| During the early 90's
Great Yarmouth and the south east coast was a haven for 'rave
style' night clubs, with a host of organisations jostling
for the title as the number one party promoters. All along
the seafront littered for miles were various clubs offering
you the opportunity to simultaneously explore the outer reaches
of your imagination, with a combination of talent, technology
and amazing productions. Each promoter trying to better his
rivals in some way, with various attractions and entertainment.
All of these clubs had something unique and individual to
offer with well established names to guarantee a good night.
These included some of the best in the business such as Richard's
Parties, Boom!!, Sheer Pleasure Promotions and Euphoria to
name but a few. Such a huge variety of different DJ's and
MC's as well as top live acts could be witnessed every week
somewhere in town. A variety so big it would be impossible
to name every one.
As the scene began to establish, so did the promoters. With
some falling by the wayside, others began to grow in stature.
One in particular was a Lowestoft based project called 'Dance
Paradise'. These guys had a real knowledge and passion for
putting on amazing first class events. The earliest one I
recall was in September 1990. This was held at the Ocean Rooms
in Gorleston. A nice clean venue supporting a huge three level
dance floor with a capacity of around 800 people. 10k of Turbo
sound along with the best in visual entertainment made this
a night few will forget. The only let down was the poor 1am
finish time. The local authorities were very reluctant to
give promoters any extended licences, bringing these parties
to an abrupt halt!! Soon these nights became very popular
with each one becoming more crowded.
Dance Paradise then decided on a change of venue that could
accommodate this. They had only one choice, the biggest club
on the coast, 'Tiffany's'. Tiffany's was situated on 'the
golden mile' in Gt Yarmouth. A massive tower building consisting
of four floors. The lower floors were used as a casino and
restaurants with the nightclub at the top. As well as the
main arena, with a massive step down dance floor it also had
3 other smaller rooms that were used for other styles of music
or chill outs. It was here that Dance Paradise began to excel,
leaving their rivals in the shade. The main attractions were
the powerful 20k 'Quad' sound system and awesome transformation
of the club, using the very latest in dance environment theme
and decor design. The entertainment was also set at a very
high standard with the best that was available. Resident DJ's
included Swane (Perception), Stuart Banks (Eclipse), Clarkee
(ESP) and Ellis Dee (Fantazia). Dance Paradise also brought
in the finest live acts to add to the flavour.
These events had a really happy atmosphere which helped
Dance Paradise built a reputation as one of the best. Soon
they began to expand the parties, introducing an 'all dayer'
on bank holiday weekends. These were designed to give the
party goer more time to enjoy, as the authorities still relented
in issuing a longer licence. As well as the regular nights
at Tiffany's, Dance Paradise started a weekly event at Legend's,
Station Square in Lowestoft. This was called 'Spellbound',
and had all the country's top DJ's and the Dance Paradise
production. At £2.50 on the door it was a real hit with
the punters.
In June 1995 Dance Paradise had just spent three long months
working in preparation for what was to be their most spectacular
event to date. In conjunction with Eternity magazine this
was named the 'MULT-E-VENT'. 1 ticket, 3 venues and 5 events!
Dance Paradise had secured a deal with three of the largest
most prestigious venues on Gt Yarmouth sea front. The Marina
leisure and fitness centre, known as ' The Piazza'. A huge
show bar with over 10,000 sq ft of dance floor, housing an
impressive 30k quadraphonic sound system playing the latest
in jungle and drum n bass. 'Scruples' nightclub, a modest
venue with a 10k sound system offering the best in house
and old skool. And of course Tiffany's, giving you three rooms
of choons from happy hardcore to ambient. This event enabled
you to go from one venue to another, just across the road
from each other, it was amazing!
As the years passed and the parties continued so did Dance
Paradise, going from strength to strength. During the scene's
heyday they put on gigs that many other promoters have never
even come close to matching. They have given me some great
times with memories I will cherish for a long time.
Unfortunately in September 2002 Tiffany's closed for the
final time, leaving a lot of frustrated ravers looking for
the ultimate buzz elsewhere. This was a big disappointment
that left a lot people doubtful whether any thing like it
would ever come along again. Dance Paradise will go down in
history as a timeless classic never to be forgotten!!
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