Chi Chi Deluxe - by Jon Adams
Chi Chi Deluxe was established in 1984 by Jon Adams as a creative entity with interests in art, music, dance, theatre and design. Operating variously as a retail outlet, creative consultancy, marketing agency and architectural design house, Chi Chi Deluxe went on to become an integral part of Brisbane's emerging dance / club and arts scene for more than sixteen years. Jon Adams had earlier opened a string of clubs including the legendary Mars Bar (1983 - 1984) where emerging acts such as Boxcar and Elektra played alongside DJ's Jane Taylor, Peter Mogg, Jane Grigg and others.
Following the closure of the club, Jon began runing a series of underground events in vacant buildings around Brisbane including the first Sleaze Ball held in the partially demolished Observatory Gallery in Roma Street.
In 1991, Chi Chi Deluxe re-opened as a retail outlet in a small store in Elizabeth Arcade and quickly became one of the key players in the emerging dance party scene. Quickly outgrowing their space they moved to the Wintergarden complex where their clientele included Gene Simmonds (Kiss) Michael Stipe (REM) and Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel).
Within 18 months they had outgrown their new location and moved to a massive 350 sqm store in Elizabeth Street which became the flagship outlet - selling everything from apparel to footwear, jewellery, postcards, arts, wacky toys, clocks, homewares, watches and all the accoutrements of club culture including a Record Bar specialising in cutting edge club sounds.
Initially one of only two ticket outlets in Brisbane, Chi Chi Deluxe promoted hundreds of events and sold thousands of tickets to parties across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Jon worked with the Adrenalin Dance team for several years and themed many of the venues including the famed Halloween gigs.
In 1992 he established the Chi Chi Groove Crew - an athletic, cutting-edge dance troupe led by choreographer Jonathon Cameron-Smith. Featuring dancers, performance artists, fire eaters, acrobats and lush models, the dance group performed 60 shows over four years and were described by a visiting UK DJ as "the wickedest thing I've ever seen presented in a club."
Meanwhile, Chi Chi Deluxe continued to grow and by 1994 had not only become an established part of clubland but also a repsected player in the commercial business world. Jon Adams and his team were awarded the Optus-Metway Business Achievers Award in 1994 and 1995 with invitations to join the corporate league. An offer Jon declined.
In 1996 Jon opened Vibe - an underground nightclub in Spring Hill which specialised in funky chunky house and smooth jazz.
UK legend, Norman Jay hit the decks for the launch and literally brought the ceiling down. Other DJ's on the Vibe roster included Gracie, Katch, Mark T, DJ Cam and Scottie (Junior).
For several years Chi Chi Deluxe was a key sponsor for the concert series Vibes On A Summers Day and a major sponsor of the 4ZZZ Dance Show hosted by Peter Mogg.
Chi Chi Deluxe closed its doors in 2001.
What other people said about Chi Chi Deluxe:
"I love coming here. This is the funkiest store in the universe." Billy Connolly (Comedian)
"I discovered one of the most amazing retail concepts in the world and I found it in a little town called Brisbane,in Queensland Australia. It's called Chi Chi Deluxe and if I could have put it in a can - I would have brought it home with me." Marvin Bernstein (CEO - Skechers Footwear International USA)
"You should open up on the High Street in London or New York. You'd give them a run for their money." Bjork
Key Words: Michael Watt, Peter Brown, Adrenalin, Vibe, Norman Jay, Boxcar,
-- see also Chi Chi Groove Crew