VKBA presents: BALL-OOZA 2024 Kiki Ball + VKBA Potluck
At The Dance Centre
With support by VVJ, HiM Clinic, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Lululemon
DEC 14, 2024
All I want for Christmas... is to SNAG A TROPHY! We are pleased to bring BACK 2017’s BALL-OOZA for even more festive fun, in case you weren’t there the first time around. This time, we’re kicking off with OTY approved categories and revamped effect breakdowns. You don’t want to miss THIS family gathering, cause it’s beginning to look a LOT like Christmas.
The VKBA is pleased to be hosting this event with the support of Van Vogue Jam, Lululemon, HiM Clinic, Vancouver Coastal Health, and The Dance Centre.
TICKETING:
$5 - for walkers
$15 - pre sale
$20 - at the door
CATEGORIES
Virgin Runway
Bring it in a red, white, and green effect reminiscent of a CANDY CANE. Give us a walk with an effect to match that tells us you’re MINT to be on the RUNWAY.
Virgin Performance
Fleece Navidad! Come through with all 5 elements in your UGLIEST CHRISTMAS SWEATER.
OTA Runway
The word TINSEL comes from the old French word Estinceler, which means to sparkle. Sparkle down the runway in a high-fashion look embellished with any of the following: tinsel, shimmer, sparkles, etc… Dazzle your competition with your look and your walk!
OTA Performance
Santa’s Werkshop has been putting its employees THROUGH IT. So tired, overworked and sore… they just want to let it ALLL out. Show us that you’re Santa's helper of the year in a CHRISTMAS ELF effect. You definitely don’t want to stay on the shelf for this one.
OTA Realness
The Swiss Alps? Cervinia? Whistler Blackcomb? Ski resorts all over the world are in their busiest time of the year, and you’re DEFINITELY not going to miss out on this season. Wax your planks and pack your bags, because we need you to bring it sporty as a SKIER or a SNOWBOARDER.
Hands Performance
It’s so cold you can barely bend your fingers… show us that YOU GOT HANDS in a pair of gloves or mittens if you dare.
OTA Face
You’re no ice queen, they just froze you that way! Put all of your best features on display as your interpretation of an ICE QUEEN/KING/ROYAL. Who will ascend to the throne tonight?
Bizarre
Of all the things that could go wrong on Christmas morning, why is the damn CHRISTMAS TREE coming alive? Put your own BIZARRE twist on the most iconic holiday symbol, and show us what’s been put under your tree.
OTA Best Dressed
In a season where others may be dressed purely for functionality, you’ve never been one to let sub-zero temperatures hold you back from putting a LOOK together. Serve a look fit for the runway AND the trek home.
OTA Sex Siren
You’re on top of the Christmas tree every year, but we want to see what’s under it all. You may look like an angel, but you’re no angel. Serve us SEXY in an (unholy) ANGEL look. See you under that mistletoe…
OTA Body
You’ve come to life in the oven, and they’re ALL trying to eat you!! Your body is so irresistible, one can’t help but want to take a bite… show us your BODY in a sickeningly sweet GINGERBREAD MAN effect.
DEC 15, 2024 - VKBA Potluck
After a fab ball…it’s time to deck these halls!
1-3pm > OPEN SESSION
3-6pm > POT LUCK STARTS *we’ll be eating at 4pm
1-6pm > FREE DISCREET TESTING with HIM/VCH *on 7th floor*
This has been a long and difficult year, so now’s the time to get together and close things out with a big collective meal. Gather up with the community and bring a side that means something to you, we’re here to fill the tables out with some damn good food.
Got some tension or lessons from the ball you just gotta let out? Come to an afternoon session from 1-3 at The Dance Centre! Bring your effects from yesterday to help decorate some manequins for the potluck that goes from 3-6.
Main courses are being provided by HiM, who are also offering free testing throughout the day. Get your deets in before the year’s up so you can practice informed sex over the holi-gays every day. In partnership with HIM and Vancouver Coastal Health, nurses will be present to provide HIV/STI testing at this event. Come for confidential, easy, and drop-in testing!
Let’s have a good time together!
COMPETITORS
Please come prepared knowing what to expect. If you are walking in a category for the first time.
Please do your research and understand that there can only be one winner per category.
Look up videos on YouTube, come to a VVJ session, look at the resources on www.vanvoguejam.com, reach out to us by e-mail or on Instagram. Please use the resources around you to be prepared. We also encourage you to ask us for feedback before you compete so that you feel strong going into the ball.
We want everyone to have fun, to feel they were able to serve their best, and we want everyone to have a fair chance at competing but you WILL be chopped during your 10s and unable to compete if you are unprepared.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Van Vogue Jam Arts Society would like to recognize we are coming together on the unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations. We support the rights of Indigenous Peoples as stewards, protectors, and title holders of their lands and waters. We call on all people to change the policies, laws, and institutions in our country so all Indigenous Peoples can have full enjoyment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CULTURAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We also make a cultural acknowledgment to the Black, Lantix, Trans and Queer folks who have founded Ballroom Culture - which we have a privilege of being guests to today. As an organization that is founded by non Black and Latinx people we acknowledge our ongoing need to question and reflect on how we navigate practicing Ballroom Culture locally, and continue our need to learn from the greater Ballroom community at large.
Creative safe space has always been at the heart of ballroom culture and we hope that this event can be a safe space for everyone to enjoy.
Oppressive attitudes and behaviours including but not limited to racism, transphobia, misogyny, fatphobia, ableism, and general bigotry are NOT welcome here. Consent is sexy - AND MANDATORY.
VVJ FAQ's
WHAT IS A BALL?
A BALL is an event that provides opportunities for a breadth of artists from the BALLROOM community to be seen, celebrated and supported, in the competitive BALL format. Individuals are given their “10’s” in order to move on to the battle rounds where competitors are paired into battles until there is a winner at the end of each category. The judges panel is specifically selected from the BALLROOM community. Balls are always accompanied by a COMMENTATOR and DJ for the event to flow.
WHAT IS BALLROOM?
Ballroom is a queer subculture and community founded in Harlem, NYC, by Black, Latinx, Queer and Trans folks - pioneered in the late 60’s by Crystal LaBeija.
WHERE DO I GO IF I'M WALKING A CATEGORY?
Info coming soon.
CAN I WALK A CATEGORY?
We ask all COMPETITORS to do their research/training before walking a category. The RUNWAY is a sacred and important space in BALLROOM. To walk a category without taking time to understand the history, intent, purpose, and category specific nuances is considered disrespectful.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT VAN VOGUE JAM?
You can learn more about us at www.vanvoguejam.com
WHERE CAN I DONATE MONEY?
You can also donate money to us via our website www.vanvoguejam.com/donate
CAN WE TIP THE PEOPLE WALKING?
This is NOT a drag show, the best way to show your appreciation for the artists is to cheer them on and give them your presence and energy - if you really want to, you can talk to the artists after their category and personally to tip them. Any tips to Van Vogue Jam can be made through our website www.vanvoguejam.com/donate