In lieu of Charli XCX’s performance at Target Center, the Greenroom and Union Rooftop each held their own Brat Rave on Friday and Saturday.
The Brat Rave is a themed dance party highlighting Charli XCX’s most recent album “Brat” and similar music. The rave plays remixes associated with the “Brat” aesthetic. Some other artists featured at the rave were Lorde, Troye Sivan and SOPHIE.
People who frequent themed dance nights dress up and enjoy a space where everyone is there for a shared interest in music.
University of Minnesota senior Abigail Karger is part of the ambassador program for “Gimme Gimme Disco,” a disco dance night inspired by ABBA and other ‘70s artists.
In her ambassador role, she puts up flyers and posts on social media for the show and receives free tickets in return. Karger said she volunteered to be an ambassador a year and a half ago because of her love for disco music.
Karger was eager to turn 18 in order to attend her first “Gimme Gimme Disco” show. Now, she has been attending shows for years, and she often wears her grandparents old clothes from the ‘70s.
“You’re with people that are all on the same wavelength,” Karger said. “It’s also wonderful to see people’s creativity with what they come up with to wear. It’s like a masquerade for the modern times.”
Karger believes a lot of people struggle with being authentic and unapologetically into their interests nowadays. “Gimme Gimme Disco” is a place where people are authentic, she said.
“These nights kind of allow people to be more joyful and authentic because you all are there for the same reason,” Karger said.
Ugomma Ugorji frequently attends One Direction dance nights. To her, attending these dance nights allows her to be unapologetically a fangirl.
Ugorji never got to see One Direction in concert when she was young, and the themed dance nights are a way for her to embrace her inner child. Ugorji said being in a room with other fangirls takes the stigma against what it means to be a fangirl away.
“It just feels like finally being able to fulfill my fantasies as a kid,” Ugorji said. “When you’re surrounded by other fangirls who know what it feels like and can relate to you on a different level, I think it’s something that’s just so inviting.”
Her first One Direction night was two years ago, and she plans to keep attending shows well into the future. Ugorji believes everyone should go out and dance more.
“In that moment, you just are not thinking about anything else in life, and that’s okay,” Ugorji said. “That’s the point.”
From “Gimme Gimme Disco” to emo nights, there are a handful of themed dance nights coming to the Twin Cities in May.
“Emo Nite” will be at Fine Line on May 30. In June, there will be a Broadway rave and “sapphic factory: queer joy party” at Fine Line.
On May 24 at Turf Club, there will be the 5th annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash.
At First Avenue, there will be music by Queen played by The Rock and Roll Playhouse for kids on May 18. “Solid Pink Disco with DJ Trixie” will be at First Ave on May 30.
On June 13, “Club XCX” is coming back to First Ave as well. The next night “Hot in Herre — 2000s Dance Party” will be there.
“Sorry Papi – The All Girl Rave” will be at Varsity Theater on May 9. “Gimme Gimme Disco” will be there on May 17. “Cozy Worldwide: Throwback and Current R&B/Hip Hop Party” will be there on May 24. “Gasolina Reggaetón Party” is on June 7 as well.
On May 9, there is an “Emo Night” presented by this.is.emo at the Greenroom. “Bee Gees X Beatles Tribute Night” is on May 10. “REVENTÓN: Reggaeton Party” is on June 13.