It’s simply would not be Pride season in New York City without hearing the children saying “JOON-YA” under the disco ball, and this year will be no exception. This year, Junior Vasquez himself will be closing out World Pride in New York City with a true ballroom extravaganza, as he headlines at Distrkt NYC Pride!
Junior Vasquez has always been the epitome of NYC’s House Music Underground scene. With a career that spans three decades, he has produced hit records for everyone from Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Prince and Cher. His late night/ early morning (and legendary) events parties are what New York clubgoers hold the closest to their hearts. From the residencies that he has held at the legendary Sound Factory, Tunnel, Arena, Twilo, and Earth were the where there that generations kids first started stomping and voguing, which is now being replicated and paid homage to on FX-TV’s Pose. On Monday July 1 from 6am to noon, Junior Vasquez returns to NYC, along with legendary drag queen and partner in crime Kevin Aviance, to close out this year’s WorldPride weekend. He will be spinning his very rare Junior classics, as well as presenting brand new remixes at Distrkt NYC Pride (at Melrose Ballroom, 36-08 33rd Street, Queens, New York).
“There’s nothing like Pride in NYC,” Junior Vasquez says. “The city ignites with celebration, exuding love and freedom. This year will be bigger than ever before because people from every corner of the globe are coming in for WorldPride. But if you’re looking for colorful lights, fireworks and all that pop fluff, this isn’t the party for you. At Distrkt NYC Pride, we’re taking it to the underground, turning out the Melrose Ballroom with raw grit and grime beats.”
“We chose Junior Vasquez to headline Distrkt NYC Pride because Junior is New York,” says producer Bruce Yelk, who has also tapped Darren Kawa for lights and Jason Ojeda for sound. “If you want an authentic New York underground music experience during WorldPride then Distrkt NYC with Junior is your party.”
“We’re taking it back to the late nineties Sound Factory, children,” adds Kevin Aviance, a member of the House of Aviance, one of the legendary vogue-ball houses, who will perform at Distrkt NYC Pride. In 2016, Billboard Magazine ranked Aviance among the most successful dance artists of all-time. Aviance also credits Vasquez with giving him his start in dance music. “I’ll be on stage in my pumps, serving it like only I can. This party is going to be fierce, over, Aviance!”
The Distrkt C parties originated in Washington, D.C. at Club Karma where it has become the capital’s largest gay men’s dance party geared towards leather and uniform gear, sports and circuit crowds. The party brand regularly travels to other cities including Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Rehoboth Beach.
In 2019, Bruce Yelk introduced Distrkt NYC at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens. The three-story venue is spectacular and includes a full stage with a large dance floor, a balcony level and a 3rd floor with a large outside patio. Says Yelk, “Where Distrkt C caters to a circuit crowd, Distrkt NYC is more reflective of the New York underground scene.”
Distrkt NYC Pride with Junior Vasquez will take place Monday, July 1 from 6am to noon at Melrose Ballroom, 36-08 33rd Street, Queens, New York. Tickets available at: