The Palo Alto Teen Arts Council hosted its Valentine’s Masquerade Ball at the Palo Alto Community Center on Friday to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The first official teen dance hosted this year, the event offered live music, refreshments, and creative activities.
The theatre was decorated with heart balloons and pink and red ribbons—even featuring a photo booth backdrop for attendees to capture memories of the event. Pizza, candy, and chips kept everyone energized for dancing, while warm apple cider and hot chocolate added the perfect cozy touch for the winter season.
Attendee Molly Kristin came to the event for an excuse to wear a nice dress. “[The atmosphere of the dance was] calm yet energetic,” she said.
Much of the event promoted creativity. Tables offered different shapes of masks and were covered in mask-decorating supplies—markers, rhinestones, and acrylic paint. There was also a bingo station and an opportunity to be entered into a raffle for various Trader Joe’s prizes.
“This event is to create a sense of community. I want to get to know a lot more people here, and just create a safe space for people, and a place where people can enjoy their time going into the four day weekend, or just have them know that the Teen Arts Council is there to create these events for teens where they can come and relax,” Avni Lochan, a member of the council and junior at Gunn High School, said.
A live DJ—a member of the arts council—played many hits to a lively dance floor. Speakers blasted with a range of music including “Baby” by Justin Bieber,”Golden” from Kpop Demon Hunters, and “DtMF” by Bad Bunny.
Lochan encouraged people to attend upcoming events and even join some council meetings, as they are open to anyone. “I am very excited for Wavefest—that is our end of year event. It’s like the day after school ends. We have our clothing swaps, which I’m also excited for. I got my two favorite tops from there last year,” she said.
“I think that being part of the Teen Arts Council has opened up a new group of people that I can be friends with. Because I don’t have a lot of outside of school friends, I don’t do a sport or anything, it was really nice to have this community that I could come to on Tuesdays,” Lochan said. “I can just enjoy being here, and you get to know everyone pretty well, and it’s a very, very chill group.”
Details for the Palo Alto Teen Art Council’s events can be found on their website, and they meet Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. during the school year at the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. They also offer opportunities for teens to volunteer.
