No matter what you're feeling, B Color Full Productions, a Triangle-based party and entertainment service, advises you to “take your problems to the dance floor…” a motto they display on their Instagram. For the past three years, the group has hosted “Pink Triangle Dance Parties” at various venues across the Triangle area, most recently at the Local 506 with their Nov. 8 Homecoming party.
The iconic name of these parties is inspired by the Triangle area as well as the pink triangle: a queer symbol with much historical significance. The pink triangle was originally used to mark prisoners in Nazi Germany who identified as homosexual men or transgender women. Since then, the pink triangle has been reclaimed as a symbol of LBGTQ+ liberation and used by B Color Full Productions as an emblem of queer pride.
Bryan Harrelson, the founder and CEO of the organization, lived in Chapel Hill for 13 years before moving to San Francisco for another 13 years where he got acquainted with the world of nightlife and performance. When he moved back, he brought with him a mission of creating lively spaces for queer people to get together, dance and have a good time.
“I was always kind of a weird and different kid, and all the things that were weird and different about me were actually celebrated when I was there," Harrelson said. "Instead of it being a negative, it was a positive and made me unique. So that’s my favorite thing about San Francisco nightlife — you're free to be who you are and express yourself how you want, without fear of being judged or ridiculed”.
Harrelson hopes to bring people of all ages, genders, races and sexualities together — a mission that extends to his event company. His biggest inspiration was a basement bar called Hell, once located on Rosemary Street, that he could always count on to be packed full of people dancing.
While reflecting on the year of Pink Triangle parties, Harrelson recounted a 'crop tops and short shorts' party at Bowbarr in Carrboro. For Harrelson, the fun does not start at the dance floor. Preparing for a party and creating an outfit in accordance to the theme are also part of the excitement, he said.
B Color Full Productions stays true to its name, throwing vibrant, colorful parties throughout the year: a white party, red party, black party and finally a rainbow party for pride.
“I always like having a scene where people can express themselves by dressing up,” he said.
The Nov. 8, 2024 Homecoming dance party welcomed the musical talent of DJs Spaceboy and Alik Alol Lipop, with event photographer Brian Wyatt capturing the scene.
