Monday, March 30, 2009

Final Purgatory set for April

After seven years, Purgatory is ending. The last fetish-filled music and performance-art show will be held April 18 at Amos' Southend.


The decision to retire the show came down to conflicting projects that inhibit organizers from continuing a bimonthly event with such a high level of pre-production, according to Torch, owner of Single Cell Productions which puts on Purgatory.

"I decided to end it on top after seven years rather than monkey around with it or change times," Torch said.

There are no plans to bring it back as a yearly event.

"I have no desire to rekindle it after putting it to bed," Torch says. "The three years of fetish shows leading up to it and seven years of the event itself constitute a decade of my life and I think that's quite enough time for an event that was originally designed to last about six months."

Single Cell will continue doing other music and art events, as well as theme parties twice a year in Charlotte.

And, Torch promises the last Purgatory will be the most intense ever. Tickets are $20 at the door. VIP all-access tickets are $25 in advance.

For the complete lineup of shocking and erotic performances, click here.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I attended Purgatory on New Years Eve... my second attempt. I found the entire 'experience' (and yes, I did get VIP tickets) extremely underwhelming. The music was mediocre... people were standing around talking on the dance floor when they should have been dancing. At least that's what we were doing when I attended my first in the fall.

I've never seen so many bored people at a club as at this one... not even in Charlotte. I guess the heart went out of it a long time ago. It had a lot of potential.

Kryss Oroborus said...

purgatory has always been an amazing and fascinating event.....and with any even that had as much longevity as purgatory, it has ups and downs.

the upside is that purgatory had FAR more ups than downs....still by far my favorite event to attend.

Unknown said...

Purgatory is ending. Single Cell is not. Rest assured we will continue to provide darker edgier entertainment for the Queen City and beyond. I suggest keeping an eye on Hazmat at the Garden and Gun Club. :)

--
Tim Harris
The Seeker
Time Lord

: : : poxod : : : said...

Previous comments notwithstanding, Purgatory has always been amazing fun! Some attendees may have had bad experiences, but I've been going to every event for two...almost three years solid. I have had nothing but good times.

It is very sad to see the event end. Charlotte is deprived once again of an excellent source of entertainment.

Matthew Gillead said...

I have been attending the Purgatory parties for about a year now when I can get time off of work. I missed the NYE event so I cant really comment on it, but I did make it out to the last one on Valentines Day. I found the music to be really cutting-edge stuff that you can't hear at most other clubs. It was a really fun and open atmosphere where lots of different people from different walks of life could come in and just have a good time and be accepted (being a gay man thats very important to me). I certainly wouldn't call it "underwhelming" in the least, if anything it was pretty over the top to see so much stuff going on at once.

I think it's a shame that this will be the last one, I know that you can't do it forever, but I just wish there was something else like this around.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been to that many but every time I did it was an awesome experience. Creative skits andgreat music! I'm deff going to this last one :)

Jay said...

Always awesome and the last one will go out in a serious blaze of glory... exactly what you'd expect from Torch and Single Cell!

Monica+ said...

I went to Purgatory this New Years Eve and it made for the best New Years I have ever had! I'm taking off work to attend The Last Purgatory and look forward to seeing more of Singlecell on your future road shows!

Anonymous said...

Purgatory was never as cutting edge as it was cracked up to be, but it was interesting to begin with. Over the years, though, it's sort of devolved into the same old same old and become boring.

Time to put it to bed and move on.

Steve Foster said...

Purgatory was an amazing event, and an instrumental part of my moving to Charlotte from Baltimore even! Socially, it was because of this event that I met my fiance', made the type of friends that will actually help you MOVE, spent way too much money at Morris Costume and Lowes over the years, and retained a sense of FUN in my heart, rather than giving in way too easily to the “Adult” mindset. It has served as a remind that that yes, life does include responsibility, but give yourself the opportunity to let loose and playful at times.

The Stage shows have ranged from the extraordinary – I'd almost call it “Naughty Cirque do Soliel” quality, to the gritty and disjointed. They in and of themselves aren't the focal point, but serve to break up the evening and transition between moments – be they social, or observational. It's been a heck of a ride, and I feel very strongly appreciative of how much of MY life it has impacted. I haven't gone for a while, having just burned out on the club scene, and going on to newer life experiences – but going to the last one, can only be summed up as EPIC :)

[PROTOTYPE_9] said...

Purgatroy has always been the one thing that brings me back to Charlotte. It's because of single cell and their amazing ideas that made me want to work with them and help with their amazing shows!

Single Cell Productions is saying goodbye to Purgatory for the right reasons. But SCP is also creating and always setting the new standard for beautiful crowds, amazing music and a relaxed, beautiful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy!

Check out HAZMAT at the Gun and Garden Club. SCP proves that one can still improve on greatness.

[PROTOTYPE_9]

Anonymous said...

I think the last one will be really amazing -- it's great to see some of the old faces coming back (Spider, we missed you!)

Toby_H said...

Purgatory’s one year anniversary was my first Purg… I’ve only missed one since then… Amos’ capacity has tripled since then and we sell it out now more often than we did back then… We went from one or two experienced performers to a sexy line up of nationally recognized performers… We went from one well established DJ (we love you Spider!) to a full rotating set of DJs each with their own twisted mood…We went from a couple of play stations to a well developed VIP area… from a static rope suspension area in the corner to a fully mobile suspension stage doing back flips off of girls in motion…

I’ve been to a lot of fetish / BDSM parties in a lot of states… and I must say if your just standing around at Purgatory it’s because you don’t know how to utilize a party, not because Purgatory slacked at delivering the opportunity…

My love to Torch and the many many others who bled to bring us the show…

DrSpankenstein said...

This last show will finish out an entire seven years for me. I was there at the very first show, the Genesis. The only Purgatory I have ever missed was because some imbecile med student in a small town ER decided I needed to spend 48 hours in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (for what turned out to be a pinched nerve in my back). Nothing less than a real heart attack will keep me away for this last; I shall be there for the Apocalypse.

I have made many true and close friends at Purgatory. I have met and Dominated many beautiful women at Purgatory. The remarkable young woman who is now my life partner and personal slave was one of these women. The work I have done to contribute to this show is considerable, but the rewards have been immeasurable.

If I had shed Seven times the sweat and blood in these last Seven years to be a part of Purgatory, I would have considered it a bargain. If you would be part of such an extraordinary event, this is your last chance. Warm your soul in the fires of the last battle, the last doom of the Gods themsleves; be a part of Ragnarok.

Anonymous said...

Not worth the money. I have been to bigger better events in Montreal and Miami that cost less. Shows where you do not have to pay to take pictures at. Places that let you play and party all you want for nothing extra and everyone is in costume. It was worth it somewhat a few years ago but it has fallen into the dump over the last several years. I will not be attending.

JadeJensen said...

I have been attending Purgatory for the last 3 years, only missing a few shows and I love it. I don't get the chance to let my hair down and let loose often, and i look forward to it. I have met some very cool people there, some i will have life long friendships with. It is also the best place to peoplewatch :)
I will be attending the final purgatory and am wearing comfy shoes so i can come early and stay late :)

Anonymous said...

Well, I'd have to say that I am sad to see Purgatory go away, only because it may be some time before a new promoter gets things going again. And ending Purgatory, which sells out the club, attracts nearly 1000 people on the regular, wins CL awards, featured in various print media, etc. to make more time for small parties that attract no one? Over half the attendees are guest listed or on "staff" anyway! ummm... OK. Makes sense to me.

I also agree 100% with a previous post in saying that I too have been to those same parties in Montreal and Miami, and no, Purgatory is not even in the same league.

I've never once seen a national or international name on the guest list, and I'm still waiting for some @&#$ing seating and table service in the "vip" area!

I enjoyed Purg a little more in previous years when there seemed to be more fetishists and costumers and less looky-loos in blue jeans and pink button-down shirts. I guess denim or cotton is a big fetish in these parts...who woulda knew?

Anyway, I've made some great friends and contacts at Purgaatory and I will be attending this last show. And I will have a good time. Just as Toby stated above, you've got to utilize the party!

Mr. Cuddles said...

My first Purgatory was the one year anniversary show, a year later I was working for SingleCell. I have been with the company for 6 years come April and I have come to love the people in the company like family, in fact we are a family. Purgatory has always been an amazing event for me full of great times and truely beautiful people ever since the first time I attended and I promise the last will be a night to remember. No matter if you've been around since the beginning or have only been around for a short while the Final Purgatory will not soon be forgotten and will end in a blaze of glory. SingleCell will continue on and bring you best entertainment anywhere so stay tuned we are just getting warmed up.

Khristos said...

My brother and several of his friends introduced me to Purgatory for my 18th birthday 3 years ago. I wasn't fully open to the scene then, so it wasn't as memorable an event as it coulde have been. I did meet great people after the show and enjoyed things that I normally did not finde myself participating in.

I opened up to later events and founde myself enjoying Purgatory more each time I was able to attend. I woulde even volunteer to assist in clean-up after the show and eventually enjoyed a position as staff.

One has to involve themselves in Purgatory to truly enjoy alle it has to offer, it isn't something to just go and watch. I juggled my duties as a Marine and my commitment to Purgatory as best I coulde; I wille celebrate Ragnorak even thoughe I'm in the sandbox right nowe. Helle, alle the more reason to do so.

Djinn said...

Ny very 1st Purgatory experience was the Rubber Neck Rodeo. I was in complete awe back then, and even now as one of SingleCell's performers I still find myself in awe. We've done a lot and managed to do what very few have. I for one am proud to have been a part of something so fantastic, and I can't wait to be there for our future.

Djinn, the NiteChylde

Sparks said...

I finally got to go to Purgatory this past Valentine's Day after years of wanting to go and no one willing to go with me. (Thank God I met Kryss Oroborus :D )I had a GREAT time...met some very cool people. I'll definitely be at the last one...already have my ticket...and truly regret that it's the last one.

~Sparks
Paris Oroborus

Anonymous said...

