TGBOE 2: Harlem Fantasy CATEGORIES
COPYRIGHT 2007 TL DIXON. All Rights Reserved, except where copyrighted by another source.
*$1. BEST DRESSED SPECTATOR – You come from anywhere in the world, but come dressed to impress! Remember you’re attending a legendary Harlem ball in New York City and the STARS will be out! (9/30/00: The Night All the Stars Came Back Out!; Pepper Labeija, John Moschino, Portia Labeija; YWCA, Brooklyn, NY) Winner advances to Special Prize #1 for $400.
It’s 5AM and I'm at the Crystal Ballroom, 2nd floor, on 125th street in Harlem. I’m perched next to PEPPER LABEIJA, the master of ceremony and Harlem Fantasy co-host. The rustic ballroom is a melting pot of faces, including a camera crew. We’re both sitting at a lone table just above the judges’ panel. Pepper’s wearing a lavender & white sequined dress, her hair snatched into a feathered bob. “We’re gonna start right now,” Pepper announces. But her first order of business is to establish herself as the Queen of the House of Labeija: “What am I in the house? Did I get across the track yet?” she deadpans to CRYSTAL LABEIJA, the founding mother. “Fab. Crystal’s the Empress. What does that make me? I am the Queen. I am the Queen of the House,” Pepper declares. Next she calls for her co-host. “Where’s Miss Dorian? Where’s my partner? She’s upfront somewhere,” shouts Pepper. “Call her. I want you all to see her. I want to introduce her properly.” A statuesque DORIAN COREY in a big curly blonde wig emerges from the back. She’s wearing a white & black wrap-around dress with a cigarette in her right hand and a huge rock on her finger. We applaud wildly at the ballroom's most famous person. Pepper exclaims, “She’s the star of stage and screen and our seamstress!” DJ Candy Stevens plays the first record of the night "Love Is the Message".
*$2. BEST DRESSED WOMAN – Diamond Cluster Hustler. Queen Bitch, Supreme Bitch. In memory of Shamecca Christian Ebony, a ballroom diva and mistress of legendary Harlem drug kingpen Nicky “Mr. Untouchable” Barnes, who said Shamecca had a black belt in luxury shopping! “The foxiest chick does the trick,” says Pepper.
Winner advances to Special Prize #1 for $400.
“She’s the type of woman with a family, home, car all the things most of us desire to have and she knows about clothes,” explains Pepper about SHAMECCA. She wore a gold lamay evening gown accented with long-sleeve lace gloves, gold shoes, purse and white veiled hat. It was everything. All of sudden she stops and pulls at the bottom of her dress, and joila - a tube skirt drops down. “Watch Out! The Foxiest Chick Does The Trick,” screams Pepper as Shamecca prances in her now V-cut gown. We cheer wildly. As other women hit the runway Pepper instructs to the judges, “Which is the foxiest out of all of them, minus the face, minus the outfit, the performance? Go down the list and take off from each of them. Do it secretively.” (The scoring system required each judge to have a category sheet with listed contestants who were rated from one to 10. The winners were revealed at the ball's end.) According to one source: One time Shamecca met Nicky Barnes in the Cayman Islands where she managed to smuggle a million dollars in diamonds through customs. Barnes had decided to keep the diamonds in a safety deposit box there in case he had to leave the States on short notice." But when Barnes got convicted in 1979, she dated his crime partner Guy Fisher who once owned the Apollo Theater! She's also one of the few black women spotted on Fifth Avenue shopping in her mink coat. (This was the first category of the night and four others walked including MYRNA PENDAVIS.)
*$3. BEST DRESSED BUTCH – “American Gangster” in formal wear or pimp gear like Harlem's own Frank Lucas, Guy Fisher or Nicky Barnes. This category calls for “best dressed combined with macho-ness” explains Pepper. In honor of the Godfather of Baltimore, Adrian Knox and Mr. Susan. Winner advances to Special Prize #1 for $400.
“I don’t see any macho butches yet” says Pepper before a sexy SUSAN appears in a white & black tux with bowtie comber bun and matching bowtie, a grandfather clock around his neck. Following him is ADRIAN KNOX, a caramel delight sporting an Afro and studded in a cream & white tux. And I loved the fact that Adrian brought a bride with him. The last one out was the GODFATHER OF BALTIMORE, a Notorious B.I.G. look-alike sporting a pimp look with a white brim hat. The Godfather was Realness at its best and the crowd looked on in disbelief.
