The Party Issue

the party issue

issue no. 55

07 Party Games

Take a fun trip down memory lane, revisiting the party games and fashion of our youth.

08 The Bodies

Experience the intensity of a night out with all the sweat, heat and electric connection generated by our moving bodies.

18 Dress Codes

This guide breaks down everything from white tie to smart casual, giving you the inspiration you need to nail any look.

26 Aftermath Surreal

Welcome to the morning after. There's residue of glitter and glamour and maybe an ounce of regret.

24 Frat Fashion

One writer navigates frat party fashion while grappling with identity, societal norms and the implications of what we wear.

20 Party Girls

Celebrate how women have shaped party culture and style through seven influential eras of dancefloor dominance.

02

• Fall 2024

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Austin Kim + Anna Souter CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elias Xiwei Fan

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Abigail Abdi

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Cohn

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Justine Fisher

SOCIAL MEDIA + MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez STYLING DIRECTOR Grace Jordan-Weinstein BUSINESS DIRECTOR Annika Srivastava DESIGN EDITOR Rachel Smith

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Jeremy Lee FINANCE DIRECTOR Gabriella Burgos DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Keya Chaudhuri DESIGN EDITOR Wendy Zhu

BUSINESS TEAM Jillian Canning, Elizabeth Casolo, Colleen Charchut, Jade Garcia, Allison Gould, Marin Holtrop, Ashley Kim, Rachel Kim, Ela Kopmaz, Anjola Olawoye, Ismael Perez, Emma Salem + Audrey Sy DESIGN TEAM Amira Dossani, Hyouji Joo, Yasmin Mustefa, Jade Wang + June Woo EDITORIAL TEAM Julia Benkendorf, Sarah Campbell, Lexi Goldstein, Isa Grau, Kayln Jackson, Claudia Johnson + Stephania Kontopanos PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM Malcolm Gittens, Jillian Moore, Libby Raymond + Bettina Sanchez STYLING TEAM Nicole Gunawan, Isabella Hernandez, Tosin Okoh, Brett Rogers, Nina Simon + Ava Wineman TK TEAM Gabriel Bernick, Kristen Castelino, Angie Chung, Camille Haines, Milan Hawk, Isabella Hernandez, Claire Humphrey, Caroline Humphrey, Mackenzie Kirkwood, Candace Lam, Brett Moriarty, Lindsay Wales, Elise Yee + Skylark Zhang

• Fall 2024 03

thoughts F R O M

T H E

E D I TO R S

Partying has been on our minds. From the classic Evanston backyard bashes to the late nights in Chicago, it seems that life at Northwestern revolves around the question: “What’s the move?”

Where can we go to be seen? What kind of music do we listen to when we want to lose our inhibitions?

In STITCH’s Party Issue, our writers consider parties across time and place, looking back into history and across cultures. What are the differences between nights out in Chicago and Quinceañeras in Zacatecas? We consider the dress codes of icons like Eve Babitz and Charli XCX and put them in conversation with contemporary fashion trends of undergraduates. Our writers consider the complexities of partying, identity and heritage.

Visually, our creative team captured the essence of parties with different interpretations. One shoot explores the hallucinatory, euphoric feelings associated with going out, and another shoot imagines a Wolfgang Tillmans-inspired rave-like intimacy.

The ways we find escape through the flashing lights and booming music seem to speak volumes about our identity, not dissimilar to fashion and the way we choose to dress. Fashion and partying go hand in hand, which is exactly what we capture through our editorial content and photoshoots.

Enjoy our party issue before your next night out. We hope to see you on the dance floor.

– Austin & Anna

• Fall 2024 05

By Lexi Goldstein Designed by Hyouji Joo At some point between late adolescence and early adulthood, we ditched party hats at roller rinks for disco balls in sweaty rooms and spin-the-bottle games for DFMOs (dance floor makeout sessions).

Playtime in the adult arena lacks the priceless awkward energy of youthful social exploration, and it’s about time we revisit our roots.

Get-togethers in middle and early high school oozed with anticipation, a rare, pure excitement that a driver’s license and the freedom of college would later diminish. Whether it was a gathering at a local spot or the “hosting friend’s” basement, some of our most memorable youth moments revolved around the underdeveloped, viciously prepubescent party scene of our vulnerable transitional years.

