I really like the Arthouse. I like the friendly doorstaff, I like the layout and furniture, I like the toilets (especially when there’s someone who doesn’t realise that the water turns on with motion sensors), and at this Saturday’s edition of KINK (and like any other KINK I’ve been to) I really liked the music. My troupe and I arrived at around ten thirty, to be greeted by security, who reminded us to have a good night, and that my t-shirt was cool. Now that’s good door policy. Finally an establishment realises that being nice to us actually makes us want to come back. For a lot of us, security and doorstaff are extremely important. They are supposed to be the ones providing some sort of duty of care over us. Although this rarely happens, it happens at the Arthouse. It’s just nice to be greeted and spoken to like the paying customers that we are – instead of some piece of crap that won’t get of the bottom of security’s metal tipped black leather boots. I know I’ve been rabbiting on a bit about this, but security at a venue is very important. I’m sick of those big oafs who just grunt at you, or turn you away, or stare at your girlfriend’s breasts… Was a nice change. But, moving on to KINK. We entered the main room first, to see what was on the go. Karl Prinzen was mid-way through a fairly laid-back, techy set, perfect to sit down on those big ole comfy seats and consume a cold bevvy or two and enjoy the company of friends. We then went for a quick trot around to the breaks room where Mo Funk was banging out some party beats. Nothing too heavy yet, everyone was still in sitting mode, and not dancing mode – but this would eventually change. We wandered around a little more, before returning to the main room, where the pace was beginning to pick up a little. We were, for a little while, disappointed at the turnout, but it was only eleven, and obviously we were getting a little ahead of ourselves. And then it came. Suddenly, the music was no longer background sounds, but pumping beats and some wicked basslines. Prinzen was most certainly warming up the crowd. We removed our asses from the comfy seats and moved towards the dancefloor and realised it was now the sounds of Shamus. I think most of KINK had realised this too, the floor was packed with friendly, happy faces. Arthouse had well and truly filled up. And then we heard it (again). I think Shamus must’ve realised he had a hit last week, because punters got a second dose of Blur’s “Song Two.” Bloody good choice too. I don’t think there was a person in the joint who wasn’t WOO HOOING along with us. The guy next to me wasn’t too impressed that I knocked his beer out of his hand cos of my stupid, flailing excuse for dancing, but was happy enough to accept my sincere apologies. This would have to be one of the best things about KINK. The vibe. You look over at someone, and they’ll smile back. The people at the Arthouse on Saturday really make the party, and it is really nice to be able to party in a comfortable and friendly environment. We kept up the dancing for quite a while, spurred on by Shamus’ friend who was waving his hands and jumping around and other such o things, but decided to have a break in the breaks area. (Ha ha, breaks in the breaks room…. Ah forget it). The music at this place is just perfect. The DJs seem to sense what needs to be played, and manage to get the party rocking no matter what. Somehow, we ended up sitting in the hallway to take a break, by which time Shamus had been replaced by Rob Kay, who was still playing the right tunes for the crowd in the main room, and Elroy Vs MC Losty were breakin it down in the breaks room (clearly loving the puns). As we were chatting, we just took in the scenery. Older, Younger, punks, pretty boys, dresses, jeans, t-shirts, heels, sneakers. You get the point. The thing about KINK is that you can dress how you want, dance how you want, and have awesome music playing on an awesome system. Unfortunately, due to the copious amount of uni work to be done, we had to leave before Ben Morris in the main room, and The Jackal in breaks – but both are fantastic DJs, and if they followed the flow of the night, they would have played awesome sets. Can’t say enough good stuff about this place. One of Sydney’s best I’d have to say. See you all there next week.
