And they’re in the venue to match – for the first time ever, Red Raw is taking over the esteemed Metro Nightclub, undoubtedly one of Melbourne’s party hot spots and the perfect venue to contain the humongous gay and lesbian crowd expected to descend upon Bourke Street.

Reflecting the diversity of the crowd will be the diversity of the musical styles in the three different dance spaces. The Gods Bar will deliver the best in uplifting vocal house from likes of Murray Hood (Mardi Gras, Stonewall), Jake Kilby (Queer Nation, Raw Hide) and Kate Monroe (who blew the roof off Dropp @ Candy Bar recently on the promotional tour of her new CD Mat White). The Inferno room will give you a harder edge beat with the perfect combination of new comer Scruffy, Sydney diva Mandy Rollins, and Melbourne's very own KDJ. And as for the main room, when you combine Alex Taylor (fresh from mixing a new CD for Viscous Vinyl), Sleaze Ball’s champion Greg Boladian and mix master Wayne G direct from London, you’re guaranteed the very best uplifting music. If it all gets a bit much for you and you need a rest – and with a line up like that, who could blame you – there’s a chill and play area for you to put your feet or ankles up.

And that’s all without mentioning a large part of the Red Raw experience: the shows. For the past 24 years, many performers have graced the Red Raw stage over the years, including C&C Music Factory, Ru Paul, Grace Jones, Madison Avenue and Ce Ce Penistone, to name just a few. This year it’s Human Nature's turn to take on the 1am show, and the boys are excited. Their new CD Reach Out has just gone triple platinum, and this will be their first gay appearance for many years. Promoters have been dropping hardcore hints about a surprise special guest appearing for the 5am show. Rumours and speculations of who it may be have ranged from the ludicrous (George Bush) to the lame (Kaye Sera), to the credible, with one promoter making me think one of the Minogues may make an appearance – though sleuthing and perception have never been my finest points, so you’ll have to check it out for yourself on the day.

After the secret is revealed, no doubt you’ll by hyped and wanting to party well beyond closing time – well you’re in luck. The after party kicks off at the Motel at 8am and is not only free, but exclusive to Red Raw punters as entry is only granted with a Red Raw wrist band. Anthony James, Murray Hood and Mike Evans will carry you though all the way til 5pm.

But despite what acts or what DJs are playing at the party, it is definitely the homeless gay youths of this town that will benefit from Red Raw’s success. This year, your attendance will enable the ALSO Foundation to kick start its homeless gay youth project which will commence around May 2006. And it’s the pinnacle dance party of the Midsumma season, so get on down and party with your community for the best party of Australia Day weekend.