GoFundMe Campaign & Benefit Party at Output to Aid Judy Russell, A Key Industry Figure in NYC’s Early House Music Scene

judy russell downtown 161 vinylmania

In a beautiful display of compassion and solidarity a GoFundMe campaign has been established to help Judy Russell, a New York City dance-music industry veteran who has fallen on hard times.

Russell, a Bronx, NY native, was part of the inner circle and the volunteer staff at the legendary Paradise Garage. After working at now-defunct record shop Vinylmania, she went on to work at seminal (and also now-defunct) NYC dance labels, Nu Groove and Movin’ Records. Russell later took an influential position at Downtown 161, running the label and distribution arm of the business.

According to Ben Goldfarb, who launched the effort, Russell encountered a series of health issues after Downtown 161 closed in 2013. In the process she lost her apartment and found herself without a job and place to live. Goldfarb met Russell in 2016 while running a pop-up record store in Chelsea and was moved to help her. He came up with the idea to launch an online fundraiser, which includes an upcoming benefit party in Brooklyn.

On April 12 Love Injection & I Love Vinyl will present A Benefit for Judy Russell at The Panther Room at Output in Williamsburg, from 6-10pm. According to Goldfarb, Russell will be in attendances along with “old friends and members of the music community that we so cherish.” The party’s DJ lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

Donations to help Judy Russell can be made here.

Update: Tony Humphries, Danny Krivit and DJ Spinna have been added to the bill!

Darren Ressler

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