The Ark Reunion was a significant rave held on Sunday, October 1, 1995, celebrating the legacy of Adelaide’s seminal Ark nightclub. This one-night-only event was a conscious effort to resurrect the spirit of the original club, a cornerstone of the city’s dance music scene which operated from its founding in 1991 until its closure in 1994.
1. Event Overview and Logistics
As a revival event for one of Adelaide’s most influential clubs, The Ark Reunion was designed to transport attendees back to a specific time and place. The event’s logistics, detailed on the flyer, reveal the operational DNA of a mid-90s underground gathering and provide a crucial framework for understanding the attendee experience.
The essential details for the event were promoted with the directness characteristic of the era:
- Event Title: The Ark Reunion
- Date: Sunday, October 1st, 1995
- Time: 9 PM TILL LATE
- Venue: THREE LEVELS
- Ticket Price: $15 in advance, with a limited number of tickets available at the door.
- Ticket Retailer: Central Station Records.
- Entry Policy: A strict “NO ID NO ENTRY” rule was enforced.
These logistical points offer their own historical narrative. The $15 advance ticket price and reliance on a physical retailer like Central Station Records—a hub for the DJ community—are emblematic of the pre-internet, word-of-mouth nature of rave promotion in the mid-90s. This foundation set the stage for the artists who would define the night’s soundscape.
2. Artist Lineup
The artist lineup for The Ark Reunion was a masterclass in continuity, featuring a mix of international headliners, prominent local DJs, and special guests who were foundational to the club’s musical heritage. The lineup was not merely a collection of popular acts; it was a deliberate curation promising attendees an authentic revival of the club’s signature sound. Crucially, featured artists like ATB, Brendon, UZI, and the UK’s The System A.D. were not just performers for the reunion; they were veterans of The Ark’s original 1991-1994 run, as confirmed by the club’s historical roster.
### Headline Act
The event was anchored by an international headliner, reinforcing Adelaide’s connection to the global rave circuit.
- THE SYSTEM A.D. (Direct from UK)
### Featured DJs and MCs
Given prominent billing, these artists represented the core local talent that had helped build The Ark’s reputation.
- ATB
- BRENDON
- UZI
- MC TIM
### Special Guests
The extensive list of special guests underscored the reunion’s function as a large-scale homecoming for the Adelaide scene.
- HMC
- MPK
- Angu$
- MADNESS
- GTB
- NIGEL
- NODDY
- FANTASIA
- JUSTICE
- MC MAESTRO D
The experience crafted by these performers was amplified by a venue environment filled with attractions that were as eclectic as the music itself.
3. Venue Features and Attractions
The venue for The Ark Reunion offered a unique and surreal mix of features that provide a vivid snapshot of the 1990s rave ethos. The advertised attractions move beyond simple amenities, reflecting a culture that valued absurdity, participation, and a clear distinction from the mainstream. The explicit inclusion of “No Food” and “No Juice Bar” can be read as a playful rejection of conventional nightclub comforts, reinforcing a D.I.Y. focus on the music and atmosphere. Similarly, the absurd “12 Samurais” and “Three Legged Race” underscore a commitment to surrealism and communal fun over passive entertainment.
The complete list of advertised features included:
- Multi-level Dance Platforms
- PMD Dancers
- Ugly Security (but they’re nice)
- Pool Tables
- Pinball Machines
- Jacuzzi
- No Food
- No Juice Bar
- Three Legged Race
- Kissing Booth (cloakroom)
- Big Speakers
- 12 Samurais
- 4 Golden Scans
- 1 Strobe Light and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
This curated chaos of sight and sound was a fitting tribute to the groundbreaking club that inspired the reunion.
4. Historical Context: The Original Ark Club (1991-1994)
The Ark’s four-year reign from 1991 to 1994 established it as the epicenter of Adelaide’s burgeoning dance music culture. The reunion flyer itself frames the club’s legacy not merely as a nightclub, but as a paradigm shift in the city’s relationship with music. Its impact was profound, creating a dedicated community that remembered it as the backdrop for the most formative nights of their lives.
### Foundation and Impact
The Ark first opened its doors on Friday, February 28, 1991, and immediately began reshaping the local landscape. The flyer for the 1995 reunion memorialized its influence with a definitive statement on its historical importance:
“It changed the way people saw music. It created new trends and provided many with the best nights of their lives.”
### Roster of Past Performers
The club’s significance is powerfully illustrated by the sheer depth and breadth of talent it hosted between 1991 and 1994. The roster is a testament to The Ark’s role as a premiere Australian destination for both legendary international acts and the foundational figures of the local Adelaide scene.
| International Headliners & Live Acts | ||||
| Carl Cox 1 & 2 | ATB | GT | Madness | MC Tim |
| Frank De Wulf 1 & 2 | Brendon | HMC | Anthony | Maestro D |
| Lenny Dee 1 & 2 | UZI | Angu$ | C4 | Scott T |
| Westbam & Lupo | System AD | Nigel | Gravity | MC Dee |
| N-JOI | X-Citement | GTB | Paul-E | Damir |
| DJ Edge | P-Voy | EZEE-G | Code One | |
| DJ Dag | Glacia | PHD | Madcap | |
| Public Enemy | MPK | Noddy | DJ Jeff (!) | |
| Sound Unlimited | ||||
| Ground Level | ||||
| Juice | ||||
| 2120 | ||||
| The System AD | ||||
| Def Wish Cast | ||||
| Too Strong | ||||
| Home Grown | ||||
| Finger Lickin Good |
The club’s enduring legacy was built not only by the artists on its stage but also by the extensive network of people working behind the scenes.
5. Acknowledgements
The reunion flyer’s organizers took care to include a dedicated section thanking the wide-ranging community of individuals and organizations who contributed to the club’s success and spirit. This list serves as a historical record of the collaborative, grassroots effort required to build and sustain a cultural institution like The Ark.
Brendon, Tim & Brenton, Gary, Adam, Paddy (and his friend Mr Sheen), Roger, John & Tanya, Loose Bruce, Old Man Rau, Little Ben, I.P Daniel, Damien, Ben, Josh, Paul Hamon, Paul Hodder, Matt & the Core Tony & all at Centrals, Matt & BB’s, Peter Morris, Greg Revell, Bill & Carolyn of The Printing House, PMD Dancers, Paul E, Skip, Ben & Dave, Nipper, Peter Hurley, Trevor & Regina, Thanks J & K.
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