Are you ready to take a trip down memory lane to celebrate the iconic British nightclub, Quadrant Park? Queue Up and Dance, a community project, has been launched to honor the legacy of this legendary club that operated from 1986 to 1991 in Bootle, just north of Liverpool.
Commemorating Quadrant Park
Local individuals who frequented the beloved “Quaddie” are encouraged to share their memories and memorabilia from their time there. This initiative aims to create a digital archive that will preserve the rich history of the venue for future generations.
The Birth of Legal All-Night Raves
Quadrant Park holds the distinction of being the first venue in the UK to host legal all-night raves. This achievement came about through a licensing loophole tied to its previous existence as a snooker hall. The club played a crucial role in shaping club culture by revolutionizing the way British ravers experienced dance music, even though its legacy is sometimes overshadowed by more well-known establishments like The Haçienda.
Notable DJ Lineup
Despite its relatively short lifespan, spanning from 1986 to 1991, Quadrant Park attracted a roster of renowned DJs including N-Joi, Joey Beltram, Sasha, and Laurent Garnier. The club’s grassroots, community-driven ethos positioned it as an early proponent of DIY club culture, a facet of its history that Queue Up and Dance is keen on honoring.
Preserving the Club’s Heritage
The brains behind the project, comprising Sefton Libraries, Rule of Threes Arts, Dave Evans, and Melissa Kains, are calling on the local community to contribute any relevant memorabilia such as flyers, mix tapes, merchandise, ticket stubs, and photos. Additionally, oral history recordings are being collected to further enrich the archive, building on the work initiated by the Quadrant Park Reunions Facebook community.
Empowering Young Talent
Queue Up and Dance isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s also about nurturing the future. The project is conducting workshops on various related skills like journalism, risograph flyer printing, music production, and DJing, targeting the youth in the area. The output from these workshops, in conjunction with the digital archive, will culminate in an exhibition scheduled for next year (date to be confirmed).
Financial Backing and Recognition
Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant program and The National Lottery Heritage Fund are providing funding for Queue Up and Dance. This community-driven endeavor shines a light on working-class histories and celebrates the enduring impact of a club that may have had a short life, but left an indelible mark.
To get involved or learn more about the workshop program, visit Queue Up and Dance. Meena Sears, Mixmag’s Digital Intern, can also be found on Instagram.
FAQs
Q: What is Queue Up and Dance?
A: Queue Up and Dance is a community project dedicated to commemorating the legendary British nightclub Quadrant Park.
Q: Who is behind the project?
A: The project is organized by Sefton Libraries, Rule of Threes Arts, Dave Evans, and Melissa Kains.
Q: What is the goal of the project?
A: The goal is to create a digital archive of memories and artifacts related to Quadrant Park to preserve its rich history.
Q: How can the community contribute?
A: Local individuals are encouraged to share flyers, mix tapes, merchandise, ticket stubs, photos, and oral history recordings.
Q: What skills are being taught in the workshops?
A: The workshops cover journalism, risograph flyer printing, music production, and DJing.
Credit: mixmag.net
