As The Mirrorball Turns...

[Christian Taylor]

There's no denying that the majority of the gay scene revolves around dance parties. As Danny says in his article, (http://www.samesame.com.au/features/992/The_Path_To_The_Dancefloor) they're our fishing trips, our weekend retreats. They're our chance to forget everything about the straight world, where we can make the rules and where we get fresh inspiration for the weeks ahead.

This month we're looking at partying from all kinds of angles. What are your thoughts on the party scene? What are your memories? Good? Bad? Do we like where we are? Do we wish things were different?

[timmeyboy]

I've always liked to dance and go a little crazy, think it defo helps release tension and de-stress as good as any trip to the gym. When I was growing up, I was mainly dancing in my bedroom, the music I liked wasn't the music that got played on the radio during the 90's so was difficult to find somewhere to go, but then I went out on the scene and realised I'd found my own little slice of heaven!!!
It was great it was cheesy, it was pop and it was full of people dancing and singing along and getting wasted and having a good time. It's what clubbing was meant to be about.
Over time though I think that the scene, no matter where it is, has changed. I go to places now and it all seems different to me, I mean it's not so much about the dancing now, it's about the drinking and then taking of drugs in order to dance. Heaven forbid you might fancy a bit of a boogie before you start chewing ya eyebrows off with ya bottom jaw.
Also the whole thing has become very shallow, maybe I didn't notice it before but it seems now that when you go out, you have to look immaculate and perfect and try to attract attention, is it really more about looking the part now than having a good time.
That might be some peoples idea of a good time, to sit and people watch or maybe just to go to pull and then go home, if people can go out with the sole purpose of taking drugs then I guess it's alright for people to go out just to get laid. Isn't it?

I guess going out is still a big release for a lot of people, it still is for me, I love it but it has to be the right place with the right atmosphere otherwise it never quite makes it. I think it's all about location, location location, you have to find the right place to let yourself go, and it doesnt matter if it's straight, gay, mixed, whatever as long as you have fun there.

[robbie]

Timmey, I could not have put it better myself.. you've read my mind...

Back before I was gay (the in denial phase) I used to head to the disco and go crazy, even without the drugs and alcohol.. for me I found my love of dancing early and there is no greater release for me than dancing.. Obviously we discover different aspects of the scene (snifff...) and while my dancing was enhanced (I remember having 8 hour sessions under the big market disco ball) for me, it was always (and still is) about the music and the vibe of the crowd.

I worked at a mixed club in Melbourne for 6 years and nearly every regular that was there week in, week out was there for the amazing DJ sets and mixing skills. The crowd used to GO OFF and I formed friendships that I still have today. My guest list would have the same 50 names on it each week - we knew we all found a piece of disco heaven and we were going to ride it as long as possible.

Then one week, the owner decided to change the direction of the club, he thought that dirty house was leading the charge and made the executive decision to change the name of the night, change the music style and try and go for this upmarket swishy crowd all without consulting his promoters who had been successfully driving an 800 - 1200 people every Saturday night for 4 - years. After 2 weeks of rebranding, the club was dead and I'm happy to say his idea completely ruined the night and it never recovered.

While sad, I look back now and reminisce that those disco years were an amazing energy filled, friendly era of awesome proportions.

Except for the Market in Melbourne I'm still to find a place that I feel comfortable enough in to completely lose myself in the music and dance like a nutter (WITHOUT the additional enhancements) The Sydney scene has been extremely disappointing to my dancing requirements.. except for moments upstairs at The Shift, where I felt comfortable enough to get up and dance. Sigh. 1998 - 2004 is where it was at.

[alison87]

I too love going out. I went to my first club in 95 and first rave in 96 - well after the supposed "golden age" but for me it was incredible. I've been through phases of going out every weekend and phases of only once every couple months. That's a phase i'm currently in and i can't see myself ever stopping altogether.

I think a lot of people who just go for the drugs or to hook up or because they like one specific genre do eventually quit going out. I personally keep finding there's some cool new music coming out or great new clubs to explore and beautiful people to dance with. I think your enjoyment does change as you get older, though. You start to notice all the people who are just in it for shallow reasons. They've always been there, of course, but when you start you just don't realize it because you're having way too much fun yourself. Once you've met all the characters a million times and heard every musical trick a million times it's harder to be blown away... but it doesn't make it any less wonderful, just less new.

