Tenax/Poker Flat Recordings Party (London, UK) 07/04/07

Tenax/Poker Flat Recordings Party (London, UK) 07/04/07 with Steve Bug

Secret central London location...

Easter Weekend is, almost without exception, cash in time for club promoters. After a cold, nasty winter and the inevitable privations of January (everybody skint) and February (everybody cold, miserable, blowing their money on expensive Valentine's gifts) they're looking to claw back into the black, and set the tone for the next few months. So how do you avoid getting sucked into a "high street" club experience, where the DJs are playing it safe, and half the crowd haven't been out in so long they've forgotten how to dance?

You could start by looking around for the night with the weirdest, wildest, most illustrious heritage imaginable: Tenax. Just last week Matthew Dear, aka Audion, told Ibiza-Voice it was his favourite club. "I wouldn't be surprised if the ghost of Leigh Bowery walked in and started dancing," he says, describing it's singular atmosphere. He's not alone in admiring the quarter-century old Florence, Italy clubbing institution.

Not only has it been hosting a crazy assortment of bands and DJs for its entire history (everyone from Sisters Of Mercy, New Order and Kurtis Blow to François K, Frankie Knuckles and Andy C) but it recently came 34 in DJ Mag's Top 50 clubs poll, and you don't have to look far to find DJs singing its praises. "Let's talk about the crowd " marvels Lee Burridge on his blog (after a four week residency there): "old, young, gay, straight, black, white, clothed, naked, Darron."
Intrigued yet? You should be. Best of all, you don't even have to dust off your passport to experience the freewheeling lunacy because Tenax is making a rare London visit with one of our long-time favourite DJs headlining the show: Steve Bug. The Poker Flat boss and minimal maestro is not only owner of some of the most finally tuned party antennae in Christendom, but also of a mouth watering record collection and a gleeful sense of mischief. In a departure from their usual London haunts – Pacha and The Cross – Tenax have hired out a warehouse to reinvent in their own inimitable style, which should suit Steve's DC10-honed style of party starting perfectly.

Headlining in the second room Ibiza faves Electricsex will be adding their sunny island slant to a show which traditionally involves loads of gorgeous nutters and, apparently, some of the finest drag acts this side of Las Vegas. Whether or not their sexy cross dressers will make the hop to London along with Tenax residents Sonotheque remains to be seen, but even sans frocks and rocks, it promises to be a memorable, thoroughly twisted bash. Oh, and early bird tickets are only £8. Which is about as much as you'll pay down your local wine bar if you leave it too late. What are you waiting for?