Ballroom Culture is an underground subculture predominantly created by and for African American and Latino LGBTQ+ individuals, originating in New York City. It is a social and competitive space where participants, known as "walkers," compete for trophies, prizes, and recognition at events called "balls." These events blend elements of performance, dance, lip-syncing, and modeling. Historically, ballroom culture provided a vital safe haven and surrogate family structure for queer people of color who were often marginalized or ostracized by their biological families and broader society.
The culture is fundamentally rooted in necessity and defiance, evolving from earlier masquerade balls held in the late 19th century where queer individuals openly challenged laws prohibiting cross-dressing. Ballroom has consistently reflected and commented on themes of race, class, and gender, allowing participants to embody aspirational identities and find community. Its unique vernacular, dance styles (most notably voguing), and fashion have significantly influenced mainstream popular culture, from music to television, while maintaining its underground community and distinct purpose.[1]
History[]
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Fashion[]
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Visuals[]
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Philosophy[]
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Slang[]
The Ballroom scene developed a unique and expressive lexicon, much of which has since permeated broader LGBTQ+ culture and, in some instances, mainstream vernacular. These terms are integral to the identity, communication, and performance within the community.
- Walk: To compete in a ball.
- Houses: Groups of participants that form strong familial bonds, serving as chosen families within the ballroom community.
- Mothers / Fathers: Older, experienced members who lead and provide guidance and support for their house members, often referred to as their "children" or "siblings."
- Categories: Specific types of competitions within a ball, judging different skills or presentations. Examples include "Butch Queen Realness," "Runway," and "Face."
- Realness: A category or quality that judges a participant's ability to convincingly approximate a specific archetype or blend seamlessly into a particular social group.
- Vogue / Voguing: A highly stylized dance form originating in the Harlem ballroom scene. It is characterized by angular body movements, precise hand performance, and emulation of fashion model poses.
- Old Way Vogue: The earliest form, originating in the 1960s, primarily involving posing and emulating fashion magazine models.
- New Way Vogue: Developed in the 1980s, more dynamic and acrobatic, incorporating elements of contortion and martial arts.
- Vogue Fem: Emerged in the mid-1990s, characterized by hyper-effeminate posturing, intricate hand and arm movements, and dramatic dips, including "deathdrops."
- Pop, Dip, and Spin: Fundamental movements and elements within voguing styles.
- Deathdrop: A dramatic voguing move where a dancer falls backward into a split or other striking pose.
- Werk / Work / Work it: An exclamation of approval, encouragement, or recognition of a skillful or impressive performance or appearance.
- Throwing Shade / Shade: The act of subtly or indirectly insulting or disrespecting someone.
- Reading: More direct and often humorous verbal critiques or insults, typically delivered with wit.
- Yaaas!: An enthusiastic exclamation of affirmation or excitement, particularly in response to a fierce performance.
- Fierce / Fierceness: Describes someone or something that is exceptionally stylish, powerful, confident, or impressive.
- Fabulous / Fabulousness: Refers to an outstanding or glamorous appearance or performance.
- Chop: To be eliminated from a competition category by the judges.
- Tens: A perfect score given by judges, equivalent to a "10 out of 10."
- Gagging: To be utterly astonished or impressed by a performance or look.
- Noguing: A term used to describe incorrect, disrespectful, or culturally misappropriated forms of voguing, particularly when performed by those outside the ballroom community without understanding its history or technique.
- The library is open: A phrase indicating that one is about to begin "reading" someone, delivering a series of witty insults.
- Sissy that walk: An exhortation to walk or perform with confident, exaggerated flair, a term popularized by RuPaul with roots in ballroom's runway categories.