I do wish more girls enjoyed it, though. In the gay scene especially (when was the last lesbian dance party??), but even in the mixed scene it seems like the core crowd who are in it for the long haul are mostly men.

[shaynesydney]

After the recent announcement that ACON is no longer doing AIDS work, it looks like the last gay club left standing will be Commonwealth Street. But I think it's members only.

[peeter]

How does ACON and AIDS work tie in with last gay club standing?

[shaynesydney]

Oh don't mind me, I am just being pissy cause my own HIV has been particularly viral lately and I spent the week in bed. It just seems to me that $20k is a lot to change their name from capitals to lower case. Especially when, for the three guys I take care of for csn going out for coffee is a luxury; or the Larder Club that put bread on the table odf poz guys which closed for want of $25k. How does ACON and AIDS work tie in with last gay club standing? acon are now officially no longer an AIDS council. But they do have some fabulous parties.

[peeter]

Hey Shayne, sorry to hear you haven't been well. you should start a thread on ACON.. let everyone know what you're thinking, I'm sure others will have an opinion too. and I am sure the ACON guys get on this site too..

[shaynesydney]

Maybe I will when I am feeling better Peeter. Meantime, I looked the financial reports for last year. Over $8 million in income and only $600k spent on all 'programs'. That's why I joke that they gotta be the best gay club in Sydney.

[Zakalwe]

What annoys me is not the parties, its just people don't seem to be putting in an effort like they used to. These days its all jeans and a t-shirt and people wonder why the atmosphere has gone?!

RAT parties were before my time but from what I've been told, you couldn't even get into a RAT party (ticket or not) if you weren't looking fabulous.

It used to be if you went to Sleaze Ball without even a token effort it was frowned upon. People spent months organising their outfits. It made those parties truly an experience, more so than the music (at least for me ;) ).

Maybe things are swinging back again? Sleaze Ball last year it looked like everyone put in more effort to dress in theme. Though MardiGras was back to being average again. Homesexual looks like its succeeding in getting people to dress in theme.

So next dance party you go to, get a little creative or put some effort in, I'll guarantee you'll enjoy yourself more, and you will make that party just that little bit better. :D

[Christian Taylor]

hey zakalwe - you couldn't be more spot on. costuming is a huge part of the gay party experience and it's sorely lacking. it isn't just 'a look' either - or even 'fancy dress' - it's a mindset too. an attitude.

i know some people who take costuming very seriously. they say things with the items they wear. they really put energy, thought, creativity behind it. and it doesn't have to be drag either - it's all about looking at what you want to project, how you want to stand out, and making it happen through the clothes that you wear.

mardi gras used to hold the costume pageant - it would be awesome to see this happen again, because they were such a spectacle. that's why the parade is so cool too - it really impacts on the party, in that people arrive in costume...

partying in t-shirts and jeans should be banned! once you've gone to party in a costume, i don't see how you could ever go back to that.

[taylor-dayne]

Maybe I will when I am feeling better Peeter. Meantime, I looked the financial reports for last year. Over $8 million in income and only $600k spent on all 'programs'. That's why I joke that they gotta be the best gay club in Sydney.

Is that really true? It can't ALL be going on salaries? Although I do have to say that UP YOUR BUM campaign (http://www.acon.org.au/info_recources/index.cfm?doc_id=1653&cat_id=48) is one of the most fucking patronising, lame and irrelevant things i've ever clapped eyes on.

Quite frankly, when I see that ad I just wanna go out and have unprotected anal sex wtih a host of strangers, just becuase I hate the ad campaign so much.

Hand a box of crayons to a chimpanzee and you'd end up wtih something better than that. I mean, really.

Up Your Bum... Please. What are we? Twelve?

[danny corvini]

Wow, I don't look at the forums for a couple of days and look what's happened...

Well it's interesting to see all the different angles out there (AIDS funding, costumes, and the perennial old school vs new school), but it definitely seems like we all like to PARTY.

I have ALWAYS been of the impression that it's harder to come by a good gay dance party than a good straight one, because I am such a music nazi. But the rise of electro has made it a lot more appealing to me, because there's nothing worse than plodding house, disco flashbacks from before your time, or a hi-NRG beat, and that has been for a large part my experience of gay parties.