The excitement of getting ready to go to a party is one thing that remains the same regardless of stage of life. The outfits we spent weeks, days and hours planning in advance may look different than the all-black silhouettes and micro skirts of our college years, but they are equally as impressive. As little fashionistas, styling meant matching outfits to the unique vibe of each party game. From the flexible athleisure moment of Twister to the pre-pillow fight comfort for girls’ night round of Never Have I Ever, here’s what the life of the party was wearing during each of the party games way back when.

These two flirty games always made for the best hot gossip at recess. Although I don’t kiss and tell, I will share with you the go-to dress-to-impress party outfits that made up those scandalous circles back in 2010.

The Tumblr aesthetic was still going strong, meaning lots of black, short booties, straight hair, and a boho-chic flannel tied around the waist. The ideal vibe: too cool for school but definitely not cool enough for Coachella. After all, these are kissing games, so it’s only right to be seeing heart eyes—either in the literal sense or maybe just in the reflection of cherry red heart-shaped sunglasses, which would complete any tween Tumblr look. After the game, be sure to pick your favorite quote from Tumblr to describe your first kiss butterflies.

06

• Fall 2024

Some people think of “The Godfather” trilogy or leather jackets and hair gel when they think of Mafia.

Others see the real mafia, VSCO girls, as the real controlling influence of the mid-to-late 2010s. But not even puka shell necklaces, photos with vibrance turned up to 100, or neoprene Triangl bikinis are a match for the social deduction game Mafia. Mafia(s) take out villagers in each round as they try to uncover the identities of the Mafia members, making for an intense poker-face competition.

To pay homage to the summer camp days spent playing Mafia over popsicles in ever-expanding circles, the perfect Mafia outfit must include daisy duke shorts, layered camisoles, tie-dye baby tees, high-topConverse or Rainbow flip flops, and of course, faint lemon juice hair highlights.

Red, blue, yellow, green, so much beauty in being a tween! Make sure to stretch before this active game that will surely have you on your hands and knees with limbs flailing. Twister involves a four-by-six color block mat, which means monochrome athleisure would be the only appropriate outfit to match.

Keep it simple, but not so boring that you’re wearing black Lululemon head-to-toe. You could easily match the colors on the Twister mat, but make sure you and your friends pick different hues. It’s already a mess of limbs, and having two blue sets of leggings does not help with the untangling process.

While Never Have I Ever may feel like a fun icebreaker activity, it’s also an excuse to compare your timeline of coming-of-age experiences with friends’ and peers’. Healthy or toxic, funny or touching, you will finish this game feeling more enlightened than you did before starting it. To visualize this eyeopening experience, let’s look at outfits that are cozy enough to curl up in for this sleepover game.

Obviously, the only answer here is a fun set of pajamas. This game is for the girls, and so is a cute set of PJs!

• Fall 2024 07

08

• Fall 2024

The Bodies

Creative Director: Elias Xiwei Fan Photographer: Keya Chaudhuri Styling Director: Grace Jordan-Weinstein Stylist: Isabella Hernandez Models: Philip Bell, Kapila Marsh

12

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 13

14

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 15

16

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 17

DRESS

a guide

CODES:

By Sarah Campbell

•

Designed by June Woo

H

ave you ever seen a dress code and just had no idea what you’re supposed to wear? Well, now you’re in luck because I have compiled a guide to the most widely used dress codes. They range from dress codes you never see to ones so common, yet no one knows what they really mean. I hope to provide you with inspiration and a closer idea of what to wear. But it is your job to add your own style and flair, as you should with every outfit you wear.

white tie

Are you a fan of the royal family? Planning to win a Nobel Prize? Attending a ball or gala? Even though you might not need to know this dress code now, there are many events in the possible future that could require a very strict dress code. Starting with the most formal of all dress codes: White Tie. That means the most rigid rules, so here we go, starting off strong!

