DJ Trillnatured and Kotic Couture own the room during the popular queer dance party Version. The whole dance floor is a stage and Trillnatured keeps guests voguing and dancing all night. Since 2018, the two have brought crowds to The Crown, a small venue in Central Baltimore. Some months there have been guest DJs, but DJ Trillnatured and Kotic Couture are constants.

Baltimore photographer Sydney Allen captured the popular dance party recently as it returned after the pandemic for Baltimore Pride.

There aren’t many monthly dance parties left in Baltimore. It’s difficult to maintain momentum over time, but that’s especially true for a queer dance party. Version has figured out the special sauce to make the parties can’t-miss events. “I really wanted to take my time and make sure it was right to come back,” Trillnatured says of the choice.

For 2022 Pride, Version returned as an unofficial afterparty of the Pride festivities. The Crown is located right in the middle of Station North, where the official Pride events take place. Devotees came out in large numbers. While tickets were sold in advance, the line to get in still extended down Charles Street for a block. In line, partygoers greeted one another with squeals of excitement. Version is for queers by queers. “Version is really the only party I make sure I come out to,” said partygoer Sarah Elder.

“It felt like a family reunion,” Couture says of the party’s return.