Torture Garden
Torture Garden New Year’s Eve 2009-2010
by admin on Jan.01, 2010, under Party Report, Torture Garden
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Halloween 2009 – Torture Garden
by admin on Nov.02, 2009, under Party Report, Torture Garden
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Torture Garden Summer Ball 2009
by admin on Jul.13, 2009, under Torture Garden
Friday 11 Jully 2009 @ Mass
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Torture Garden Paris 2009
by Sarah on Jun.27, 2009, under Torture Garden
Saturday 20 June 2009 @ Glaz’art
When the circus comes to town ..
Rome, Athens, Berlin … they’ve all had their Torture Gardens. The question of why not Paris was becoming more and more insistent. Was the French scene not big enough to support a Torture Garden event ? Surely an international capital the size of Paris could draw the crowds ?
As of June 20th, this has been corrected. Paris has hosted not just the Nuit Demonia, but London’s most famous fetish night : Torture Garden. Having heard rumours about the French team, though, how much a chance were they going to be given ?
Clearly, we should not have been expecting a transplanted London TG, though I think many of us were hoping for the same energy, the same magical blend of beauty and crazy and outrageous sexy to be somehow recreated, first try, in a Parisian indy concert hall. The venue, usually home to independent gigs and art installations, didn’t seem like the most glamourous match, and the local shows were either TG stalwarts or French neophytes, with not much in between. But Torture Garden is Torture Garden, no matter where it is. ‘French Touch’ Torture Garden apparently comes in fairground attractions and cabaret numbers … but a little novelty never hurt anyone. Sometimes it’s the best way of discovering bigger and better things.
It took a while to come together, though. The decision had been made to only open the club at 11pm, with a selection of outdoor shows acting as a preparty. These didn’t really draw the crowds, who only really started to arrive after midnight. From then on, the party took a little more time to find its rythm. At about 3am, the place had filled out and David TG’s mixing skills had drawn the crowds onto the dancefloor. Until then, one could admire the usual international TG shows : Syban’s ballet of needles and feathers, Empress Stah’s erotic cabaret, Satomi’s shibari performance – the mix of pop, alternative and fetish cultures which is what makes TG.
Though TG is the mother of all alternative nights out, where you can spot gothic lolitas or punk club kids, the French version lost sight a little of its fetishistic aspects. Organised by Olga and Carline of Tokyo Decadance (a French Japanese cross-culture clubnight), the decision had been to organise an artistic night rather than a fetish one, to use TG’s culture rather than its vocation. Unfortunately they underestimate the strength of the Torture Garden label. Torture Garden is the haven of fetishists. It’s a chance for the lovers of leather, latex or PVC to put on their gladrags and parade them in a world of their own, to showcase international fetish designers. The shows are far more sexy and dangerous than they are burlesque. David and Allen’s genius was in opening this ‘dark side’ to popular influences : to techno music, to futurism, to burlesque, to the fantasies that show up against the grey background of the everyday world. If TG’s dresscode is always “turning heads in the street”, then Parisians must have easier heads to turn than most.
« Torture Garden Paris is not just another club night using the Torture Garden label », is what it said on the site. Was it supposed to be not just another TG, or not just another club night ?
The strength of the Torture Garden is that it carries popularity and therefore expectations. Rather than come out and say that this was not meant to be a London-style Torture Garden, TG Paris ran firmly up against these expectations. A little bit too firmly, in fact. The initial mood was suspicious, even a little bit disappointed. On the one hand, the purists were expecting a fetish event. On the other, the more alternative crowd was expecting a cross-culture night. There was bound to be a little bit of a clash, and this should, in retrospect, have been predicted and dealt with by clearer advertising.
