Post Pandemic Parties: The Return of Nightlife
As we pivot into the cusp of a vaccinated country, these collectives rise to their usual hype, and the difference between the ways we’ve engaged with our social circles over the past year becomes evident. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Kenni Javon, an Ohio-bred DJ, began enveloping his experiences into Dick Appointment’s party series. He specifically produced these events for friends in hopes for them to feel at ease in these spaces of familiarity. Caroline Leopold, a New York City native, has been a queen of the party scene for years now. Once she and her friends began to get tired of the scene she decided to take matters into her own hands. Her motto? Who needs a reason to throw a party!
How have you been as of late
Caroline Leopold- Never better!
Dick Appointment- We all went through with COVID. But as of now, things are going great. I'm booked every weekend.
Tell me about the genesis of your brand, where you’re from, what you do, all of that.
CL-I was born in Manhattan and grew up here. Everyone knows there’s no place like New York, so I haven’t left much. I’ve been going out in the city for years and started making friends in fun places who looped me into some of the exciting stuff that goes on in nightlife here. Originally, I had just wanted to throw a birthday party and dodge the thousands of dollars in rental fees that that usually entails. I figured I could throw something together with one of my contacts and arrive at a win-win, and a free party! When all of the venues I approached said “yes,” I realized I had stumbled upon a really cool area of opportunity.
DA- New York lacks a black party. There's nowhere a black girl or black boy can go and feel liberated feel queer, be comfortable and be surrounded by people that look like them. I'm from Ohio and the music that we play- no one else plays that music. I'm a ghetto girl. I like Trap, I like bounce music. Now that I'm grown, I feel like I can be the person I've always wanted to be. And there are so many more people who feel that way.
Tell me about how your party came to fruition.
CL-Once it became clear to me that my favorite spots were open to collaborating, I decided I wanted to do more. I certainly wasn’t going to wait around until my next birthday, so I coined “A Party For No Reason.” An “Unnecessoirée,” if you will.
DA- It’s just a party for black people to be liberated. I find that the name is kind of what gets everyone's attention. We're black fab girls so it’s like, who are these bitches? What is this?
What did nightlife look like pre-COVID?
CL- Nightlife in NYC has always been sensational, in my opinion. It was never bad, but we can probably all agree it’s better now. Things used to be a little snobby at times, a little picky. Now we’re all on the same team, I think. We want to meet new people and dance with our friends. It feels simpler and like people are nicer to each other. I also think there’s a huge amount of way cooler stuff going on. People have ideas and have created incredible things over the past year, and we’re seeing that all over the city in the form of experiences for everyone to enjoy.
DA- It wasn't what it is now, but it was definitely cute. People wanted another one. So we gave them another one and that's kind of what it was. It was never supposed to be this big party series. Before you know it, it was like okay, bitch, they keep topping each other somehow.
What do your parties look like now?
CL- The first party back was April 24th when stricter regulations around COVID-19 were still in place. We were able to use RSVP methods that involved verifying a negative test within 48 hours of the event or proof of full vaccination. That level of control around guests isn’t needed anymore, and now that all restrictions have been lifted in NYC, the opportunity to make things happen in this space is quite literally endless.
DA- A lot of the girls and boys came out wearing sexy clothes. It was dry for the first hour, then it was at capacity. We opened the basement and then the basement was at capacity. She gave.
How do you feel now that everyone is able to congregate again?
CL- Lucky to have the opportunity to create joy after such a difficult period. Thrilled that I can organize events with no fuss. Proud of what Unnecessoiree is in this moment and excited about what it will become!
DA- I’m here for it. A lot of people went through so much that we don’t know about or talk about during the pandemic. I feel like we can go and be brothers and sisters or niggas and bitches and have fun- let your hair down, be liberated.
How are these parties important for people during this time?
CL- I’m trying to create a reliable option for people when they just want to get out and have fun. Unnecessoiree is a simple formula for that. I think it’s important for people to feel true excitement again. Looking forward to something is such an optimistic and happy thing, and if I can make my community experience that kind of anticipation every other weekend, I’m doing my job!
DA- There’s nowhere a black girl or boy can go to feel liberated, queer, and comfortable. I can be the person I’ve always wanted to be at Dick Appointment.
Where do you see these parties going in the future? How do you see them growing safely?
CL- With COVID restrictions fully lifted, there is practically nothing stopping growth. I’m in major “say yes” mode right now, so I’m exploring tons of different kinds of experiences. The best part about Unnecessoiree is that no two are the same. Some have been small and divey, some bigger and more glamorous, and now some with varied kinds of musical artists. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and see where it takes me and I take it.
DA- My team is tight with each other. We’re tight with the venue security. I’m taking training for narcotics just in case of an overdose. Just trying to be prepared for the worst.
When is the next Unnecessoiree event?
CL- Earlier today I would have said a date in July, but now we’ve thrown another one in there for the last week of June. Like I said, I’m just saying “yes.”
