In Memory of Legendary Jennifer Banks Evisu

Legendary Jennifer Banks Evisu, Reigning Miss Gay Caribbean USA, Face & Realness Diva, Hair Stylist Extraordinaire, performer and LGBT activist passed away this week due to medical complications. This post is to honor her memory and her legacy. I usually would write on and on about her life, her accomplishments and her contributions but her actions speak louder than any words I could type. (Click here to read her NY Daily News Article) So I leave it to Jennifer to showcase what makes her such a loved, appreciated and well-respected woman in the ballroom/pageant/LGBT scene...

I present to you...
LEGENDARY JENNIFER BANKS EVISU
Pageantry




Stage Performance


Ballroom






Picture Montage of
The Many Faces of Jennifer Banks Evisu
(made lovingly by Grandmother Susan Mizrahi)


Myself and the 'Getting My Life' staff send our condolences to Jennifer's Family and Friends. She was an inspiration and shall be missed.





xoxo
Roxi

SEX ON THE BEACH BALL FX CHEAT SHEET!

(ALL CATEGORIES MUST IN SWIMSUITS OR BEACHWEAR)


WOMEN
Sex Siren - (with a Prop)
Cliff Note: The prop is mandatory! Umbrella, beach ball, pail and bucket are cute props to use but step outside the box and be creative. This is a CASH category!

Body - (Model vs. Luscious vs. Athletic)
Cliff Note: Body is rump-shaking and booty-shaking. Model means slim and trim. Luscious means THICK. Athletic means toned and muscles.

Face - (Painted vs. Unpainted)
Cliff Note: Why paint your face in your typical make-up when you can go glossy and look wet? and if you're unpainted, why not use water to show the judges that God has painted you naturally?

*NEW CATEGORY* Nail Flair - (NO FRENCH!)
Cliff Note: You have ten fingers - GO OFF! Do designs on each one, have matching hands or maybe hands AND feet????? Hmmmm...

BUTCH
Body
Cliff Note: Butch body is MUSCLES - Arms, stomach AND LEGS!! Pose for the judges like bodybuilders. Please don't shake like the women... it's not very butch. This is a CASH category!

Face - (in colorful swimwear)
Cliff Note: Be a peacock and strut your stuff! Neons and bright colors - It IS Miami!

Sex Siren - (with a towel)
Cliff Note: How much sexy are YOU willing to expose to the judges? Remember that an attractive face is needed to sell sex; it IS what you see first!

Barber Shop Flow - (Fade vs. Dreads vs. Braids)
Cliff Note: Your only note is designs!!! Think creative haircut/designs!

TRANSMAN
Realness - (Unclockable, Undeniable, Unstoppable)
Cliff Note: Stealth. Period. ALL TRUE TRANSMEN KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

Sex Siren - (Make us wet without water)
Cliff Note: I think it speaks for itself...

OPEN TO ALL
Hat & Eyewear - (doesn't have to be a Label)
Cliff Note: Straw hats and Ray-bans - BORING!!! Cocoa & Breezy/Stevie Boi with custom headwear is CRUCIAL!

Best Dressed - (Pool/Beach Attire)
Cliff Note: Can you make a statement good enough for the water AND the red carpet? Our clue: Match head to toe or Coordinate prints with solids. Golds always look good with a tan.

Runway - (The Floor is Yours)
Cliff Note: Your walk I can't help you with but make sure you sell your outfit like it was Fashion Week. Its OTA runway so European (FF) walks against All-American (MF).

MINI GRAND
Butch Up In Pumps - (Borrowed, Old & New)
Cliff Note: Can you walk NATURAL in a pair of high heels and still be BUTCH? Hmmmm.... This is a CASH category!

GRAND PRIZE CATEGORY
Mr. & Mrs. Sex On The Beach (Team Sex Siren)
Cliff Note: Watch Team Sex Siren - ATL Awards

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion or position of the ball promoters or hosts.

