Danceteria was a legendary New York venue, running in various locations but most famously at 21st Street, from 1979 until 1995. The club was one of the first multi-disciplinary arts venues, with galleries and video lounges under the same roof as the club, creating a template many others would copy. Under talent booker Ruth Polsky, the Danceteria gave exposure to a who’s who of great 80s acts; The Beastie Boys, Madonna, New Order, Run-DMC, Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Soft Cell, Bauhaus, LL Cool J, plus iconic New York artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Famously it was the disco featured in Desperately Seeking Susan that subsequently became the video for Madonna’s Get into the Groove. This footage from The Tube dates from 1983 and follows Jools Holland and Lesley Ash, who chats with the great DJ and then Danceteria resident Mark Kamins, credited with discovering Madonna.
