THE COOKOUT MINI BALL
MARCH 15, 2025
BlackOut Collective x Vancouver International Dance Festival X VVJ
BlackOut is hosting a Cookout and you're invited!
For the first time in Vancouver, in collaboration with Vancouver International Dance Festival, we bring to you a Ball with an all-Black production team, all-Black judging panel, DJ and Commentator. The Cookout Mini Ball celebrates the vibrancy of Black culture—past, present and future. While we invite all members of the community, Black folk and allies, to participate, please be mindful in how you choose to compete and show up in this space.
ALL AGES FUNCTION
DOORS 6pm > LSS 7pm > END 10pm
DJ - Softieshan
COMMENTATOR - Notorious 007
SPONSORS AND FUNDERS
Van Vogue Jam Arts Society, HIM Clinic, Lululemon
TICKETING
$5 - Walker Ticket
$15 - Black folks (spectator)
$30-$60 - General Admission
Email info@vanvoguejam.com if you have any questions
CATEGORIES
OTA Runway - 1 trophy $200
Model of the Year: Do you want to be on top? Show us your runway strut in a look that celebrates these two models in particular who have set new standards for a model walk. Must have a printed reference.
Europeans: Bring it in a look inspired by an Anok Yai look (on the runway or off the runway).
Americans: Bring it in a look inspired by an Alton Mason look (on the runway or off the runway).
OTA Performance - 1 trophy $200
Roots of Rhythm: Celebrating the contributions of black folk to dance across cultures, incorporate a dance move that has its roots in Black culture or has been popularized by black culture. Your effect should respectfully pay homage to that dance style.
OTA Face - 1 trophy $150
Pose for Me: Campbell Addy is a photographer, director and publisher, predominantly representing Black and queer identities through his work. He has become one of fashion’s most in-demand fashion photographers as he challenges the industry’s old perceptions of beauty. Bring it in a look that pays homage to his photography and imagery. Must have a printed reference.
Street Style - 1 trophy $150
Misa Put that Sh*t On!: She was the name behind the biggest fashion moments in Hip hop and R&B/Soul through the 90s and 2000s. Bring it in a look inspired by the super stars Misa Hylton styled (Lil’ Kim, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, Missy Elliot, Jodeci, Q-Tip, Foxy Brown, and Dru Hill). Must have a printed reference.
Commentator vs Commentator $100
Living the Dream: MLK had a dream, Langston Hughes asked us to hold fast to dreams, and Killer Mike asked us to follow our dreams. Dreams feature heavily in the Black literary and oratory canon. Incorporate the word and concept of dream in a chant to get your tens.
OTA Realness - 1 trophy $100
Get Real: From Zeus, to Tubi, to BET, to Bravo and MTV, Black folk have shaped the culture of reality TV. Bring it in an effect inspired by a cast member on a TV show on one of these networks. Must have a printed reference.
OTA Body - 1 trophy $100
Step up to the Podium - Rep your culture and show us you’ve got the body of a champion. Bring it in an olympic ready effect and show that your body is ready to compete.
Shake That Ass - 1 trophy $50
Freaknik: We are taking it back to Spring Break in the 90s and shaking ass like no one is watching. Bring it in a Freaknik inspired effect
Virgin Runway - 1 trophy
Bring it in Black, Red, and Green, representing the colors of the Black liberation flag
Virgin Performance - 1 trophy
Bring it in Black, Red, and Green, representing the colors of the Black liberation flag
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