Todd's Reunions! November 28, 2009

GO BACK IN TIME FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY AT THE TODD’S REUNION NIGHTS!

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 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 courtesy of host Kory Clarke (later of the band Warrior Soul), upstairs featured Benson’s couture clothing boutique called “Transvestia Dementia” (and later turned into a record store run by Michael Fiscus) and the vintage clothing/record store/ art gallery called “Chaos,” run by promoter Sue Static. 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 the early ‘90s.

There will be two Todd’s reunion nights coming up on Saturday, November 28 and Wednesday, December 23 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. The nights 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. One special out of town guest returning for the reunion is Benson. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit MAPP (Midwest AIDS Prevention Project) in honor of the many Todd’s employees.

The reunions 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 [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.staticrecords.com