Introducing Club 8

Asia TOPA is diving headfirst into the electrifying world of after-dark artistry with its inaugural Nightlife program, headlined by the purpose-built Club 8.

Created in collaboration with the design collective Additive, this fabulous new club venue amplifies Asia TOPA’s commitment to innovative, inclusive and immersive cultural experiences.

“Clubs are inherently social, fluid and participatory spaces,” says Jeff Khan, Creative Director of Asia TOPA.

“Unlike traditional arts venues, they invite revelry and create an immediate connection between performers and audiences. Club 8 is the beating heart of our Nightlife program — a place to bring your crew and connect with new art, music and community.”

During the triennial, Club 8 will host 9 nights of extraordinary performance and dancefloor-igniting music. Each night is organised by a different guest curator, and each of them are deeply connected to the Asia-Pacific’s nightlife communities. Together our guest curators have created a program that buzzes with joy, artistry, and an ever-changing lineup of DJs, live performances and immersive installations.

The program celebrates ballroom and voguing with Founding Mother of Naarm, Kianna 007 Oricci and Overall Mother Miri Silky (Mirasia), while local street collective Cypher Culture brings Hip Hop culture to the fore. Trailblazing performers Betty Apple, Betty Grumble and Phasmahammer (Justin Talplacido Shoulder) reimagine performance as tools for empowerment and revelation, manifesting queerness, body positivity and speculative futures. DJ lineups are fuelled by genre-fluid innovators like Cloudy Ku and Soju Gang, delivering dancefloor-ready soundscapes.

"Club 8 is the beating heart of our Nightlife program — a place to bring your crew and connect with new art, music and community.” – Jeff Khan, Creative Director of Asia TOPA

Located on the 8th floor of Arts Centre Melbourne, Club 8 is steeped in symbolism. In Chinese numerology, the number 8 signifies luck, prosperity and success. It’s a dynamic, circular space, reflecting the timeless unity of dance floors across cultures and eras.

Club 8 will also feature a specially-curated menu of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and delicious snacks, to keep you fed and watered through your club journey. We’ve even made it easy and affordable to bring your crew, with specially-discounted group ticket prices.

Club 8 celebrates the club as an essential space of creativity, culture and community. It’s where you kick on to after your Asia TOPA Performance is finished, but it’s also a destination in its own right: your late-night journey begins here.

Image: Betty Apple by MW Studio