4. FQ REALNESS – To be real or not to be, that is the question. Are you real enough to blend in with the rest of society and not be spooked as once being a man? If so come PROVE it. You must be in festive attire and have a confident attitude to match. Bring it the way Puerto Rican beauty Miss Sugar explained from her dressing room in 1982: “I was out at night and went to a party and realized it was daytime. But when I left, nobody knew I wasn’t a real girl.” In honor of Margo Princess, Miss Erica, Tina Labeija, Miss Tonya, Miss Monique, Miss Kimora, Donna Paris, Felicia Labeija Ebony and Pamela Wong. (7/18/93: I Declare War Part II, Eric & Kenny Chanel-Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
“The first contestant is from the House of Princess,” Pepper announces with a sigh as MARGO PRINCESS, a 23-year old with honey brown skin, silky hair pulled back in a ponytail and legs even Tina Turner would envy hits the floor. She favored Angela Bassett and wore her trademark white & black summer dress with a shiny gold handbag. We all went wild by the way she flailed her hands in the air and sashayed. Once Margo was in front of the judges she threw her head back to reveal no Adam’s Apple. “Is she up in here? Give her what she wants!” screams Pepper. Next MISS ERICA, a Hispanic babe with Sophia Loren good looks marches out in a splendid lime green dress. As DJ Candy changes the record from “To Be Real” to “Keep In Touch,” TINA LABEIJA (an Omarosa Manigault lookalike) comes out in a red shirt, cocktail swing dress and gold pocketbook. Tina lays out on the floor as if she’s doing a magazine shoot and we cheer wildly. All of this was swell until MISS TONYA “from Brooklyn” trots out with her high cheekbones, porcelain skin, tight bob hairdo and Asian cut red dress looking like Jada Pinkett-Smith. “It’s Ovah!” Pepper says with approval. After this the bangy girls stormed: MONIQUE vs. KIMORA vs. KATHY, each dipped in plain black & white outfits with nappy hairdo’s. DONNA PARIS, a Chaka Khan dead ringer, joins the red-hot competition followed by FELICIA LABEIJA, Margo’s nemesis. Everyone was surprised to see Felicia up in here emoting down the runway in her black with red polka dot dress. “She’s been away for a while,” says Pepper, “You know she looks good.” Rounding out category is PAMELA WONG, who Pepper declares as “one of the Big Guns like her” or one of the premiere ball walkers, a legend.
5. BQ BODY – Healthy Body. Models or Muscular. 100% Prime USDA Beef. No preservatives. No Additives. “This is for those who are built the way you like them it, some will be built as models, some will be built as muscle men” explains Pepper. In honor of Makuta Chanel, Ronnie Lloyd (Moschino) and Chris. (8/7/94: The Assassination Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
This category certainly raised temperatures in an already hot ballroom. First out was “CHRIS for body” in a white thong and to top it off he swallowed and danced with fire around a taller, refined stallion. MAKUTA CHANEL was a young man here but his sexy body in red bikinis made all the fem queens want to take a cold shower. They rushed the floor. After this Ronnie Lloyd shocks the crowd by coming out completely naked; he had really nice “equipment” and the fem queens rushed to the floor again to snap photos of it. Not to be outdone, Chris then showed off birthday suit too. Wow!
6. BQ FIRST TIME IN DRAGS vs. DRAGS REALNESS– Done severely in drags. You must cause an uproar as you make your grand entrance thru the door, done so severely, no one would want to walk anymore. This is your first night to shine so be on point…and real! In honor of Kevin Omni, Andre “Lisa” Christian, Patricia, Chris, Pebbles and Allen. (8/13/95: Battle Zone Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
"Wait, wait wait one minute!" demanded Pepper as the boys in female garments rushed the floor as she called them out: “Patricia, Chris, Lisa, Kevin, Pebbles, Allen.” The look is Hollywood glamour and there’s a sea of sequined frocks, boas, and gowns. Kevin Omni breaks down his first time walking this category on this night: “Cookie Brown, a female impersonator & performer, made me a lovely electric blue lamet gown with a split. I wore a powder blue feather boa shawl to hide my Adam’s Apple. I had on silver pumps. My bra was borrowed from Grandma Cynthia Omni which I stuffed with socks. My best friend David Ebony (Ultima) did my makeup and I had on a log-haired wig. This was my intro into the world of competition as Kevin Omni from Brooklyn. I was 21 years old and had no facial hair. The transformation was miraculous.”
