Fans of Paul’s Baby Grand, Lola’s, The Pyramid Club, and those keen on the downtown Manhattan dance club scene owe much admiration to Larry Levan. As the resident DJ at the iconic Paradise Garage (1977-1987), Levan has been attributed to creating a prototype for the modern dance club scene. Throughout his decade in New York’s underground performance scene, Levan was at the center of an inclusive nightlife environment, known for an enthusiastic crowd, always eager to dance. Lasting throughout weekend nights into the next afternoon, Levan’s sets, coined by the Garage audience as ‘Saturday Mass,’ made a mark on the New York club scene by prioritizing danceable sound over verbal interaction. Engendering a community of party-goers like Keith Haring, Grace Jones, Michele Saunders, and Tina Paul, Levan manifested a home base for many, offering a liberating space of expression through music, fashion, and dance.

From the Peech Boys to Gwen Guthrie, Levan played any range of music such that it was danceable. In remembrance of Levan on the 27th anniversary of his passing, Document curated a playlist for your urge to dance this weekend.