We are creating the foundations for having a ballroom community in Birmingham. This project is the first step to a new generation of voguers in the city.
Come along and learn Waacking and Voguing. Whether you are a complete beginner or are well versed in these forms of dance, the classes will provide a chance to learn and develop your movement.
Led by the gorgeous Eric Scutaro, a Venezuelan choreographer, dance performer, activist, and refugee in the United Kingdom. With over 16 years experience, Eric has been a pioneer in his country in Waacking and Voguing, and even introduced the word ‘queer’ to Venezuela.
Eric's choreographies, workshops, and performances explore hip-hop, Waacking and Voguing as a way to advocate and carve out space for the LGBTQIA+ community here in Brum and the West Mids.
These workshops are primarily aimed at members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Over the weeks the group will devise a performance all together to be presented in Birmingham. If you have any access requirements please message us so we can ensure Eric's teaching is inclusive of everyone in the room.
Are you ready to Strike the Pose?
Venue Location:
ACE Dance & Music
54-57 Floodgate St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SL
20 minute walk to Birmingham’s New Street Station
10 minute walk to the Bullring
What is Waacking and Voguing?
Waacking and Voguing were born under disco balls to the pulse of music. Concerned with freeing the body and affirming the self, waacking and voguing developed sub-culturally and gave people a chance to escape an often-hostile outside world, providing a space where people could dance, reinvent themselves, and be exactly who they wanted to be. Through movement, imitation, and a good dose of humour, voguing and waacking offered ways of reclaiming self, the body, desire and freedom.
Voguing was born out of New York's ballroom scene. During the balls performers and dancers would imitate poses they'd seen across fashion magazine spreads.
Waacking emerged from Los Angeles' gay clubs and was inspired by the stars of Hollywood's golden era.
The two styles became popular in Black and Latinx LGBTQIA+ communities in the 60s and 70s. Both offered a space for free expression and personal liberty in marginalised communities that had to cope with the layered forms of socio-political and economic domination and discrimination.