Party with a different flavour

Club Arak is back on Saturday 22 September and is making spring somewhat alternative.
With a growing number of Middle Eastern gays and lesbians in the community, the party has been designed not only to empower sexuality, but also embrace ethnicity.
“It started about five years ago – we wanted to have a party for Arab queers,” Club Arak promoter Alissar Gazal said.
“We really thought it would be a one-off.
“The Club empowers this part of the community because it’s their kind of music – it speaks their language – and they can dance the way they want to.”
Renowned choreographer Paul Cordeiro will perform with a troupe of dancers at midnight at the event to be held at Sydney University’s Manning Bar.
DJ Gemma will also be playing, reworking sexy Arab music into a frenzy of dancing beats.
“People of all colours come – it’s an alternative dance party,” Gazal said. “Also a variety of gays, lesbians and transsexuals come along.
“We get a lot of music from the Arab world and that includes from North Africa to the Middle East.
“DJ Gemma has the capacity to rework the music and remix it – and sometimes we just keep it how it is.”
Tickets are $30 plus booking fee from Recycled Records in Glebe, SO Music in Newtown and the Toolshed in Darlinghurst. There are no door sales. Details: www.clubarak.com