Idol at Arq

Until she moved to Sydney mid-2005 to be a part of the third series of Australian Idol, Kate DeAraugo had never stepped inside a gay club.

When some friends she was working with on the TV show invited her out, the first club they took her to was Arq.

Being from Bendigo, I had never been to a gay club, but I was all up for it and said, -˜Let’s go!’ the Idol winner recalls. It was such a great club and the people were so friendly. I had an absolute ball.

So it seems fitting that this weekend Kate makes her debut as a performer on the gay scene at Arq.

Kate will be performing a set of four songs, including her first two singles Maybe Tonight and Faded, as well as the soaring diva anthems she scored highly with on Australian Idol -“ Ain’t Nobody and Simply The Best.

Having spent more than a few weekends last year clubbing at Arq, not to mention witnessing performances by such other Australian Idol alumni as Ricki-Lee Coulter and Paulini, Kate says she believes she knows what works for a gay audience.

High energy, and lots of it, she says. At Arq, it is all about energy and having fun. As long as you tap into that, I think everyone should be happy.

And while Kate says she has not heard the rumours that she will be one of the star acts at the Mardi Gras Party on 4 March, she happily confirms she will be attending her first Parade this year by being on a float.

One day I was saying to my managers how much I would love to go the Parade, and the next day I was invited to be on a float with Jackie O and Kyle [Sandilands].

I really can’t wait for that, but now I have to wonder what am I going to wear. That’s the real question, she laughs.

Kate DeAraugo performs at Arq Nightclub on Saturday 11 February. Phone 9959 2228 for details.