We can hardly believe that is has been 12 years since we first went to the Orange. In it's day it broke all the rules being an afterhours on a Monday morning. Back then, Sunday clubbing was the gAylist night to go out and the Orange on a Monday morning was the final decadence to the weekend. If you were at the Orange on midday afternoon you were somebody who said 'I am so fabulous and decadent I am in a club at midday on Monday instead of slaving away at the office'. Of course the Orange then to what it is now is totally different. Clubbing has changed and so has the Orange, and with it's many ups and downs, it is now in the hands of Steve Sharp and it looks as if Cirtrus clubbing could last another 12 years.

We catch up with Steven Sharp to find out why the Orange has lasted to long and where will it be heading to in the future. We also corner a few DJs to find out what thier top 3 defining Orange tune moments have been.

WHY DO YOU THINK THE ORANGE HAS LASTED ALL THESE YEARS, AND WHAT IS IT'S FUTURE?

STEVE SHARP: "It is quite incredible to think that Orange will be 12 this weekend, particularly as it started life out as an afterhours on a Monday Morning – a school night right at the end of the weekend – many thought it wouldn’t work, but in a way I think these points are what gave it a unique naughty appeal. Lots of clubbers were dancing into Monday lunchtime thinking to themselves “We really shouldn’t be in a club on a Monday! But hey we’re having the best time! I had a chat with an editor of Dance Bible “Mixmag” who told me he was considering having the publication’s Monday Morning 10am Planning Meeting at Orange as it was so hardcore!

Over the years Orange held it’s own and grew bigger & bigger because it never stood still and continued to evolve and stay fresh. The Bank Holiday “Orange” parties then took the club to another level all together and almost became a club brand of its own. With last years “Orange Trade” joint ventures a personal highlight for me. We are teaming up again for the August Bank Holiday which both teams are very excited about with the Dj’s from each club playing alongside each other over 3 rooms for the first time ever!

What I love about Orange as it is today is the fact you see smiling faces returning week in week out at Fire – Orange is about Fun Clubbing and the Finest Music and we have a whole new generation of early twenty something’s dancing the night away next to our old skool regulars who have been coming to Fire for years - it’s a happy mixture with no attitude. Also in these testing clubbing times our £5 b4 1am Flyer campaign has been an enormous hit with the clubbers.

Music wise Orange is really strong at the moment with great residents all of whom will be playing at the 12th birthday alongside our very special guest JON BYRNE from Brighton. I’m really excited – it’s going to be another memorable night of Citrus Clubbing! We have 12 bottles of Champagne on sale for only £12 each for 12 minutes from 12midnight – our special 12th birthday opening time – get there early and head for the Main Bar!"

We asked the Orange DJS what were their defining 'Orange Tune' is & Why?

THE SHARP BOYS defining Orange Floor Filler:
1: SOLU feat KIMBERLEE “Fade” (Solu Music)
Great Original mix but it was Grant Nelson’s genius remix that transformed this House Gem into a sparkling dancefloor diamond!

THE OLI defining Orange Floor Filler:
1: NUYORICAN SOUL feat INDIA “Runaway” (MONGOLOIDS IN SPACE REMIX by ARMAND VAN HELDEN) (MAW)
Always a big favorite of mine – still rocks the floor today! Stunning Armand Van Helden remix took this to another level – An Orange Classic with bell on!

Paul Martin's defining Orange Floor Filler:
DJ CHUS - "That Feeling" (DEFECTED)
This funky track with a slightly tougher edge never failed and is still loved by the Orange crowd!

ORANGE 12TH BIRTHDAY: ESSENTIALS

MIDNIGHT ORANGE 12TH BIRTHDAY DJ LINE UP

ORANGE SQUASH MAIN FLOOR
THE OLI & PAUL MARTIN (B2B) / THE SHARP BOYS / JON BYRNE / FAT TONY

RAW RESIDENTS SPECIAL
GONZALO RIVAS / DAVID JIMENEZ / HIFI SEAN

Sunday 15th August 12midnight – 10am
FIRE, SOUTH LAMBETH ROAD, VAUXHALL SW8