About this Event
Kick off Pride Week with an afternoon of fun celebrating the tea dance culture from the past, while raising money for Famously Hot SC Pride's initiatives and events. To music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, dance away the afternoon at The Woody with DJ Joseph Berliner spinning the best retro club tunes.
Tea dances can be traced back to the early 20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s when the LGBTQ+ community began hosting afternoon gatherings to socialize safely in a period of heavy discrimination and oppression. Originating in Fire Island, NY, these events became a discreet way for gay men to meet and connect, often in private homes or hidden venues, to avoid police raids and harassment. By the 1970s, tea dances spread across the US and had evolved into more vibrant and open events. Often held on Sunday afternoons in gay clubs or bars, they became synonymous with dancing, socializing, and enjoying a sense of community, eventually becoming a beloved tradition within LGBTQ+ culture.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Woody on Main, 1649 Main Street, Columbia, United States
