Somerville’s Big Gay Dance Party took place last Saturday in Uniion Square Plaza. — Photos by Angelina Parrillo

By Angelina Parrillo

Halloween arrived early in Somerville on Saturday, June 21, as partygoers convened in Union Square for the annual “Big Gay Dance Party,” hosted by the Somerville Arts Council and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

A marked tradition in Somerville’s Pride Month events lineup, the Big Gay Dance Party celebrated its 11th year of spotlighting “Love, diversity, and inclusivity, welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals and allies,” according to the official Somerville Arts Council website.

This year’s theme, “Halloween in June,” called on guests to take on the outrageous and arrive costumed in something glamorous, ghoulish, or anything in between.

According to Izzy Starr, LGBTQ+ services coordinator for the City of Somerville, Big Gay Dance Party themes are often suggested by previous attendees of the event. “Halloween is gay Christmas,” they explained, and added that Halloween is also a “Great excuse to reuse stuff from past years.”

Inflatable aliens and dinosaurs from previous years’ celebrations mixed with new spooky art displays created by local artist Nathaniel Devarie to create an all-around festive atmosphere.

Partgoers also brought a Hallow’s Eve thrill to the warm summer night. First-time event-goers Katie Nickerson and Joseph Nickerson arrived dressed as Glinda Upland from the popular Broadway musical, “Wicked,” and a racecar driver. Joseph Nickerson said he wanted to “show support for the community” by attending the event.

Somerville resident Ellie Medal also attended the Big Gay Dance Party for the first time this year. With plans to take part in other Pride Month events in Boston, Medal stated, “I wanted to come to a Pride [event] nearby.”

According to Starr, “Somerville is really working to show support for the LGBTQ+ community,” and promote “Joy in the face of terror.” Starr and Iaritza Menjivar, events manager for the Somerville Arts Council, estimated a turnout of 1,000 guests throughout the evening.

Vendors also lifted spirits by giving out candy and materials related to the night’s cause of community wellness and LGBTQ+ support. Groups in attendance featured Cambridge Health Alliance, RESPOND Inc., the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs, the City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department, and more. Somerville-based small businesses All She Wrote Books and Queer Little Bird Designs also tabled the event with merchandise for purchase.

The night culminated in a drag show by Boston-based performers Tommy Boss, Amanda Playwith, and Lilly Rose Valore. Tommy Boss charmed with retro songs, including the Classic Neil Diamond hit Sweet Caroline. Lilly Rose Valore kept the crowd alive doing various cartwheels and splits, all while wearing towering stiletto shoes. And host Amanda Playwith brought humor and pride month anthems like Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club. The final act was a crossover of all three performers, dancing to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way.

The crowd, already energized by DJ Live’s earlier set, jubilated through the show, with some even forming a conga line with Lilly Rose Valore. As the performances came to an end, DJ Live came back to finish the night strong. The crowd joined back on the dance floor and celebrated until sunset with enough pride to fill many future Big Gay Dance Parties.