In-depth open forum discussing and detailing the newly revamped Women, Butch and Transmen Ballscene: a scene derived from the thriving mainstream ballscene.
Attend the 1st OFFICIAL WBT Ball of the year! Legendary Kiron Ebony-Alpha and Lady Blahnik presents The Party Monster Ball in Philadelphia on April 28th!
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..."
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:
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!
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.
THE CONCEPTUAL HOUSE OF EVISU PRESENTS TO YOU "CLUE 2010"
DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER, 9TH 2010 TIME: DOORS OPEN AT 7PM, BALL STARTS AT 8PM PROMPT!! COMMENTATORS: JACK MIZRAHI / SELVIN KHAN DJ: VJUAN ALLURE TABLES: $200 DOOR: $30
ATTENTION: ID STATING THAT YOU ARE 18 Y/O OR OLDER IS REQUIRED UPON ENTRY , ALSO NO GLITTER OR SPRAY PAINT, BODY PAINT OF ANY KIND WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE. SECURITY WILL THOROUGHLY CHECK ALL BAGS.
Women’s Face- (Anna Maria) 1 point Appearing from country to country to manipulate the poor with false promises of fortune was a trait that was passed down to Mr. Green from his late mother, Anna Maria. But even her teachings may not save her son tonight! Anna Maria lives again in spirit in an effort to free her son from the Clue Mansion. CLUE= GYPSY; FORTUNE TELLER; MYSTICAL WARDROBE.
Butch Realness- (Casualties) 1 point Col. Mustard received numerous honors while serving for his country, before conforming to a life of dishonesty and trickery. His bitterness stems from many friends of his that were INJURED on the front line during the Vietnam War. CLUE= ARMY FATIGUES; BRUISES/SCARS; BLOOD; and WEAPONS.
Women's Runway- (Lady Hero) 1 point During The War, many barriers were broken and the females in the Service earned positions they've never could have achieved before. Col. Mustard spoke of one particular unforgettable Lady Lieutenant who helped him lead the US to victory. He said her PRESENCE, CHARISMA, SEX APPEAL and SHADE were some key factors that made her an Icon within the Women’s Revolution. Remember her. CLUE= SEXY LIEUTENANT or HIGH FASHION SOLDIER.
Transman Perfect 10's- (Love For Yvette) 1 point Shortly before her position as the Mansions Maid, Yvette searched long and hard for her Prince Charming. She often questioned why it was so difficult to find a Guy with the elements of REALNESS, SEX, and SWAGG that she's been looking for all her life. On this evening; profess your love to Yvette and become her Ultimate Companion. CLUE= A SEXY LOOK showing your SWAGG and selling your REALNESS with a RED ROSE for Yvette.
OTA Old Way- (Law and Enforcement) 1 Point The police usually play a significant role in the tricky world of crime. Whether it be the Crooked Cop or the Too Nosy For His/Her Own Good butinsky, they too have a hand in the outcome of the game. Some last long, others won’t. Prove tonight that Law Enforcement plays the Game just as well as the Criminals. And sometimes even better. CLUE= A Male or Female Figure POLICE OFFICER.
OTA Body- (Fully Equipped) 1 point each (mf &ff) Its definitely hard to conceal anything when everybody is a suspect. For those who are smart, they know that there are a few accessories that make it so easy. Come equipped with only the necessary. CLUE= Females Figures as Puss -N- BOOTS; Male Figures in Combat BOOTS.
Hands Performance- (You've Been Caught) 1 point There's nothing more intense than being caught in the act of your Crime. Now the question is whether you will continue to see the job through, or stumble and freeze. You've already been caught Red Handed. What else do you have to lose? CLUE= A CREATIVE and CUSTOMIZED RED GLOVE.
Bazaar- (Beneath the Stairs) 1 point The guests pull match sticks to see which pair will team up and search the mansion. As you and your partner in crime pull the shortest stick, it is your responsibility to search the basement. Wadsworth warns everyone to be careful and looks you in the eyes and says, “Especially you. What you will find beneath the stairs will leave you bewildered and confused.” What lies beneath the stairs? CLUE= Use your imagination
Best Dressed – (The Invitation) 1 point each (mf & ff )$500 MF and $500 FF Invitations to the Clue Mansion are only given to a select few. These few are the Who’s Who of Society. When Wadsworth opens the door, he will look not only for an invitation, but also a unique personal style. Keep in mind you will be rubbing shoulders with the elite, so the look should be memorable as well as fashionable. CLUE= Tastefully done
OTA Foot, Eye and Surprise – (Shock Value) 1 point $250 Mrs. Peacocks eclectic sense of style has been called many things from cutting edge to gawdy yet it all seems to fit her personality to a tee. You see…. with Peacock everything is about Shock value. Can you say the same? CLUE= Shocking eyewear, devastating footwear and an ovah surprise concealed in a box with a question mark. Fall Winter 2010-2011 pieces.