But it is interesting how seriously we take dance parties, and bad music or not, there are somethings gay guys can get up to at gay parties that you just can't at a straight party!

I think we definitely need places to relax, socialise and show off a little. That said, there are a hell of a lot of freaks out there, so I'd really rather it if they didn't 'freak' near me, if they happen to be watching (bad experience at the Peel last week, doesn't matter).

I think there needs to be a stronger sense of positivity in the dance scene, and that is something that has maybe at least partially been forgotten. Positivity in the way we treat each other, the way we behave, the music (grinding K house is negative, for instance), all sorts of ways. Going out shouldn't just be all about 'us', partying is about having an amazing shared experience. Drugs of course affect people's approach and behaviour, and as the scene's main fuel, I think we should all consider that if the drug we're on is making us anti-social or in any other unspecified way 'fuct' (in the wrong ways) then we're really not much good for anyone.

[Cheetah77]

Good or bad, I guess it is up to each person's individual expectations, experiences and time on the scene.

Personally, I still love a good dance party whether it's the big ones like Mardi Gras and Sleaze or the smaller ones like Homesexual or DTPM... There's something about hearing an awesome song at a party that just gives you that amazing thrill that you can't get at a nightclub (well, not often). I have many dance party "song memories" but my all time fave one must be

Mardi Gras 2003 (I think). DJ played Maddy's American Pie and during the chorus, I looked out over the crowd, saw several thousand hands in the air and you could actually HEAR everyone singing over the music! AMAZING.

THAT is what makes me keep going to dance parties, even if they seem to be the only time I go out these days...

[Cheetah77]

Does anyone else have any awesome "Dance Party Memories"? Would love to hear everyone's different experiences...

[twinstar]

Please feel free to shout me down here, or tell me I'm off my trolley, but I think that the demise of the big dance parties and old MG is perhaps this idea that gays don't want to be the spectacle any more. I didn't make it onto the scene until quite late, but one of the things that put me off embracing it earlier was the preconceived ideas that came with being a 'scene queen' (so to speak). I've since spent years on the scene and my views have changed, but I can't help but think that preconceived ideas of what it is to be gay, and the way they have changed, have probably had a huge effect of how we remember things. Plus, the idea as gays being a target for marketers probably doesn't help...

[Tim D]

One of my fave dance party memories has got to be a Sleaze (I think) in the Hordern where they had guys having showers been wheeled through the hall on scaffolding. Was hot!

[Zakalwe]

I loved Vanessa Amerosi's show at MardiGras one year with LaserGirl.

LaserGirl started on the stage, rose up in the air, then flew to the centre of the RHI suspended above the crowd, it was amazing! Then on cam Vanessa with a heap of dancers. Fabulous!

In a similar vein, and it may have been at the same party was Christine Anu suspended above the crowd singing Sunshine on a Rainy Day.

[Tim D]

Oh wow, they sound hot. What years were they?

[Zakalwe]

Oh wow, they sound hot. What years were they?
They were both at 2001 MardiGras.

Another memory: Jimmy Sommerville closing the MardiGras 20th Anniversary party (1998) wearing only a rainbow flag around his waist, I was near the front and it wasnt just his singing that the crowd was impressed with! ;)

[Tim D]

I love hearing great party memories, any more?

[Zakalwe]

Easier said then done! They all blur into one another after a while! ;)

[robbie]

Does anyone else have any awesome "Dance Party Memories"? Would love to hear everyone's different experiences...

Mardis Gras after party 2006... I marched in Melbourne's MG Group in tribal gear that year - picture a heap of virile boys dancing in minimal loin clothes to Kate Munroe outside for about 6 hours while the sun rose.. was a magical morning.. Kate rocked the cazbar...

77

78

[Zakalwe]

During the 90's I was often involved, as part of GaySkate, in Foreplay before MardiGras.

For those that don't know this is the pre-parade entertainment.
We used to start at 3pm and have free reign over the parade route!

We Skated around, did some meagre tricks, some roller dancing, waved flags, interacted with the crowd, handed out any pamphlets MG wanted us to distribute, and pester any christian protesters who littered the pre-parade route to the merriment of the crowds! Those were the days! ;)

It was such great fun, and the only time you could skate up Oxford and Flinders st on the road without much danger, though the corrugation of the road often tripped us up.

