What is it about New York City that captivates the world? The city that never sleeps has inspired countless artists, fashionistas, and movies over the decades. As the song goes, “If I can make it there I’ll make it anywhere”.
Let’s discuss the iconic Studio 54 era. Founded in 1977 by Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, the club became famous for its celebrity guest list, extravagant parties, freedom, and disco music. Despite its selective admissions policy, Studio 54 brought together people of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities without judgment. It was a place where everyone could come together and have a good time. However, New York City’s sexual liberation and disco era was cut short in the 1980s by the HIV epidemic. The city’s nightlife, particularly in the gay community, was forever altered.
The club scene in New York City took a different direction in the mid-80s as unsafe sex was taking thousands of lives. However, even in the face of adversity, the show must go on. And the era of big clubs in NYC began, with places like Limelight and The Palladium taking the center stage. Despite the dangers, people still flocked to these clubs, and the party scene was still alive and thriving. In 1984, New York City’s East Village witnessed the inception of Wigstock, an annual drag festival founded by the legendary Lady Bunny. Held on Labor Day, Wigstock quickly became a safe haven for people to express themselves freely, regardless of their identities. For the LGBTQ+ community in particular, the festival gradually evolved into an eagerly-awaited event, marking the unofficial end of summer and a celebration of diversity and inclusivity. Over the years, Wigstock has remained a powerful symbol of acceptance and has helped inspire countless individuals to embrace their true selves.
During the vibrant 1990s, the Roxy, Tunnel, Limelight, and Palladium were renowned for hosting large-scale events that brought together an eclectic mix of individuals. These events were a melting pot of drag queens, Club Kids, lesbians, trans people, Chelsea Boys, adventurous straights, and bi-curious individuals, resulting in a diverse and dynamic atmosphere that celebrated individuality and freedom of expression.
Set in a former church, Limelight combined the sacred and the profane. Known for its distinctive setting and diverse crowd, the Limelight club in NYC became known for its wild and avant-garde atmosphere.
The Roxy was a vibrant and extravagant nightclub, hosted one of New York City’s largest weekly gay dance nights, Roxy Saturdays, promoted by John Blair Promotions, which featured many famous DJs including the legendary DJ, Remixer and Producer Peter Rauhofer.
Austrian DJ Peter Rauhofer gained fame and popularity among the LGBTQ+ community. He made a name for himself in the New York City music scene with his distinctive groove and uplifting sounds. Rauhofer’s influence extended beyond NYC, reaching the global club scene.
Peter moved to New York City in 1995 with two Club 69 LPs (“Adults Only” and “Style”) and several club and chart successes (“Diva”, “Unique”, “Drama”, “Alright”, “Muscles”, and “Twisted”). His first singing experience was with Tribal America in 1994, but when that label folded, he moved to Twisted. He recorded another album as Size Queen and remixed songs for artists like Funky Green Dogs and Danny Tenaglia, mostly under the Club 69 banner. As he started receiving remix work from major labels, Peter began using his own name. He began with remixes for the Eurythmics and Depeche Mode, and then worked with big stars like Madonna (“Nothing Really Matters”, “Impressive Instant”, “Skin”) and the Pet Shop Boys, with whom he reworked Raze’s 1989 classic “Break 4 Love”. In 2000, he won a prestigious Grammy in the Remixer of the Year category, following in the footsteps of veterans like David Morales and Frankie Knuckles. In 1999, Peter started his own label, and Star 69 was born.
“Collaborating with Peter through the years, working with so many talented songwriters/producers and performing live at countless legendary dance clubs and circuit parties in New York and throughout the world holds fabulous memories for me. There was no energy anywhere in the world that matched performing in New York clubs like Spirit, Crobar, Stereo, Sound Factory, and, of course, the Roxy, back in the day.” According to Suzanne Palmer, an incredible singer and an artist with Star 69. Suzanne recorded various singles, such as “Hide U”, “Show Me”, “Luv 2 Luv”, and “Fascinated”, along with a full-length album under her name, entitled Home.
Pride Month is here, and celebrations are taking place around the globe. People are out and about, and the streets are filled with vibrant colors. New York City hosts one of the largest Pride events in the world, featuring performances by top artists such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, and Grace Jones, among others.
This year, one of NYC’s biggest events will pay tribute to the legendary Peter Rauhofer. Masterbeat is proudly bringing the magic of Peter’s brand WORK! to Terminal 5 in NYC on the night of June 28th. The event will feature performances by Suzanne Palmer and Celeda, with music by DJs Abel Aguilera, Ana Paula, and Eddie Martinez, who will bring Peter’s music legacy to the dance floor. The event will also be hosted by WORK’s host and Peter’s close friend, Alan T, who will be welcoming people at the door. To learn more about the event, the tribute to Peter and get tickets or passes, visit http://nycpridexxl.com
NYC is where dreams come true, a place where people can be themselves and live with freedom of expression. To understand this, we have to time travel to the Stonewall riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, Stonewall Rebellion, or simply Stonewall. These were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. Although they were not the first instance in American history when people in the homosexual community fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities, they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world. Today, Gay Pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots.
By: Ana Paula
Collaborators: Suzanne Palmer, Brett Henrichsen
