CLUB NIGHT: SHADES OF GAY (GAY BASH)

PREVIEW BY JASMINE MCLENNAN

On the night of the Mardi Gras parade the Gay Bash party Shades of Gay will be a host for all subcultures of gays and straights alike, with an elaborate and tongue-in-cheek dress code. From Trannies to Finks to Sistergirls and Femmes Gay Bash invites all partygoers to dress to excess. Gay Bash started 2 years ago with an eye to fill a hole in the Sydney gay scene so that individuality could be expressed. The founders Nick Sweeney, Mikey Nolan and Kym Lenoble were sick of going to stereotypical gay bars on Oxford St with ‘terrible music.’ They also wanted a place where all were welcome and could feel comfortable ‘ women as well as men. So Gay Bash was formed; a more subtle expression of queer culture, something new and original. The club attracts a crowd that is more diverse and eclectic than most gay (and straight) clubs around town. ‘You wouldn’t see guys dancing topless, let’s put it that way,’ says Nick, ‘it isn’t a meat market like some other clubs.’ In the past, there has been controversy generated by the monthly party’s ironic name, with many people, gay and straight, outraged at the organizers’ alleged lack of sensitivity in a time when gay bashings are still frequent in the Oxford St and greater Sydney area. Nick, Mikey and Kym, who are all gay themselves, were surprised people took it so literally. ‘The word is a pun, obviously’ says Nick. For the Shades of Gay night they have a star line-up including Kato, Jamie Doom (Bang Gang), Gus Da Hoodrat (Bang Gang), Dangerous Dan (Bang Gang), Anna Lunoe (Hoops), Sleater Brockman, Ninilasvegas (Hoops), Mike Tyson (Health Club), Kimono (Bandits), Booms (Starfuckers), Goldie & Willard, Dallas Dellaforce, Hobosexual, Nolan Nolan, and many more. Spanning the three huge levels of the Oxford Hotel, it will be a massive event with a first class view of the parade and great eclectic music. ‘There will be big name drag queens and DJ’s but we have told them to play everything they were stopped from playing at other clubs, says Nick, ‘we want to be different.’

Shades of Gay (Gay Bash)
The Oxford Hotel
134 Oxford St Darlinghurst
March 1
$30 presale
Bookings: 1300 438 849 or www.gay-bash.com