One of the main things that should have been tackled immediately, however, were the technical problems. It looked like there was a personnel shortage, which meant the shows ran later and later and the music cut out regularly with no one to man the DJ booth. There was also things which will be easily corrected next time, which a more fetish-centered organiser would have dealt with much better : guestlist and photopasses, dresscode application, better dressing rooms, photopass enforcement … the little things all accumulate. As an example, I shan’t mention the accredited photographer wearing jeans. Instead, I’ll mention an anonymous guy, taking pictures with his iPhone of passing arses, without a photopass and without permission. When I pointed out that this was not only rude, but also against club rules, he threw me a condescending look before saying, as an explanation, that he had a ‘somewhat read’ blog. Whoever his readers are, I’m not sure they’d be happy to be find themselves there …
Despite these birthing pangs, in a different venue and with a little work, I think the next Parisian TG can be much more sure of itself and much more professional. Judging by the end of the night, I think a lot of people are even happily expecting it ! TG did find its French audience, among all those there who expressed their joy at finding a club that escaped the set limits between the French BDSM, fetish and alternative scenes. There is already talk of another TG in Nancy, in the very East of France, which will undoubtedly be very different, but just as important for the continued development of this kind of events in France. Looking forward to seeing you there !
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Torture Garden June 2009
by admin on Jun.18, 2009, under Torture Garden
Friday 12 June 2009 @ Coloseum
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Torture Garden Birthday Ball 2009
by admin on May.21, 2009, under Torture Garden
Saturday 16 May 2009 @ SeOne
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TG International Fetish Ball 2009
by admin on May.21, 2009, under Torture Garden
Friday 15 May 2009 @ Coloseum
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Torture Garden Valentine’s Ball 2009
by admin on Feb.14, 2009, under Party Report, Torture Garden
Torture Garden New Year’s Eve 2008-2009
by Sarah on Jan.03, 2009, under Party Report, Torture Garden
Torture Garden New Year’s Eve 2008
Wednesday 31 December 2008 @ Mass
Torture Garden had promised us big things for New Year’s Eve. Things like confetti cannons and balloon drops and shows, on top of all the usual festivities. The December newsletter also hinted at big plans for 2009, so what better place to make or break all our new New Year’s Resolutions than TG?
- Resolution 1 : Clear out your wardrobe
Out with the old, in with the new ! I’ve grumbled about cheap lingerie and the dresscode before, but I’m woman enough to eat my words. TG’s latest newsletter announced a stiffer dresscode and though I don’t know if it was implemented already, the crowd seemed to have already decided to dress up for the New Year. Though there was still a complement of lingerie and fancy dress, there was also far more amazing latex, themed outfits, and inspired dressing. Hurrah!
- Resolution 2 : Get fit
The delicious DJ Fidelity Kastrow led the way both in fashion and music, managing to look and sound stunning. Along with Allen and David TG, and alumni Jimmy Mofo and Janette Slack among others, the dancefloors were packed all night long. TG was obviously helping us to fulfill that most popular and impossible of resolutions : exercise more. By dancing and dancing and dancing …
- Resolution 3 : Quit smoking
TG also encourages you to stop smoking ! Without a marquee to trap the heat, those indulging in the smoking area had to cluster round the heaters that were kindly provided, but that freezing temperature certainly stang, even on the mercifully short circuit between the dungeon and the upper floors … The layout on the whole was the same as for Halloween, with the Babalou floor serving as the dungeon. Though people still tended to cluster on their way in, the actual dungeon space was a lot more divided, creating more intimacy and chill out space, which made up for losing the upstairs chill-out to the new green room.
- Resolution 4 : Spend more time with family and friends
Along with the layout, circulation was helped by the bouncers being quite firm about keeping people circulating in the non-club areas. The several cloakrooms were extra efficient and the queues kept to a minimum by spreading them around the club. By dint of opening an hour early, and closing late, TG’s superb organisation gave us as much time as possible to party with friends.
- Resolution 5 : Do less housework !
