Hey Community, it's your girl Naomi Dix.
It is a new ERA, and I want you to come on this journey with me. As a young queer person, I always wanted a place where I could explore who I was, free from judgment, but spaces that often lacked representation and diversity made it difficult to find my community. But that all changed when Naomi was born into the House of Coxx over 10 years ago right here in the Bull City. I was born and raised in Durham, but it wasn’t until I began to truly engage with its amazing 2SLGBTQIA+ community that I was able to find my chosen family and space where I could become the Dix Doll that I am today. Several years ago I began dreaming of a place where the community that shaped me could be preserved and have a permanent and consistent home, even as Durham continues to grow and change around it. I am so happy to announce that this dream is finally becoming a reality!
Club ERA will be Durham’s own Gay, Queer, Trans (and beyond) nightclub and bar, building on the legacy of our Durham predecessors and neighbors from The Power Company, Ringside, and The Bar to Pinhook, Arcana and The Velvet Hippo. It will be a space to dance, socialize and celebrate with a community that thrives on music, art and freedom of expression. So let’s get into what Miss Club ERA will be giving. I want to go back to the basics, y’all, because the world is just a little too much sometimes. Think classic, old school gay bar with a modern sensibility for a new generation of queer folks. Throw in plenty of inspiration from Studio 54 and the club scene of 80s and 90s New York and Chicago with a twist of early 2000s MTV and a splash of timeless ballroom culture with 10s across the board. Consistency is key, baby. In addition to regular programming featuring your favorite local talent, you can come any night of the week and have a good time. Most importantly it will be a place that we can call our own, a home for everyone that needs space to be free, safe, and express themselves without judgment. As a queer Afro-Latinx artist owned and operated space, Club ERA will be committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and safety of our rich and diverse family. Yes, my love, this is you. You are family!
This little ole seed was planted a few years ago, and, as I started taking it more seriously, word spread among friends that I was actively looking for a space. As luck would have it, The Fruit was also looking to rent out some of their space to create a more regular, consistent presence. After many inspiring and productive conversations, it was clear that our vision and mission aligned and that it would be a perfect home. Club ERA will be completely taking over the basement at 305 S Dillard Street. We plan to open on June 1, 2024 (more details about our epic grand opening to come), and we hope to see you there!
In the meantime, there is still a lot of work to be done. Club ERA is launching a GoFundMe campaign for additional light renovations and upgrades to the space because Miss ERA needs some cosmetic surgeries, a little filler and a little botox to keep it tight and right for the people. Funds raised will also help cover unexpected opening expenses and Diversity and Inclusion training for the staff. Leading up to the opening we are also actively starting conversations with the full spectrum of our community to learn what programming and services you all would like to see instead of assuming that we know what you want because, remember, this is your spot too. The most valuable support any of you can offer, though, is to join us at our new home. I can’t make this vision a reality alone and need community to foster a community space. So, stay tuned, spread the word, and I’ll see all of you in June!
DRINKS, MUSIC, DANCE, PARTY!
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.