Back in 2022, Chappell Roan walked into Amy Ordman and Jess Panneton’s new party.
“She came to our second night,” said Ordman,the co-founder of the roving sapphic nightclub Futch,now at el Cid in Silver Lake. Even before Roan was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, her reputation in underground queer nightlife was ascendant.”I came up to her and told her I loved ‘Pink Pony Club,'” Ordman recalled, still a little agog to get that vouch so early in futch’s existence. “Whenever a song of hers comes on at our party, people start screaming, they’re jumping onstage. That feeling of tangibly belonging to a community is what Futch was born out of.”
This weekend, roan will take to a much bigger stage for two sold-out nights at Brookside at the Rose Bowl, a tree-canopied Pasadena park normally used to hold full festivals of dozens of artists. The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer’s return to L.A. will wrap up a brief North American tour where the venues finally felt appropriate to her stature as one of the breakout pop acts of the decade.
On Friday, Futch is counting on a whole lot of Roan fans to keep the party going at its own event at El Cid after the show. For sapphic and queer nightlife in L.A.,these shows are a rejuvenating occasion to get dolled up despite a brutal political moment and generally bleak mood for going out in L.A.
“It’s such a tense time, and we need spaces like Futch and Chappell Roan at the Rose Bowl to celebrate queerness, and to be around other people who understand what we’re going thru,” Ordman said. “When I was looking for that but didn’t know where to go, our party was born out of that feeling. Chappell’s singing about experiences that really only our community can deeply understand.”
A Night Out for Everyone: How L.A.’s Sapphic Parties Are Redefining Nightlife
For years, the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene in Los Angeles felt fragmented. Options for queer women and nonbinary folks often meant navigating spaces primarily geared toward gay men, or settling for a handful of lesbian bars that sometimes felt…stuck in the past. But a new wave of parties is changing that,creating inclusive,vibrant spaces specifically for and by queer women,nonbinary people,and their allies.
These aren’t just dance parties; they’re community builders. Events like Futch, which regularly packs El Cid in Silver Lake, are fostering a sense of belonging that’s been historically hard to find. Futch,and others like it,prioritize safety,inclusivity,and a joyful atmosphere.
“It’s about creating a space where people can be authentically themselves without fear of judgment or harassment,” says Jamie, a regular attendee of several sapphic parties around L.A. “It’s a space where you can dance with your friends, meet new people, and just be.”
The music is eclectic, ranging from pop and hip-hop to house and disco, reflecting the diverse tastes of the crowd. But beyond the beats, these parties are about visibility and portrayal. They’re a response to the frequently enough-overlooked needs of the queer women and nonbinary community, offering a space where they can celebrate their identities and connect with others.
The rise of these parties also speaks to a broader shift in L.A.’s nightlife landscape. There’s a growing demand for spaces that cater to specific communities, and a willingness to create them. And as these parties continue to thrive, they’re not only providing a much-needed outlet for queer joy, but also reshaping the future of nightlife in Los Angeles, one dance floor at a time.
Chappell Roan’s Grammys Performance Was a Pink Pony Dream come True
Chappell roan delivered a show-stopping performance at the 67th Grammy Awards on Sunday, transforming the stage into a fantastical landscape with a giant pink pony. The singer, nominated for Best New Artist, captivated the audience with a vibrant rendition of her hit song, “Good Luck, Babe.”
Roan’s performance wasn’t just a concert; it was a spectacle. She sang atop the enormous pink pony, creating a visually arresting moment that quickly became a highlight of the night and a trending topic on social media. The whimsical set piece perfectly complemented Roan’s signature aesthetic – a blend of camp, glitter, and heartfelt storytelling.
While she didn’t take home the Best New Artist award (Victoria Monét won),Roan’s performance cemented her status as a rising star and a captivating performer. The Grammys stage provided a platform to showcase her unique artistry to a massive audience, and she seized the opportunity with a performance that was both memorable and undeniably her.
Worth a look