An annual international event featuring big parades, bold performances, and an opportunity for education and reflection, Pride is a month-long celebration commemorating the Stonewall Riots in New York City 53 years ago. When NYC police unjustifiably raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay club, on June 28th, 1969, an uprising sparked amongst the community that led to the inception of the gay liberation movement. Today, Pride continues as a celebration of individual freedom and a resistance to discrimination that welcomes all members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. SNIPES closed out Pride Month with a special project that supports a dance style close to the community known only as Vogue.
From glamorous Ballroom performances to the intense modern stylings of contemporary dance, Vogue is a long-standing dance form that calls for fearless self-expression and commands attention. The origins of Voguing date back to the Black and Latino queer communities of 60s Harlem, New York, when drag shows and pageantry-style balls began to develop into fierce dance battles and competitions. The dance’s name derives from the models of Vogue Magazine, whose precise poses inspired early choreography. Old Way, the original style of Vogue, featured sharp angles and strong movements to mimic the action one might see while flipping through the magazine’s pages. The dance later evolved in the late 80s with New Way and Vogue Fem, two contemporary dance styles most commonly used in today’s competitions. New Way introduced flexibility and set dance movements to Vogue: Hand Performance, the Duckwalk (squatting on your heels and kicking to move forward), Catwalk, and Spins and Dips (dramatic “falls” with one leg tucked and the other extended) defined the dance’s modern choreography. Performers and Ballroom walkers are typically associated with Houses – groups of people who share a surname and a House Family – which provide comfort, shelter, and a place of freedom for those feeling bound by societal norms and ostracized from traditional communities. Houses are managed by house “mothers” or “fathers” – generally the best Ball walkers of the group – offering guidance for their house “children” learning to perfect their category performances. Some notable Houses include the Royal House of LaBeija, the House of Xtravaganza, and the Iconic House of Ninja, named for its original father Willi Ninja, one of the greatest Vogue dancers to ever walk the Ballroom floor. Many Vogue legends like Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, and Paris Dupree paved the lane for the modern evolution of the dance, SNIPES is shining a light on Jason Anthony Rodriguez – star of the Emmy and Golden Globes nominated FX musical TV series Pose – who continues to carry the torch as an accomplished contemporary Vogue dancer.
Accompanied by Vogue dancers Maleek Joseph (House of Eon), José Lapaz-Rodríguez (House of Telfar), and Rinor Zymberi (House of Babylon), Rodriguez (House of Xtravaganza) briefly explains the exciting and liberating sensation that the dance offers as an art form. The positive impact of Voguing on the LGBTQ+ community is seen in the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning – a film highlighting the late 80s drag scene of New York – credited as one of the most culturally significant films for the queer community and the transgender, African American, and Latino communities involved. Vogue and Ballroom culture have moved even further into the mainstream with TV shows like Pose that provide a sizeable platform for LGBTQ+ actors and dancers to demonstrate their skills. While Vogue’s involvement in the mainstream media is helping to normalize queer acceptance in society, there is still so much to strive for in the realm of equal justice and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community. Let Pride Month serve not only as a celebration, but also as a reminder that members of the community and allies alike need to stand up to keep society from moving backward. For the latest news and sneaker/streetwear releases, follow us on our Instagram, read up on our blog posts, and download the mobile app to stay up to date on everything SNIPES.
