Despite the excitement among the crowd, there was also a laid-back ambience at the 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Listening Party. The event, in celebration of Taylor Swift’s re-release of her 2014 album 1989, was a complete success. Nearly all attendees were dressed to the nines in outfits designed to invoke their favourite Taylor Swift era.
On Oct. 27, UFV’s Pride Collective and Student Experience Office teamed up to hold this free-to-attend event, open to all UFV students and staff. This event took place on the day the new album dropped, which was interestingly “nine years to the day” that the original 1989 album released. Ray Kelly, Pride Collective president and head organizer for the event, stated that the purpose of Pride Collective events like this one is “to provide inclusive spaces for our community and allies.” According to Kelly, events like these are “a really great chance to meet other queer folks.”
Kelly discussed the value these events bring to the UFV community, and how heartening it is to hear positive feedback. “I know in the Fraser Valley, it’s difficult for a lot of queer people to meet one another,” said Kelly. Seeing people getting together and making new connections is a great reason to keep these events going.
As the album streamed, people grabbed food and drinks and participated in various fun activities. There was a station to craft friendship bracelets, with each different coloured bead meant to represent a different Taylor Swift era, or album. For example, the red beads represented the album Red. There was also a separate station on the floor for those who didn’t want to use colour coded beads and opted instead to use lettered ones.
Those who weren’t up for making bracelets had the option to check out the paper station. Supplied with colourful paper cut into small squares, guests could scan a QR code to learn how to make paper rings, inspired by the song from her 2019 album, Lover. There was also a bin of markers and a pile of paper so attendees could draw instead if they chose. Another highlight was the Polaroid-inspired frames that attendees could use as props to take photos of their Swift-themed outfits. Along with that, there were several bins of snacks and juice boxes for those who wanted them.
In terms of the Pride Collective’s plans for the future, Kelly said they’re “talking about doing more listening events, revolving around queer artists. We don’t have an exact timeframe on it, but that’s something we’ve been talking about. And if Taylor Swift does release anything else, I will be on that.”
The Pride Collective will continue to put on more events throughout the year. They have already started their monthly movie nights, with the next one being Barbie, taking place sometime in November, as well as a drag show happening in the same month. Kelly also let us know that “you can look forward to Queer Prom sometime in April.”
