Come out, go out
The styles and sounds of gay club culture have traditionally filtered through to mainstream nightlife. What's striking about this photography exhibition is the way it too generates a broader picture. Conceived by promoter Patrick Lilley as his Queer Nation club marks its 12th birthday, its images span half a century of gay and lesbian partying.
There are depictions of clandestine yet high-spirited post-war clubbing: the Sussex Arts Ball in the early 1950s, through to original 1960s Soho hotspot Le Duce. Nicely humorous touches, too - a notice helpfully points out that 'some of the people pictured in these photographs may be heterosexual'.
Following the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967, Robert Workman's series documents a dynamic club-scene explosion, while other highlights include Dave Swindells's heady visions of Taboo and Ewen Spencer's stylised black-and-white pics.
Besides Queer Nation itself, there are shots from such assorted institutions as Heaven, G-A-Y, Trade, Fist and Crash: a swirl of muscle boys and party gals, pop kids and drag queens - plus illustrations of how British gay clubbing has further diversified through the alternative cabaret of Duckie and Shinky Shonky, and the elegant Asian fusion of Club Kali.
Upstairs, there's clubby ephemera: flyers, newspapers and souvenirs. A badge reads 'I'm with the Bang gang', referring to an essential 1970s venue. Compact in scale, it makes for a fascinating history of swinging social lives - no matter which way you swing. Arwa Haider
Queer Nation 02 is showing until Sun, Elms Lester Painting Rooms, 1-5 Flitcroft Street W1, daily midday to 6pm, free. Tel: 020 7836 6747. www.02.co.uk/queernation Tube: Tottenham Court Road
