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Anti-Prom to Rock Midtown Library

By DNAinfo Staff on June 3, 2011 9:49am  | Updated on June 4, 2011 10:07am

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MIDTOWN — Do thoughts of traditional prom queens dressed in pricey pink tulle gowns invoke scenes of "Carrie" for your teenage daughter? Is school spirit just not your son's thing?

Then consider the "anti-prom."

The New York Public Library will host Friday night its seventh annual anti-prom, an alternative to the traditional affairs in school gyms and hotels.

The event was conceived as a safe space for LGBT teens and others who don't feel comfortable bringing their dates to school, don't want to spend hundreds on designer duds — or just think traditional prom plain sucks.

"If prom sucks, we’re going to do something that makes prom more awesome," said Chris Shoemaker, head of young adult programming at the library, who said the event is one of the largest for teens in the city and one of the biggest of its kinds in the country.

"This is a prom for all teens from all walks of life," he said.

The event started as a small event at the now-shuttered Donnell branch, inspired by kids in the library's teen advisory groups.

This year's prom is expected to draw more than 600 youngsters, aged 12 through 18, many of whom return year after year.

This year's theme is "super" prom, and kids are encouraged to "break out from your secret identity and show off your superpowered dance moves," the event's flyers say.

The evening will feature music by DJ Johnny Dynell and entertainment from ChiChi Valenti/The Jackie Factory, and include a super-hero-themed fashion show by 12 students from the High School of Fashion Industries.

Their creations will be put on display after the prom in the Mid-Manhattan branch.

The Anti-Prom will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Astor Hall at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building main library branch at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Admission is free.