Page 53 - Tropic Magazine Issue 18

10 YEARS

OF SINNERS

Tropic takes a peek inside the city’s
most controversial - and popular -
parties of the annual events calendar:
the Sinner’s Ball at Gilligan’s.

The year was 2007, and Rhiannon two years after that first event to stop
Johnson wanted something a little using the trademarked name “Saints and
different as a theme for her birthday Sinners” at the event. The controversy of
party, something a bit kinky, a bit extra. the name and the fact that locals weren’t
She had missed out on the naughty fun entirely sure of what we were creating
of the Hooker’s Balls in the 1990s, held has helped us become the Sinners event
at the iconic Playpen Nightclub on the it is today. That legal drama in 2011 was
corner of Lake and Hartley Sts which the birth of the controversial brand
closed down before she turned 18. and extremely popular night of kinky,
Inspired by tales of the hedonistic event, naughty fun.
Rhiannon created a party with the theme “That year Zac Ross joined the team
of “Sinners and Saints Ball” and held it and helped the event grow from a
at the now closed Sporties Nightclub. themed party to a multi-faceted night
It was a hit with her circle of mates, but of entertainment, DJs and mega
Rhiannon could have no idea at the time headliners with acts lined up around
that her birthday party would spark one the block to be part of our night, which
of the city’s biggest - and naughtiest - has included big names like Bombs
annual events. Away, Tigerlily, Alison in Wonderland
Fast forward to 2019 and Rhiannon is the and many more over the years.
Venue Business Development Manager “The event evolved from sexy to freaks
at Gilligan’s Nightclub - the host of this unleashed as each year we wanted
year’s 10th anniversary celebration of to shock people and bring in things
Sinner’s Ball. you just don’t see everyday, like the
The rollercoaster ride from the first Hook Show we put on in 2012 hanging
Saints and Sinner’s Ball at Gilligans in humans from our ceiling by nothing
2009 to this year’s 10th anniversary event but giant fishing hooks to things like
has been a controversial one. Miss Nude.
“In 2009, I was working for Gilligan’s “We’ve also had the controversy of our
and we were looking to create a night street promo where nuns hit the streets
with the same vibe as our New Year’s every year to bring everyone down to the through our doors during the course of
Eve party but for the middle of the year,” venue for confession under the tagline the evening,” Rhiannon said. “We can’t
Rhiannon told Tropic. “Forgive us: you are going to SIN.” wait for people to come inside and see
“We got together as a team to bring In a neat twist of fate, Rhiannon and what shocks and surprises we’ve got in
this concept alive at Gilligan’s. Gus Gus have been reunited as a team at store for them.
Fernandez and I hosted the first Saints Gilligan’s this year to organise the 10-
and Sinners Ball that year.” Year Anniversary together. MORE: Check out the Gilligan’s
From the beginning, the event “This event sits side by side with New Facebook page for event details
attracted controversy. Year’s Eve as our biggest night of the and ticket bookings.
“We were sent a cease and desist order year, seeing approximately 3000 people