This is a rare, two-sided fold-over invitation for an event held on April 13, 1967, at The Gymnasium, located at 424 East 71st Street in New York City, New York (Sokol Hall). Designed as an invitation to a party celebrating Andy Warhol’s new discotheque, this item is a remarkable example of the cultural intersection between music, art, and nightlife during the late 1960s.
The front of the invitation features Warhol’s iconic banana design in a faint, minimalist style, serving as both a visual representation of Warhol’s aesthetic and a nod to The Velvet Underground & Nico album, which was released that same year with the banana artwork on its cover. Measuring approximately 7 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches, the invitation folds over to reveal event details printed in a bold, serif font.
The text reads:
“Invites you to attend a party at his new Discotheque, the GYMNASIUM, 424 East 71st Street, New York (Sokol Hall), Thursday April 13, 9 PM. ANDY WARHOL.”
This historic invitation is more than just an announcement for a party—it represents a time when Warhol and The Velvet Underground were revolutionizing art, music, and counterculture. The Gymnasium itself was an iconic venue in its short tenure, known for hosting some of the earliest live performances of the band.
The subtle use of Warhol’s banana motif ties the event to the Pop Art movement and the burgeoning avant-garde scene of the time. This invitation is a rare and tangible piece of history from a transformative era in art and music.