The House of Iman Presents The Time Machine Ball - June 25th, 2011

TIME MACHINE BALL
CATEGORIES

YEAR 3000
GRAND PRIZE RUNWAY OPEN TO ALL (OTA)
1. Open To All Runway: (Female Figures Vs. Male Figures) Your strut is on point
but can you take us full speed ahead to the year 3000! Bring us a futuristic runway effect that will make us know it.! 2 Trophies battle for the $$$

YEAR 2000
WHO IS ZOOMING WHO (OTA)
2. Who Is Zooming Who: Alicia Keys Is Singing ?No One? and is so much in love you exhibit your love in your unique coupling to the judges (Butch & Butch, Fem & Fem, BQ & FQ, Trans Man & Trans Man etc) 1 Trophy

90'S FLAIR
3. WOMENS SWITCH: Come out as a Thug and then bring us back that around the
way girl look and don?t forget your ?Door Knocker? earrings. 1 Trophy $$

4. OPEN TO ALL SHOE & BAG ATTACK: The brighter the better is very reminiscent of the early 90? so surprise us with the funkiest stilettos, sandals and sneakers with over complementing clutches and bags in summer worthy colors, remember it is the 90?s so the brighter the better. 2 Trophies Battle For the $$

80's PERFORMANCE

5. WOMENS PERFORMANCE: Take the floor in a look that exudes Appolonia, Janet Jackson, Taylor Dayne, Madonna, and any other 80?s iconic women, but remember your performance should be on point. 1 trophy $$

6. BUTCH VS. TRANSMAN PERFORMANCE: Let us see your sickening moves in an ovah unique graffiti T-shirt featuring your house name. 1 Trophy

7. BQ & FF - TEAM PERFORMANCE: In a colorful 80?s inspired team effect let?s see how you serve us a synchronized performance. 2 Trophies $$


70?s FACE
8. MINI GRAND WOMENS FACE (Light vs. Dark vs. Big Girls): Take us back to Studio 54 you are done ready to dance the night away with a hairdo to match, for example (Donna Summer, Dianna Ross etc), Recreate a memorable entrance that will take us back to the good old days. 3 trophies battle for the $$$

9. BUTCH FACE (Light vs. Dark vs. Big Boy): You have taken the time machine back to revolutionize race relations and gender biases so, serve that Carta in an over Black panther effect and don?t forget your poster with a positive message that speaks to he audience at large. 2 trophies Battle for $$$


10. FQ VS. BQ FACE: Bring us a Blacksploitation worthy look do your research, hint think (Foxy Brown, Super Fly, Dolomite etc...) 2 trophies Battle For the $$$


11. FEM AGGRESSIVE FACE: The 70?s was known for funky fashion can you serve us that lovely Carta dressed in a 70?s worth effect. 1 Trophy

40's, 50's & 60's Fashion
12. WOMENS BEST DRESSED: 40's, 50's & 60's pick any of those memorable era's, add your own unique twist, do your research and bring those classic looks to life. 1 Trophy. $$


13. BUTCH VS. FEM AGGRESSIVE BEST DRESSED: It?s the Grand Opening of the Cotton Club, what will you be wearing Dapper Don? Do your research and wow the judges. 2 Trophies battle for the $$


14. OTA BEST DRESSED COUPLE: Bring us a complementing look worthy of the Harlem Renaissance era will you capture the audience applause tonight. 1 Trophy

20'S & 30'S REALNESS
15. BUTCH REALNESS (Pretty Boy vs. Thug): The Stock Exchange has just crashed you have no money left, but your executive look inspired by the roaring twenties is on point (hint pin strips) props are a must. 2 Trophies battle for the $$


16. TRANSMAN REALNESS: Sir you have just done the unthinkable you have escaped Alcatraz state prison and you are in full prison uniform from that era. Do your research or you will be sent back and bring your props including a mug shoot. 1 Trophy $$


17. FQ REALNESS: In a 20's or 30's inspired look of your choice, but make sure you reflect the era as you serve your realness to the judges. 1 Trophy $$

BC Prehistoric Time
18. TEAM SEX SIREN: Adam & Eve are in the Garden of Eden can you recreate that tempting duo and don?t forget your apple for the judges.


19. MALE FIGURE VS. FEMALE FIGURE BODY: Can you use fruits, leaves and things from nature to cover your secret places think of Josephine Baker and make it hot. 2 Trophies Battle for the $$$


20. WOMENS SEX SIREN: Nature is full of cover ups grab a piece of nature and hide your secret places while tantalizing the judges with your sex appeal. 1 Trophy $$

2011 - The Final Frontier

Its finally a new year and the big question is... (drumroll please) is Roxi ever going to walk again?

Perhaps.

There comes a time when you miss the stage, the drama, the stunts, the ooohs, the aaaahs. I miss it. But is the scene I fought hard to upkeep, the same scene I would spend so much to surround myself with? That is the REAL question.

