Five years ago, finding a good night out in L.A .didn’t always come easy–if at all.
For a long time it was more about the door and getting in, then the actually party inside. It wasn’t uncommon in the early noughts to be delayed by the dreaded velvet rope, eventually entering the hottest spots into town, only to discover an abysmal ambiance, mediocre DJ (at best) and not a Drag Queen in sight! Back in the day, every self respecting nightclub in every city had a resident Queen! Throw in starving underage models delicately strewn on the lounge furniture, fidgety coked up celebs nervously looking for paps and an empty dance floor, and this to Angelenos was the only option for a “big night out.” Unlike Miami, NY and London at the time, L.A. for many was more about being seen then letting loose (i.e rather dull). Then A Club Called Rhonda came along.
Rhonda is in many respects is more than just a club night, she’s a living, breathing experience that spreads her luxuriously long legs (without warning or apology) across the land. To circuses, Coachella, rooftop pool parties and impromptu podcasts. Rhonda is the party. On the tip of everyone’s tongue, heard in the whispered hush of the hallowed bathrooms stall and at the top of every list. Hers is the face to look for, the only face everybody hopes to see. But technically, is Rhonda real? Is GaGa? Is God? Well, that depends on who you ask. The logo of ‘high heeled’ legs synonymous with Rhonda’s promo flyers, party pics and hilarious newsletters, elude to (but never confirm) a woman is in those infamous stilettos. But again with Rhonda, who can really say? Then there are her regular followers; the polyamorous, ethnically diverse, tribe of pansexual party goers, with incredible taste in dance tunes. Varying in age, status and class, brought together every second Saturday, through a universal love of floor filling tracks and various demimondes (in full blown revelry). To them Rhonda is real, Rhonda is EVERYTHING.
Officially, Rhonda started in a Latino disco in 2008, Guatelinda Nightclub near Barnsdall Park in east Hollywood. Created by a holy trinity of clubland , Gregory Alexander, Loren Granic (aka “Goddollars”) and Alexis Rivera (in 2010). They longed for a nightlife space where like themselves, “the diversity of LA was genuinely reflected.” Where lovers of both Frank N Furter and Frankie Knuckles were welcome, where gender, race and sexual orientation were irrelevant, as long as the DJs were top-notch. Others agreed, the likes of Todd Edwards, Dimitri from Paris, Juan MacLean, Metro Area, A Guy Called Gerald, Pete Tong and Nicky Sianowere found at A Club Called Rhonda, giving the big-boys (Avalon and Vanguard) a run for their money. Even the guys from Daft Punk were amazed according to Rivera, they never thought they would see anything like this in Hollywood. With Rivera at the helm of most of the club’s booking — and a venue move to the flamenco dinner club El Cid and then again to Los Globos–Rhonda had found a regular hedonistic home of sorts.
Now in it’s sixth year, an eternity in nightlife, A Club Called Rhonda has no intention of slowing down. Already renowned for the best DJs and dance floors in town, Rhonda is now launching a record label. What (and who) else is on that horizon? Read more to see what Rhonda has to say:
Falene: For those who might not know, just what (and who) is Hardkiss?
Gavin Hardkiss: We’re like the original band of DJs. There were three of us: Robbie, Scott and me. Sadly, Scott passed away last year. This was completely heartbreaking on so many levels. It’s hard to over-emphasize the important impact that Scott had on our Hardkiss identity and the growth of electronic dance music in the U.S.
Falene: When and how did you first get involved with nightlife entertainment?
Rhonda: Clubbing has been my passion and destiny since i was in training heels. It was the role i was born to play. When goddess created me she used the feel of silk chiffon, the pop of red lipstick, the seductive savor of a hit of poppers, the beat of the kickdrum, and the glistening glamour of the disco ball at the center of a room. I was made to party and the party was made for me.
What did you do before you had a regular party gig?
