Finding Aid for The Paradise Garage

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Creator: NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project

Title: The Paradise Garage Collection

Inclusive Dates: 1978-1987

Extent:

• 2 Boxes of photographs, flyers, posters, and other documents and ephemera (3 linear feet)

• 1 box of audiovisual and audio recordings (1.5 linear feet)

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Acquisition: Donation by NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project

Information: Finding Aid prepared by Katie Blake

ADMINISTRATIVE/BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

The goal of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is to expand people's knowledge of LGBT history through the exploration of important LGBT geographic sites and their influence on the LGBT community in New York City. Founded in 2015 by Andrew Dolkart, Ken Lustbader, and Jay Shockley, the resource is based on their 25 years of research. The Paradise Garage collection explores the dance club that did not discriminate among race, class, or sexual identity and was an integral social and musical gathering place.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection shows the club's musical influence that spread to dance clubs all over the world, as well as the ways in which it honored the gay community during the peak of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The collection contains photographs and documents of the space, performers, and patrons; flyers, posters, and other ephemera related to Paradise Garage; resident DJ Larry Levan recording; and DJ Sharon's White's set list.

ARRANGEMENT

Series 1: Materials 1978 - 1987

Subseries 1: Flyers, posters, + promotional material, 1978-1987

Subseries 2 : Membership ephemera and pamphlets, 1978-1987

Series 2: Photographs, 1979-1987

Subseries 1: Photographs of performances and patrons, 1978-1987

Subseries 2: Photographs of the space, 1978-1987

Subseries 3: Photographs of the sound system, 1978 - 1987

Series 3: Audiovisual Material - Larry Levan's Set List, 1979

Series 4: Audio Material, 1982 - 1987

Subseries 1: Sharon White Set List, 1982

Subseries 2: Guest DJ Set Lists. 1982 - 1987