THE MOTHA KIKI BALL
Presented by BlackOut Collective, PuSh Festival and Van Vogue Jam
VKBA OTY Approved
Inspired by the goddesses, warriors, and matriarchs who shaped our cultures, this ball honours strength, poise, sensuality, and the fierce tenderness that lives at the core of every Motha.
From Mother Nature to the lineage of warriors, showgirls, legends and icons who taught us glamour and power, every category calls on our shared histories of royalty, resistance, and rhythm.
Presented by BlackOut Collective and PuSh Festival in partnership with Van Vogue Jam, this Inaugural Black History Month ball invites you into a space where the runway is sacred, your body is your kingdom, and every performance honours the mothers who taught us how to shine.
ALL AGES FUNCTION
DOORS 4pm > LSS 5pm > END 10pm
DJ - Legendary OA Godmother Juju Louboutin
COMMENTATOR - Tamelan Mulan & Notorious Telfar
TICKETING
$15 - Early Bird
$20 - General Admission
$30 - Door Tickets
Walkers use code MBWalk for $10 ticket
Black Folks use code BlackOut for $5 off
Please email info@vanvoguejam.com for any low barrier ticket needs.
Categories
Virgin Runway
Prove to us that you are Motha’s little prince/princess/heir or monarch in a royal purple look that says you are next in line for the throne
Virgin Performance
Prove to us that you are Motha’s little prince/princess/heir or monarch in a royal purple look that says you are next in line for the throne
OTA Runway $$$
With over three decades (and counting), in the game, her walk is the blueprint for anyone who dares to walk this category. There is no one like Naomi Campbell, the unquestionable Motha of runway. Give her her flowers and bring it in a look inspired by an iconic moment or look from this icon. This is your moment to make a MOMENT so bring it like you mean it in a showstopping effect for this grand prize. Printed reference required.
OTA Performance $$$
Bring it like a FQ Pioneer/Icon/Legend of the category of Vogue Femme. You must incorporate a signature move/stunt of the chosen Pioneer/Icon/Legend for your 10’s or recreate one of their iconic moments. Your effect should be a clear homage to your chosen Mother of Vogue. Printed reference required.
OTA Face $$$
You got it from your momma! A mother’s beauty radiates from the inside out and no one is more beautiful to a child than their mother. Tonight, we honor the beauty they’ve passed down and blessed us with a look that says “my mother is the most beautiful in all the land”. Show us that beauty runs in the family. Bring an elevated look inspired by your mother — biological or chosen. Printed reference required.
Tag Team Realness $$$
Mothers are the queens of the home, building empires out of nothing, making the whole family feel like royalty. Bring this to life in a tag team pairing that screams royalty. Show us that you carry that royal blood line.
Old Way vs New Way $$$
Is the Old Way the only way? Or does New Way have something to say? We want to see the two styles battle it out for the grand prize.
Old Way - The Agojie were fierce female warriors in the Dahomey Kingdom. These warriors wore red in battle to embody their strength and power. Channel that power and bring it in a red effect.
New Way - Queen Calafia was a warrior queen known for her power and influence. Pay homage by bringing it in a yellow effect.
OTA Best Dressed $$$
Miss Ross, the Boss is an unquestionable fashion maven, inspiring generations of women and setting trends. As the star AND costume designer of the 1975 film, Mahogany, Diana solidified her status as one of the mothers of fashion, wearing one dazzling look after another. Take inspiration from any look from Mahogany and bring it in a look that lives up to the legacy of this film. Printed reference required
OTA Body $$$
Zelda Wynn Valdes was a Black fashion pioneer behind many iconic looks spanning decades, dressing icons like Dorothy Dandrige, Josephine Baker and Marlene Dietrich. In the 1960s, she gave us the now-iconic Playboy bunny costume. In fact, she would go on to host a series of desegregated fashion shows at the Playboy club known as “Zelda at the Play Boy”. Give her her flowers and come in a Playboy bunny effect that shows why you deserve the centre fold.
OTA Sex Appeal $$$
The early 2000s had some hot songs and even hotter music videos by Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliot etc. Bring it in a look straight out of any of their music videos at the time and show us why you're the top of the charts! "
OTA Sex Siren $$$
We are taking it back to the motherland, the land of gold and riches. Bring it in a sexy gold look that shows us why you deserve the whole pot.