And party they did. Forget the cleanup – who’s to think about that when there are balloons and confetti being thrown at you on the main dancefloor, music being played and dancing to be done ? While I saw in the New Year Dancing, Josselin was next door enjoying the Libidex stage show, an elaborate Moulin Rouge themed production featuring the entire Libidex team and their exclusive, spectacular new line of printed rubber. Said rubber proved that it’s not only beautiful but practical, as it turned to splosh : again, who cares about housework when it’s turning into a festive foodfight of thrown cake and sprinkles all over?
- Resolution 6 : Delegate
Josselin not only photographed the show, as you can see below, but he was also the hero of the hour when he managed to open the champagne …. with his teeth. For this accomplishment, he was invited to take a bow with the rest of the team onstage. He also demonstrated a fine command of the art of delegation when he handed over his camera for other people to take pictures of him and for him. A useful skill!
- Resolution 7 : Be thankful
Credit where credit is due : A huge thank you to the TG and Libidex for putting on this show and this night for us, and congratulations on another incredible success. 2009 will truly be your year!
- Resolution 8 : Get organised
Here are the Torture Garden dates for 2009, as announced in the newsletter. Please note that these dates are not 100% confirmed until the tickets go on sale …
- TG Valentines Ball – Sat 14th Feb @ Mass
- TG March – Sat 14th Mar @ Venue TBC
- TG Easter Ball – Fri 10th April @ Mass
- Birthday Ball Weekend:
TG International Fetish Ball – Fri 15th May @ Mass
TG Birthday Ball – Sat 16th May @ SeOne
TG Boudoir Ball – Sun 17th May @ Platinum Bar
- TG June – Sat 13th June @ TBC
- TG July – Sat 11th July @ TBC
- TG August – Sat 8th @ TBC
- TG Sept – Sat 5th Sept @ Mass
- TG London Fetish Ball – Sat 4th Oct @ Mass
- TG Halloween Ball – 31st Oct @ SeOne
- TG Xmas Ball – Sat 5th Dec @ Mass
- TG NYE – Thur 31st Dec @ Mass
Put them down in your diary straight away ! The Birthday Ball 2008 at SeOne was definitely one of my highlights of the year and I’m looking forward to the next one already ! Plus the added bonus of Josselin celebrating his own birthday – stay tuned for more info.
- Resolution 9 : Take a trip
TG have already announced that they will be cutting down on their international events and focusing opn other exciting sounding projects. However do look out for Torture Garden events in Athens, Rome, Tokyo, Dallas, Paris …
- Resolution 10 : Be Happy
Happy 2009 !!
Halloween – Torture Garden
by admin on Nov.02, 2008, under Party Report, Torture Garden
Torture Garden Halloween
Saturday 01 November 2008 @ London (Mass)
It is sometimes useful to have the benefit of hindsight when writing one’s reviews. Or maybe I’m just making excuses for being very late in my contribution to the Halloween Torture Garden event post … In any case, Torture Garden sent out their November Newsletter which provides their take on the new layout, which is highly illuminating. From their point of view, the limitations imposed on Mass for the use of their habitual dungeon turned out to be an improvement. From the punter’s point of view, the use of two full cocktail bars and much more seating was a huge improvement, though there were minor drawbacks, such as the gauntlet to be run between Dungeon/Chill-out area and the dancefloors .. but more on that later.
The vibe was there even in the queue, early as we arrived. This was it, one of the biggest Torture Garden events of the year, up there with the Birthday Ball and New Year’s Eve party. Finally, all those who felt they needed a commercial excuse to dress up could let loose. It was also the perfect occasion for first timers, a little shy in their ‘borrowed plumage’, to make their outing. Traditional-style Halloween costumes, witches, ghouls and mummies mixed with the trashier roadkills, graphic corpses and morbid fetish. A truly terrifying pink clown haunted the halls. Torture Garden regulars could be spotted between forests of feather and tulle wings … Though they made circulation a little difficult at times, it was truly invigorating to see so many spectacular outfits and appreciate the effort that had gone into them.
