Four year high

Come the weekend, it’s time to party, and for many queens of the Sydney scene, the party will always end up at Arq.

Hot boys and girls have been making weekend pilgrimages to this gay dance Mecca with religious dedication since it opened four years ago. This Sunday night will be no exception, as the venue celebrates its fourth birthday Arq-style, with an impressive line-up of DJs and performers.

Steven is a self-confessed Arq boy -“ a term that has come to describe one of the club’s many regulars. He says that Arq is a stand-out venue because of the music, lighting and layout of the club.

I like the circular layout, and the amazing laser showcase gives extra boost to your dance, he says. I started there and it was fun so I keep going back there.

Yet there is more to Arq than high-tech lighting and great music, according to party girl Claire de Lune.

I go there mostly for the people, she says. You know that any night of the week when it is open you can go there and be sure to see most of your friends.

Jeff has called Arq his clubbing home for some time, and says that the atmosphere is a lot better and the music is far greater than all the rest of Sydney’s nightclubs.

For whatever reason, the Arq family will be out in force this Sunday night to celebrate the club’s fourth birthday. DJ Barry Harris of Thunderpuss fame will be flown in from the US especially for the party, and he says that his set will reflect the atmosphere of the night.
I start out rather vocal-ish and go deeper and harder from there, mixing it up a bit, he says. I never really pre-plan anything ahead of time, [I] just get into a groove with the crowd and go from there.

Harris says Arq has a great reputation overseas, and he has been getting a lot of envious feedback from fellow DJs and club-goers all around the US.

Harris has released re-mixes for artists such as Madonna, Cher and Donna Summer, to name a few, and he will be supported by local DJs Luke Leal and Greg Boladian on Arq’s Arena level.

Arq’s Chris Curtis says the crowd can expect a traditional Sunday night vibe, but with a few surprises as well.

It’s really uplifting. It’ll be a lot of fun -“ a good party sound, he says.

In a blast from the past, the main show will be a Blondie tribute, featuring Antigone Foster from Etherfox, Jennifer Waite from Aneiki and Natalie Miller from Brat. Curtis says the live performance will be a one-off event produced just for Arq’s birthday.

On the downstairs Vortex level, Sunday night regular DJs Baby Bear, Jake Kilby and Paul Goodyear will keep the party pumping until the early hours of the morning.
Arq has been an immensely popular venue in its four years on the Sydney scene, Curtis says, and will continue to showcase quality DJs and performers.
The emphasis on music will be continually important, he says. If it’s good quality, we’ll put it on.

Arq’s birthday bash begins at 9pm. As a birthday treat, the first 200 through the door will get a glass of champagne on the house. Tickets are $30 on the door, or $25 pre-sold, and are available from Fantasy Lane, the Imperial Hotel and Arq.