If you dress more masculine: • A white, hand-tied bowtie • An evening tailcoat, unbuttoned and lapels peaked • A stiff, white, evening shirt with single-folded cuffs • A winged collar • Mother of Pearl buttons, or something similar • Cufflinks • A white, low-cut evening waistcoat • High-waisted trousers with two lines of braid down the outer seam (the braid is the stripe on the outside of the trousers).

• Black patent leather dress shoes with laces • Black dress socks If you wish to dress more feminine: • A floor-length evening gown (the more formal the better) • A clutch • A statement necklace and tasteful earrings

black tie

The most common formal dress code for less elite events is something everyone must know. The second most formal of the dress codes: Black Tie. The rules are similar to white tie but slightly relaxed. This is a common dress code for 18

• Fall 2024

weddings, red carpets, charity events, dinner parties, and more.

The biggest difference between white tie and black tie is with the rules for masculine dressing people: • Wear a black bowtie • A tuxedo or a formal dinner suit • A crisp white shirt • Loafers or a more traditional dress shoe • Optional: a cumberbund or a vest and fun cufflinks, you could also get away with wearing a tie If you wish to dress more feminine: • A floor-length evening gown, or a formal cocktail dress • Keep the jewelry to a minimum • Heels are sleek and classy

black tie-optional

Out of all the formal event dress codes, this is the one you will see most often: Black Tie-Optional.

If you dress more masculine: • A tuxedo or a suit • A crisp white shirt • Keep the suit colors dark: black, navy, or charcoal • Optional: cufflinks and/or a pocket square For the feminine dressers: • Aim for a floor-length gown, formal cocktail dress or dressy pantsuit • A midi-length dress that falls below the knee.

• Make sure your dress or pantsuit is not too revealing; however, a tasteful slit is perfectly acceptable.

cocktail

One of the most referenced dress styles and party themes is Cocktail. This guide to cocktail attire will come in handy when you're invited to a less formal wedding, go to happy hour, have a date night, or go to the club. Cocktail attire is a versatile dress code and can be more or less formal. In this guide, you'll learn the general rules so you can look your best at every event.

If you dress more masculine: • A spunky sport coat or a double-breasted blazer is always a good choice • Stick to a button-down if you’re unsure, but feel free to choose one with a funky pattern • As for pants, stick to well-tailored trousers, even better if they are high-waisted and pleated • You can wear jeans, as long as they are dark and well-tailored — no baggy jeans!

• As for shoes, you can wear loafers, casual dress shoes, or Chelsea boots • If you want to wear a tie, make it fun and bold!

• Dresses should be modest and polished, at knee length or lower • Well-tailored trousers or, on occasion, a pair of dark jeans • Shoes should be professional-looking flats, a low pair of heels, refined boots, loafers, or oxfords • Accessories should be simple and neat, and feel free to add a suit jacket to any outfit

smart casual

Have you ever come across a dress code for a club in Chicago but don’t know what it means? This guide is for when you aren’t so sure how formal you need to be: Smart Casual. A mix between super formal and extremely casual, smart casual can usually be applied to many events. Even some clubs in Chicago. Additionally, this attire is a great choice for networking events if you do not want to go the full business-casual mile.

For the feminine dressers: • If you want to wear a dress, stick to mini to midi-length.

• A well-tailored, fancy jumpsuit is always a classy choice • If you want to wear pants, then stick to a well-tailored trouser paired with a flirty top, fun blouse, or elegant button-down • Elevated but comfortable heels or any classy pair of flats or platform shoes • Elegant jewelry • A nice clutch When dressing in cocktail attire, think formal, but not too formal. If you still need help finding the perfect outfit, there is usually a cocktail category on most clothing websites!

business-casual

Do you have an internship coming up?

Are you graduating and going to work in an office building? Well, this is the dress code guide for you! Below you will find inspiration and a general set of rules for your work parties and meet and greets: Business-Casual.

If you dress more masculine: • Jackets are less formal in business-casual; they can be sport coats, blazers, or a regular suit jacket • Your tops can range from a nice buttondown or an elevated sweater to a henley shirt or polo • Pants should be well-tailored slacks, chinos, or dark jeans with no holes. No khakis!

