VENUE:
THE COBALT CABARET - 917 MAIN STREET
6:30PM DOORS > 7PM LSS > 11PM
TICKETS:
$5 TO WALK
$10 - $15 ENTRY
$20 AT THE DOOR
ONLINE TICKET SALES END 2 HOURS BEFORE EVENT*
*if you have financial barriers stopping you from purchasing a ticket please email info@vanvoguejam.com and we will do our best to accomodate.
HOST: FATHER GAGO GVASALIA
COMMENTATOR: BUTTONS ANDROMEDA
DJ: BENNY 007
JUDGES: TBA
EFFECT: BACK 2 SCHOOL
*We’re bringing it back to school! Freshman, to the back of the runway, class is in session. Froshies, the campus color is BLUE. Be sure to show your school spirit.
CATEGORIES:
* BEGINNER PERFORMANCE
*BEGINNER RUNWAY
OTA FACE
SCHOOL BOY/GIRL REALNESS
OTA RUNWAY
OTA PERFORMANCE
COMPETITORS
Bring your lunch MONEY. It is $5 CASH to walk per category. Pooled CASH prizes for each category winner.
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.
Be sure to write this down in your agendas, you may be tested.
*This is your first year walking balls/You’ve never walked a ball before.
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?
If you are walking the ball FEB 26, 2023 - we have designated changing areas located at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Annex room) for competitors. Please connect with a Vancouver Pride or VMF Winter Arts Staff for directions to COMPETITOR HOLDING.
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