Features / LGBT Bristol
History is made as Bristol hosts first Kiki ballroom community function
Ballroom is a community that celebrates and prioritises queer people of colour.
Made famous by the documentary Paris is Burning and the vogue dance style, which has been highlighted in TV shows like Pose and by Madonna in her music video and performances, it is a movement that started in New York in the 1980s.
The ballroom community has been developing in Bristol for the past couple of years, and an authentic scene has now been established.
is needed now More than ever
Many members of the city’s ballroom have attended events nationwide and internationally, with a number now part of a houses, which are set up by the most established figures in the ballroom scene. Some of the most famous houses are the House of Labeija and the House of Revlon.
Bristol-based members belong to houses, including the House of Louboutin, the House of Telfar and the House of West, and this means the city can officially host its own functions – where the ballroom community can gather and compete against one another.
One such function is known as a Kiki function, which is mostly a social meet. Prizes can be won, but the main motivation is to have fun and meet other members of the community. It also gives newer members of community the opportunity to practice for future competitions.
On Saturday, history was made as Bristol held its first ever Kiki function – The Wave Your Flag Kiki – at Malcom X Community Centre in St Paul’s. The function was hosted by Bubblegum and Maze Louboutin (Martha and Darnell).
Members of the community walked in categories, where they were then judged by a panel of well-established ballroom community members.
Categories included:
- Face: where walkers show off their best facial features;
- Realness: where walkers attempt to pass as straight;
- Best dressed: where walkers were encouraged to either wear their home country’s flag colour or traditional clothing from their home country.
Here are some photos from the event:
Find out more about Bristol Ballroom Community via: www.instagram.com/bristolballroomcommunity/
All photos: Andy Leake
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