[Brad]

Does anyone else have any awesome "Dance Party Memories"? Would love to hear everyone's different experiences...

WOW I have too many....

running out the door now but will DEFINATLY get back to this thread...

[Aries Fairy]

Do backrooms count as "Dance Party Memories"?

[twinstar]

I loved Vanessa Amerosi's show at MardiGras one year with LaserGirl.

LaserGirl started on the stage, rose up in the air, then flew to the centre of the RHI suspended above the crowd, it was amazing! Then on cam Vanessa with a heap of dancers. Fabulous!

In a similar vein, and it may have been at the same party was Christine Anu suspended above the crowd singing Sunshine on a Rainy Day.

That was actually the first Mardi Gras I went to. :)

[taylor-dayne]

yes, backrooms totally count!

[ap_bcd]

I remember my first WinterDaze in Melbourne. it was 2000, fucking freezing and I wore a pair of sparklie blue sorts - nothing else. I went with a gay friend, a straight mate and his girlfriend, and some of their bi Friends. one of the bi guys thought I was getting to cold during the night so he bought me a fabulous pale blue feather Boa. It's one of my fave possessions. It was the last of the WinterDaze held at the docks and I danced my arse off for all it was worth.

[Brad]

Ok so as promised here are some highlights for me:

1995 - My First Ever Mardi Gras Party as a 18yr Old.

I will always remember walking into the RHI for the first time and thinking to myself, then telling my friends, that I eventually wanted the lighting guys job...... :)

Circa 1997/1998 - Meeting (DJ) Boy George for the first time at "Sky Garden" Nightclub... anyone who remembers the parties at Sky garden, then your are showing your age as I am right now.

George drank an entire bottle of booze during his set, mimed along to tracks and re-applied make up as he went, all whilst lit up... By the end of his set he literally couldn't put a sentence together... During his set though, the devote crowd of music industry types and DJ's from both the Gay and Straight scene heard the freshest dance music from around the world. Was an amazing night.

Sleaze Ball 1997 - Tina Arena Show - "Burn"

One of the most amazing shows I have ever seen at a Party (better than the Kylie shows !) *I can see some queens turning on me for that comment*

November 1997 - The opening night of home nightclub.

WOW... Sydney had its first Super club and I was the lighting director of the biggest lighting rig in the southern hemisphere all @ 21years old.

Opening weekend DJ was none other than Paul Oakenfold and I think Barbara Tucker (memory failing me) was the live vocalist - Paul Oakenfold was AMAZING!

1997 thru today... working with the biggest DJ's in the world at Home Nightclub and at ARQ... to many amazing nights

Now for some more recent events, most I have been involved with

Mobile Home 2003 – “Silence Moment”

Tiesto Playing Silence Just before Midnight and I turn on the biggest, brightest laser in the country in the breakdown… it went on to be called the “Silence Moment” in straight clubbing land. Its not great quality but you get the idea – look out for Tiesto in red light, then check out the scream when it kicks in – a very proud moment for me.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4145877

Mardi Gras 2005 – Tina Arena Show - congrats to Mark and James for this!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=9315225

Mardi Gras 2006 – Mary Kiani Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aclQdEH_7Y

Sleaze Ball 2006 – Highlights Package

Queer TV’s package

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKnBn0jMVUQ

My independent package

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=9315364


Sleaze Ball 2006 – “Ghetto Fabulous” Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obt37ENxF84


Sleaze Ball 2006 - Time Lapse Set up

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=89513488

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Promotional Video – LOW RES - But a wicked video package from the SGLMG days

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=9315571

No doubt more is going to come to mind, hopefully I can find some more pics/vids.... the power of technology!

[Cheetah77]

Does anyone have a vid of Deborah Cox at Mardi Gras a few years ago? I was there that night but a friend wanted to go for a walk before the show and we weren't allowed back in as there were too many ppl... I still haven't forgiven him for missing that show!!!

[Tim D]

Ok so as promised here are some highlights for me:

1995 - My First Ever Mardi Gras Party as a 18yr Old.

