Photo: Justin Larioza

Justin Larioza

By Meghan Power

According to a recent article, From Underground Subculture to Global Phenomenon: An Oral History of Ballroom within Mainstream Culture, written by José Criales-Unzueta, ballroom and voguing’s roots can be traced back to the Antebellum South. Modern day ballroom and voguing, as we recognize it today, was born in Harlem, New York in the 1960s. Over the course of the mid-19th, 20th and 21st centuries, ballroom and voguing have made forays into mainstream culture — mostly through film, music, and fashion runway culture — but still remain strongly tied to and rooted in Black, Brown LGBTQ+ culture, and even more specifically queer, trans, and femme culture. Through the ‘80s and ‘90s and through to the present day there are many different styles of voguing that connect with different artists in different ways.

Justin Larioza, a multi-faceted Calgary street dance artist, started voguing in 2022. “My background up until then had been mostly in waacking and breaking. Breaking has a culture and dance style that is super cis-hetero-male dominated. Dancing at break sessions I felt like I had to mask myself and put up a front. But with ballroom and voguing, it was a complete turn around. I felt much more comfortable and welcome.

 

“There is this tight-knit sense of community in ballroom, as well as the competitive passion to win trophies that appeals to me,” explains Justin. “That’s what initially inspired me to get involved. There are currently two Kiki houses in Calgary. I’m currently a member of the House of Galore.” Houses in ballroom are like chosen families. These are spaces, especially for those who may not have support or acceptance at home. Houses support each other and mentor each other in their growth as artists, dancers and performers.

 

Justin trains weekly at open sessions and “walks” (competes) at balls once a month. Walks are similar in style to runways at fashion shows. “I walk in both the runway category, as well as the performance category.” There are many different styles of voguing. Justin’s style is Vogue Femme, which features the five elements: spins and dips, catwalk, duckwalks, hands and floor performance. There are also other styles like, “Old Way” (which emphasizes hard angles and straight lines) and “New Way” (more rigid movements and “clicks”). 

 

“The Artist Development Microgrant through Calgary Arts Development (CADA) allowed me the opportunity to grow as an artist by travelling to Toronto to attend workshops and learn with experienced and professional artists. And to practise different styles of voguing that I’m interested in, like Femme and Old Way. I was able to meet experienced and professional artists Mother Symba Mulan (with Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance), Bronze West from the UK, and Legendary Twysted Siriano Miyaki Mugler.

 

“I’m always reaching for the stars and striving towards my next accomplishment. Being able to learn with, and from these experienced and driven artistic mentors not only helps me develop as an artist, it helps fuel my creative fire. Being able to experience and witness the amazing talent outside of the Calgary community has shown me what I can become with time and dedication.”