Conceived and Edited by:
Shawn Driscoll
MANRAY
Between 1985 and 2005, ManRay, a nightclub located at 21 Brookline St in Cambridge Massachusetts, was an oasis for many within the city of Cambridge and the New England Area.. A place that someone could go to not only dance, drink, or gather, but to mix among those they saw as community, family, friends. Where one could be who they are and find inspiration, and release through song and dance. Where art, music, and camaraderie combined to make not only a fun night but to foster the belief that daring to be different was worth it. Manray provided this and more. Through the varied dance nights and events, those who felt they were outside, were in. Those who were told that they were different were with others that were told the same. And through that difference, found acceptance from a community and potentially themselves.
This book presents an oral history of the ManRay Nightclub and is told by those that managed, worked, and attended the club. This includes interviews with owners, managers, DJs, artists, musicians, and the employees that made the club what it was. This work includes recollections by those residents of New England, Boston, Cambridge, specifically within the Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge, regarding the club, its history, and its demise. Of singular importance are the remembrances and memories of those that danced and gathered there and exemplified how ManRay was a haven for many individuals and communities that sought social acceptance and freedom of expression. Communities, cultures, and sub-cultures that include LBGTQ men and women, Goth culture, new wave, and alternative lifestyles.
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts
Every venue has a home. For Manray that home was Cambridge Massachusetts. Specifically the neighborhood of Central Square. In many ways, Manray's story is tied to the history and growth of both Central Square and Cambridge.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Cast of Characters Forthcoming
THE MUSIC OF MANRAY
​
A-ha
ABC
Adam and the Ants
After the Fire
The Alarm
Alphaville
Altered Images
Animotion
Adam Ant
The B-52's
Baltimora
Bananarama
The Bangles
Toni Basil
Bauhaus
Berlin
Big in Japan
Blondie
Bow Wow Wow
The Brains
The Buggles
Buzzcocks
Belinda Carlisle
The Cars
Climie Fisher
The Comsat Angels
Elvis Costello
Josie Cotton
Marshall Crenshaw
Culture Club
The Cure
Cutting Crew
The Church
Cocteau Twins
The Cult
The Damned
Dead Can Dance
Dead or Alive
Depeche Mode
Devo
Dexys Midnight Runners
Divinyls
Thomas Dolby
Duran Duran
Ian Dury
Echo & the Bunnymen
Eurythmics
The Fixx
A Flock of Seagulls
The Flying Lizards
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Fun Boy Three
The Go-Go's
Haircut One Hundred
Heaven 17
The Human League
Human Sexual Response
Hüsker Dü
Billy Idol
INXS
The Jam
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Johnny Hates Jazz
Grace Jones
Howard Jones
Joy Division
Kajagoogoo
Nik Kershaw
The Knack
Cyndi Lauper
The Lords of the New Church
Love and Rockets
Level 42
Lene Lovich
Nick Lowe
Madness
Martha and the Muffins
Modern English
The Motels
Naked Eyes
Nena
New Order
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Klaus Nomi
Gary Numan
Gang of Four
Gene Loves Jezebel
Terri Nunn
Oingo Boingo
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Pet Shop Boys
Plastic Bertrand
Plastics
The Police
The Pretenders
Pere Ubu
Peter Murphy
Public Image Ltd
The Psychedelic Furs
Real Life
Red Rockers
Romeo Void
Roxy Music
Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Spandau Ballet
The Specials
Split Enz
Squeeze
Sting
The Stranglers
Scritti Politti
Simple Minds
The Sisters of Mercy
The Smiths
Talk Talk
Talking Heads
Tears for Fears
Thompson Twins
'Til Tuesday
Tom Tom Club
Tones on Tail
Toto Coelo
Tuxedomoon
U2
Ultravox
The Vapors
Violent Femmes
The Waitresses
Wall of Voodoo
Wang Chun
When in Rome
Kim Wilde
XTC