Simone Denny, who sings “All Things (Just Keep Getting Better)”, the theme song from the hit Bravo television series, “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy”, performs live at Rich’s on Saturday, Oct. 9 to kick off their 13th anniversary party. The gala weekend celebration will also feature producer/DJ Barry Harris (of Thunderpuss) spinning live on Sunday, Oct 10.

Rich’s anniversary party signifies some major changes for the club. Effective immediately, the club will be open six nights a week. In addition, a major change to the club will be unveiled at the beginning of the year that has yet to be disclosed to the public.

“A change of this magnitude takes a huge commitment and a lot of patience,” says Bart Johnson, co-owner of Rich’s. Thirteen years ago on Oct. 10, 1991, Johnson opened the doors to the club along with partners Ken McIntyre and Nathan Powers. It took less than a year for Rich’s to pack their dance floors, becoming the hottest spot in town.

“We are extremely grateful for the success of Rich’s and look forward to the future,” says Johnson. “We are thankful for the longevity and magnitude of success and realize that none of it could have been done without our employees and loyal patrons. With the addition of a new marketing manager (Adam Reinhart), a new DJ and some fresh talent monthly, we are bringing the best in entertainment to our community.”

Rich’s has continued to give back to the community and donate to local charitable organizations and political candidates throughout San Diego including: AIDS Food Bank, the AIDS Foundation San Diego, AIDS Walk, The Center, Design Industries Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), Human Rights Campaign Fund, Mama’s Kitchen, The Harvey Milk/Tom Homann Scholarship Fund, Live and Let Live Alano Club, Ordinary Miracles, and the campaigns of Christine Kehoe, Toni Atkins and Ron Roberts.

“The fact that we are still standing strong at 13 and turning a profit is exceptional,” says Reinhart, new marketing manager for Rich’s. “I looked at that and some of the things they were trying to do with opening up additional nights and decided it was important to not only expand, but to give back and bring more things to the public. “

“One of the things that myself, in conjunction with ownership, have vowed was not to gouge the pockets of the patrons,” Reinhart continues. “We seek to continue to bring great talent and great product by bringing a great nightclub to the public, but in addition, bring in great talent and not gouge the pockets of the patrons in order to do so. We’re looking to continue to bring quality entertainment affordably. The cover charges are never exorbitant and they never will be.”

Simone Denny’s performance this weekend is a perfect example of what Reinhart hopes will be the start of regular headlining shows occurring at least once a month.

Already known on the dance and pop scenes in Canada, the U.K. and Europe, Denny is ready to become a major name in U.S. households this coming year as a solo artist. She’s gearing up for more than one solo single release in the next few months, as well as releasing her first full-length solo album sometime early next year.

The Toronto native was the former lead vocalist of the platinum-selling dance music group Love Inc. featuring the chart-topping hit “You’re A Super Star.” Denny’s strong vocals have earned her 10 number-one hit songs worldwide, four Canadian Juno Awards and four Much Music Awards, including “Best Dance Recording” and “Video Of The Year.” She broke into the U.S. dance charts after being a featured vocalist for the group Widelife in 2003, leading to the number-one billboard dance club hit “I Don’t Want You (Coming Back No More).”

Denny reflects on that time in her life and what led up to the success of “I Don’t Want You.”

“After Love Inc. ended, I was really going on my own direction as a solo artist and I happened to know Rachid of Widelife. [Rachid] said, ‘we wrote this song for you with your voice in mind. No one else can sing it but you.’” Denny recalls. “As a favor to him, I said sure. I went in and did the song and I really didn’t think too much about it afterward.

“[Rachid] called finally in August of 2002 and told me, ‘Simone the song is going up the dance charts, it’s in the Top 20 and it’s got a bullet on it. They think it’s going to hit number one.’ And it did”.

Building off this success, Denny continued to record with Widelife as a featured vocalist. Then came the catchy tune “All Things (Keep Getting Better)”, which opens the show each week for the Fab Five cast of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”. It also is the lead track on the soundtrack for the show, recently released by Capitol Records. This was when things really started to take off for Denny.

“What it accomplished for me was getting my name in the U.S. more into the mainstream. That was what the “All Things” song really did for me,” says Denny. “The success of the song, such a great song, and so well written by Widelife: I had the opportunity to sing it and just be associated with the Fab Five and the whole show, which has been very positive. Totally I am enjoying the success,” says Denny.

This success, however, has really inspired Denny to focus on her emerging career as a solo artist.

“My intention really wasn’t to stay with Widelife that long and do that many songs, so I really had to buckle down and say ‘no I got to start working on my own material,’” says Denny.

Ironically music wasn’t always a main focus in Denny’s life. She originally had plans to be a fashion designer, but then took a major detour.

“I had no intentions of being a musician, but I wanted to be a fashion designer,” Denny explained. “Music chose me. I didn’t choose music, I just kind of fell into it. I ended up singing a song for a talent show and it was so well received I got a standing ovation. So year after year I went back again and again and I kept getting a standing ovation,” Denny recalls.

“I went into high school and joined everything and anything that had to do with public speaking or singing or acting … It was really a situation where I got bitten by the music bug and I have been going ever since.”

Some say dance music and the gay community go hand in hand. Denny doesn’t think sexuality really makes a difference, as long as people enjoy hearing great, energetic music.

“The gay community has been extremely supportive of my career through the years and of my voice. I try to give all that love right back whenever I perform,” says Denny. “Whether or not the audience is gay or straight, it really doesn’t matter to me. It’s more about everyone coming together for the music and enjoying themselves.”