During the summer of 1991, Kris convinced Lucy to empty
out her basement in New Britain, paint the walls black and put in a swing. A
makeshift dj booth was created on top of a folding table. For décor, 10 old
televisions were stacked on top of each other and
 hooked
up to a vcr. Dayglow frames, fans, a female mannequin and a playschool turntable
hung on the walls, illuminated by 2 small blacklights. To further enhance the
light show, a radio shack stobe light was plugged into a “clapper.” By October
we were ready for our first after hours party. Everyone was dressed in their
finest Halloween costumes. The entrance way was behind the house down through
the cellar hatchway. It was painted bright pink so that people wouldn’t fall.
The only casualties occurred when overzealous dancers would knock their head on
the low beam in the ceiling while dancing/jumping.*** Occaisionally, someone
would bump the dj booth and skip the record. We even installed a bathroom
enclosed with tie-dye sheets for privacy. The great thing about our parties was
that we had insulated the room so well that the neighbors did not complain. Our
last guest left around 5:30 am. Every few months Lucy and Kris would drive to
NYC, buy a stack of records and throw another party. People, especially those
who frequented the “riot”, found out through word of mouth, giving the party an
underground feel. At 2 a.m. people would leave the “riot” and head to New
Britain. Our street was lined with cars as the sun rose. Two years quickly
passed and the basement had become too small.
****** Chapter 2*********
October 1993 marked the beginning of a new era for club
lucy. We found a Club that was willing to take a chance and offer a monthly
space for women to dance and socialize. As before we wanted our parties to be
intimate and relied primarily on flyers and
word of mouth. (And by flyers, we mean hand written, copy and paste low budget
type secretly photocopied at work. Nothing like todays glossly double sided
cardstock!) Local women-owned businesses and organizations were encouraged to
set up booths to help raise awareness and or money for their cause. In June of
1995 we held our first annual PRIDE celebration. In 1997, Bailey and friends put
together “Club Lucy’s Magic Bus Ride to New York City Pride.” Entertainment had
included the very talented ECHO JANES as well as “Girl Games” hosted by Tuty.
Alana, Liza and Kim have danced gracefully above the crowd. Because of support
from our wonderfully diverse group of women and men, Club Lucy has donated money
to the E.V.E.’s fund (end violence everywhere), Children From The Shadows,
Snowball, Spin for Life, Connecticut Women’s Chorus Another Octave, Connecticut
Gay Men’s Chorus, Boston-NYC Aids Ride, The Shambhala Project and The
Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Sadly, all good things must come to
an end…In April of 1999 Club Lucy held her last party at Sanctuary. The building
was sold and Club Lucy was on the streets looking for a new home.
********** Chapter 3***************
The following month club Lucy was welcomed by female owned
“The Webster Theatre”. Wow, was this club BIG!. As an old converted movie
theater, it houses famous rock band/performers from melissa ferrick to metallica.
In June of that same year, Club Lucy entered a float for the first time in
Hartford’s Gay Pride Parade. Following our Orange Jeep Wrangler with booming
external sound system, was a three story mannequin holding a martini glass in
one hand, cigarette in the other (no, we do not promote smoking!)… We won a huge
trophy for best float!!--- That night the club was packed. The Hartford Advocate
was there to interview us and wrote a piece on the history (or herstory) of club
lucy. Infamous Drag King “DRED” direct from NYC, performed on stage…(my favorite
part of her performance was when she stripped down from her male persona and
finally pulled an apple out of her g-string, biting into it…wow!!)***** For the
next 5 years, we enjoyed entertainment provided by dj kris kono, dj serena and
bands such as swivel hips. (remember that kick ass cage Alana built with plenty
of girl on girl action??)**** Over time, we realized the space had grown too big
and began looking for a more intimate space.**** As all things seem to come full
circle, we were invited to host our parties at the chez est, one of the first
women’s clubs in CT, Commercial Street. So here we are four years later, and 17
years old !!! |
