Kinky Gerlinky
Encyclopedia
Kinky Gerlinky was a London clubnight that began in 1984 , hosted by fashion impressarios Michael and Gerlinde Kostiff. Following in the footsteps of 80s clubs such as the Blitz
and Taboo
, Kinky Gerlinky was where clubbing culture met outrageous fashion and out there drag
. Whilst primarily regarded as a gay club, it was actually one that attracted revellers of all sexualities as well as genders and races.
Kinky Gerlinky took place monthly in the West End, starting life at the Cafe de Paris, before moving onto Shaftesbury's, and finally the Empire Ballroom in Leicester Square
. The Kinky Gerlinky nights were compered by Winston and Stella Stein. Music was supplied by the resident DJs Princess Julia
, Tasty Tim, Martin Confusion and Rachel Auburn, whilst entertainment was provided by regular live music and drag performances, as well as a catwalk show.
Amongst the regulars of Kinky Gerlinky included Boy George
, Leigh Bowery
, DJ Jon of the Pleased Wimmin, Transformer, Maur Valance, MC Kinky, and Sheila Tequila.
Kinky Gerlinky's resident photographer, Dick Jewell, produced a DVD/film in 2002 that celebrates the infamous club nights. Kinky Gerlinky was highly influential in the next generation of clubs such as Puscha, Kashpoint and Nag Nag Nag
.
Blitz Kids
The Blitz Kids were a group of young people who frequented the Blitz nightclub in Covent Garden, London in the very early 1980s, and are credited with launching the New Romantic cultural movement...
and Taboo
Taboo (musical)
Taboo is a stage musical with a book by Mark Davies , lyrics by Boy George, and music by George and Kevan Frost....
, Kinky Gerlinky was where clubbing culture met outrageous fashion and out there drag
Drag (clothing)
Drag is used for any clothing carrying symbolic significance but usually referring to the clothing associated with one gender role when worn by a person of another gender. The origin of the term "drag" is unknown, but it may have originated in Polari, a gay street argot in England in the early...
. Whilst primarily regarded as a gay club, it was actually one that attracted revellers of all sexualities as well as genders and races.
Kinky Gerlinky took place monthly in the West End, starting life at the Cafe de Paris, before moving onto Shaftesbury's, and finally the Empire Ballroom in Leicester Square
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square in the West End of London, England. The Square lies within an area bound by Lisle Street, to the north; Charing Cross Road, to the east; Orange Street, to the south; and Whitcomb Street, to the west...
. The Kinky Gerlinky nights were compered by Winston and Stella Stein. Music was supplied by the resident DJs Princess Julia
Princess Julia
Princess Julia is a British DJ and music writer. She first came to notice in the very early 1980s as part of the short-lived Blitz Kids club scene with the likes of Marc Almond and Boy George...
, Tasty Tim, Martin Confusion and Rachel Auburn, whilst entertainment was provided by regular live music and drag performances, as well as a catwalk show.
Amongst the regulars of Kinky Gerlinky included Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery was an Australian performance artist, club promoter, actor, pop star, model and fashion designer, based in London. Bowery is considered one of the more influential figures in the 1980s and 1990s London and New York art and fashion circles influencing a generation of artists and...
, DJ Jon of the Pleased Wimmin, Transformer, Maur Valance, MC Kinky, and Sheila Tequila.
Kinky Gerlinky's resident photographer, Dick Jewell, produced a DVD/film in 2002 that celebrates the infamous club nights. Kinky Gerlinky was highly influential in the next generation of clubs such as Puscha, Kashpoint and Nag Nag Nag
Nag Nag Nag
Nag Nag Nag was an influential former London club night at the late Simon Hobart's Ghetto nightclub for six years, founded by veteran DJ, promoter and musician Jonny Slut. It is commonly associated with the ambisexual post-electroclash scene. The Independent described the night as a "legendary...
.