• Shoes should still be formal, so stick to oxfords or a nice pair of loafers For the feminine dressers: • Your top should be a well-structured blouse, button-down shirt, • A tailored and chic skirt, knee length or lower

•

If you dress more masculine: Basically think business-casual but less formal • Stick with sports coats or blazers as a jacket • The shirt can be a short or long-sleeve button-down or a fun patterned dress shirt • Pants can be more casual dress pants, chinos or dark-colored jeans • Shoes should be dress shoes, Chelsea boots, Gibsons, or even a very nice pair of sneakers (think leather or suede) For the feminine dressers: • Start off your look with a classy blouse, shirt, button-down, or other collared shirt • As for pants, stick with a tailored trouser or a dark-wash pair of jeans • If you want to wear a dress, go with a smart midi dress; they do not need to be as formal as a fullon pencil dress • When choosing a shoe, stick to classy flats, heels, or luxury loafers • Accessories can be fun and bold; they should add more of your personality to the look • Fall 2024 19

The Lives of the Party,

By Julia Beckendorf Designed by Yasmin Mustefa

by the Years

It’s a party girl summer, as artists like Charli XCX have declared, which means a resurgence of degeneracy, lightheartedness and vapid fun in pop culture.

While parties themselves have surely evolved, women have defined style movements and popular sentiments since their creation, exuding influence and individuality on the dancefloor. From Depression-era jazz clubs to now-global Boiler Room DJ sets, here are seven of the most influential eras for the “party girl,” and how they defined cultural discourse for years to come.

Charli XCX 20

• Fall 2024

Roaring 20s Clara Bow, the first proclaimed ‘Iitgirl,’ epitomized early flapper culture with her fringey artdeco embellished dresses and popularization of the choppy bob, allowing for movement as well as artistic expression.

However, Bow vocalized the early struggles of the party lifestyle, saying once, “All the time the flapper is laughing and dancing, there’s a feeling of tragedy underneath.”,” she said once. “She’s unhappy and disillusioned, and that’s what people sense.” This sentiment resonated in works like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” which first explored the complex phenomenon of letting loose amidst inner strife. Bow’s legacy is confident, sexual and charismatic, inspiring women throughout the last century.

Studio 54 Forty years later, the legacy of Roaring 20s’ glamor continued at New York’s Studio 54, a club which operated between 1977 and 1980 and celebrated hedonism and opulence at their finest. Club regular and performer Diana Ross emulated what it meant to be the ‘life of the party,’ providing the quintessential disco soundtrack and iconoclastic fashion to match. From crystal-embellished headpieces and feathered tops to ripped tees and white fur coats, Ross’s elevated versatility influenced predecessors like ‘80s stars Madonna and Janet Jackson to embrace danceability and whimsy in popular culture music and art.

Clara Bow

Eve Babitz On the west coast, the California lifestyle swept its way into the party scene. Los Angeles writer Eve Babitz chronicled the counterculture years and their aftermath in the ‘60s and ‘70s in her semi-fictionalized autobiographies.

HerBabitz’ descriptions of drug-induced revelations at Chateau Marmont or late-night hauntings of the Beverly Hills Hotel elaborated on the juxtaposition between the party girls’ grappling with external futility and subsequent attemptings to find escape in urban metropolis. Eve’s writing cut through the surface, and explored the grittiness of a party’s birth and aftermath. Author John Berger once wrote of Babitz, “She was glamorous, but she also recognized the dirty work that being beautiful required.,” This simultaneously sultry and candid view of L.A. made Babitz a muse for modern artists like Lana Del Rey, who frequently explores the dichotomy between California’s beachy mindset and the debauchery that manifests within.

Eve Babitz Diana Ross

• Fall 2024 21

Sex and the City Though “‘’Sex and the City” protagonist Carrie Bradshaw may have been fictional, her impact on the romanticization of New York as the world’s greatest party is undeniable, as well as her genre-bending looks along the way. Portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradshaw’s wardrobe was anything but predictable, unafraid of mixing loud patterns and often inclined to repurpose vintage pieces. She embodied the spontaneity and creativity that creates an it-girl through with her unorthodox choices., like Just look at her iconic Hamptons party outfit, featuring a striped red skirt, snake-printed bandeau and straw pink cowboy hat (somehow all at once). Overall, Bradshaw’s cable TV reign showcased juxtaposition of youthful accents with sophisticated household names, inspiring a generation to take risks in fashion and in life.