I won't pretend that there is no love lost because wholeheartedly, there is. There are people who have left a bitter taste in my life and made this joy unbearable to enjoy. It causes me to think of one thing I said to another who left their house and wondered; "What's left after the spotlight has faded?". My response was "What YOU make it to be".

There isn't a ball walker or promoter who hasn't destroyed a bridge in the scene. There isn't a person to ever walk who was chopped or sat down and hasn't thought: "This is MY last ball. I'm tired of the shade/people/antics/insert expression here". We ALL feel at a loss especially when we leave a house and find ourselves alone challenging what seems like a pack of wolves.

So where's the lesson Roxi?

The lesson is standing on your own two feet. Walking as a free agent (or should I say, STORMING as one) is a GIFT! You are able to encompass a greater goal than any concocted by a house: the goal of HAVING FUN!

This past Sunday, Legend Jaimee Balenciaga hosted her annual ball in Atlanta for MLK weekend. I believe this was the third annual function. How many 007s turned out? How many even showed up to learn something new or be a part of something different? I'm sure not nearly as many NEEDED or WANTED to be there.

The rules of the game stay the same but it's the demand of the walkers and spectators that change them. WE keep them going. WE keep them fair. WE keep them constant and if WE don't support, learn, encourage and pass it along, WE are at fault for dismissing a vital part of our culture, of our history.

I ask you to do MORE for the ballroom scene. Talk about it. Ask questions. Support them. Enjoy them. WALK THEM! We all get 15 minutes of fame, but baby, on that runway, it's seems like eternity. Go grab YOURS!

Follow me on twitter: @fortRox
Follow my insight blog: roxicontin.tumblr.com
Email me questions about the ball scene: roxibangbang@gmail.com

xoxo
Roxi
(Stay free, agents!)

"STEPHANIE MILAN DAHHHHLING" - LEGENDARY OVERALL MOTHER STEPHANIE MILAN!

At the Evisu Ball last weekend I was fortunate enough to be stuck in the bathroom with my icon, Overall Mother Stephanie Milan. Stephanie has been walking this scene for almost 25 years and in my personal opinion (and the opinion of quite of few others) is the most elegant female figure to EVER do it. Stephanie has stormed a ton of categories and won more than a ton of trophies.

Sitting in the bathroom with her and having a GREAT conversation with her and Chris Milan opened a new view of my icon. She kiki'd on the girls, dismissed her loss of the night (SHE WAS ROBBED) and wished well numerous other walkers simply based on their dedication to the category and the scene. Honestly, I never laughed so hard in my life and I can see why the House of Milan lives for her, cradles her as their mother and runs to be by her side.

I can go on and on about the two hours I spent with her but I'd rather allow you to see her in her glory. Walking the hell out of fashion, elegantly displaying her face and pumping that hourglass figure.

Stephanie, this is my tribute to you!

"I DON'T BUY LABELS FOR A BALL. I DONT GIVE A SH*T ABOUT A TROPHY... I BUY THEM BECAUSE I LOVE TO FAB. I'M STEPHANIE MILAN DAHHHLING..."

xoxo
Roxi

















HER FINAL WORDS FOR THE LATEX BALL 2009

EVISU BALL RECAP VIDS

The Evisu Ball was probably the most highly anticipated ball since their debut of an awesome movie trailer at this years Latex ball. Below are some clips of the action:

BUY THE DVD AT BALLDVD.COM
ITS ONLY $11.00!!!!!


FQ FACE - PRIZE $1000



LEGENDARY FQ PERFORMANCE

POP THAT CHERRY! I promise it won't hurt... (well maybe a little haha)

A lot of people have been asking me about walking for the first time so here is my POP YOUR CHERRY campaign.

Virgin categories are ideal for you to consider if you're nervous about walking for the first time. They are designed to bring in people who haven't walked or haven't won so that you can start walking or to improve your serving technique. In a virgin category, known walkers/winners are not allowed to participate.

So what is needed if you're walking FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Knowledge - research your category first. Find out who slays the category you're interested and watch them. Much like children, be prepared to mimic what they do to get tens and add your own personal twist to it.