7. BQ EUROPEAN RUNWAY – No rules, No regulations, No restrictions on how you must dress but I want an ovah European look that will cause an uproar once you walk through the ballroom doors. In honor of Haywood Dupree, Lou International, William Dupree, Jerry Dupree & Kansai “John” (Moschino). (8/17/97: The Legends Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
The first out is JERRY DUPREE. He modeled high fashion sportswear of the day with a white hat and striped blazer. “He’s doing his thing,” says Pepper as he swiveled like James Brown down the runway. Next HAYWOOD DUPREE, LOU INTERNATIONAL, WILLIAM DUPREE and KANSAI JOHN hit the floor in wonderful haute clothing with a European flair. They marched. They twisted. They swiveled. They carried on! This category was originally called BQ Models Effect and it called for contestants to emulate male catalogue models. By the mid-80’s though competitors in this category began walking more like runway models – a much welcomed improvement!
8. FF SEX SIREN: “DREAM GIRLS” – Tall, Big or Small, bring us your idea of a Dreamgirl in something worthy of the Broadway show. You must be sexy. In honor of Avis Pendavis, Nicole Wong, Chaka Savales, Crystal Allen Cameo and Miss Erica.
When DJ Candy plays “Dreamgirls” it was so appropriate because the song starts out saying “Live from the Crystal Room” and we were in the Crystal Ballroom (two different places). Dreamgirls the musical had just opened on December 20, 1981 at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway, and I couldn’t wait to see what the ball girls cooked up. They didn’t disappoint. I didn’t recognize many of them but CHAKA SAVALES looked like Josephine Baker in her sensual white fur burlesque costume with matching headpiece and wings that seemed to stretch across the ballroom. A really tall femme who wore all silver and a white wig came out next followed by MISS ERICA (Go Sophia Loren) in a red silky gown. However the highlight is MOTHER AVIS PENDAVIS. She showed her ass off. “Pendavis!” Pepper acknowledges with a nod. Avis wore a silvery pink Cinderella gown with a matching witch cape. Someone was standing at the back with another pink cape for her to put on as she was known to peel off and exchange layers of clothes several times.
9. FQ BODY – Models or Luscious. Work your body. Sell your body. Make us know you have body. In honor of Miss Sugar, Nicole Wong, Tina Labeija, Mona Labeija and Miss Kimora. As Pepper explains, “This category is Body, Femme - these are the ones that are built just like women.” (10/1/95: A Night With the Dolls, Octavia St. Laurent, Sally’s II, NYC)
I chatted with MISS SUGAR, a Hispanic redheaded entertainer (she looked a lot like Linda Carter’s Wonder Woman), in the Crystal Ballroom’s dressing room. It had a dressing mirror and Miss Sugar was laboriously applying her makeup getting ready to compete. Miss Sugar says “Face, Body and Best Wardrobe” were her categories and she was about to show us why. Meanwhile the first to walk is KIMORA in a two-piece leopard bikini. Next MONA LABEIJA hits the floor in a jean skirt and she opens her shirt to expose her large breasts. Yet you could tell by the look on Margo and Mother Rose Princess' faces that they did not approve of what they saw so far. Then TINA LABEIJA in a gold lamet two-piece bathing suit does her second layout of the night. She really knows how to sell it. Right behind her the dark & lovely NICOLE WONG brings it to the judges wearing a yellow ruffled skirt with a black leather top exposing her perfect breasts. Amazing. The highlight though was MISS SUGAR who first comes out in black velvet mermaid dress with a white sash around her arm. Pepper screams, “Sugar! Body! Face! The whole bit!” As “Love Hangover” plays, Miss Sugar peels down to a two-piece bathing suit and then she lays out, takes the sash and turns it into a cape. When Miss Sugar exposes her breast Pepper asks, “Is it not ovah?” and she also notices something else: “Miss Sugar got pumped,” the term used when transgenders enhance their bodies with hormones or silicone.
