Nothing says “down with capitalism” quite like selling tickets to a party.
The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is throwing a Y2K-themed prom Friday night, and the glittery affair isn’t just about reliving the days of low-rise jeans and Lil Jon.
It’s a fundraiser for the chapter’s political operation.
The event, scheduled for Friday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Friendship Auditorium in Los Feliz, promises 2000s R&B and pop-punk, a photo booth, DIY glitter tattoos and a prom king and queen ceremony.
But the organizers make the political purpose unmistakable.
Their promotional pitch asks: “Do you hate capitalism but love to dress up?”
The answer comes with a ticket.
Admission is pay-what-you-can, with community listings recommending a $15 starting tier and higher tiers reaching $40 and beyond.
The tickets are identical aside from the amount attendees choose to pay.
And the money goes toward the group’s political campaigns.
The organizers are also leaning heavily into the crowd’s shared political stances to draw people in.
In one promotional video, a voice asks: ‘Do you want to shake it like a Polaroid picture with your girls? But all your girls believe in a free Palestine? Come to prom.’
“Proceeds support our chapter’s work fighting ICE, protecting tenants and workers, electing socialists to office, and building a city that works for the people.”
The chapter is also keeping its costs down by relying on volunteers.
Members are handling organizing, coordination, decorations and bartending without pay. DJs and the event’s “celebrity chaperones” are being recruited internally or from allied local performers who will work for free or reduced community rates.
Members are also helping foot the bill for supplies such as the photo booth backdrop, glitter-tattoo stations and punch through small chapter allotments or out-of-pocket donations.
Even the venue helps keep expenses under control.
The prom is being held at Friendship Auditorium, a city-owned facility operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
Municipal facilities are significantly cheaper to rent than private Hollywood clubs, which can cost between $10,000 and $35,000.
The lower overhead means more of the money collected through the pay-what-you-can tickets can flow into DSA-LA’s political funds.
Those funds support causes including worker protections, tenant rights and efforts to elect socialist candidates.
The political connections run deep.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents District 1, is an active DSA-LA member.
District 13 Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez previously served as an elected steering leader within the chapter.
DSA-LA is also backing Marissa Roy in her campaign for Los Angeles city attorney and plans to hold canvassing events for her the morning after the prom.
Other candidates tied to the chapter’s political efforts include democratic socialist Estuardo Mazariegos, who is running for City Council District 9, and community-backed District 11 candidate Faizah Malik.
Nithya Raman’s relationship with DSA-LA is described as more complicated, but she is a DSA member and is running for Los Angeles mayor against incumbent Karen Bass.
Organizers are pitching the night as a mashup of political activism and high-school nostalgia.
“Do you believe that the government should work for the people? And also miss the days of grinding with your crush at the school dance to Lil Jon? Come to prom.”