Charlotte York, Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes and Samantha Jones

Paris Hilton

McBling McBling? That’s hot. The Y2K movement, if nothing else, showed the fashion world the importance of not taking itself too seriously. Now-pop culture icons Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie embodied this spirit, donning Juicy tracksuits, low-rise patterned skirts and cheeky graphic tanks during their time on “The Simple Life.”

Flaunting status, wealth and beauty in an extreme fashion, the Y2K party girl characterized herself as someone you had to envyenvied. The McBling revival has permeated 2020’s trends, reflecting a yearning for nostalgia, campiness and plain fun integrated into everyday looks.

22

• Fall 2024

King Kylie Era/ ABH Reminiscing on the year 2017, certain trademarks come to mind - Adidas superstars, Anastasia Beverly Hills dip brows, and my FOMO of all things Coachella, and the ‘King Kylie’ era. Marked by the titular Kylie Jenner’s chokehold on the OG Snapchat filters and constant overlined taupe lips, marked a singular era, which normalized middle schoolers opting for full glam ahead of first period algebra class (true story, unfortunately). However, Jenner’s rebellious and street-style heavy aesthetic was synonymous with the new Instagram era of beauty and style, as girls everywhere tried to replicate Jenner’s glam routine in their mundane lives. Building on the sentiment of Y2K, Jenner’s style and subsequent entrepreneurial ventures made looking rich accessible, all the while captivating teens around the world with her young Hollywood exploits and successes.,

Kylie Jenner

Charli XCX

Charli XCX

If we had to choose today’s most influential IT girl, Charli XCX takes the crown. Influenced by iconic hyperpop artists like SOPHIE and A.G. Cook, her music and fashion reflects a modern sentiment focused on comfortability and self-expression rather than rigidity and constant glam. Often donning loose oversized t-shirts with basic mini skirts, black platform boots and slick polarized sunglasses, Charli’s style is grungy, intuitive and made for spending hours in the club. Overall, Charli’s music reflects the intertwined nature of sadness and ecstasy she feels are inherent to any party, taking into account the dark and lighthearted to provide a nuanced account of being a “cult classic” party girl for the new generation.

• Fall 2024 23

and the Frat Fashion PARTY Feminist Dilema

PARTY

Reconciling our party attire and our values

By Stephanie Kontopanos

B

efore I came to college, my two older sisters gave me plenty of advice, especially when it came to parties: “Always make sure you know where your friends are,” “Don’t drink from the communal punch bowl,” etc. No advice, however, was offered regarding frat dress codes, leaving me to make my own decisions in that area.

I attended my first fraternity party during the weekend of Halloween in 2023. Unlike what Cady Heron from “Mean Girls” once suggested, girls weren’t all wearing “lingerie and some form of animal ears.” Certainly, though, everyone showed much more skin than they usually would, including me. I had traded my usual jeans for a slightly above-theknee skirt and my crewneck for a cropped button-down to create a vaguely “Heathers”-adjacent costume.

While getting ready, I expressed some concern to my boyfriend. I didn’t know if I was wearing too much or too little relative to what everyone else had planned for the weekend. My boyfriend’s response was the age-

"'If you’re not paying, you’re the commodity' and 'Gender and sexuality are a performance.' This encompasses both the beauty and uncomfortable truth about dressing for frat parties."

old question: “Do we dress more revealingly for the frats because we enjoy it, or because it's a necessity of conformity and access?”

I didn’t have an answer for him then, and I still don’t think I do. It wasn’t until my second frat party that I reconsidered the question. This time, however, the theme was Adam Sandler, a classic that by nature rejected any skin-bearing outfit. I was there last minute, and, as a result, with no 24

• Fall 2024

outfit coherent with the theme. I arrived in my favorite oversized t-shirt, baggy jeans, a black raincoat, a belt and, of course, frat shoes. Not exactly the epitome of Adam Sandler, lacking a baseball cap and gym shorts. As I waited in line, something felt off with my outfit. Going across the road to Lisa’s, I deliberated on how I could do anything to make the look feel more “fratty,” concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get into the party.

