is its anonymity. We’ve all had this encounter with a character, which would be unthinkable in a different environment than a place like Berlin. However, walking through the city’s streets, being surrounded by strangers, it requires courage to make contact and interact with people, something we all need to do every now and then.
Even more so it takes courage to dive into a pool of strangers and talk to them about intimate life situations.
This setup facilitates just that: opening up to a stranger without judgement while remaining as anonymous as liked. I happened to get engaged into the most interesting and encouraging conversations with the person I least expected it when entering the room. It feels like a confessional box, but with „real“ people, being just as humble and as vulnerable as you are. The great thing about those cards is that your partners‘ openness just reflects your own and sometimes that openness escalates with each turn of response you take. Those reflections about your life situations may reveal a complete new viewpoint on your actions, feelings and thoughts.”
Eric Förster
“It can be incredibly hard to make friends in a new city, especially in one as transient as Berlin. Creating a true connection that’s not rooted in clubbing or bar hopping can feel next to impossible.
That’s why Beyond the Surface is such a breath of fresh air. In only a few hours a room full of strangers become familiar friends. In a day and age where so much focus is on what separates us from one another, it’s truly refreshing and magical to see the ways in which we connect through shared experience.
Sharlene’s super power has always been connecting people, and with this event + her Intimacy Cards she’s created a way for that ability to create connections to grow + become something of its own.
Unlike so many intimacy coaches /events/classes, Beyond the Surface is truly its own thing. There’s no pretentiousness or hierarchy- just true connection, lots of laughter and people willing to open themselves to one another.
I highly recommend this event to anyone who is looking for connection and friendship + a true definition of what intimacy is.
100% will come again..”
Kimi Recor
“Attending 'Beyond the Surface' was truly empowering, set in an intimate environment where everyone exuded warmth and hospitality from the moment I walked in. It was eye-opening, showing how you can really click with people just by asking interesting questions and caring about what they have to say. Can't wait to go back for more good times.”
Sebastian Smogar
I am so very grateful to Sharlene Durfey François, the creator of the Intimacy Cards, who started this beautiful event, Beyond the Surface in co-operation with the incredible heart-warming, non-smoking bar, Honey Lou. They created this little island of connection through a 'simple' card game that shoots for the heart and creates moments of interconnectedness for me and the people with whom I talked to, which I touched (consent confirmed) or at whom I looked at, all of which I have literally never done like this before in my life.
It was a bit uncomfortable in moments but in the good kind of way. I was reminded of the ease on a playground as a child, when meeting as play mates for the moment. I felt similarly paired to the freedom I experienced in the rave culture that provided much needed love for me when I was growing up.
I wish this experience 'Beyond the Surface' to create an intimate place in many more people's souls and bodies.”
Seah Zenker
Poster for the 1st ever Beyond the Surface
2nd Beyond the Surface Poster
3rd Beyond the Surface poster
4th Beyond the Surface Poster
Summer session on the Unkraut Kollektiv boat poster
On the Up and Up LIVE podcast recording and event poster
8th Beyond the Surface poster
7th Beyond the Surface poster
9th Beyond the Surface poster
Beyond the Surface - Los Angeles 2024
Beyond the Surface #11
BtS x Berlin Offline Dating Club - Dating Edition
FLINTA sessions
A session for Queer Men Only
Want to learn more about the Intimacy Movement? I started writing about my experiences as I’ve worked with the Intimacy Cards. Join my substack “Redefining Intimacy” to receive these posts in the future.
You can also join the Telegram group where I will announce the next event and you can keep in touch with those people that you met. Find it at: https://t.me/beyondthesurface121