Dancin’ in a summer wonderland

THERE are no bigger party weekends in Sydney than the one coming, and with so many events happening to grab the attention of revellers, the Star Observer caught up with Luciana — dubbed queen of electro — who is headlining the Wonderland party to see what made this event different.

The big party will hit The Ivy on Sunday, situated on the heart of Sydney’s CBD and with a spectacular courtyard and bar setting. This is a key part of the party, according to Luciana Caporaso.

“The promoters have discussed the state-of-the-art production plans for the visuals which sound amazing, combine that with the line of brilliant DJs from around the world — definitely adds up to a huge wow factor,” she says.

Suggesting she wants to see the crowd moved, Luciana gives out a cheeky invite: “I am planning to have fun on stage. That’s the aim — and to get (the crowd) singing and showing me their robot moves, but the set has a few surprises too.”

Luciana continued the tease by saying her music moved the boys and girls in different ways — sometimes flirting with the girls in the process.

“Boys like to do the moves and the girls like to get drunk with me and get low down and taste the club dirt,” she joked.

The singer credits a string of artists that inspire her including Annie Lennox, Blondie, the late Chrissie Hynde, Roisin Murphy, Florence and The Machine and P!nk, and this is just the start of her list.

As for DJs there are many that inspire her.

“I love Tiesto, he’s inspired me. Calvin Harris I think is a genius,” Luciana says.

Giving a firm endorsement of Wonderland, she adds: “As far as inspirational parties go… well that would be Wonderland.”

Event promoter Johan Khoury talks about what he has put into planning the party: “Mardi Gras weekend is a feast of visitors from interstate and international grounds, and we wanted to showcase an iconic Sydney (nightclub, The Ivy). You can’t beat it. There’s no other place like it.”

According to the promoter, it’s the planning that is going in to his event that will make it go off.

“Wonderland has been in the planning for around one year now, so it has been a journey,” he says.

“Nothing is impossible; we are only limited by our efforts. The excitement that has been running in our veins for this event, the biggest finale event of them all, has driven us to another level of creativity with our planning.

“This will be (an) event not to be missed and for us will stand out to any other event during the entire Mardi Gras festival.”

His excitement for the talent was also obvious, with Khoury adding: “Never before have so many credited circuit resident DJs played under one roof in Australia. You hear of other small events incorrectly using the word ‘circuit’ in their promises to our community, but with Javier Medina (Barcelona Circuit resident), Dani Toro (Europe Circuit), Sebastien Triumph (Paris Circuit), and DJ Grind (USA Circuit) playing at Wonderland we are the only definition of a true circuit sound during the season.

“It will be epic, brace yourself for something special.”

Luciana finished the interview by trying her hand at her best Aussie accent: “I am going on tour so I will defo totes (my Ozzie slang there) be checking the sites out… and generally getting rowdy down under.”

INFO: Wonderland is this Sunday from 2pm at The Ivy. Luciana is also headlining Brisbane’s Big Gay Day the following week, March 9 at 8pm.