Susanne Bartsch Presents Bartschland

"For so many of us who came to New York to follow our Warhol dreams and fulfill the promise of a David Bowie future, Susanne became The Wizard of Fantasy. The one person who could get us closer to the dream we had all envisioned." --RuPaul, foreword

"Ms. Bartsch's name," wrote the New York Times, "is the night life equivalent of a couture label."

Beginning with her first party in 1986, Bartschland: Tales of New York City Nightlife leads readers chronologically through each year of Susanne Bartsch's reign as New York City's "Queen of Clubs" until present day. For each year, Bartsch provides commentary focusing first on a snapshot of her life at the time, then showcasing exquisite accounts of her most iconic party that year, and finally, an introduction to a close friend and member of Bartsch's eclectic, artistic community--from drag queens to dancers to designers. The result is a kaleidoscope of queer culture, glittering New York City nightlife, and unmatched fashion, shared with us by the woman at the center of it all.

From the opulence of the late 1980s to the present day, Bartsch possesses an innate ability to capture the spirit of the moment. Her legendary parties and diverse events continue to serve as the stage for an extraordinary convergence of people from around the world. From visionary artists to sex workers, fashion designers, cabaret stars, queer performers, Harlem ball dancers, go-go girls and boys, drag queens, burlesque amateurs, bodybuilders, twinks, and lipstick lesbians--to name just a few--all are welcome in Bartschland. In this book, alongside a long list of friends--from RuPaul to Aquaria to Amanda Lepore to Joey Arias--Bartsch illuminates the countless moments that have shaped her indelible legacy as New York City's "patron saint of transformation and inclusion."