POSH BALL 2024
“Be our guest!”
Vancouver’s First Mainstream Function
Presented by Posh Basquiat
with support by Van Vogue Jam Arts Society and Vancouver Pride Society
Sheraton Wall Center - 1000 Burrard St
JULY 27, 2024
DOORS 5pm > LSS 6pm > END BY MIDNIGHT
FEATURING DJ and COMMENTATOR
The Legendary MikeQ
Iconic Overall Father Dashaun Basquiat
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY
Iconic Overall Mother Miss Shalae Basquiat
Be our guest, be our guest, put our SERVING to the test! A step up from our regular Kiki programming in the city, this will be Vancouver's first ever Mainstream function - which means bigger cash prizes, more dramatic moments and only the best of Ballroom on the floor. Make your reservations today, because you'll definitely want a seat for this fabulous feast for the eyes, and don't forget to tip your servers ;)
This years POSH BALL features the a star studded night be international Ballroom excellence: The Legendary MikeQ on the decks, Iconic Overall Father Dashaun Basuquiat on the mic, and extra special performance by the truly most fabulous Beyonce impersonator of the world Iconic Overall Mother Miss Shalae Basquiat!
CATEGORIES
CATEGORIES (updated June 28, 2024)
Commentator VS Commentator - $200 Sponsored by Neworld Theatre Society (Updated Jun 19, 2024)
ORDER UP—Give us a chant that will make us say “YES CHEF” for your 10s. Must wear all white from head to toe.
OTA BODY (MF, FF,) - $200 (Sponsored by Althea Branton) - An accessible genderfluid skincare line to cleanse & nourish functioning skin (updated June 4, 2024)
We want to see the most perfectly prepared BODY, nothing underdone or overcooked… well basted and glistening with all the right garnishes in the right places. Bring that juicy body with a garnish of your choice and make us savour every moment and make us want to take you home for later.
Hands Performance - $100 Sponsored by Urban Ink Productions (Updated June 20, 2024)
You're working in front of the house tonight and checking every table, shelf, chair for dust - bring your hands performance in a white glove and tell us a story.
New Face - $50 by Marc Castillo from Castillo HR Consulting
Serve your face on a silver platter! Only the most beautiful dishes are reserved for silver - bring your most delectable face in a silver effect.
OTA Face (BQ, FQ, BQID, Women, Transmen, Butch, Legends, Icons) - $$$
Bring it as the Maître d' and show us what's on the FACE menu for the evening. All walkers must bring a PRINTED MENU with their face qualification on it and be given to each judge. Effect must give Maître d' aka manager of the establishment - think suit tailoring.
Beginner Runway - $50 by Marc Castillo from Castillo HR Consulting
You took an extra busing shift to show off to the manager you got what it takes - bring it in an apron and show that you can walk the talk.
Beginner Performance - $50 by Marc Castillo from Castillo HR Consulting
Bring it in a fast food chain-inspired restaurant uniform, and don't forget to add all those 5 elements in the order!
Performance (BQVF, FQ, RWT, Womens, Drags, Trans Man, Butch, GNC, Legends, Icons) - $1000 Sponsored by TFD Presents (Updated June 28)
Vegetables and Fruit always bring a great POP of color to any dish, give your best performance in your vegetable inspires color below:
BQVF - Eggplant Purple
FQ - Tomato Red
RWT - Corn Yellow
Womens - Carrot Orange
Drags - Rhubarb Pink
Trans Man - Spinach Green
Butch - Blueberry Blue
GNC - Mix of vegetables/colors of your choosing
Legends - Potato Beige
Icons - Cauliflower White
Pop, Dip and Spin - $300 Sponsored by Neworld Theatre Society (Updated Jun 19, 2024)
La cuenta por favor! The bill is up, how are you gonna pay? Bring it in an effect inspired by either Cash or Card - and must include fake money or fake credit cards.
OTA Runway (European- Small Boys, Tall Boys, Big Boys, Women, BQID, FQ, GNC, Legends, Icons (All American- MF, FF, GNC, Legends, Icons) - $1000 (Update June 10,2024)
Your on the line on a busy night with multiple covers back to back, don't get CHOPPED and show us why you deserved those 3 Michelin stars. Bring it in a fashionable chef inspired effect from the likes of the iconic culinary tv show IRON CHEF or other well known culinary master!
*Must bring a reference on phone or printout
OTA Realness (School Boy, Pretty Boy, Executive, Thugs, Everyday, BQID, FQ, Legends, Icons) - $$$
You made reservations at your favorite restaurant, but they double-booked you! Dress up and look for option B for the night out, whether that's a steakhouse, a cocktail bar, or Popeye's!
OTA Best Dressed (MF,FF, GNC) - $300 sponsored by Cappelleria Bertacchi Italian Hatcrafter (Update June 19, 2024)
YOU’RE A FOODIE OF THE WORLD with STYLE TO BOOT. Bring it in your most amazing cultural *inspired garment from where YOU ARE FROM.
*Please no forms of cultural appropriation in these effects, and we will be asking you where you’re from for your 10’s
OTA Sex Siren (MF, FF) - $$$
Let them eat CAKE! Saving the best for last, bring it in a delectable confection to satisfy the panel's sweet tooth!
Bizarre - $$$
BLACK BOX is known in the culinary world as a way to push a chef's creative juices by creating a dish with a surprise ingredient, a la Iron Chef! Bizarre effect has to reveal the mystery ingredient.
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