Rainbow Prom – Universal Preservation Hall – Interview by Niki Kaos

Rainbow Prom at Universal Preservation Hall.

I’m a huge fan of the programing at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga. And I’m an ally of LGBTQ+ friends and family. When I saw the announcement about a Rainbow Prom scheduled for this fall, I was immediately in love with the idea. People who couldn’t celebrate prom at their own schools now have a chance to experience that moment if they feel like they missed out.

As a teenager, going to prom was stressful and expensive. As an adult – getting the chance to dress up and take myself out for a night of dancing sounds divine! I’m psyched to hear of an event that prides itself on creating a welcoming space! I reached out to Jean Leonard, Chief of Staff and Director of Programming for the Proctor’s Collaborative, to get the details on what they have in store for us.

RRX: Where did the idea of hosting a Rainbow Prom come from?

JL: Some of our staff had seen a similar type evening in a different market. A prom open to everyone, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. And we hadn’t seen anything like that in this market in the past, or we didn’t remember that we had. We thought it would be a great way to open the doors to UPH more widely to people who may or may not have been in the building yet or seen an event there yet. It was something that sounded exciting to us, so we decided to produce one.

RRX: I love that! As a person who was an awkward teenager, prom was fraught for me, although I did manage to go to one. I feel like in high school, prom can present challenges for certain groups that might feel excluded from being able to express themselves openly at a dance. So, you’re giving an opportunity to people who didn’t have that chance?

JL: Absolutely. The idea is to give people the opportunity to go to “The Prom” as the fullest, truest, realest version of themselves, however it is they define that. And some of my colleagues tell me, some of us were able to do that when we were 16 or 17 years old, and some of us were not. Everybody should get a chance to do that, right? Have all the fun, wonderful, goofy prom things. Have fun getting dressed up. Getting to take photos.

RRX: So, you’re going to have a photobooth then? Because that is a big prom moment!

JL: We’re going to have a photobooth with a photographer there. We’re going to have it decorated like we remember the prom from once upon a time.

RRX: What are you doing for music?

JL: DJ HollyW8D is our DJ for the night.

RRX: That’s amazing. He’s a fantastic DJ – what a great choice.

JL: It’s going to be an amazing night.

RRX: It’s fair to say it’s still legit to go stag to the prom? You don’t need a prom date, right?

JL: Absolutely. I would argue that when you’re returning to the prom as an adult, you should feel no requirements whatsoever, except to come and enjoy it in whatever way that works for you.

RRX: I actually might have to see if my kid and his friends want to go or bring myself. I’m not sure if the prom is big enough for the both of us! LOL

JL: Well, it’s a nice sized room, so you could just agree on which side of the room everybody’s staying on.

RRX: That’s a brilliant solution. Is there an age limit? Is this a supervised event?

JL: We are inviting age 16 plus. We will have our staff there, and they will be the “prom chaperones”, but really just meant to be silly in that way.

RRX: I love that.

JL: There will be a bar, and we’ll have a specialty drink, like a fun sangria or something like that. But we will wristband folks or something like that so that we know who can partake at the bar and who can’t.

RRX: I love that you created a way for younger people to attend too, because some local teens may not feel comfortable at their own school proms, so this gives them an alternative to experience the prom while being able to attend in a safe and welcoming environment.

JL: Yes. It’s going to be an inclusive and fun night.

RRX: Are there any kind of food or snacks available?

JL: There will be some small snacks available, and we’ll have our usual concessions open to people. But we hope people will take advantage of the downtown Saratoga scene. We think we’re going to have some restaurants come on board with us as partners that are going to do some specials for us. People can go out to dinner first and then arrive at the prom ready for the next part of the night. So, it won’t be a meal, but we’ll have food in the building for people to nosh on.

RRX: Well, that’s what I would do. I would get dressed up in a fabulous outfit, take myself out to dinner, and dance the night away. It sounds like a delightful evening.

And I did want to mention your volunteer “chaperones”. Every time I come to UPH, the volunteers are next level – always taking care of the guests and doing their best to ensure everyone has a good time. I’m sure it will be the same for this event.

JL: Thank you for telling me that. Our volunteers feel pretty strongly about UPH. They love it there, and they want everybody to love it there. I feel that from them when I’m with them. So I’m glad that you do too.

RRX: You can definitely feel that when you walk in the building. Thanks so much for letting me know what you have planned. Sounds like a heck of a party! Hopefully I’ll catch you out on the dance floor September 30^th.

JL: That sounds great – thank you for sharing the news!

RRX: The Rainbow prom will be held at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, September 30^th at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.