–
Party goers jiggling to the sounds of online DJs, wearing nipple covers or disco ball cloth masks: with the closing of nightlife venues, virtual dance parties are raging in New York.
The city, which prides itself on never sleeping, now has more than 90,000 people infected with the new coronavirus, and the authorities have extended the closure of all non-essential activities until at least the end of April. But night owls have found other ways to party.
DJ D-Nice, the darling of stars, also draws crowds for his “live” marathon sets (up to 10 hours in a row) on Instagram. Among his followers: stars like Rihanna and John Legend, even political figures like Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden.
The “House of Yes” club, known for its drag queens shows, burlesque, acrobats and very sophisticated costumes, has also gone online, hosting parties on platforms like Zoom, Twitch and Instagram. From the first virtual session, success was there. “I didn’t expect to have so much fun. I danced in disguise for three hours in a row, “said club founder Kae Burke. “It completely amazed me … It felt like I was with my friends.”
These virtual parties allow the club to attract fans to Europe and Asia, notes Jacqui Rabkin, the brain behind the club’s digital evenings. New York DJ Nickodemus is one of those who spin vinyls in this virtual world, hoping to offer an antidote to ambient stress. For now, his virtual parties are free, but if the confinement lasts, the club could make them pay, says Jacqui Rabkin. And virtual activity is likely to continue, even when the rules of social distancing are relaxed.
–
