Rites XL: The Black Party is returning to New York City to celebrate it’s 40th anniversary in one, cult-like, sex-fueled bash.
The dark and decadent party will be held on 6 April in the New York Expo Center, in the Bronx. Run by The Saint at Large organization, this gay circuit party is considered by most to be the big daddy of them all.
Over 4,000 attendees join the party every year, which is set to be a ‘carefully constructed alternate universe of fetish, fantasy and fun’, according to the organizers. It’s an immerse experience, using lighting, music, multimedia installations, and weird and wonderful live acts to submerge party goers into an incredibly intense night out.
An intense night out
Organizers say the event is set out like a five act opera. There’s a backstory, a director, actors, theatrical production, and a sound system. But it also means that you, the circuit party goer, are a part of the story too.
This year’s theme is Caligula, named after the infamous Roman Emporer, and is set to deliver another night of ‘indulgent rituals, exotic arena performances and grand, exotic and erotic pageantry’. Gay porn star Matthias Von Fistenberg will take the title role.
Filmaker and gay historian Leo Herrera will be putting his talents to work on the visuals.
Previous themes have included Pigtopia: I Want to Break Free, Dark Matter, and Submerged.
So if you thought circuit parties couldn’t get anymore intense, it’s safe to say you haven’t seen anything like this yet.
Rites XL: The Black Party is hosted at New York Expo Center from 10pm 6 April until 3pm Sunday 7 April. Tickets range from $60 to $175 depending on entry time.
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