If you thought “Northern Soul” DJing was a figment of Nick Hornsby’s imagination, or a UK scene so far gone it was the progenitor for MOD IN THE UK, you’re right but this is NYC so you’re also wrong.
Mixing 60s Motown and soul, the Northern Soul scene was a working class yob, speedy (as in amphetimes) night of lager and dancing. The Who wrote about it more than once (it was the backdrop to Quadrophenia) and, Townsend, back when he was his Generations standard bearer of teen, , wrote “The Kids Are Alright” precisely about dancing the night away.
So speaking with my friend Donna McElroy yesterday (her husband Joe redesigned Rock NYC for me -if I could afford him I’d retain him in a second) told me Nick – “No-Good Nick” to you, was DJing at a loft party this Friday…
Me? I don’t go to parties that start at 11pm though if I did, this is the one I’d choose. If only because a week after I recommended Trouble And Bass get into DC’s late Go-Go scene, these partygives, Subway Soul, are apparently doing precisely that!!!
Here is their press release:
Next Event-Friday April 16th
For your monthly fix of dancing to Northern Soul, Motown and Go-Go Grooves join Phast Phreddie The Boogaloo Omnibus and guests. This month we welcome a newbie to Subway Soul’s DJ family; ‘Nogood Nick’, who Lady Dawn heard spinning some AWESOME Northern at Quitty’s house party recently, and was quick to sign him up. Add to that, the master of Soul himself; Mr Finewine of WFMU and you’ve got a recipe for sore happy feet!
So the good news is that our space has had an upgrade! We now have several black padded booths so you can relax in between bouts of shaking your tail feather.
British hostess Lady Dawn will be making you feel at home, assuming your home has a big wooden dance floor, a disco ball, groovy projections and and a bar.
If you haven’t been to the new venue yet, Subway Soul has gone underground, upstairs! Our new space is a big, white room with a WOODEN FLOOR and A BAR in a basic, private space between Public Assembly and Williamsburg Hall of Music.
We even have our own ‘hole in the wall’ entrance, so no more issues with disinterested bystanders blocking our precious dance floor. We waving our groovy banners and reclaiming Subway Soul for it’s dancers!
Because its not a public bar, we are having to charge a small cover. of $6
21+
Friday April 16th (and every third Friday of the month )
‘The Loft’
70 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
The entrance is an unmarked door between Public Assembly and Williamsburg Hall of Music. You wouldn’t know it was a club! Look for the Subway soul poster on the door and just head up the stairs.
Should be a wonderful night, youngsters…
So… when is the next “northern soul” night?
Looks like I found this 2010 post today ( 2021) while searching for a NS dance spot
Visiting NY and hopefully Boston in May 2022 is there any northern soul nights on around then KTF
I found it by accident on the Lower East side last week a mod soul dance with djs spinning 45s. Full of 60s Mod looking people. FRED PERRYS all around. I though i was in England 1964
All i know is This guy at dance instagram modernist106
Ask him. Good luck