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THE STORY OF A TIME WHEN SYDNEY WAS THE DANCE PARTY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

the house of love

A documentary about the 80s House Music revolution and how Sydney's Hordern Pavilion became the world's wildest playhouse.

FROM LOVE to ETERNITY - A TIMELINE

1978

A day of protest to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York descends into police brutality and many arrests in the evening. These protests give birth to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. “Out of the bars and into the street” became the war cry.
1979

The first SGLMG dance party is held at Balmain Town Hall prior to the parade. Patchs nightclub changes ownership and Stranded nightclub opens in the city.
1980

Mardi Gras includes floats for the first time in the parade and holds its first after-party at the Paddington Town Hall. More than 500 people loiter outside to try and get into the sold-out event. The Albury Hotel opens its doors and would become a breeding ground for Sydney’s drag superstars.
1981

A man in his 60s would later be discovered to be Australia’s first AIDS case. A gay warehouse party called The Party in a disused building in Surry Hills becomes arguably the first warehouse party in the city with 2000 attendees.
1982

This year is the first year Mardi Gras uses the Showgrounds at Moore Park as the venue for the parade after-party. It’s held at the AMP Pavilion.
1983

The first R.A.T. party called RAT rock wreck is held at an old disused squatters house in Redfern. More than 200 people attend.
1984

Sleaze Ball in October becomes the first party held at the Hordern Pavilion. More than 5000 people attend. Jesse Saunders releases ‘On & On’ on his Jes Say Records in Chicago which arguably becomes the first House Music record to be released. Homosexuality is decriminalized in NSW.
1985

A drug called ‘Ecstasy’ is first reported in the Sydney Star Observer. Actor Rock Hudson dies of AIDS as the first AIDS candlelight rally and vigil in Sydney takes place to remember those passed and to strengthen the community’s determination to fight the disease.
1986

Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s ‘Jack Your Body’ is released and goes on to become the first House Music record to top the UK charts the following year. Sylvester performs at Sleaze Ball.
1987

R.A.T. holds the first non-Mardi Gras party at the Hordern on NYE with the party CelebRAT ’88 and a sell-out crowd. Dance Delirium throws a massive warehouse party at Pier 14 on the Harbour.
1988

The Second Summer of Love takes hold of the UK as Acid House moves a generation and Ecstasy becomes its face while back in Sydney Black, Bacchanalia and R.A.T. parties open the doors to the Hordern. Grace Jones’ legendary R.A.T. NYE performance ushers in a year of wild decadence.
1989

More than 40 parties held over 52 weeks of the year heralds the Hordern Pavilion as the biggest dancefloor in the world.
1990

In June, the Hordern parties are shut down. The end of an era but the beginning of a revolution.

CAST

SOME OF THE MAKERS OF THE HOUSE

VICTOR LI

Co-promoter - Hordern 'Sweatbox' parties

JOHN FERRIS

DJ & Co-promoter Hordern 'f.u.n.' parties

TIM RITCHIE

DJ & JJJ presenter

BARRY CHARLES AKA TROUGHMAN

Gay Activist/78er

MAYNARD F# CRABBES

DJ - 'MADD Club' host & JJJ presenter

SEAN FINLAY

Co-promoter - 'Dance Delirium' parties

SEE THE FULL CAST

Sign up FOR FILM RELEASE INFO, DJ MIXES AND EVENTS

GRACE JONES LIVE AT RAT NYE 1988

GRACE JONES’ LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE AT THE RAT NYE PARTY IN ‘88 AT THE RHI AND HORDERN PAVILION IS STILL ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT PARTIES EVER.

Boy George singing 'Victims'

Boy George performed at R.A.T.’s Colors de Bennetton perfume launch dance party at the Hordern Pavilion back in September ’89.

Countdown Revolution - Jungle Brothers (1989)

Zoo Party hosted one of the biggest names in House Music/Hip Hop, the Jungle Brothers, at the Hordern in 1989

HOUSE MUSIC ALL NIGHT LONG!

THE HOUSE OF LOVE ON SPOTIFY