now on view in NYC

Night Fever: New York Disco 1977-1979, The Bill Bernstein Photographs

Night Fever: New York Disco 1977–1979, The Bill Bernstein Photographs explores the sexually and socially radical multiculturalism embraced by the New York disco clubs of the late ‘70s.

The exhibition assembles 40 photographs from Bill Bernstein, taken from 1977 to 1979, accompanied by audio interviews, in an immersive installation that invites viewers to experience the freedom and intoxication of the disco era. Highlighted clubs include: GG’s Barnum Room, Le Clique, Xenon, Studio 54, Ice Palace, Crisco Disco, Paradise Garage, Electric Circus, The Fun House, and Hurrah. The unique context of these clubs allowed for unprecedented interaction between groups — straights danced with gays, whites with blacks and Latinos, young with old, and rich with poor. By publicly embracing alternate and previously hidden identities, these pioneers created revolutionary boundary-crossing communities of possibility and joy, paving the way for a future culture of inclusivity.

Night Fever is an immersive experience, designed as a pop-up disco complete with an original Richard Long Audio System (infamously associated with clubs like Studio 54 and Paradise Garage) along with guest appearances by disco-era DJs. A fully operating bar will offer a retro ‘70s cocktail menu.

EXHIBITION CURATOR

Lissa Rivera

EXHIBITION AND POP-UP BAR DESIGN

Jason Volenec

INTRODUCTION AND TEXT

Barry Walters

LIGHTING

Hervé Descottes for L’Observatoire

STORY PRODUCER AND EDITOR

Kettie Jean

AUDIO RECORDINGS

Adriana Kägi
Bethann Hardison
Christopher Duquette
Cory Daye
Eric Goode
Hal Rubinstein
Harold Streitman
Joey Arias
Maripol
Michael Holman
Mike Mannetta
Rick Ross
Scott Taylor

SOUND DESIGN

Ibrahim Soliman

SOUND ENGINEER

Neil Benezra

LOGO DESIGN

Berger & Wild

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE

Trey Tyler
Kayla Camstra
Paz Mallea

PROGRAMMING ADVISOR

Adrian Loving

ORIGINAL “RICHARD LONG AUDIO” SOUND SYSTEM

Craig “Shorty” Bernabeu for SBS Design

MUSIC

Nicky Siano (Studio 54 DJ)

COCKTAIL MENU

Jee Song

PRESS

ArtNews

Editors of ArtNews

City Guide New York

Mari Gold

CR Fashion Book

Natalie Chui

New York Style Guide

Joseph Pastrana

The New York Times

Ryan Burleson

The New Yorker

Lauretta Charlton

Time Out New York (Jan. 30)

Annalise Mantz

Time Out New York (Feb. 2)

Annalise Mantz

Village Voice (digital)

Jennifer Krasinski

Village Voice (print)

Jennifer Krasinski