Effects - Most virgin categories ask you to come in white; others may not. Make sure you abide by the rules set for the category. Don't end up getting chopped for wearing the wrong thing before ever showing your skill or talent. (That's the part that hurts)

THE MOST IMPORTANT NEED IS: (drum roll please)

Confidence - it's your best asset. Judges smell fear. You must believe in yourself and be strong enough to be judged by others. It isn't easy to walk out in a large group of your peers and perform.

It is a humbling experience though should you be chopped though. Don't ever assume you failed. Virgin categories are designed to be a learning experience. You can be chopped for two things: wrong effect or you don't fit the category. Always keep in mind that judging is based on personal interpretation of the category and that one judge may not see you and another will. Should you ever get chopped, thank the judges for their vote and gracefully leave the stage. After the ball, ask the judge why you were chopped. They will be honest and tell you why. Take their critiques and use them to walk the next virgin category.

Don't let criticism stop you. Icons are icons because they have compete for 15+ years and have battled numerous people in various states. Legends are legends for 10+ years of battling and statements and stars as well. Point is: we all, regardless of years walking, have to adapt and improve in order to gain a higher title or Life.

SO YOU'VE DECIDED TO WALK. GREAT! HOW DOES A CATEGORY WORK?

The commentator will call the category and all those walking should come to top of the runway.

One by one (or however many the commentator requests) walk up to serve it to the judges.

If you get all tens from the judges, you stand to the side and wait for everyone else to walk and receive their tens or chops. Those who have received tens now enter battle zone where you battle one on one to get closer to the win.

If you get chopped, gracefully exit stage right BUT watch the remainder of the category. See what the others do so that you know what the judges liked and disliked. It'll help you for the next time.

With all that said, I encourage all those interested in walking a ball to take a risk and put yourself out there. Balls are meant to be fun and competitive at the same time.

Here are some virgin category video to watch so you can see clearly what happens. See you on the catwalk!

xoxo
Roxi


VIRGIN FACE


VIRGIN RUNWAY


VIRGIN VOGUE

MADONNA VOGUED SO WHY NOT YOU? VOGUE OF ART: THE CLASS YOU CAN'T MISS

Located in Midtown in New York City, on the fourth floor of Pearl Studios, you will find a class breaking down walls and stereotypes taught by none other but Mr $5,000 Vogue Evolution alumni Legendary Dashaun (Evisu) Wesley. Here is the where you'll find "Vogue of Art".

Vogue or "voguing" is a highly stylized, modern house dance, that evolved out of the Harlem ballroom dance scene. Vogue was originally popularized in the late 1980s, within the inner-city club scenes of the United States. It gained mainstream attention when featured by Malcolm McLaren in his Deep_in_Vogue #1 single in 1989, and by Madonna in her song and video of the same name, and has recently been returned to domestic and international attention again by the dance group Vogue Evolution of America's Best Dance Crew. (Wikipedia)

"Vogue of Art" is a classically directed vogue beginner class where Dashaun teaches "the vogue blueprint" as well as freestyle techniques forcing students to develop their own style of vogue while maintaining its essence. He alternates between teaching vogue basic steps and choreographed vogue routines. The class consists of a wide array of persons from local ballscene participants to international dance students taking dance classes on student visas - male and female and introduces them to the highly anticipated category in the ballscene as we know it.

Tonight begins with Dashaun's close friend David, warming up the class with basic stretch techniques. Like most professional dance classes, warming up the muscles and limbs are necessary to get the body prepared for the rigorous activity which this class is not in lack of. According to Dashaun, "Vogue Evolution usually vogues and then stretches to vogue again" and with the intensity of this form of dance, most beginners should allow their bodies to get used to the movement.

It was amazing to see the skill set difference between three very different students in tonight's class and yet they kept up (with a few slip-ups along the way) with a sense of eagerness that made the class enjoyable to watch. David, an aspiring actor, proposes a new exercise where each student must vogue freestyle displaying an emotion or character picked from a piece of paper and you had to stand in awe of how Paul, an aspiring ballscene voguer, displays Broadway in his rendition and how Omar, an Italian student here on a visa, vogued like Superman. It was a pleasure to watch as well as trying to figure out which word they picked out of the hat.

After the exercise is over, Dashaun gives quick information and directs them to start rehearsing the choreographed piece from last week's class. Pumping Kevin JZ Prodigy's "Listen Up (Insider Get In)", the group quickly lines up for a catwalk and awesome synchronised hand performances. Noticeably, Dashaun has grown from being a member of a group to a skilled choreographer by first being able to motivate his students and then making sure that even their lines are straight as they execute each step. They are no "kiki girlfriend" moments. He is strict and determined to get the routine in sync not only for my camera but to maintain the essence of the dance. After several more added moves and from-the-top rehearsals, each student ended it in a true-to-fashion dip.