I spent the better part of my youth touring the underbellies of various near-eastern port towns, searching for the milky essence of human enjoyment. Once I tired of that I began to associate with a beautiful underground network of party people who later went on to create legendary events. As their muse I felt it was my duty to carry on their legacy long after these iconic party palaces were gone.
Any DJs or acts you would love to have come and do an event, who haven’t yet?
There are still many people in my rolodex whose card I’ve yet to call on. Everything in due time my darling, a woman must always keep a few tricks up her sleeve.
Any thoughts about the infamous ‘Party Monster’ being released?
I’ll say this, Michael Alig & James St. James defined an era. The Limelight changed the trajectory of nightlife forever. It’s strange and amazing to see people from that era making national headlines almost two decades later.
[blockquote]”Shock and novelty are cheap tactics, no matter where you are. I think people gravitate more toward heart, effort, and charisma within anything.”[/blockquote]
Do you remember that whole scene back n the 90s, or is the lady not willing to reveal her age?
It was invigorating. It felt absolutely new at the time. It felt like the right place, the right time, the right moment to have another nightlife resurgence in New York. They seem to come and go, I definitely feel that same energy within Los Angeles now. The tides have temporarily shifted once again, and I am here to usher that moment in and make it last as long as possible.
Did you ever wish LA had a wilder or more progressive nightlife scene on par with The Limelight in it’s hey day, MisShapes, Trash party or the legendary Michael T’s Motherf&*ker in NYC?
Who says LA hasn’t? The difference between happenings in Los Angeles and New York usually comes down to exposure. While LA has the film and television industry, there is not much in the way of major magazines housed here, which is usually where nightlife reporting seems to live. The internet has of course changed some of this, but there have been some extremely significant nightlife moments over the years in Los Angeles that just didn’t get as much as global exposure due to it’s proximity to press, yet these institutions were no less important to creating a scene as some of the entities you mention.
In one word what do you want party goers to experience at A Club Called Rhonda? Besides debauchery?
Immortality.
Rhonda is…
a) A legend
b) A Diva
c) Oh so much more
d) All of the above?
E) A LEGEND, A DIVA, AN ICON, A GODDESS!
Would you say you are both gifted and challenged, like the attendees of ‘The Shortbus’ salon?
No, I would not. Would anyone dear?
The last 3 songs you listened to?
Mark E. – Kultra Kafe
Jesse Boykins III – Plain
Has that golden age of Vegas clubs and nightlife returned? Will that impact LA?
People are rediscovering their sexual centers, but I’m not sure Vegas is at the heart… of that. I don’t really feel too connected to that city beyond it’s flair for being over the top. I think the better question is if LA will impact Vegas? Which I think has already started.
What have been your most entertaining and memorable interactions to date at a party?
Memory? At a party? What is that?
Timeless spaces vs nightlife indicative of a specific time period?
I’m here for both, a good time and a long one. Great happenings, even if calling upon or telling of a certain time period, are usually “timeless.” A perfect theme transcends the concept of time.
Biggest difference from LA and NY scenes today?
There are ‘stylistic’ differences, but polysexual party people are a global community, to separate their inherent unity would be a disservice.
Do you think shock and novelty are embraced less in LA then in NYC?
Shock and novelty are cheap tactics, no matter where you are. I think people gravitate more toward heart, effort, and charisma within anything.
What is your take on what clubs represent now?
Clubs have always represented a release from the sludge of normality, an echoing shout of culture from the underground. That will never change and it will always be beautiful.
When was the track you last rocked on the dance floor, like no one was watching?
I try to dance every song like that, and believe me, when mama moves… everybody is watching.
What are you hoping for this upcoming event?
Feverish nudity and pleasure forever.
Rhonda is very busy, she was immediately whisked away in a puff of glitter and confetti, riding her coach of starlight to the next soiree. I want to say a big thank you to her and her non-biological sons for filling us in all the latest floor-fillers. Big Up! Rhonda.