The Everlasting Legacy: Siriano House Ball

Performance

Time: 2pm – 4pm

Location: BMO Atrium, Evergreen Brick Works

Dating back to the late 1960’s, ballroom culture is birthed and created by Black and Latinx Gay and Trans folx as an act of resistance to racism in the New York drag scene. Voguing is a highly stylized form of expression created by Paris Dupree and pioneers of the ballroom community and its name takes from the famous fashion magazine, Vogue.

In this workshop, we will be learning about tapping into our feminine performance personas, the art of selling, posing and the elements of vogue – hands, catwalk, duckwalk, floor performance, spins and dips. Open to all levels and for those just being introduced to ballroom, we will talk about ballroom etiquette, how to prepare for a ball, getting your 10’s and battling!

Hands Performance

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Location: BMO Atrium, Evergreen Brick Works

Registration: Click here to sign up for free.

Hands performance is one of the five elements used in VOGUE FEM. It’s also a stand-alone category at the balls. The objective of hands performance is to tell a story and express yourself to the audience. You will be learning the fundamentals of hands to help elevate your overall performance in this category. Musicality, precision, and telling a story.

In this class we will be covering the key components of hands which are:

• Figure 8’s
• Taps
• Circles
• Waves
• Rolls

Runway

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Location: BMO Atrium, Evergreen Brick Works

Registration: Click here to sign up for free.

Let your legs do the walking!! This is Runway 101 with TO Godmother Mystique Siriano! In this class you will learn the standard of runway as a category in ballroom.

The class breakdown includes:

• Good Posture
• Leg placement
• Walking in a straight line – with crossovers
• How to stop
• Best angles to pose
• How to leave
• A sprinkle of antics

All of this information will be placed upon your individual vessels whether you walk; All American, European or Female Figure. You will also learn the holy grail of how to get your 10s. Not quite sure what all of this means? Not to worry, you’ll learn the language too!

What you need for this workshop:

• Yourself!
• Close fitted – ALL BLACK clothing (this helps to see the body and its movement for correction). – Stretchy or workout attire is best.
• Heels (whether cis-gendered woman, trans woman or drag).
• Flat shoe or platform – All on the same level.
• Flat shoe/boot – (Masculine presenting regardless of gender).
• Everyone please bring running shoes for warmup.
• Water

Performance

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Location: BMO Atrium, Evergreen Brick Works

Registration: Click here to sign up for free.

In this workshop, we will be learning about tapping into our feminine performance personas, the art of selling, posing and the elements of vogue – hands, catwalk, duckwalk, floor performance, spins and dips. Open to all levels and for those just being introduced to ballroom, we will talk about ballroom etiquette, how to prepare for a ball, getting your 10’s and battling!

Ballroom culture is an underground queer subculture founded by Black and Latinx trans and queer individuals. In this community, people “walk” (i.e., compete) by performing, dancing, lip-syncing and modeling in various categories. These categories both epitomize and satirize gender roles, occupations, and social classes, providing a creative escape from reality.

Balls have long been a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ culture, serving as vital safe havens where individuals can express themselves freely and find belonging in chosen families and community. The roots of contemporary ballroom culture can be traced back to the interracial drag balls of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, held in major cities like New York, Chicago and Baltimore. Historian George Chauncey notes that these elaborate events were “the largest and most significant collective events of gay society” during that era.

In a time when queer individuals faced widespread hostility and discrimination, drag balls were more than just entertainment, they were powerful affirmations of existence and solidarity. Ballroom is birthed as an Act of Resistance to Racism. In the early 1970’s, also referred to as the Golden Era, the legendary trans drag queen Crystal LaBeija, began hosting balls specifically for Black people as a response to racism in New York’s larger downtown drag scene and soon after established the House of LaBeija. These gatherings brought thousands together, allowing the ballroom community to see, celebrate and affirm themselves in a world that often sought to marginalize them.

Hosting the Siriano House Ball at Evergreen Brick Works underscores the significance of public spaces as venues for community empowerment and cultural celebration. This venue, known for its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, provides an ideal backdrop for an event that honors the rich history of ballroom culture and its ongoing relevance.

By holding the ball in this public space, we create a visible and accessible platform for the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves, celebrate their heritage and continue the legacy of resilience and creativity that has characterized ballroom culture for over a century. This event not only entertains but also educates the wider community about the historical and cultural importance of ballroom events, fostering greater understanding and acceptance.