Of course, no matter how much you reinvent, one thing remains the same – people are gonna wanna party… and how! But then that’s where the subtle art of reinvention can apply: why not cut back on all the fees of hiring a venue and then filling it with lights, sound system, safety protocols, toilets etc etc by already using a pre-existing venue but reinventing it by making it bigger, better and brashier. Well, that’s exactly what Pride have done this year… or rather, will do this year when the Official Pride Party kicks off at Connections Nightclub.
‘This year the Official Pride Party will be held at Connections,’ confirmed Pride Co-president Andrew Baietta, ‘but the night will be like no other. People will certainly wonder how we will turn this night into a night which differs from every other weekend, but we promise that that’s exactly what we will do.’
And how! During the course of Pride month, Connections will undergo a steady yet amazing transformation as a giant cherry blossom tree literally sprouts up out of the dance floor and unfurls a rich promise of bouquets up above the crowd, through the lighting rig itself. The branches will become populated not only with delicate cherry blossoms, but lights, mirror balls, creatures and fairies. This tree will become the centerpiece of the Official Pride Party but won’t be the only burst of nature making a brash appearance, oh no.
‘We’re taking over all the laneways around Connections, licensing them and adding nearly 500 square meters more of space,’ said Tim Brown, owner of Connections Nightclub. ‘In keeping with the spring theme there will be fresh green grass throughout, fairy lights, furniture and a general garden party theme – but with better music, of course!’
This means there will be three distinct areas to the Official Pride Party at Connections. The first will be the main room where DJ darling and Sydney whiz kid Kate Monroe will be banging out the dance party vibe. She’ll be joined by the likes of Sharif Galal from Triple J, Cinnamon, Michy T, Brian, JJ, Joby, Reuben, Ben, Moosh and a few more very special guests yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, out on The Terrace, a cooler, more chilled out sound will be in order as the DJs there deliver a more laid back vibe. Pièce de résistance, however, is the aforementioned outside area which promises to be bigger than any previous attempts – yes, even bigger than the 30th birthday (and that was big – really big).
Downstairs, out the back, ghetto garden – whatever you choose to call this outside area make sure it’s synonymous with sheer fabulousness, because that’s what the Pride and Connections crew promise to deliver. There will be a bar and café plus a whole heap of decorating, all of it in the open air. It will be an outside space which totally reinvents the laneway and carpark surrounding Connections. But regardless of whatever makeover is made, ultimately it’s the music that makes a party a party, and the music here will be a steady stream of classics and all time favourites, girly anthems and the most popping pop around.
‘We’ve seen so much music come and go but there’s always one constant: that it’s about bringing people together, celebrating and creating joy,’ explained Brown of how crucial the music is to any party, but especially a Pride one. ‘A room full of people dancing together is something quite spiritual and uplifting. There is a tribal energy that’s hard to beat. Of course not everyone is going to love everything that we play but hopefully there will be enough choice between the three areas that everyone will find something that they love, that they can fall into.’
Or fall in love with as may be the case. The overall look of the Official Pride Party is one which reflects a massive reinvention, from decadent disco den to gregarious garden of gorgeousness. It’s a reinvention which is on par with the entire transformation the surrounding area – Northbridge – is itself experiencing. The current explosion of ghetto gentrification is seeing Northbridge get an urban spit and polish, a larger than life facelift, but with this street wise surgery comes an acknowledgement of the area’s rich and diverse past, with government projects like The Northbridge History Project mapping the social history of the area.
‘The district itself is in a process of reinvention,’ agreed Brown, ‘and there’s a hell of a lot of really exciting things on the cards – the theatre, the piazza, the link etc, etc. But importantly, people are starting to realize that the history and the diversity of culture are the defining elements of the district. These don’t need to be sacrificed in the name of progress and reinvention. Rather it is that richness that can be drawn upon to create that reinvention. Like our catchphrase for pride says ‘Reinvention? It’s what we do best…’.’
Presale tickets for the Official Pride Party at Connections Nightclub are $25 for Pride members and $30 for non members. Pre-sale tickets will only be available at this price until midnight on October 24. On the day, and for the first hour of the event, tickets will be $30 for everyone. Thereafter, all door sales will be $35 for everyone. The Official Pride Party at Connections Nightclub kicks off immediately after the Parade finished on Saturday October 25 and runs until 6am in all areas.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
