PYRAMID PIONEERS
Exhibition, Readings, and Book Signing
Thursday, April 18 / 5–8 PM / Free
In honor of the publication of “We Started a Nightclub,” Howl! Arts|Howl! Archive and Some Serious Business will host a book signing and readings from the oral and narrative history of the Pyramid Cocktail Lounge. In celebration, Howl!’s 250 Bowery gallery is pleased to present Pyramid Pioneers, an exhibition showcasing early Pyramid Polaroids and posters by Trey Speegle; video, graphics, and memorabilia from Mark Oates; photographs by Lynn M. Grabowski (Pyramid name: Baronessa); Julie Hair and Jody Kurilla’s musical memorabilia from their Pyramid series, Tuesday Night Fever; clips from the documentary Pyramid Club—The Movie, directed by Elizabeth Bouiss; and flyers and photos featured in the book from Howl! Archives’ Brian Butterick Collection. Copies of the book may be purchased at the book signing and throughout the run of the exhibition: April 18–May 19, 2024.
“We Started a Nightclub”: The Birth of the Pyramid Cocktail Lounge as Told by Those Who Lived It, by Brian Butterick, Susan Martin, and Kestutis Nakas, is a narrative and oral history comprising more than 75 interviews with performers and bar boys, doorpersons and DJs. It covers the early years of the Pyramid from the time of its founding in 1981 through its rise, near demise, and rebirth. Throughout the book project, Howl! Arts has lent its support. Their archive is the repository for the collections of Brian Butterick, book co-author and close collaborator of Howl! executive director Jane Friedman. Archivist Aldo Hernández provided invaluable resources from Brian’s Pyramid Collection. The book was designed by Jeff Streeper for MODERN IDENTITY and published by Damiani in association with Some Serious Business. Publication date: April 30th.
Gallery hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 12 PM to 6 PM, and by appointment on Sundays
Howl! Arts|Howl! Archive
250 Bowery, 2nd Floor
New York, New York
“We Started a Nightclub”: The Birth of the Pyramid Cocktail Lounge as Told by Those Who Lived It by Brian Butterick, Susan Martin, and Kestutis Nakas is published by Damiani Books in association with Some Serious Business. Designed by Jeff Streeper of Modern Identity, the book is available in bookstores, online, and for sale in Europe through Damiani Books.