Dance[]
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Music[]
Musical Artists[]
- Kevin Aviance
- Jose Xtravaganza
- Leiomy Maldonado
- Dashaun Wesley Basquiat
- MikeQ
- Kevin JZ Prodigy
- Moi Renee
- Willi Ninja
- Malcolm McLaren
- Madonna
- Jody Watley
- Queen Latifah
- RuPaul
- Beyoncé
- Mary J. Blige
- Crystal Waters
- Junior Vasquez
- Masters at Work
- Armand Van Helden
Songs[]
- "Vogue" by Madonna
- "Deep in Vogue" by Malcolm McLaren
- "Still a Thrill" by Jody Watley
- "Come to My House" by Queen Latifah
- "Elements of Vogue" by David Ian Xtravaganza
- "Cunty" by Kevin Aviance
- "Din Da Da" by Kevin Aviance
- "Work This Pussy" by Ellis D
- "Miss Honey" by Moi Renee
- "Supermodel (You Better Work)" by RuPaul
Figures[]
- Crystal LaBeija - House Mother, Performer
- Dorian Corey - House Mother, Performer, Commentator
- Avis Pendavis - House Mother, Performer
- Paris Dupree - House Mother, Performer, Voguing Pioneer
- Pepper LaBeija - House Mother, Performer
- La Duchess Wong - House Mother, Performer
- Angie Xtravaganza - House Mother, Performer
- Willi Ninja - Dancer, Choreographer, Model, "Grandfather of Vogue"
- Jose Xtravaganza - House Father, Dancer, Choreographer
- Luis Camacho Xtravaganza - Dancer, Choreographer
- Dashaun Wesley Basquiat - Dancer, Performer, Host
- Leiomy Maldonado - Dancer, Choreographer, Performer, Judge
- Jack Mizrahi - Emcee, Performer, Writer, Producer
- Myra Lewis - House Member, Emcee, Director
- Octavia Saint Laurent - Performer, Model
- Venus Xtravaganza - Performer
- Junior LaBeija - Commentator, Performer
- Kevin Aviance - Singer, Performer
- Yusef Miyake-Mugler - House Father, Performer
- Aja 007 - Drag Queen, House Mother, Performer
Media[]
Ballroom Culture has been represented and influenced by various forms of media, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. These productions have represented the scene's history, aesthetics, and community, while also bringing its elements to wider public awareness.
TV Shows[]
- Pose (2018-2021)
- Legendary (2020-2022)
- My House (Viceland series)
- America's Best Dance Crew (featuring the group Vogue Evolution)
- Styl'd (featuring Eric Archibald from House of Milan)
- Transparent (featuring Trace Lysette)
- Strut (featuring Dominique Jackson)
- America's Next Top Model (featuring Isis King)
Movies[]
- The Queen (1968)
- Paris Is Burning (1990)
- How Do I Look? (1991)
- Kiki (2016)
- Love Is in the Legend (2022)
Music Videos[]
- "Still a Thrill" by Jody Watley (1987)
- "Come to My House" by Queen Latifah (1989)
- "Deep in Vogue" by Malcolm McLaren (1989)
- "Elements of Vogue" by David Ian Xtravaganza (1989)
- "Vogue" by Madonna (1990)
Resources[]
Various online platforms and organizations serve as important resources for understanding, engaging with, and supporting Ballroom Culture.
- Ballroom We Care Inc. – This organization is dedicated to providing support, education, awareness, and culturally competent resources to the Ballroom community, particularly regarding crystal meth use and mental health. Their website offers information on services and community engagement.
- Google Arts & Culture – Ballroom In Focus – This digital project offers a comprehensive archive of Ballroom history, featuring digitized images, videos, and stories that explore the origins, art form, and community of Ballroom Culture. It functions as a historical and educational hub.
- The Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance (TKBA) – This organization celebrates self-expression, artistry, and connection, empowering Toronto's 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities through events, education, and advocacy. Their website provides information on local balls and initiatives.
- Van Vogue Jam – This platform offers online education, interviews, classes, and a space for sharing and connecting to Ballroom globally, with a focus on voguing instruction and history.
Gallery[]
References[]
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