SATURDAY, APRIL 3 - Travel back in time to the decade of decadence- the‘80s-this holiday season to revisit a Detroit dance club that was the epitome of ‘80s glory. Todd’s, formally known as Todd’s Sway Lounge, was a gay nightclub on Detroit’s far eastside that was on the cutting edge of the new wave of eighties music and lifestyle.
Detroit club impresario- Stirling, first approached the owners of the venue in 1983 and convinced them to try out a dance music night on Monday evenings to cater to a growing subculture of club kids. The owners welcomed this idea, and a new dance party, "Modern Dance Mondays" was launched. Stirling hired the eclectic DJ Charles English to spin the latest in dance music, Euro-pop, new wave and even some punk classics and funk gems thrown into the explosive mix of music that had the patrons up and dancing the night away. When Monday nights became thee popular weekly destination, they expanded to Thursday nights as well. The nightclub was one-of-a-kind as it featured more than just a dance floor. A basement theater was dubbed “the video coffin” that showed cult films and videos and was first hosted by Kory Clarke (later of the band Warrior Soul) and then hosted by film auteur/bartender-the fabulous Marla for 6 years, upstairs featured Benson’s couture clothing boutique called “Transvestia Dementia” (and later turned into a record store "Blitz Records" run by Michael Fiscus) and the vintage clothing/record store/ art gallery called “Chaos,” run by promoter Sue Static. Todd's also became a premiere concert venue and hosted many bands on its stage. A variety of acts such as The Alarm, Violent Femmes, Screamin Jay Hawkins and later The Pogues with guest guitarist Joe Strummer performed there. The Todd’s dance parties became a main component of ‘80s subculture here in the city. The party lasted for almost a decade, up until the club changed ownership in 1990. It closed for good shortly afterward.
Back by popular demand after the first two holiday reunions last year, a Spring reunion was planned. The Todd’s Spring Reunion is SATURDAY, APRIL 3 8pm for patrons of the club to revisit the music and friends of this era. The reunions are hosted by Stirling and Sue Static and feature DJ Charles English spinning the familiar tunes that had you dancing decades ago. Downstairs, DJ Greebo spins the tunes. The night will feature drink specials of the drinks that the bar made famous, photo collages from that era and online access to chat with Todd’s fans across the country. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit MAC (Midwest AIDS Coalition) in honor of the many Todd’s employees.
The reunion will be at The Corktown Tavern located at 1716 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. (313-964-5103) 8pm doors, 21 & over welcome and $7 cover. For more information check out www.staticrecords.com/shows or email suestatic@aol.com |
