RitesXXXI : The Black Party

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In many ways the Black Party has always been a tango. A sexual game of give and take, originating as a signature party for the private gay dance club The Saint and evolving past the club’s own expiration to become a gay New York cornerstone—but also a hotbed for controversy and scandal. So then it is no surprise that organizing body, The Saint at Large, chose “Early ’30s South America: Tango – The Forbidden Dance” as the theme for the first Black Party of the new decade. And Black Party fans can expect plenty of seductive Latin flavor thanks to world-famous DJs including Hector Fonseca, Paulo, Ana Paula and those famous “strange live acts” from the likes of Rose Wood, Ricky Sinz, same-sex tango dancers and over 60 assorted performers, dancers and aerialists. We turned to The Saint at Large’s Stephen Pevner for the inside scoop on this year’s fiesta caliente.
 
Explain the theme for this year’s party.
Tango: The Forbidden Dance. South America in the early ’30s before a coup d’etat; freedom of expression and a release of sensual energy in the face of a political threat.
 
How do you come up with these crazy themes?
We just put our own spin on whatever is happening in the zeitgeist.

Your suggested dress for this year’s party?
Leather armbands and silk stockings.
 
What outrageous performances can we expect?
Be prepared to see a three-act musical drama: Kiss of the Spider Woman meets Evita featuring Rose Wood of The Box—the transsexual who recently made her star turn [by] vomiting [on] Susan Sarandon!
 
How did you pick this year’s DJs?
We always try to introduce new energy and new blood while trying to stay within an 18-hour format, using a three-act structure with a Hi-NRG trip, peak-hour marathon and a down-trip as our trademark musical arc.
 
When is the best time to get to the party? When do things really get good?
The first half features all the heavy production elements including our notorious strange live acts, while the second half is for more serious dancing. Many people feel the last hours come closest to a religious experience. 
 
Is the party still relevant after all these years?
Every culture has moments during the calendar year in which the collective conscious is afforded the opportunity to safely explore its dark side. South Americans have Carnival, Catholics have Lent, straights have the Super Bowl. [This] is what the Black Party has become for gaydom.
 
What’s the biggest misconception of the Black Party?
That it’s “not my scene.” When you get there you realize that it’s your tribe, in all its glory.
 
What do you say to people who have never been to the Black Party?
Stay away if you aren’t open minded.
 
What do you say to people who say the Black Party has lost some of its scandal or appeal?
Every year we reach capacity, so for everyone who drops out because they feel that there is nothing new to experience, there’s someone wide-eyed to replace them.    N
 
Rites XXXI: The Black Party does the dance of desire at Roseland Ballroom (239 W 52nd St) on Saturday, March 20 at 10pm till Sunday afternoon. Visit SaintAtLarge.com for tickets and more info.
 
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON THE BLACK PARTY EXPO & BAZAAR>>>