- For other meanings, see vogue.
Vogue ("Performance") or "voguing" is a highly stylized modern dance characterized by photo model-like poses integrated
with angular, linear and rigid arm, leg, and body movements. Popularized by Madonna's song and video of the same name (see Vogue), the
unique inner-city dance subculture was brought to international mainstream attention.
History
Voguing arose from the Harlem ballrooms back in the early 1930s as a part of the underground gay culture. It was first called "performance"
and has since evolved into the more intricate and allusory form that is now commonly referred to as "vogue." It has since become
an intrinsic part of the life for people involved with drag houses across North
America.
Competition
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Formal competitions occur in the form of balls held by "houses", a term used to describe collectives of dancers and performers
usually headed by a matriarchal figure or "mom" and in homage to the fashion industry.
In a traditional ball there are categories announced in advance, often dozens. For each round with titles like
"schoolboy/schoolgirl," "face," "fem queen" and "banjee realness." Each house that attends the ball would prepare to enter as
many of the categories as possible and many of the dancers will enter multiple categories. A panel of judges will watch along
with the audience as the category is called and all the contestants enter the floor and try to convince everyone in the room that
they are the very definition of that category. If there are two or more contestants who are clearly tied for the trophy then a
dance-off quickly ensues with the crowds approval swaying the judges' decision. The trophies can be awarded right then or bundled
at the end with an overall trophy.
Influential houses
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Some influential Houses to note include the House of Mizrahi, House of ManoloBlahnik,
Xtravaganza|House of Xtravaganza, the House of Labeija, House of Revlon, House of
Ninja, House of Infiniti, House of Christian/Princess, House of
Aviance, House of Diabolique, House of Milan and
the House of Milan. Furthermore, distinct styles of this art form have been directly associated
with voguers such as Pony Blahnik, Willi Ninja, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Dior, Aviance
Milan, and Stiffy Revlon.
Styles
There are currently two distinct styles (or "schools") of vogue: Old Way (pre-1990) and New Way (post 1990). Old Way is
characterized by formation of lines, symmetry, and precision in the execution of such formations and graceful, fluid-like action.
New Way is characterized by a more rigid, geometric pattern movement coupled with "clicks" (limb contortions at the joints) and
"arms control" (sleight of hand and wrist illusions, which usually include "tuts" or "tutting" and locking). New Way can also be
described as a modified form of mime, where imaginary geometric shapes such as a box are introduced during motion and moved
progressively around the dancer's body to display the dancer's dexterity and memory.
Vogue also encompasses other forms of dance and movement, namely modern jazz, ballet,
gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, martial arts,
breakdancing, yoga, and others. Some dance historians even point out that breakdance and vogue evolved together in a state of
mutual borrowing, with artists from both sides interacting with each other in New York City's Central Park, West Side Piers,
Harlem, and Washington Square Park during the 70s and early 80s.
Spreading through the US
Voguing has evolved since its beginning and continues to be developed further as an established dance form that is practiced
in gay dance clubs in New York and other big cities throughout the United States--mainly
Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Detroit and Chicago. The ballroom scene has evolved into a nationwide underground sport with major
balls being held in different regions (East, Midwest, South, West). The major cities to walk are, New York for the East, Chicago
in the Midwest, Atlanta in the South, LA in the West.
OhioKentuckiana scene
There has been a movement in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana area known to the ballroom community as the "OhioKentuckiana"
scene producing some promising talent. There is also a unique form of "fem vouge" called "Ohio gloves" that involves dramatic
soft feminine gestures, in a pantomime fashion in which the voguer is using movements to tell
a "story" of "shade."
The OhioKentucky'ana scene has it's own legends and statements as well some who are still walking, and some who have gotten
their status from walking in other states before the scene evolved in the area such as, Sir Richard (Ford) Evisu, Drama (Omni)
Evisu, Amy Cavalli, Neo x Moschino, Nestle Rodeo, Mother Raven Mizrahi, Covahboy Rodeo, Kim Mizrahi, Tony Galliano x Ebony, DL x
Rodeo Channel, Dee x Dutch Mugler, Pretty x Prodigy Allure and Mother Theirry Rodeo. Also newcomers like Corey Rodeo, Lil Jay
Blanik, Kiddy x Blanik Balenciaga have made strong statements in the scene as well.
The balls in this region are held in the cities of Louisville, Kentucky, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana
collectively. Louisville and Columbus currently have the most semi-major balls at this time giving away prizes between one and
five thousand dollars for respective categories.
See also
External links
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