We Are the Youth’s New Intern Reports on the Victory Prom!
Victory Prom, Friday, March 23rd, 2012
The Center, New York, New York
Photos and write-up by Sarah Nakano
On March 23rd 2012, The New School + The LGBT Center (on 13th Street) partnered to host an event which granted me the opportunity to:
– support the end of world-wide sexual and gendered violence
– re-live the glory of my high school awkwardness
– dance // make uncoordinated, jagged movements in the corner by myself
– eat delicious cookies
– wear jeans to the prom for the second time (I wore jeans + a leather sleeveless jacket to my senior prom, judge me)
The event, titled the “Victory Prom,” featured live music and performances, food, games, a photo-taking area, and a raffle to select a gender-blind prom king and queen. There were several musical performances: the first was a band whose new name I forget, but they used to be called Tittytwister (that is a magnificent name, why would you ever change it?). Anyway, the former twisters of titties were two girls, one on guitar and one on drums. They performed a very loud rendition of Best Coast’s “Boyfriend,” and followed with several other songs. Unfortunately I don’t remember the specific titles // details due to the fact that I was distracted by the large cookie tray on the far side of the room. I know that at one point they forgot the words so they basically just screamed and improvised. However it was, at the end of the day, an admirable performance. After Tittytwister, Maralisa and the Cats climbed on stage. I had met Maralisa several years before in California because she went to the same high school as my buddy Carter, but I had never seen her perform. Carter describes her voice and style as a combination of Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, and a few others. After seeing her on stage I think I agree. Maralisa sang with three other guys (“the cats”), and they performed several Marvin Gaye covers, all of which they pulled off successfully.
Overall the event made me feel like I was in high school again, which I think is a good thing. Awkward, nostalgic, but good. Also as a side note, if you are near the Center you should go check out the Keith Haring room on the second floor! The room, which contains murals which Haring painted nine months before his death, has been opened back up to the public this month. The images are pretty graphic, but cool. Additionally, you should check out Maralisa’s music.
