Beyoncé scrapped a Pa. show. Fans partied anyway.

August 4, 2023
 

“I better not see anyone sitting when you hear ‘these motherf—ers ain’t stopping me.’”

Rian-Louis quoted the lead track for Beyoncé’s Renaissance to the sold-out crowd of roughly 100 at Opya Studios in Pittsburgh last week. They had gathered to celebrate the seminal record’s one-year anniversary, and, in a way, to mourn.

The party followed the cancellation of Beyoncé’s Aug. 3 tour stop at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium due to “production logistics and scheduling issues,” a blow to ticket holders, many of whom went online to share their disbelief in no uncertain terms.

Throughout Friday’s fête at Opya Studios — a normally minimalist photo studio packed to the gills that night with silver balloons, disco balls, and other visual nods to Renaissance aesthetics — Rian-Louis stunned on the dance floor as he dipped low to the concrete, winding his hips to the booming melodies. 

Rian-Louis was a natural co-host. He easily hyped the crowd, encouraging everyone to get up and shake what their mama gave them.

He stood out with his gold and black shirt — both Steel City colors and an homage to Beyoncé’s Beyhive (pronounced beehive) brand. The tone of the night was set when he swiftly and secretly changed outfits, emerging with a shimmering silver flannel to bring out a Renaissance feel.

“Renaissance was a safe space,” Rian-Louis said. “The album represented being liberated and standing firm in your Blackness and queerness.”

Event coordinator Kurstin Rae organized the party under her new business the Butterfly Social. In January, she had the idea of bringing “Club Renaissance” to Pittsburgh after seeing one of her friends attend a similar function in Los Angeles. 

Rae said she had to break out of her shy shell to bring this vision to life. 

“This was my first event,” she added. “I am grateful and thankful people were interested.”

(Rae has more events planned, including a Bratz vs. Barbies party.)

The Club Renaissance crowd moved and grooved in unison to a mix of early 2000s hip-hop and R&B and Beyoncé’s iconic hits. Pink fluorescent lights coated the room, giving a lush club feel as flashy, disco-esque outfits spilled onto the floor. Everyone understood the assignment, matching the Renaissance theme with thigh-high silver boots, bedazzled cowboy hats, and flowing white robes.

The night consoled attendees after the sudden cancellation of Beyoncé’s planned Pittsburgh tour stop. Mayor Ed Gainey was among those taken aback by the decision, publicly expressing his disappointment and vowing to seek out more information.

Nick King, among the Club Renaissance partygoers, said he didn’t believe the news when it broke during his vacation in Miami. He has been a fan of the Virgo queen’s music for 12 years. The 24-year-old was shocked. 

Club Renaissance was what he needed to brush off the disappointment, and he was in a much happier place on Friday, rocking a sequin silver jacket, chunky boots, and a black headscarf.

“All this week, this is what I was looking forward to,” he said. “It feels good to be around other people who appreciate music.”

Jordan Jeter was at work when a co-worker told him the cancellation news. He had VIP front-row tickets for a concert that was no longer happening. (Refunds were issued.)

“I was devastated. I am finally getting over it,” he said. “I would’ve been able to smell her breath.”

The 31-year-old was able to get his shining moment during a best outfit contest. Everyone circled around the eight Club Renaissance contestants. Cheers, claps, and hooting resounded as each entrant vogued, posed, and played to the crowd. 

Jeter paced around the circle. A sequined silver hat — much like this one — sat on his head along with a Renaissance World Tour tee swamping his frame. A collective gasp followed by a loud cheer erupted as Jeter took off the large T-shirt to reveal a black fringed tank top and leather shorts. A crowd-meter verdict determined him the winner. The prize? Renaissance on vinyl.

Attendees got a taste of how Acrisure Stadium might've sounded during the last hour of the party, when the DJ played the full album. The walls echoed as everyone belted out hits “Heated,” “Cuff It,” and “America Has a Problem.”

It was fitting that the lead single “Break My Soul” — a testament to persevering and blowing off steam — played as everyone headed toward the exit. They would have to wait a little longer for the real thing, but for now their souls were mended. 

Read more: Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership to host Beyoncé-inspired Night Market on Friday, Aug. 4 due to canceled concert, via WPXI. 

—Tanisha Thomas, newsletter writer/reporter