Bizarre $$$
Hell hath no fury like a Motha Scorned! The world has run amuck and corporate greed and capitalism is ruining the planet! Mother Nature has had it and is clapping back! Show us her wrath and bring it as a natural disaster
Shake that Ass $$$
When you talk about the Mother of ass shaking, you have to take it back to the one and only Josephine Baker. Bring it in a look inspired by the OG showgirl Josephine Baker Bring it in a fringe effect and shake what your Motha gave you.
Hair Affair $$$
Your hair is your crown and we are but your humble subjects, dying for a look at the crown jewels. For this category, bring hair adorned with jewels, beads, gems, etc. Turn heads and make us gag with the grandeur of your hair and look. This category is reserved for Black folk only.
Comm vs Comm $$$
Even the hardest and toughest MCs in the game have gotten vulnerable and blessed us with tracks that pay homage to their mothers and sacrifices they have made. Give us a chant that gives your mother her flowers for your 10’s. For battles, pick a word from a bag.
Streetstyle $$$
It’s the first day of school, and your mother got you the freshest clothes. Bring it in a street style look that will get you labelled the flyest kid in school
Hands Performance $$$
Mothers can be STERN and can say a lot without uttering a word! A raised finger is enough to let you know you need to act right, a hand on the hip is enough to let you know you’re out of line, and if you act out, they will give you the back hand. For this category, tell us the story of how your mother gets the kids together and keeps them in check with nothing but your hands for your 10’s.
COMPETITORS
Please come prepared knowing what to expect. If you are walking in a category for the first time.
Please do your research and understand that there can only be one winner per category.
Look up videos on YouTube, come to a VVJ session, look at the resources on www.vanvoguejam.com, reach out to us by e-mail or on Instagram. Please use the resources around you to be prepared. We also encourage you to ask us for feedback before you compete so that you feel strong going into the ball.
We want everyone to have fun, to feel they were able to serve their best, and we want everyone to have a fair chance at competing but you WILL be chopped during your 10s and unable to compete if you are unprepared.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Van Vogue Jam Arts Society would like to recognize we are coming together on the unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations. We support the rights of Indigenous Peoples as stewards, protectors, and title holders of their lands and waters. We call on all people to change the policies, laws, and institutions in our country so all Indigenous Peoples can have full enjoyment of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
CULTURAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We also make a cultural acknowledgment to the Black, Lantix, Trans and Queer folks who have founded Ballroom Culture - which we have a privilege of being guests to today. As an organization that is founded by non Black and Latinx people we acknowledge our ongoing need to question and reflect on how we navigate practicing Ballroom Culture locally, and continue our need to learn from the greater Ballroom community at large.
Creative safe space has always been at the heart of ballroom culture and we hope that this event can be a safe space for everyone to enjoy.
Oppressive attitudes and behaviours including but not limited to racism, transphobia, misogyny, fatphobia, ableism, and general bigotry are NOT welcome here. Consent is sexy - AND MANDATORY.
BlackOut FAQ's
WHAT IS A BALL?
A BALL is an event that provides opportunities for a breadth of artists from the BALLROOM community to be seen, celebrated and supported, in the competitive BALL format. Individuals are given their “10’s” in order to move on to the battle rounds where competitors are paired into battles until there is a winner at the end of each category. The judges panel is specifically selected from the BALLROOM community. Balls are always accompanied by a COMMENTATOR and DJ for the event to flow.
WHAT IS BALLROOM?
Ballroom is a queer subculture and community founded in Harlem, NYC, by Black, Latinx, Queer and Trans folks - pioneered in the late 60’s by Crystal LaBeija.
CAN I WALK A CATEGORY?
We ask all COMPETITORS to do their research/training before walking a category. The RUNWAY is a sacred and important space in BALLROOM. To walk a category without taking time to understand the history, intent, purpose, and category specific nuances is considered disrespectful.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT BLACKOUT ?
You can learn more about us on insta @blackout.van
WHERE CAN I DONATE MONEY?
You can also donate money to the BlackOut via the VVJ website www.vanvoguejam.com/donate. Leave a note your donation is for the BlackOut
CAN WE TIP THE PEOPLE WALKING?
This is NOT a drag show, the best way to show your appreciation for the artists is to cheer them on and give them your presence and energy - if you really want to, you can talk to the artists after their category and personally to tip them. Any tips to Van Vogue Jam can be made through our website www.vanvoguejam.com/donate