Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Ballroom Scene is All for the Community

The Ballroom Scene is not all about ballls. The scene is originally about the community and providing many services to the GLBT youth to help them develop into well-rounded individuals. Throughout the years, two incredible individuals have stood against the social stigma and fought strongly to change the depiction of GLBT community.






Luna, famous for disclosing his HIV status at the age of 14 and promoting safe sex. Luna has single handly turned the image of HIV into something more discreet than ridiculed as a "death sentence". While advocating throughout various organizations, Luna continues to encourage all people regardless of race and orientation to become aware of their HIV status.





Willie Ninja, grandfather of Vogue, was one of few who showcased how HIV does not run his life. Willie Ninja was one of the pioneers of vogue while slowly making it become mainstream by participating in fashion shows, commercials, and documentaries.

The Ballroom Scene is fun and entertaining, but it also is educational on many issues that we all need to look upon alittle more than overlook.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Ball....Toy or Sport?

The Ballroom Scene is comprised of competitions known as balls. Balls in the early 1930's and 1950.s took place mainly in New York City within various areas. Today, Balls are all over the United States and constantly on the weekends. The categories of balls vary at times depending on the ball. Usually, balls consist of the following categories Realness,Face,Sex Siren,Vogue Fem,Female Figure Performance, Oldway, and Runway. There are other categories other than these that are also apart of a ball, but usually at mini balls, which are concentrated versions of balls offer these categories to walk. While at a ball participants will walk and either get their tens or a chop. When someone receives their tens they are then allowed to proceed into the battlezone, when they are able to compete with other participants. If chopped, they are rejected from proceeding any further within that specific category.

Realness is a category where both men and transgenders showcase their masculinity and femininity by exercising their ability to blend in with their heterosexual counterparts.

Face is when you showcase you natural beauty amongst you face that consist of structure also known as carta.


Sex Siren is the ability to sell you sex appeal without crossing the line of sex appeal and porn star.



Vogue Fem is when the men dance while exposing skill and femininity.


Female Figure Performance resembles Vogue Fem except Transgenders are competitors during this category.


Oldway concentrates on the original style of voguing before Vogue Fem. Its based on very precise movements and poses.


Runway, just as in a high fashion show with alittle more attitude and unique style of walking. There are European and All American Runway. European is more feminine while All American is masculine.

European Runway

All American Runway


Balls can be fun and draining but it definitely beats a night on your couch. For info on a ball visit www.walk4mewednesdays.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Its Not the Waltz, Its VOGUE!



The Ballroom Scene is an underground community that debuted in the early 1930's. From mere drag shows to various categories the Ballroom Scene is seen as an outlet where GLBT Youth (Gay,Bisexual,Lesbian, and Transgender) can escape the hardships of daily life. Today, the Ballroom Scene is now growing into the mainstream circuit while helping with the acknowledgement of various issues that are harmful to the community such as HIV.




MTV's America's Best Dance Crew debuted a GLBT dance crew entitled Vogue Evolution. Vogue Evolution broke barriers by bringing something new to the competition. The group consisted of five individuals who all excelled within the Ballroom Scene which are Prince Milan, Leiyomi Mizrahi, Dashaun Evisu, Malechi Garcon, and Pony Jourdan-Zion. They tried out for the show last season, but didn't make the cut. MTV producers liked their diversity and determination. Thus, they were asked to come back for Season 4.

Vogue Evolution may not have won the competition, but won the hearts of millions. Currently, Vogue Evolution is now a dance company that now tours throughout the United States giving lessons about voguing, the ballroom scene, and life. To learn more about Vogue Evolution please visit www.vogueevolution.com