At first glance, the quaint old church The Kirk is an unlikely venue for a party. It’s a church, after all. My interest in it piqued on an otherwise uneventful night a few weeks ago. I was walking past as its heavy, arced wooden door was being thrown open to reveal red lighting and disco beats. Could it be, I wondered, that my local church was more than your standard man-up-front-in-dress-talking-in-a-monotone-voice-to-old-people?

Intrigued, I turned to the internet. The church is owned by Madame Lash, who is apparently Sydney’s most famous dominatrix. Despite its financial troubles, The Kirk remains in the hands of an art community keen to save it as a venue for local music, live acts and art exhibitions. Saints vs. Sinners was a fundraiser for the Kirk, featuring entertainment from party people Stickyfloor Productions. “You will repent to the altar of dance,” I was warned in advance.

Wearing a red feather boa, devil horns and red fish-nets, I was prepared for “a night of heavenly sin” as the promotional material had promised. Once inside I was instantly impressed, despite the disappointing number of people. The Stickyfloor DJ, dressed as a friar, was playing good, danceable electro house music. Remixes from artists like Blondie, Blur and Sneaky Sound System. We danced, we poked each other with pitchforks and we drank $3 vodka mixers from cans. I liked it.

A burlesque dancer took to the stage, or the roof I should say. Her toned body twirling about a swing; balancing herself upside down from the swing; seconds later, dangling one-handed from it while her legs pirouetted around; a blink later her legs entwined around the rope, her torso and blonde hair falling backwards towards us. I was mesmerised.

Then it was back to the dancing. Two-piece band Ruby Love Rocks played a set, with Kristen on the vocals and electro back beats from her companion. The sound felt very 80s, almost like watching an old Eurovision contest. In fact, the whole experience felt slightly European. Like being at a cool, European school disco. It was unpretentious fun.

I would recommend readers to keep an eye open for any upcoming events at The Kirk. It’s certainly a unique and novel place to spend an evening. Also, look out for anything from Stickyfloor Productions: they certainly know how to put on good party. And the Saints vs. Sinners event was definitely the best hours I’ve ever spent at a church!