Once inside the Lisa’s bathroom, I began the movie makeover-style process of redoing the outfit as much as I could — rolling down the waistband of my highwaisted jeans and ripping the neckline of my shirt so it hung slightly off the shoulder. I returned to the party, my pocket weighed down by my belt and dignity a little bruised by my dedication to conformity.

As I continue reflecting on the lengths I went to to

get access to the party, two feminist ideas keep popping up: ”If you’re not paying, you’re the commodity” and “Gender and sexuality are a performance.” This encompasses both

"Frat fashion roots itself in the idea that when femaleidentifying people dress revealingly for frats, it is for the purpose of attraction." the beauty and uncomfortable truth about dressing for frat parties. Frat parties are free for women in part because of the expectation that female partygoers are “available.” Frat fashion roots itself in the idea that when female-identifying people dress revealingly for frats, it is for the purpose of attraction. These roots are, thankfully, becoming dated, as frats start to become less of a matchmaking opportunity and more of a mixed-gender social space.

It’s impossible to talk about frat parties without acknowledging the heteronormativity.

The idea of boy-girl pairings prevails, exhibited by gender ratios when going to frats in groups.

Once I acknowledged and recognized the heteronormative standards, I began to see the idea of gender and sexuality as a performance everywhere.

In a way, it felt almost campy; going to the frats became an opportunity to perform a hyperfeminine character, from getting ready to heading home. I talked about it with one of my friends, AJ Dickerson, and she expressed a similar sentiment.

“I see frats as a heterosexual and gender-normed

place, so I would rather fit in with the heterosexual gender norm,” Dickerson said.

In this way, gender, feminism and frat fashion can be compared to learning how to write. People say that to be a good writer, you must first learn the conventions and rules of writing before you can break them in a way that works. Comparably, it feels like the healthiest way to engage with the heteronormativity of frat-party fashion is to first understand and recognize the way heteronormativity and gender roles present within it.

Once realized, you can begin to experiment and play with the hyper-femininity and hyper-masculinity that characterize frats and fratwear.

Dickerson expressed the same fear as I did throughout this ongoing deliberation: “There's some part of me that feels like a bad queer person or a bad feminist for dressing slutty,” she says.

“I call it objectifying myself.”

However, I don’t think the clothing we wear defines us. We aren’t bad or good feminists for wearing more or less clothing. Wearing a bikini top doesn’t make you a slut and wearing pants doesn’t make you a buzzkill.

The way we feel about the clothing we wear, and the context we wear it in, says more about us and our values than a piece of fabric does.

I don’t think I’m finished reflecting on what my clothing choices mean in terms of my feminist values. I might just need to go to another frat party to find out.

"We aren’t bad or good feminists for wearing more or less clothing. Wearing a bikini top doesn’t make you a slut and wearing pants doesn’t make you a buzzkill. The way we feel about the clothing we wear, and the context we wear it in, says more about us and our values than a piece of fabric does."

Designed by Amira Dossani

• Fall 2024 25

DSC 0

aftermath

surreal

0348 Creative Director: Elias Xiwei Fan Photographer: Keya Chaudhuri Styling Director: Grace Jordan-Weinstein Stylists and Makeup Artists: Brett Rogers, Nina Simon, Isabella Hernandez Models: Lindsey Wales, Norah D’Cruze

28

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 29

30

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 31

32

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 33

34

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 35

WHAT'S THE MOVE? A guide to going out in Chicago

By Lauren Cohn

If there’s anything a Northwestern student comes to learn, it’s that leaving the cozy streets of Evanston for the city of Chicago is often an integral part of the partying scene. From filling up on drinks to last the whole 30-minute drive down Lake Shore Drive to immediately locating the closest McDonald’s (if it’s the big, glass McDonald’s on North Clark Street, you’re in good hands),

you’re set up for a good night. However, with so many neighborhoods with different scenes, it can feel intimidating to decide where to go. Whether you’re looking for a chill night with friends or to dance the night away with booming sound systems and flashing lights, STITCH has you covered with an essential guide to the Chicago bar and club scene.

