Chelsea’s Live, a locally beloved music venue, is home to myriad live entertainment events in downtown Baton Rouge.

Typically, Chelsea’s hosts alternative bands, jazz ensembles, Latin musicians and rock groups. However, on special occasions, themed nights will infiltrate the mix. Born from the passion for the underground music scene in the city of Baton Rouge, Emo Night was born.

Emo Night is a recurring theme at Chelsea’s, with guests packing in wearing dark clothing and makeup, accompanied by catered DJ sets. The event was founded by Garrett Saia, who also founded Set It Off Fest, a Louisiana metal music festival. Saia and Chelsea’s Live bring an admirable level of dedication to the event by finding new ways to enhance the Emo Night experience.

Recently, Emo Night began “Shut Up & Sing Emo Karaoke.” The new tradition encompasses all of the exhilaration that comes with performing for a crowd and the enjoyment of spontaneous, imperfect vocalizing. This led to impromptu and comical performances of “All I Wanted” by Paramore, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! At The Disco and “King For A Day” with DJ Dan Lion behind the booth.

If Karaoke and a love for emo music aren’t enough to entice you to attend, perhaps the community-building aspect will be. The crowd at Chelsea’s was nothing short of kind, laidback and freewheeling. Dressing in dark attire adorned with spikes, netting, and chains may seem intimidating, but the event-goers all shared a common goal of enjoying the night as it unfolded.

This mindset led to emotional, yet playful, duets during Karaoke, as well as the formation of multiple dance circles. The most notable moment of the night was an elder performing the robot in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by younger emo fans. What was a simple moment was a reminder of how joyful and fulfilling it is to feel unjudged and celebrated for being a non-traditional person.

Emo Night has proven itself to be a staple of Chelsea’s themed nights, encouraging and providing an outlet for alternative people to celebrate their shared interests.

Updates regarding the future installments of Emo Night will be posted to the Instagram pages of Chelsea’s Live (@chelseas_live), Emo Night Baton Rouge (@emonightbatonrouge) and Shut Up & Sing Karaoke (@shutupandsingkaraoke).

Chelsea’s Live will wrap up its stacked September slate with Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Improvement Movement performing on Monday night.