In the dimly lit Mabee Ballrooms, students gathered dressed up in a mix of edgy and eclectic outfits for Danse Macabre, an alternative prom held by Topper Radio and Trans Wellness Organization (TWO). Unlike a highschool prom where the playlist may have included upbeat hits from the 2010s, older classics and at least one Ed Sheeran song, the music at Danse Macabre ranged from songs from iconic goth rock bands such as The Cure to post-grunge groups like System Of A Down.
“I hope students get to have the prom they never got to have,” said Dietzel. “I graduated during the pandemic in 2020 so I never had my senior prom, and I know a lot of other people never had a junior or senior prom either.” (Daniel Mendoza / Hilltop Views)
Hensley frequents punk and hardcore shows, which foster a sense of community where “people look out for each other.”
“In typical society, a lot of people feel like they don’t belong,” Hensley said. “They feel ostracized, and alternative culture gives people a home to feel like: ‘we’re ostracized, but that’s okay because we have each other.’” (Lynn Jafarzadeh / Hilltop Views)
“There’s such a difference in every community that you meet based off of music.” Villarreal said. “Pop people, which I’m also a part of: very fun, very extraverted. But now being at this event it’s definitely more introverted people but still vibing around each other which is really, really nice.” (Lynn Jafarzadeh / Hilltop Views)
“My friend introduced me to goth subculture,” Piel said, “and I really just connected with the androgyny and the darkness, and the flamboyant self expression and unapologetic nature of it all, and ever since then I’ve just thrown myself into it head first, ‘embracing the darkness’ and vampires and flowy clothes and just the ridiculousness of it all really ended up being a really huge piece of the puzzle in figuring out who I am as a man and as a trans person.” (Daniel Mendoza / Hilltop Views)
“The word poser gets thrown around a lot and I think we’re all posers of each other.” Lewis said. “I don’t think there’s really such a thing as a poser as long as you’re being yourself authentically” (Lynn Jafarzadeh / Hilltop Views)
“(Music) transcends words, transcends social rigidity,” Piel said, “because when you feel a connection to a song and then you find other people also connected to a song, you’re connected to each other” (Lynn Jafarzadeh / Hilltop Views)