1. NORTHALSTED (AKA BOYSTOWN) Sidetrack Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Chicago’s Boystown, Sidetrack has welcomed Chicago’s LGBTQIA+ community for over four decades, with its huge space and multiple levels that can host more than 1,000. Each night brings something new: Musical Mondays, “All Things” parties where they play the discographies of your favorite artists, drag performances, games and dancing.

Roscoe’s Tavern A Boystown hotspot, Roscoe’s Tavern has long been a leader in nightlife and entertainment. With multiple bars, a dance floor, and an outdoor patio,

36

• Fall 2024

there’s plenty of space to party with your group. Go for drag brunch or their special-themed nights like “Haus of Mouse,” a Disney Channel dance-a-long.

And be sure to get your fix during the bar’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing parties.

Scarlet Bar Like Sidetrack and Roscoe’s, Scarlet Bar offers an exciting array of themed dance parties and an exciting space for all pop music fans, with music from Chappell Roan to Lady Gaga. Personally, I went to Scarlett for a “Glee” night and can attest that the drag queen dressed as Sue Sylvester and the TV playing “Glee” episodes made for an unforgettable night.

2. RIVER NORTH AND STREETERVILLE Joy District A classic of River North, Joy District offers a multilevel venue for any mood: from an ultramodern sports parlor, a club on the upper level and a rooftop space. Joy District is open for dining and private events, a little bit of everything for your next night out.

Tao Chicago Both an Asian bistro and a luxe club space, Tao Chicago is truly an experience. The unique space includes a 20-foot-tall statue atop a koi pond, and the nightclub brings in top DJs from around the world.

Keep in mind that the cover fee can be expensive, and be sure to make a reservation for the marquee

acts. Whether you’re in the mood to dance all night or just have a knack for interior design, add Tao to the top of the list.

Sound-Bar Sound-Bar is a staple of the Chicago club scene.

Perfect for house music aficionados and party enthusiasts, Sound-Bar offers exciting DJs and craft (but exorbitantly expensive) cocktails. With different floors, everyone can find the vibe that works for them. Look out this summer for the club’s Lollapalooza aftershows, too!

Other spots to check out include Electric Hotel, LITE, The Underground and Tunnel.

3. LINCOLN PARK Kingston Mines I would consider Kingston Mines a landmark of the Northwestern nightlife scene. The blues bar has been offering live music since 1968. They have tasty snacks and all-night jazz tunes that create a vibe unlike any other. Kingston Mines is a great option for a more relaxed and lowkey night out. Even better, students get free entry Thursday nights!

Delilah’s An essential of the Chicago bar scene, Delilah’s has been open every day since 1993 and boasts an impressive lineup of DJs and special events.

The bar carries more than 1,000 beer and spirit options, including over 800 whiskey options. Be sure to check out the bar’s regular art openings, film screenings, and beer tastings, too.

4. WRIGLEYVILLE Old Crow Smokehouse Old Crow can always be counted on for a fun night.

The Smokehouse offers award-winning BBQ and live country music. They describe themselves “as the ultimate blend of home cookin’ and a lively saloon.”

Old Crow is especially perfect after a win for the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Sluggers Bar Much like Old Crow, Sluggers Bar offers a unique bar experience due to the batting cages and games that make up the upper deck. With the perfect

neighborhood bar feel, Sluggers is a great postbaseball game destination. Just ensure you don’t get too intoxicated before attempting the batting cages.

Smartbar A live music venue and concert space, the independent nightclub has been infamous in the dance music world for 40 years. For something a little more exciting than the bar scene of Wrigleyville without the trek to River North, Smartbar is the perfect way to combine the thrills of Chicago’s house music with the fun atmosphere of Wrigleyville.

Designed by Jade Wang • Fall 2024 37

Hallucinations Creative Director: Elias Xiwei Fan Photographer: Malcolm Gittens Styling Director: Grace Jordan Weinstein Stylists and Makeup Artists: Elias Xiwei Fan, Mark Park, Tiger Lee Model: Meredith Greenberg

38

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 41

• Fall 2024 43

46

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 47

48

• Fall 2024

• Fall 2024 49

WHY THE ZACATECAS QUINCEAÑERA IS THE

ULTIMATE P A R T Y

by

W en dy Z

hu

andez Gon z a lez ern rH de

By Al ex an

d

ne g i s De

50

• Fall 2024

Growing up, my weekends were always filled with Quinceañeras. Whether it was a family member or my dad’s friend of a friend, they were always the one event I never got tired of.

