Saying goodbye to Deep Sugar at Paradox

How does one begin to describe Deep Sugar? It began over a decade ago, when artists and DJs from Maryland decided to give back to the Baltimore arts scene with a nightlife event that would recall such dance parties as those at Zanzibar in Washington, D.C. and Body and Soul in New York City. In Baltimore, The Paradox has been keeping the legacy alive with dance parties every second Saturday. They are known as Deep Sugar, and they have been a staple of the Baltimore club scene for years.

Deep Sugar events are iconic for many reasons, not the least of which are the unique sounds, the event’s layout and the early-morning crowds. Deep Sugar recruits some of the best local DJs as well as world-renowned performers such as Crystal Waters, Tony Humphries and Jody Watley. This past weekend, which marked the final Deep Sugar dance party, the hip-hop group The Jungle Brothers performed. In spite of rotating musical guests, Deep Sugar has a distinct sound, characterized by house music with a soul/disco flair.

Electronically produced sounds create a united atmosphere throughout Paradox, which is divided into several rooms. Deep house is usually playing in the main room, while deep techno takes over what is known as “The Chamber,” a smaller space often filled with projections.

Most nights spent at Deep Sugar are long as hell (though it’s hard to keep track of time when dancing nonstop in dark, crowded spaces and downing drinks). The parties usually stretch from around 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., although last weekend’s installation began at 11 p.m. and didn’t end until 8 a.m. Although these hours may sound unreasonable, a surprisingly hefty crowd is always tearing it up at 2, 3, even 4 a.m., and Deep Sugar’s final evening was no exception. There were throngs of people on the floor all night, dancing to soul, house, techno and Baltimore club. You might not end up home until 5 a.m., drenched in sweat and having encountered many a colorful Baltimorean, but those are the illustrious elements of Deep Sugar that have kept patrons coming back for years.

Unfortunately The Paradox, which opened in 1991, is closing its doors this year. Known for its iconic fusion of house music with hip hop and other genres, it will be sorely missed in Baltimore’s nightlife scene. Club Hippo, which was a pillar for Baltimore gay nightlife, closed in the fall of 2015, and is currently being converted into a CVS. As we see some of the most influential establishments (in terms of the city’s recent arts and culture scene) shut their doors, we realize how important it is to support locally-owned venues that do so much to keep Baltimore’s culture thriving.