I will always remember walking into the RHI for the first time and thinking to myself, then telling my friends, that I eventually wanted the lighting guys job...... :)

Circa 1997/1998 - Meeting (DJ) Boy George for the first time at "Sky Garden" Nightclub... anyone who remembers the parties at Sky garden, then your are showing your age as I am right now.

George drank an entire bottle of booze during his set, mimed along to tracks and re-applied make up as he went, all whilst lit up... By the end of his set he literally couldn't put a sentence together... During his set though, the devote crowd of music industry types and DJ's from both the Gay and Straight scene heard the freshest dance music from around the world. Was an amazing night.

Sleaze Ball 1997 - Tina Arena Show - "Burn"

One of the most amazing shows I have ever seen at a Party (better than the Kylie shows !) *I can see some queens turning on me for that comment*

November 1997 - The opening night of home nightclub.

WOW... Sydney had its first Super club and I was the lighting director of the biggest lighting rig in the southern hemisphere all @ 21years old.

Opening weekend DJ was none other than Paul Oakenfold and I think Barbara Tucker (memory failing me) was the live vocalist - Paul Oakenfold was AMAZING!

1997 thru today... working with the biggest DJ's in the world at Home Nightclub and at ARQ... to many amazing nights

Now for some more recent events, most I have been involved with

Mobile Home 2003 – “Silence Moment”

Tiesto Playing Silence Just before Midnight and I turn on the biggest, brightest laser in the country in the breakdown… it went on to be called the “Silence Moment” in straight clubbing land. Its not great quality but you get the idea – look out for Tiesto in red light, then check out the scream when it kicks in – a very proud moment for me.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=4145877

Mardi Gras 2005 – Tina Arena Show - congrats to Mark and James for this!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=9315225

Mardi Gras 2006 – Mary Kiani Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aclQdEH_7Y

Sleaze Ball 2006 – Highlights Package

Queer TV’s package

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKnBn0jMVUQ

My independent package

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=9315364


Sleaze Ball 2006 – “Ghetto Fabulous” Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obt37ENxF84


Sleaze Ball 2006 - Time Lapse Set up

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=89513488

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Promotional Video – LOW RES - But a wicked video package from the SGLMG days

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=9315571

No doubt more is going to come to mind, hopefully I can find some more pics/vids.... the power of technology!


Wow Brad, reading through your memories gave me goosebumps. Seriously.

[Rose Moverit]

I Loved The Getting Ready Process!

Since My First Party When I Think "free Gay And Happy" Was The Biggest Anthem And It Was All About Fruit I Got My Best Yellow Sequins And Some Fabulous Plastic Bananas And Went As A Big Chocolate Coated "banana Miranda"
Too much fun!

I Cant Wait Till Sleazeball I Think The Theme Is A Fantastic Excuse To Dress Up To The Nines Once Again!

Xxx

[danny corvini]

[QUOTE=Brad;5257]
Circa 1997/1998 - Meeting (DJ) Boy George for the first time at "Sky Garden" Nightclub... anyone who remembers the parties at Sky garden, then your are showing your age as I am right now.
[QUOTE]
OMG I totally remember Skygardens in Pitt St Mall. There used to be a series of parties called Spunk n Funk in the mid '90s that were pretty awesome.
Oh my god I just read what you said about showing my age!:eek:

[Brad]

Does anyone have a vid of Deborah Cox at Mardi Gras a few years ago?

If I come accross it I will let you know.

[jackie87]

[QUOTE=Brad;5257]
Circa 1997/1998 - Meeting (DJ) Boy George for the first time at "Sky Garden" Nightclub... anyone who remembers the parties at Sky garden, then your are showing your age as I am right now.
[QUOTE]
OMG I totally remember Skygardens in Pitt St Mall. There used to be a series of parties called Spunk n Funk in the mid '90s that were pretty awesome.
Oh my god I just read what you said about showing my age!:eek:

Haha, that's now a Bing Lee!!

[Brad]

Haha, that's now a Bing Lee!!

actually its where the yum cha place is down the other end - there used to be a food court where bing lee is now..

how things change

[Rose Moverit]

Yeah i would love to see it to if you come across it Brad.
xx

[taylor-dayne]

i like bing lee.

http://www.hawks.com.au/200506/content/squad/playersponsors/binglee.gif

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