The runway is ready and the categories are about to be open for the biggest edition of The Rainbow Ball And Gala yet.
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Voguing and ballroom culture are, for lack of a better term, in vogue right now. TV shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, LEGENDARY, and Pose have brought the art form to mainstream audiences while the recent world tours of Beyonce and Madonna took the ball to all four corners of the world. But more than just what the kids are talking about these days, voguing, and Ballroom Culture in general, has, is, and will continue to be a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community to be themselves.
It began in New York, created by Black and Latino queer and trans people in the 1960s, as a response to the bigotry, discrimination, and violence they experienced. Through events called “balls,” the Ballroom Community grew to be a place for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to find a home when others would not accept them all while expressing their identities and artistry.
This freedom to be and unapologetic self-expression and creativity is what The Rainbow Ball And Gala is celebrating just in time for Pride Month. Back for its 4th edition, the gathering of the local Ballroom community and its allies promises to be the biggest and most sickening yet.
CATEGORY IS PINOY PRIDE
In the Philippines, the Ballroom scene began in 2016 thanks to the efforts of the community’s Trailblazer, Mother Xyza Mizrahi. Since then, the local community has grown with the establishment of more and more houses and people walking balls as they find joy and heart in Ballroom. The Rainbow Ball And Gala 2024 is proof of that. Presented by Trailblazer Mother Xyza Mizrahi and Father Misha De La Blanca, the 4th Annual Rainbow Ball and Gala will be held at the Podium Hall, Podium Mall, Mandaluyong City. Quite fittingly, the event is scheduled for June 1, making for a great start to Pride Month.
As with any Ball, the Rainbow Ball And Gala aims to be an impactful platform for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos to express their creativity and advocacy through Ballroom. As such, this year’s theme is “PRIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES”, inviting guests to go back to our roots this Pride Month and celebrate the many facets that make us Filipinos. This is the local LGBTQIA+ community’s way to reclaim their heritage, Ballroom style.
The Ball starts at 5 PM and lasts well into the evening of the first Saturday of June. With 15 categories during the event, including Face, Beginners Performance, Lip Sync Performance, Realness, and Cunt versus Cunt, it’s going to be a showcase of Filipino culture meets Ballroom right at the start of Pride Month.
Through dance, fashion, drag, and more, the local Ballroom community, and the wider LGBTQIA+ community in general, will have a space to express, learn, contribute, and have the opportunity to flex their creativity and talents. And who will be giving the 10s and chops? Only the biggest panel of judges in The Rainbow Ball’s history comprised of Pioneers, Icons, and Legends from the global Ballroom scene, namely:
- Pioneer Iconic Founding Father Andre Mizrahi, New York
- Legendary Founding Father Julian De La Blanca, New York
- Legendary Founding Father Monster Babylon, New York
- Trailblazer Mother Bhenji Ra, Australia
- Trailblazer Holie Ebony, Hong Kong
- Father K Milan, Korea
- Juju Xtravaganza, Korea
As for MCs, the Ball is going to be balling with these stars on the mic:
- Icon Founder Jack Mizrahi Gorgeous Gucci, New York
- Lakan Mizrahi, Philippines
Finally, prepare for the most gag-worthy beats from the night’s DJs:
- Overall International Mother Koppi Mizrahi, Japan
- Ayel Mari, Philippines
TENS ACROSS THE BOARD
What makes the 2024 edition extra special is that it is more than just a Ball, but a whole day event that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community’s many colors. Also to be held at the Podium Hall, the festivities kick off at 1 PM with The Rainbow Gala. Local queer fashion takes center stage as four designers from The Philippine Ballroom Community will be showcasing mini-collections: Brit Tripudio (the first designer to feature Voguing in her Manila Fashion Fest show in 2017), Oz Go (Ozkur Mizrahi of The House of Mizrahi), Dale Sarmiento (Mother Dahlia Cleopatra of the Kiki House of Cleopatra), and custom leather harness brand WOLFE+HUNTR.
In a further nod to diversity, representation, and inclusion, the mini-fashion shows will feature models that all come from The Philippine Ballroom community. As a platform and opportunity for guests to learn about the stories and advocacies of the LGBTQIA+ community, the Gala will also feature mini-lectures from Advocacy Partners Trans Health Philippines, HASH, and Sail Clinic, to talk about important topics about the LGBTQIA+ community: trans health, SOGIE, and HIV Awareness.
The Gala then ends with an exclusive Ballroom 101 class featuring influential figures from the International Ballroom Scene, notably Pioneer Iconic Founding Father André Mizrahi and Legendary Founding Father Julian De La Blanca, as they share the rich history, creativity, and knowledge of Ballroom Culture. It then culminates with the Rainbow Ball. And the best part? You don’t have to be in the Ballroom community to go. Anyone is welcome to attend, enjoy, learn, and get their whole life while celebrating a special community.
If all this has gotten you excited, you can get tickets to The Rainbow Ball and Gala now on Helixpay, with tickets for Gala Only (“Araw” Pass), Ball Only (“Buwan” Pass), and Whole Day Pass (“Bahaghari” Pass) available. Special merchandise in collaboration with artist JER DEE is also available on the Helixpay storefront, along with opportunities to donate to The Rainbow Ball Community Fund. Tickets to the special workshops with The Rainbow Ball’s international guests can be availed here.
For more updates and information, you can check them out on Instagram.
Continue Reading: Sing It Loud, Sing It Proud: These Queer Filipino Musicians Are Unapologetically Raising Their Voices For The LGBTQIA+ Community
