Mardi Gras Party: House of Shimmer

“Black and First Nations people have always been at the heart of dance music,” Crescendoll tells Apple Music. The Gamilaraay DJ and producer is one of the two DJs behind this House of Shimmer playlist, one of five official Mardi Gras Party playlists for 2022. “Pay your dues and support Bla(c)k artists, pay the rent, attend rallies and learn the history,” she says. “This playlist is a shimmering tribute to ballroom, techno and hyperpop culture. Vogue down that runway, pick a house, and put on your most opulent outfit. We’re gonna have a kiki.” The official 2022 post-parade festivities were cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, but that doesn’t mean the party can’t carry on at home. So the DJs scheduled to perform on the night have created these playlists instead. The party would’ve taken place over five spaces with their own distinct themes, vibes and genres, and each playlist represents one of those spaces. The House of Shimmer playlist was made by Crescendoll and Fried Pork Chop, who brings Baltimore club and funk vibes to the table. “The tracks in this playlist blend the sound of glitchy electronic, club kids, Baltimore club, funky, baile and alternative queer, by queer, queer-adjacent people and queer allies, or music played in queer spaces,” the DJ says. “Bouncy, dark, lustrous, latex, silky, shimmering, Tom Ford-esque, duck walking into a diamond palace of bodies moving in sync to 130 BPM.” Strut through the dance floor with House of Shimmer—and make sure to check out the other four official Mardi Gras Party playlists.