Tue 18 Sep 2007 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A gay nightclub in the heart of Hamilton has closed - but its resident drag queen assures the Waikato community that another main road LGBT venue will open soon. The untimely death of Venom nightclub's manager Nicholas Morgan last month meant the future of the venue was in doubt, though staff were keen for the Venom to remain open as a tribute to him. "It would be fair to say that Nicholas' financial dealings were always subject to mystery and shadows, and so after his demise, we struggled to gather up the pieces," explains Dennis Ralph AKA 'Miss Gloriousole'. "Sadly, because of the way in which his estate has been left, his last project Venom has had to close it doors." Ralph says that positive feedback from the Hamilton community since Venom opened confirms that the city needs a main road LGBT venue. "It must be re-created again, which I believe will happen within the month." The Waikato's other LGBT venue, the Next Door Bar in nearby Frankton, re-opened in May and is preparing for its 16th anniversary event on Saturday the 29th of September. "We've had a sudden influx of people through the doors recently," says the Next Door bar's Mark Richardson. "And we're expecting many more now - so we'd better get on and plan some fun events." Meanwhile, Glamz! Hamilton drag cabaret dinner restaurant owner Leone Dwyer says she's been busy lately with September's popular 'Gangsta' themed show, and people starting to make bookings for the Christmas period. A quiz night there is planned for Thursday 27th September. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 18th September 2007 - 5:34pm