Photos by Erez AvissarHow do you measure the success of a rave? The winning formula is an imprecise science, although I guess anything from ticket sales to number of empty vials left on the ground could gesture towards some level of triumph. In the case of Shade—a roving New York rave helmed by nightlife czars Ladyfag and Seva Granik—success looked like a gang of leather gays sternly eating out each others asses smack in the middle of the dancefloor. Freedom tastes like a fizzing marinade of sweat, adrenaline, and bum juice at dawn.Michelle Lhooq is the Features Editor of THUMP and is shady as hell. Follow her on Twitter.Erez Avissar is a music photographer in Brooklyn. He is also on Twitter.
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Joggers and baby strollers were already crowding the sidewalk by the time Honey Dijon ended her thunderous techno set at 9 AM, but none of that mattered to the few dozen ravers left standing under two giant, laser-shooting penises flanking the DJ booth. (Nothing says Pride Week more than decorative laser dicks.)You haven't lived until you see ass eating on the dancefloor at dawn #clubshade pic.twitter.com/nWHBTWy0uW
— Trolland Barthes (@MichelleLhooq) June 22, 2015
As expected from Ladyfag's pansexual crowd, the looks on parade at this 90s rave-themed party were fierce enough to make Michael Alig blush. Here's a sampling of the nightwalkers at the shadiest rave in recent history:Read: "Techno Punks and Chelsea Boys: Inside Shade's New Year's Eve Blowout"
Read: "Trans Icon Honey Dijon Serves Up a Delicious Mix for SHADE's Pride Rave"