Fifth Street Archives

collects information to archive and compile into written, visual and digital form for current and future generations to enjoy the many voices of NYC culture.

Through interviews with luminaries that were actually there, we aim to provide an honest and well-rounded historical contribution to be presented in the ”oral history” tradition.

Curiosity about pre-social media era NYC culture is at peak interest. It's up to us, that were actually there, to provide an authentic account.

The collected information is intended for four separate books to compile an initial quartet on the history. The tentative titles for the four volumes are:

House, Houses and a Garage

A history of NYC house music, NYC houses, the Paradise Garage and associated scenes (1980-1989)

A Factory, a Tunnel, and a Church

A history of the Sound Factory, the Tunnel, the Limelight and the big clubs of the era(1989-1999)

EVERY WEEK!

A written and visual history of the weekly NYC parties of the 1990s including Soul Kitchen, Giant Step, Cafe con Leche, Underground Network, NASA, Sheets and Pillows, Mecca, Jackie 60, Disco 2000, Sugar Babies, Rock and Roll Church, Wild Pitch, Konkrete Jungle, Lyricist Lounge, Body and Soul, Shelter, Be Yourself, Ego Trip, Love Machine, Phab, Milk, Purrrr, Payday and Squeezebox.

Mentor Disciple

The relationship between Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring and the continuation of their lineage in contemporary culture.
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The interviews to compile the works are conducted through zoom, through socially distanced meetings and in site-specific locations based on future health protocols.

Fifth Street Archives also stores and catalogs culturally relevant material for future researchers and for arts and educational institutions. Content is accepted through bequest or loan.