We just got this little press release through for a very exciting event happening TONIGHT ONLY at The MAC in Belfast.

Tonight Belfast will get a rare glimpse into the underground ‘Ballroom’ scene, born and bred in New York City, with an explosive performance at the MAC.

1442497282_Main-Image-for-EventDescended from the legendary Harlem Drag Scene, the New York House and Ballroom Community is one of the most exciting underground scenes in the world. In community halls and clubs across Harlem and the Bronx, Black and Latino LGBT men and women vogue their way down imaginary runways, compete in categories and create elaborate, couture inspired costumes to gain status as a ‘Legend’.  This visually stunning artform was brought to light in the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning and of course in Madonna’s Vogue tour. Both of which both propelled the ballroom scene into mainstream consciousness but also attracted much controversy from those in the community.
Claire Hall, producer of HOUSE, said:  “The House and Ballroom Community is much more than just the runway. It’s family, it’s a way of life and a path to self-expression. I am so thrilled to have been able to bring the performers to Northern Ireland for the first time ever and hope that the experience for audiences will be incredible.”

A ‘House’ in the ballroom community represents a family and its members are rock stars of their own creation who have found kinship in a world where they are more than often marginalised and unaccepted. Drawing upon references such as Langston Hughes, pop culture and archive film for the first performance of its kind in Ireland, three of New York City’s most innovative performance makers and cultural agitators Twiggy Pucci Garcon, Kimora Miyake-Mugler, & Chi Chi Mizrahi will perform tonight at the event. Active members & gatekeepers within the House Ballroom Community for 11 years, 10 years, and 9 years, respectively, their stories will be exposed in the immersive performance and discussion that presents Belfast with a very rare and intimate glimpse into the history of the House and Ballroom Scene.

There are limited tickets available for tonight’s performance. For info, click here.

Laura Caldwell

Author: Laura Caldwell

Hi, I'm Laura. I'm 30 years old and have a degree in Journalism with Photo-Imaging at the University of Ulster. I have an undying love for Belfast and all that it has to offer, an undying love for sleeping, Tegan and Sara, trashy tv shows, foreign snack-foods and being irresponsible with money. I also quite like origami, reading, jazz, hip-hop, dubstep, anything acoustic and Food Network TV. I've written for The Big List, Culture NI, Chatterbox and The Echo, as well as writing for BBC Across the Line.