'I didn't know much about it at first, but I was curious to learn about duck walking, and death drops.'
How can you define voguing? Well, apart from it being a dance style, obviously, voguing is an unapologetic attitude. Voguing is freedom of expression. Voguing is a culture of perseverance forged from oppression. Born during the 60s of the Harlem ballroom scene, a hub for New York’s Black and Latino LGBTIQ communities, the dance has now gone international, taking root across Asia and growing in popularity within the Chinese-speaking world; from Hong Kong to the far reaches of Western China.
Around this time Hongkonger Ken Liu aka Ken Ken Milan was studying in Taipei while stepping foot into the world of dance. He was mostly learning waacking and hip hop until he met House Mother Natalie Milan of House of Milan at Taipei's very first ball – the Kick Ass Ball. Immediately, Liu fell head over heels for voguing’s distinct glamour."I admired the confidence that the dancers had," says Liu."They exude such fearlessness in their mannerisms and sense of style.
Devaughn has been in the scene since 1991, hanging out at the Christopher Street pier. Initially he practiced hip hop, the hustle and house dance before his out and proud childhood friend took him to his first ballroom. “It was awesome,” says Devaughn, who at the time had not yet come out. “The theme was S&M punk rock and I saw queens swinging live chickens, beautiful girls, who turned out to be boys and really competitive dancers. It was my first introduction to the community.
It's that message that has uplifted Yan, who, at home, felt like his family"dismissed his gender expression." When transforming into Daisy, Yan would have to secretly change into drag in the corridor of his apartment complex, away from his parent's gaze."I feel really open with the friends that I've made through voguing. It has been a healing experience."
Ho discovered Natalie Milan voguing on YouTube and was hooked. At that time, there were no instructors in Hong Kong, so she practised on her own, then flew to Taipei for lessons. Then it was off to Tokyo for further training and then to New York City on her own to compete at a ball. In 2017, she joined the House of Ebony."I was ecstatic," says Ho."When they said: ‘You are now an Ebony', I felt recognition and acceptance.
Tension, however, has come between the Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese voguing community. Liu initially invited a group of mainland Chinese voguers into his kiki house of Marciano, but after they saw some of his Instagram posts supporting Hong Kong's protest, the severed ties with him. Similarly, Ho was initially invited to take part in a ball in Guangzhou, only to have her invitation rescinded for her pro-protestors stance.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
'Godfather of Harlem': TV ReviewAn all-star cast led by Forest Whitaker fills out Epix's ambitious mob series, but too many big themes weigh it down.
Baca lebih lajut »
Amid gleaming skyscrapers, Hong Kong's poor set aside hardships and join protestsJust before midnight in Hong Kong's Mong Kok district, a slight man in his ...
Baca lebih lajut »
Hong Kong Aug home prices drop for third month, steeper declines forecastHong Kong private home prices fell for the third straight month in August, accor...
Baca lebih lajut »
Barricades up, shutters down as Hong Kong marks Communist China's birthdayHong Kong was in lockdown on Tuesday, with barricades in the city center, shutte...
Baca lebih lajut »