An hour is definitely not enough time to get the true art of the dance but with the schedule he follows, after a few classes you will be able to see your own personal growth and be able to grasp new moves of your own as he tells another student he's done.

Ending the class, Dashaun announces that on October 27th, he will be teaching a FREE class at the studio to give back to all those who have supported him thus far. (That's right - Roxi always gets the tea FIRST!) This class is open to all on that date. Dashaun is also prepping now to move on to bigger heights as he has been asked to teach vogue at the well-known Broadway Dance Center since his contract with Block was arranged. This is a big feat since BDC has had so many popular teachers as Tyce Diorio and Mia Michaels from "So You Think You Can Dance". His move to BDC has not yet been determined as of yet.

When asked why he decided to teach vogue, Dashaun replies "Let the other girls win the next $5,000. I am aimed to give back to the community".

Well said Dashaun. You're paying it forward like a true legend should and on behalf of those who yearn to catwalk, duckwalk and dip like the best, we thank you.

Check out 'Vogue Of Art' every Wednesday at Pearl Studios, 500 8th Avenue between 35th and 36th Sts, between 8pm and 9pm and follow Dashaun on Twitter (@dashaunwesley) to find out more information as well get to-the-minute updates on future shows and events. To see more about the class (if you're hoping to get a glimpse), see the class trailer below as well as Dashaun's $5,000 winning production at the 2005 Atlanta Awards Ball.





xoxo
Roxi

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!! Ball Effects 101

There has been a very heated debate on why Women/Butch/Transmen are not "respected" in the mainstream scene. I noticed a huge difference during this year's Latex Ball and realized one important detail: Us WBT's have no FLAIR!!! Where's the show? After all, isn't that what a Ball is?

At first, it was okay that we lacked in doing grand entrances, huge effects and productions but after 5 years (yes we've been doing this for THAT long) I see very little growth from our humble beginnings. Most houses who allow their members to pump from the mainstream have showed more elaborate effects than what has been done before (e.g. Budah Balenciaga's "Beauty & the Beast" outfit for the Beauty & The Beast Ball and his "Trapped in the Closet" production for the 1st Unity Ball) but even with that, they are baby steps compared to those that are executed by our male/FQ counterparts in the mainstream.

Ball promoters have "dumbed" down category descriptions for fear that people may not reach high enough to capture the essence of the category theme and even when giving people a color, it's been seen that the basics are met. If they ask for all black, do an all black tux! Come as a giant spider or Lady Gaga inspired costume in all black. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!! A black tee, jeans and sneakers is the bare minimum and no one can get excited from that!

As a community, we have a put a twist on the world of Fashion, Dance and Entertainment. LGBTQ have cornered the runways, musicals and the stage taking a mere thought to great heights and here we are WBT, still figuring out how to translate a category. We must show that we are creative TOO!

Below is a youtube video I found displaying how one girl took her creativity and innovation and created a dress worth talking about for her prom. I hope that by watching this teen think outside the box that it will inspire you to do the same. Don't be good, BE GREAT! It's crazy what a little imagination, creativity and an hot glue gun can do!

Happy Creating!

xoxo
Roxi

A HISTORY IN GRACE & ELEGANCE - THIS IS TRUE FACE!

I am constantly asked "What is Face?". I'm sure Legendary faces such as Legendary Jaimee Balenciaga and Legendary Aisha Iman-Prodigy would have more in depth answers into to what face is and what the category exists of. I, as a 007, on the other hand, learned by watching those who walk the category and I believe both mothers will agree that learning from our past is ALWAYS best and will move us farther into our future.

Passing by various youtube videos tonight, I came across this video displaying and highlighting ICONIC faces in the scene. For all those looking to walk Female Figure Face, you should be studying the grace and elegance of these ladies. Notice that they allowed their face to speak for them. No catty antics whatsoever! Just watch and you'll see what I mean.

Rest In Peace
Danielle Revlon
Jennifer Legend
& the UNDENIABLE Octavia St. Laurent!
You ladies TRULY paved the way!



Click below to be directed to the site for categories and more information!