Despite being largely surmised in our births or formative years, there’s little doubt that the 90’s were a transformative decade across the cultural board. They not only brought us The Spice Girls, the “Rachel” haircut and the meteoric rise of alternative media; they introduced us to the word of grunge, the rave scene and hip hop. Now, as once-famous nightclub strips fade into gentrified obscurity and Sydney’s lock-out laws force a generation to reconsider what it means to have a good time, Heaps Gay Parties are taking it right back to the bloody beginning – and we’d love you to join us in raising a glass or two (or three) this weekend in celebration of self-expression, re-invention and the freedom to wear whatever, dance however and kiss whoever we fucking want.

After all, it’s just as David Bowie (Valeeeee) said: “The future belongs to those who hear it coming,” and we hear it loud and bloody clear.

On that note, we’ve made a concerted effort to gather some of the finest damn sets of ears to listen out for you, with an epic DJ lineup including Smithers, Power Suit, Cunningpants, Nelson De Sousa, Dunny Minoque, Byron Spencer, Bunnie Hill and Torrie Torrie. We’ll be taking over two stories of The Oxford Hotel this Saturday and paying tribute to one of our all-time favourite decades.

So, what can you expect? Uh, try a collection of tunes fresher than So Fresh Hits of Summer 98′. Think Nirvana, The Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, Britney, Blink 182, Oasis, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Think a good time.

It’s sure to get rowdy, not to mention a tad cathartic. After all, lots has changed since the crowning decade of Oxford Street night life – when Paddington and Surry Hills offered affordable safe-havens for Sydney’s LGBTQI community. Back then, our pride was expressed through leisure, fashion sex and our thriving nightlife. Nightclubs aside, our pubs built the sturdy infrastructure for a rich and growing scene. There was The Shift, The Exchange, The Albury, Gilligans on top of the Oxford hotel on a Sunday afternoon. The Flinders on Flinders st, the Newtown and The Imperial.

Now we’re being forced to find new ways to rebuild what has, over time, been broken down to the rubbled remains of Oxford Street, Kings Cross and Newtown; redefining the Sydney party to no longer be dependent on venue or harbour gender preference or exclusivity.

Heaps inclusive. Heaps 90’s. Heaps Gay is back this Saturday January 16th. Tickets are available on the door. $15