We take a peek behind the curtain at the immense farewell show at Printworks London
Earlier this month, the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ club night Sink The Pink hosted its last ever party at Printworks London. DJ Mag visited the Surrey Quays venue for the unforgettable “Farewell Ball”, and a new mini-documentary about the collective’s legacy and community is now available to watch below.
After 14 years, Sink The Pink hosted its final throwdown at the 6,000-capacity former printing plant on Friday, 15th April. Founded by Amy Zing and Glyn Fussell in 2008, Sink The Pink began as a queer night at a tiny gay bar in Angel, The Green, before later moving to Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Over the years it has hosted events across drag, cabaret, dance music and more in sold-out venues including Brixton Academy.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of their final party, Fussell said: “To everyone who has ever supported, loved and been part of Sink The Pink, we deliver this piece of news with very heavy hearts, but full of pride at what has been achieved. After 13 incredible years, and a huge amount of wonderful memories, we’ve decided that this next party will be our final Sink The Pink event. We’ve shown that our community can be seen and celebrated in mainstream spaces while staying true to what we believe in.”
“We’ve proved that queerness holds enormous power and should be celebrated wherever possible,” Fussell added. “We’ve given space to the most progressive and beautiful humans that have been an integral part of the queer landscape of London. We’ve helped form friendships, relationships and life long memories. However, no party can last forever. Sink The Pink has achieved more than we could ever have hoped for, so we feel it’s the right time to hang up our heels and make way for a new generation of queer London to shine through.”
In DJ Mag’s new mini-doc, shots capturing the bittersweet celebration of Sink The Pink’s last hurrah appear alongside interviews with long-time performers and friends of the collective, Tete Bang, Joshua James and Raven Mandela, who share memories and reflections on its legacy. Watch it below.
Photo credit: Elliot Young
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