ÉLÉMENTS
1st edition 18.08—20.10.24
Ballroom 4 Community (B4C) and LA SERRE – arts vivants present ÉLÉMENTS: a 10-week program of introduction and improvement through the queer culture of the Ballroom. The program includes documentary screening, workshops, discussions, picnic, kiki balls, and more, all for FREE! Come polish your elements!
This artistic and community program aims to contribute to the development of LGBTQIA+ youth and the Ballroom community of Montreal. Ballroom is a rich culture that emerged in the 80s from contexts of social oppression and lack of security within the Black and Latinx Trans & LGBQ+ communities of New York. It is a space where these communities can be mentored, find a family, affirm their identity and celebrate their authentic expression. B4C aims to make this culture accessible.
The program is open to all ages and skill levels.
All activities are at LA SERRE – arts vivants, 39B, boul. Gouin West, Ahuntsic.
*Activities are offered in French and/or English.
ACTIVITIES
Aug 18, 2024 - KIKI DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AND PROGRAM LAUNCHING
Celebrate with us the launch of the program ÉLÉMENTS and discover the underground culture of Ballroom. Screening of the documentary KIKI, a film by Sara Jordenö and Twiggy Pucci Garcon (2017), produced by Lori Cheatle (Hardworking Movies) and Annika Rogell (Story), 96 minutes long, will be followed by a discussion.
This explosive and uplifting documentary reveals one of the Ballroom subculture’s contemporary descendants: the Kiki scene. Part activist movement, part artistic milieu, the Kiki community is a site of radical self-expression for young queer people of color in New York City, whose ballroom competitions and surrogate queer families provide both creative platforms and a source of succour for individuals facing multiple forms of marginalization. Shot over four years, the film follows seven members of the community through the difficulties of illness, homelessness and everyday discrimination, as well as the joys of spectacle, camaraderie and personal affirmation.
3pm – 6pm
Free
*Presented in original version in English
Aug 25, 2024 - VOGUE FEM & OLD WAY with KUNTIANA 007 & FATHER ALI OLD NAVY
Workshop + session open to all levels on these 2 different styles of vogue!
3pm – 6pm
Free
Sept 1, 2024 - SLAY PICNIC
Community picnic with gender affirming resources.
Make up workshop & stations + Clothing Racks (Drive Giveaway) + Photo booth
& more to come ! Open to all! Feel free to bring clothes and accessories you would like to giveaway. Tell all your friends and bring your bags!
3pm – 6pm
Free
Sept 8, 2024 - DJ & COMMENTATOR with SYANA BARBARA & FATHER BROADWAY MULAN
Workshop on these fundamental arts to Ballroom’s energy: DJ + Commentating (MC). Followed by an open to all session.
3pm – 6pm
Free
Sept 15, 2024 - BALLROOM : MOMENTS & CODES with MARLYNE 007 & MOTHER CUARTA MULAN & DISCUSSION WITH HALL OF FAMER, SEQUOIA OLD NAVY
Workshop on the art of creating moments + open online discussion on Ballroom codes.
3pm – 4.30pm: Workshop in person with Marlyne and Cuarta.
5pm – 6.30pm: Discussion by video conference with the Icon SEQUOIA OLD NAVY!*
Free
*Everyone is welcome to join the virtual conversation and the activities can be held in English and/or French.
Sept 29, 2024 - ‘CLIPS & CHILL’ & SESSION
The culture of Ballroom grows and spreads a lot through its archeology, the clips. Come watch balls together, from everywhere and different time periods, chat, chill and session ! Snacks provided!
3pm – 6pm
Free
Oct 6, 2024 - ‘GET RIGHT’ RIGHTS AND RESOURCES with CLINIQUE JURIDIQUE DE SAINT-MICHEL & SESSION
Offering tools for the community, la CLINIQUE JURIDIQUE DE SAINT-MICHEL will host a FREE workshop on rights and resources! To not be missed ! Topics based on the suggestions from the form pre-filled by the participants. + Session for those who partook in the workshop
3pm – 6pm
Free
Oct 13, 2024 - LSS DAY & SESSION with LEGENDARY WAYNE 007 & GALA 007
LSS – Legends, Statements & Stars. Workshop offered by some of Montreal’s LSS. Categories: Performance, Runway & Realness. Open to all !
15h – 18h
Free
KIKI BALL
Sept 21, 2024 - THE ELEMENT KIKI BALL (OTY)
Taking ballroom to the world of the LAST AIR BENDERS for an outdoors KIKI BALL. ‘The world is divided into four nations – the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and the Air Nomads – each represented by a natural element for which the nation is named. Benders have the ability to control and manipulate the element from their nation.’ Come showcase your elements in an undeniable fashion, make it clear, your effect must not have us guessing. Will you be the last one standing?
Details and descriptions of the categories on the Facebook page!
OPEN TO ALL!
3pm: Music starting
3:30pm: LSS (start of the ball)
Where: Nicolas Viel Park, Ahuntsic district, 95 Boul Gouin O, Montreal
Free
No registrations required
Oct 20, 2024 - END PARTY & MINI KIKI BALL
Come celebrate the end of this program with us with a beginner friendly mini kiki ball !
Theme and categories to come!
Doors : 3pm
LSS : 4pm
Free
LIMITED CAPACITY, RESERVE YOUR SPOT VIA THE LINK!
Founded and led by Ali Desrosiers and Anaïs Gilles since 2021, Ballroom 4 Community (B4C) is a community organization aimed at connecting Ballroom culture with LGBTQIA+ and racialized communities through activities, discussions, gatherings, events, and more. Through their mission, B4C aims to motivate, support, guide, animate, uplift, and inspire the LGBTQ+ youth of Montreal. B4C is committed to creating safe spaces for self-exploration, offering resources, fostering a sense of belonging, building communities, enabling artists to develop and professionalize, and promoting accessibility to Ballroom culture.
This project is financed by the Montréal Cultural Development Agreement between the City of Montreal and Gouvernement du Québec. LA SERRE would also like to thank the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) for its financial support.
