The Black Party

It is amazing how one venue can hold so many hot men in one place dancing, playing and having an all-around great time. If we could harness all the heat and energy that is being expelled during the Black Party, you could easily power the city for a week!

Having pumped up at the gym four to five times a week and eating like a rabbit for three weeks, I lost more than 10 pounds prepping for the party. Like many of my fellow gays, who doesn't want to look good in the required outfit for the event, leather and metal, well, at least for once a year?

However, on a more professional level, I ask myself, "what is the attraction to being in the midst of such wildness and why do so many gay men get drawn into this type of party scene?" As I have often discussed in previous articles where gay men often love any opportunity to play and act in a matter that the term 'gay' originally stood for before life for many of us, came crashing down with AIDS/HIV. And now that HIV has been with us for decades with many viable treatments, many have chosen to not let those concerns affect them when we are offered such a wonderful opportunity to frolic and play.

But, for many gays of today and the past, the Black Party is not just about the sex but the dance! Moreover, how often do we get to enjoy an evening of semi-wild debauchery with so many hot and thrill-seeking gay men?

Of special mention, this year's event comes with the news that Roseland is closing and now many Black Party devotees are wondering where the next venue will be that can hold so many party-goers or, if there is even going to be another Black Party? After all, with the Roxy and now Splash closing their doors, as have any really good gay bars in the Upper West Side, anything is possible.

Rumors are presently circulating that the next venue may be the Hammerstein Ballroom- really, the home built in 1906 as the Manhattan Opera House that was once the temporary home for the Metropolitan Opera? A very surprising location to say the least, but who thought The Limelight would become the new home for the David Barton Gym?

And, even if some of us may be either concerned or curious about the new 'digs' for the party, as I recall from years past, many were equally surprised when the venue moved from its original home at Filmore East to Roseland, so, this new venue comes as curious but, not that unbelievable.

Returning to the topic at hand and whether this is my last Black Party, I must reflect on the party itself, and ask myself what exactly is the draw for this event that attracts so many gays in amazing numbers? Well, for one, it is clearly the appeal of being around so many attractive men with the clear intention of engaging in an evening offering both eroticism and sensory titillation. But, for devotees of the party, it is about so much more.

In a recent Time Out article amusingly called: "The Black Party: How Not to Make an Ass of Yourself" the author explains how the main draw of the party and its history: "Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the city's kinkiest 'scenesters' are polishing their leather in anticipation of the fabled Black Party. What began as a queer celebration of hedonism, is now an institution, drawing thousands of revelers annually."

For those devotees of the Black Party, their dedication to the party is not just in the party itself but, it is also the continuation of the infamous club/discotheque The Saint, and all the passion and ecstasy of days gone by and the amazing memories it evoked. For example, how can anyone who partied all night at the original club, forget the giant silver disco ball that would be slowly dropped to just above our heads as we reveled to the throbbing music being played and the half-naked men gyrating their bodies around us?

That specific memory and the history of the club and its traditions, will keep the throngs coming to the Black Party for years to come no matter where they decide to have it. So, let's hope that the next venue will serve the party right and keep the festivities going for years to come.

But in my role as the wise or, more sage mentor, when having your fun, be smart, play safe, and enjoy the party.