I mean, c’mon, free food? An opportunity to dress up? Dancing con las tias? Chismeando with your cousins about what happened at the last family function? The opportunities are endless, and so is the traditional Mexican event that symbolizes the transition from girlhood to womanhood.

Naturally, a lot of preparation goes into this type of event, and it’s definitely not cheap either.

According to a study by the Quinceañera Report, more than half a million quinceañeras are held in the U.S. annually, with an average cost of $21,781.

The dress, the chambelanes and/or damas attire, venue, food, music, invitations and alcohol are just some notable expenses to be made. A Quinceañera is not just another birthday party It's a socially and culturally important part of the Latino/a community.

When it was time for my older sister, Johanna, to have her Quinceañera, the process started an entire year before the actual date arrived. Her dress was made-toorder in Mexico, her face was plastered across hundreds of invitations and my family planned out every detail 1,412 miles away in Denver.

Once December 2017 was here, we arrived in Valparaiso, Zacatecas, and it was time to turn this party into a reality.

As family from pueblos San Mateo and Trojes cooked mole, rice and beef during the morning, the chambelanes practiced el vals and the baile sorpresa at the communal basketball court in the afternoon. At night, myself and my extended family spent five hours straightening up the event center.

All these elements were crucial to making Johanna’s quinceañera the talk of the town, especially with a 24-hour deadline. After this long, yet exhausting day, I was more than ready to get in bed and ease my brain from all of the logistics.

The next morning, my 13-year-old self woke up at 6am. The special day was finally here. Johanna, my mom, cousins, aunts and grandmas were getting their makeup and hair done while my twin brother, dad, cousin, uncles, and myself put on our charro suits. As I put on my chunky belt and my white cowboy boots, I felt excited to see what the day had in store for my sister and family.

Once everyone was ready to head to the church, Johanna walked down the steps of our San Mateo home to mariachi music while photographers and videographers captured her last

moments as a child. Immediately picture after picture was taken of my sister with family members and eventually to me and twin brother, Juan. The both of us were bored of the pictures and wanted to get as far away from the cameras as possible.

At the church, we were welcomed by a packed crowd filled with family and friends dressed up in charro-attire and rancho style. The misa, or mass, is the traditional way to celebrate the next chapter of life: adulthood.

Once the mass finished, the witnesses of the transformation cheered on the quinceañera and began a cabalgata, a parade, starting from the church all the way to the event center, where we held the comida section of the festivity. Hundreds of people gathered to eat, talk and listen to music, usually tamborazo or mariachi. As the homemade food and Mexican Coke hit my tastebuds, the struggle that I experienced the day prior made it all worth it.

Later, the most anticipated part of the party, the baile, begins. Usually, a groupo, or band, joins and brings the energy into the night. As tens of hundreds of people dance the night away, a sudden halt occurs.

The mother and father dance, vals, and baile sorpresa are finally here. The series of dances can be emotional for friends, family and especially the quinceañera, as it signifies the transition of leaving childhood behind and moving forward into adulthood.

Of course, alcohol, live music and cake add to the magic that happens during the baile and quinceañara.

But, it’s also important to note that this event creates a key moment for the star of the show’s life, one filled with loved

"A Quinceañera is not just another birthday party." ones, conocidos and support of the community.

Beautiful memories are made on such a special day; photos and videos allow families to relive the day that changed their lives and move forward with a reminder of those moments that seemed so long ago.

Now, as a college student that is 903 miles away from home and my family, I cherish the precious memories, both positive and negative, as I continue to grow as a person. When a rough time arises, I look back at the photos of this special day and feel a sense of home and comfortability.

Thankfully, Quinceañaras are not going anywhere anytime soon. Moving forward, every time my family gets invited to one, you bet that I will be there for the wonderful connections, food, dance and memories that will be made.

• Fall 2024 51