It’s interesting to think about the sort of role that the context and politics of space plays in our understanding and experience of music and culture. We unconsciously hold certain expectations and impressions when entering an art gallery, for example, or a nightclub. While we might try and resist these trappings of convention, they otherwise remain firmly ingrained in our public conscience.
It’s super refreshing, then, to see warehouse spaces remain active and vibrant in Sydney. Urban spaces have always played an important part in underground dance culture, let alone the transfer and transition of ideas regardless of faculty or discipline. These spaces offer subversive potential. Traditional notions of space, time and performance are often dissolved and dismantled, inviting experimentation with form and function.
Urban spaces have always played an important part in underground dance culture.
At the most basic level, they present a democratic space (largely) free of systematic governance; a fluid, transitional, open context. The spectacle of performance is given greater visibility. They are interactive and emphasize the participatory, repositioning us from spectator or observer to active member. No longer are we separate particles in this grand old universe.
One such example of a creative medium that has flourished in such spaces is the performance art of voguing. This inspiring, unpredictable and endlessly fascinating expression broached a broader audience thanks in part to Jennie Livingston’s fabulous documentary Paris Is Burning. There are few better starting points for this subculture, and it’s free to watch on YouTube.
The Sydney-based House of Ayebatonye is hosting The Inaugural Iconic Vogue Ball at one such Marrickville performance space (Brick City Studios) this Saturday May 27, with all proceeds going to charity organisation The Gender Centre. It’s set to feature more than a handful of voguing performances and a slew of DJs to set the scene.
I have to say, this is an incredibly exciting opportunity that embraces self-expression (with free gin cocktails and beer to help some of y’all along). So get on down there and show your support. As Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band put it: express yourself!
Main photo courtesy Dominic Simpson/Flickr
This week’s playlist
I’m just a little bit in love with DJ Koze again at the moment. You never quite know what to expect with this incredible producer. And he’s an interesting, charismatic bloke to boot. Peep both instalments of the Reincarnations Remix Chapters for an eclectic mix of proper, inventive remixes.
And, to stay on voguing for a hot minute, top label Soul Jazz released the brilliant compilation Voguing And The House Ballroom Scene Of New York City – a great retrospective of voguing’s favourite musical soundtracks and history.
Recommended
SATURDAY MAY 27
The Iconic Vogue Ball
Brick City Studios, Marrickville
Simon Caldwell B2B Myles Mac
Harpoon Harry
THURSDAY JUNE 1
Donny Benet Band
Oxford Art Factory
SUNDAY JUNE 4
Tony Yotzi + Adi Toohey
Freda’s
SATURDAY JUNE 10
Venice Calypso
Burdekin
SATURDAY JUNE 17
Roland Tings, Dro Carey, Kato
The Imperial Hotel
FRIDAY JUNE 30
K-Hand
The Red Rattler
