MILWAUKEE — Deep blue and pink lights gleamed off Melissa Saputo and their good friend Darby as they danced their souls out to “Misery Business” by Paramore in Milwaukee’s Turner Hall.

For Saputo, it’s a second that sticks.

“We knew every word by heart and screamed each of them to each other,” they mentioned.

Melissa Saputo dances at Emo Night Brooklyn in Turner Hall. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)

Saputo not too long ago moved to Milwaukee, however they’re no stranger to bop events. They’ve been to over 15.

“My favorite aspect is probably making friends for a night,” mentioned Saputo, who makes use of she/they pronouns.

At the Emo Night Brooklyn dance occasion at Turner Hall, they mentioned it was good to be round individuals in the identical emo “subculture” as them.

Dance events aren’t one thing new in Wisconsin or Milwaukee. They’ve been round not less than a couple of many years, in line with native DJ Frank Straka. He’s identified for his “versus” events at Mad Planet, the second oldest dance membership in Milwaukee, subsequent to Victor’s, in line with Straka.

Before Straka turned a DJ for the venue, he was an attendee. It wasn’t till he tagged together with a good friend to DJ a neighborhood bar that he thought of diving into the career.

Debates on Facebook over Michael Jackson and Prince would additional propel him into the area of interest he’s now identified for: versus dance events. At Mad Planet, he’s taking part in exhibits like The Cure vs. The Smiths, Depeche Mode vs. New Order and extra.

Over the years, he mentioned he’s seen the demographics of Mad Planet attendees change a bit, going from a extra various music crowd to now a extra blended group relying on the present’s theme. The recognition of various genres has additionally shifted throughout the market.

Straka mentioned disco-themed exhibits used to do horrible however now, they’re choosing up steam with youthful generations. In his ABBA vs. Queen vs. Blondie present, he estimates nearly all of his viewers is of their 20s.

“They go (expletive) bonkers over Queen and ABBA songs, more so than any other band that I’ve ever played in my life,” he mentioned. “It’s insane how crazy people get to Queen songs like Bohemian Rhapsody…that song drives people into a frenzy…”

But for some time, he mentioned Mad Planet was struggling, particularly by means of the pandemic. That’s not not like many different music venues throughout the state. When COVID-19 hit, venues had been compelled to shut their doorways — and it took them some time to recuperate.

Lauren Toler mentioned their Madison leisure venues didn’t hit an upswing till fall of 2022. Toler is the senior market director of Madison for Frank Productions Concerts (FPC) Live, which operates a number of Madison leisure venues, together with The Sylvee, Majestic Theatre, The Orpheum Theater and extra.

“Come 2023 is the closest we’ve been to reaching some of our pre-pandemic numbers,” mentioned Toler.

As exhibits have come again, leisure teams have seen the group hungry to get again on the market.

“People want to go out and people want to attend things with like a lot of rigor,” mentioned Amber Solheim, a reserving assistant for the Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee, which operates Turner Hall.

Broadway Rave at Turner Hall (Photo Courtesy: Will Hughes)

One of the occasions coming again with a increase is dance events.

Both Toler and Solheim mentioned that because the pandemic, there appear to be extra themed dance events popping up across the state. At the dance occasions, DJs play a curated set based mostly on the theme. They typically cater to a particular area of interest, whether or not it’s Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Broadway and even Spongebob.

That area of interest carries over into an immersive expertise, full with on-theme drinks and photograph cubicles. Some dance events even usher in additional on-stage expertise. Solheim mentioned for his or her Okay-pop present, they’ve introduced in native dance troops from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or Danceworks to carry out.

Toler mentioned these events supply a “win-win” situation for venues and attendees. It’s concurrently a method for the venue to fill gaps within the leisure calendar and supply individuals with a social outlet at a decrease price than a live performance.

“It’s a cool opportunity for patrons to come out and celebrate an artist’s music, who may not otherwise have the chance to see them live either because they’re not playing the market or because tickets are a [higher] price,” mentioned Toler.

It’s additionally a method for individuals who could also be underage to exit and revel in a present. Solheim mentioned many live performance venues require attendees to be 21 and over, however most of their dance events at Turner Hall in Milwaukee are open to all ages.

“It’s giving the people a new opportunity who aren’t necessarily 21 to be able to go get out and have that club environment,” she mentioned.

That’s additionally permitting completely different generations to socialize.

Taylor Swift Dance Party at Turner Hall (Photo Courtesy: Dan Ojeda)

“You get people who are both younger college-aged coming in dressing up and then you also get people who are older and who grew up listening to ABBA and are in their old garb,” mentioned Solheim, referring to their Gimme Gimme Disco occasion that includes ABBA classics. “It’s really cool to see the different generations coming together and being able to enjoy the same music.”

Ticket gross sales replicate the dance events’ up-and-coming recognition. Toler mentioned at their Majestic venue in Madison, dance events are promoting out additional prematurely than ever earlier than. Venues may be packed full, with anyplace from 100 to 2,500 individuals.

The distinctive social facet appears to be one of many largest attracts for attendees.

Emo Night Brooklyn attendee Saputo mentioned at dance events, the main focus tends to fall extra on the power within the room as an alternative of on an artist, akin to in a live performance setting.

Plus, there’s one thing particular about belting out lyrics with individuals who like the identical music as you.

Toler mentioned she might see it taking place at their Taylor Swift dance occasion.

From left to proper: Cesar Olvera and Paige Wiedmer at Emo Night Brooklyn. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)

“When I went to that one, it was 600 diehard Taylor Swift that were reciting and singing every single lyric to every single song, whether it was a ballad, or a slower song, or an absolute jam,” she mentioned. “I mean, it was a really profound experience about people really connecting over her music and knowing every word, every song. It was pretty cool.”

Dance occasion attendee Cesar Olvera hadn’t been to a dance occasion earlier than, however mentioned he’s felt that deep sense of connection over music at different occasions round Milwaukee, like Riot Fest.

“The fact that you had multiple people in like the crowd singing, looking at you, at your face and singing the same lyrics that you’re singing, that you know how they feel and how you feel, and just have that moment of connection… you don’t feel so alone,” he mentioned.

Connecting with others on this particular method is what introduced out mates, Angelica Soto, Madi Martin, Cassidy Rose and Joe Simon to the Pabst’s Emo Night dance occasion.

As life will get busier after highschool, it could typically be exhausting for mates to assemble. 

“We just wanted to have that moment like we were back in high school together,” mentioned Martin.

Soto mentioned dancing unlocked core recollections from their mates’ preteen years.

The nostalgia issue was additionally on the thoughts of attendee Paige Wiedmer. She mentioned dance events supply up the chance to easily get out and dance, one thing that doesn’t appear as available as you become older.

“You can’t dance as an adult anymore. They don’t do that at bars. It’s not a common thing at parties. It’s not something that people regularly do. I dance with my kid at home. But that’s about the only place that you can go and dance,” she mentioned. “That (dancing) stops after high school. And college doesn’t offer stuff like that really anymore.”

From left to proper: Madi Martin, Angelica Soto, Cassidy Rose and Joe Simon. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Ryan)

When it comes right down to it, dance events are merely about letting unfastened and having enjoyable (DJs included).

“I feel like a rockstar sometimes,” mentioned DJ Straka. “It’s tremendous enjoyable when you’ll be able to exit to a membership and have 300 individuals going loopy due to one thing that you just’re doing.“

“It’s cool to be around people that still get it and still listen to music for listening to music,” mentioned Wiedmer.