Hands down the best party in the Carolinas, sucks to see it go.

Anonymous said...

Geez guys, listen to yourselves. You're criticizing because the Charlotte NC fetish show isn't as big as the ones in Montreal and Miami. May i remind you that this is the bible belt and that it isn't quite as simple to host these parties here as it is in two places that have decriminalized practically everything? A lot of the changes we made from the roaming free play of the beginning years were for our protection and the protection of the patrons. Purgatory wasn't a high society fetishist only party. It was an introductory social and never claimed to be anything more. As for dress codes and pretentious attitudes, you're right we don't have them. Never will either because i don't believe in them for a festival. There are other people offering that and doing an excellent job with what they do. There was no need to mindlessly duplicate what another promoter was doing somewhere else and i don't believe in making people wear a goth or fetish uniform to attend and enjoy an event.

Anonymous said...

Purgatory used to be THE event to attend but it has fallen from it's former grace. If all you know is the past couple of years then of course you would be less disappointed because you don't have the Golden Era of Purg to compare it to. Purgatory lost most of it's talent years ago and replaced it with inexperienced kids who love the show and are so blindly devoted to it (or maybe chemically encouraged) that they will work for free to get in and be apart of it. It's amazing no one has gotten hurt in the dungeon or in a show... Oh wait they did. Knife wounds to falling from the ceiling to internal bleeding. Purgatory is fun because there is nothing like it unfortunately. If there is only one fetish party in town where do you go? If anyone put the effort in to put on a REAL fetish show it would blow this current Purgatory out of the water. But thankfully Purgatory is laying itself to rest. And maybe it could encourage the clientell, whom are mostly of the single cell employ, to actually consume alcohol instead of massive amounts of water. If someone goes to a club and drinks water all night because they're a teetotaler that's one thing, but when a bar sells out on a Saturday night and their alcohol sales are less than a wednesday night, well let's just assume that's not powdered sugar on their upper lip.

Anonymous said...

HAZMAT seems to be dying right along with Purgatory. I have seen very few photos, yet they all had photos of staff members. And few of them at that. No rave reviews in journal posts. No pictures full of a packed club. Either no one likes what you're selling anymore or your photographer is incompetent. Maybe both. Pugatory is the only fetish show in the area. No competition. Add that to putting it in a club that has it's own following and of course you have people show up. A nice little show full of people that have no idea what they are doing. Let me sign my rights away so that I can't sue you when one of your staff hits me in the kidneys and I pee blood for a week.

Anonymous said...

Torch said that for years it was the number one show in the nation now is saying that it is not when compared to the real national events. Both Montréal and Miami have similar laws to Charlotte and have not decriminalized anything that purgatory has done. What does that have to do with anything or the claims you have made in the past that it is the number one show in the nation other than in fact it has not been.

The free play areas at other events offer better protections than your event and yet you charge for it. You simply decided to charge for something that many other events give away to the patron to make more money. By not providing a better experience to the persons attending, they will not return and never come back. You are just being greedy.

Dress codes help the party be a better party, hence a White party everyone wears white.

I have been to Fetish Factory and the Northbound Weekend, which is an entire weekend and costs twenty-five Canadian dollars about twenty in American currency. At these events, I have never been witness to any pretentious attitudes there at all. I attended purgatory and found a very different attitude by the staff a big tough were purgatory attitude as well as one of us versus them in the khakis group. The staffs at other shows that offer so much more than yours they are professionals and act so. Those people get paid and do come dressed for the show unlike yours which do not.

Simple put the event was never the thing you claimed to be. It never gave the value you should have, never half of what you charged entry fee for. So pretentious that you charge outrageous fees for a VIP area that is not VIP standard. You make a photographer sign away their rights to their photographs and you charge them to take their own photographs.

If this is what you call the number show in the nation like you have in the past it needs to die and someone else who can do a much better event will come along and give the people what they paid for so unlike you.

Floz Nietsnezolf said...

Everyone I've met with Single Cell has been very nice, informative, and interesting. They also have assured me multiple times that this final Purgatory will be HUGE.

I recommend attending to all who are interested, but leave your preconceptions in your car. There is not a dress code, there will likely be people wearing 'regular' street clothes, as well as people likely to merely watch rather than participate.

Regardless of what people say, I have faith in this event, and Single Cell.

--Floz

gothicfriatruck said...

I for one will miss going every other month to Purgatory. My first time, I was unsure of what all was going to happen. Hell, when I saw on the flyer that they have playstations set up upstairs, I wondered what games they will have. But now, I love it. I'll miss all the people I've met there and the whole experience. Oh, and by the way, why is all but one of the negative posts about Purgatory made by people who are annonymous? What, you don't have the balls to talk bad about a place or an event and man up and admit to it?

Anonymous said...

Now that you've proven yourself to be a liar , Fetish Factory is in Ft Lauderdale, not Miami. A fact you would know had you really attended the event.
As for Montreal being a bigger national party check your globe, Montreal is in Canada.
Sour grapes by bitter people. Grow up and get a life .