10. OTA NOSTAGIA – Gay Nineties (1890s) vs. The Roaring 20’s vs. Turbulent 30’s vs. Flying 40’s vs. Fabulous 50’s vs. Swinging 60’s vs. Seedy 70’s vs. Decadent 80’s. Pick an era and define what it means to you, and upset the ballroom in a nostalgic due. Sophistication, Elegance & Class is what we ask for. So please be on point or stay at the door. In honor of Dorae Princess, Vera “Veruska” Diamond, Avis Pendavis and Mr. Willie. (5/8/94: Sophistication, Elegance & Class, The House of St. Claire, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
As “Love Hang Over” plays, the beautiful DORAE PRINCESS hits the floor in a red silk organza ball gown and black hat. She used her signature freeze-and-pose emoting, and we all chanted her name. Right behind her is VERA VERUSKA DIAMOND, who struts out in a Paris-inspired streamline dress, wide brim hat and one of those long cigarette holders – very classy. Next AVIS PENDAVIS, who peels at least five times with her skirts turning into dresses; she's a one-woman show! Miss Avis went through several past eras! Another crowd pleaser is when WILLIE, a butch queen, walked. One of his helpers first fogged up the room with a dry ice machine followed by Willie pushing a high wheeler bike (aka Penny farthing), which was popular in the 1800s. He dressed sort of like a magician complete with a Bowler hat, also popular in late 1800s.
*$11. BQ LABELS - The race to be the labels ruler is on! Who is the one to bring the most elaborate ensemble to the floor? We want to see you make an entrance like no other. You are ready tonight to sit your rivals down and show them why they don’t ever...ever...ever want you again! In honor of Lou International, Kevin Searsly Dupree and Kenny Dupree. (12/14/97: Absolutely Fabulous, House of Mizrahi, Marc Ballroom, NYC) Winner advances to Special Prize #1 for $400.
Although this category was originally known as BQ Punkrock vs. New Wave, competitors used it as a conduit to show off their European and Asian designer clothing – a new trend in the ballroom. These luxury garments were hard to get unless, of course, you was LOU INTERNATIONAL, a stylist who went to Europe to shop. He was one of the first to bring Kansai Yamamoto, Ted Lapidus, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier into the ballroom. This night Lou hits the floor in pieces from Yamomoto’s Fall/Winter 1981-82 collection which was divided into 14 parts, among them Peruvian Geometry, Sarraku, Korean Tiger, Ainu, and Sea Foam 5 Men Kabuki Play. KEVIN SEARSLY DUPREE covers Lou with a haute double umbrella while KENNY DUPREE comes out in a striped red smoking jacket. Absolutely fabulous!
*$12. FQ LABELS - The Return of Dynasty 2010: Alexis vs. Crystal vs. Dominique. You must be one of the most notorious and ambitious label divas that have ever walked any runway anywhere in this entire universe. The only suggestion we can make here is for you to emulate the Icons that have hit the runway in the best of everything (La Duchess Wong, Portia Labeija, Tina & Pepper Montana, Cashmere Ebony, Stephanie Milan, Pagan Prada). Bring us what your credit cards can buy. Make it hot! In honor of Margo Princess, Felicia Labeija Ebony, Miss Wanda and Miss Keisha. (9/30/00: The Night All the Stars Came Back Out!; Pepper Labeija, John Moschino, Portia Labeija; YWCA, Brooklyn, NY) Winner advances to Special Prize #1 for $400.
This category was originally known as FQ Punk Rock vs. New Wave but the competitors also used it to show of their designer labels that were taking over the balls. The culprit: “Dynasty,” an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. The series revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado. The ball children began to "covet the clothing that their idols wore, and began to go to new lengths to get them." Though the majority of the girls whom competed tonight had traditional Punkrock or New Wave looks, some were dressed for the "GODS". MARGO PRINCESS catwalks down the runway in a red wig and coat, headband and an electric green flightsuit. We chant her name as she vogues back and forth down the runway. Not to be outdone FELICIA LABEIJA EBONY comes out in a Japanese inspired Taffeta gold designer suit with white fringes and black coat. MISS KEISHA serves in an expensive Kimono dress while WANDA emerges in a streamlined purple dress with shoulder pads. Although Margo caused a great deal of commotion, the last person to walk was simply exhilarating: the unidentified FQ first comes down the runway covered in a see-through cape covered in multicolored feathers. When she takes it off she reveals a catsuit adorned in chains made of rhinestones. She then removes the rhinestones chains to show that it is actually a Gaultier-eqsue cape. Someone in her production rushed up to her with a broken mirror and I haven't got a clue why!
$250 Sponsored by [TBA]
13. BQ FACE “BRING IT TO THE LIGHT” – DRESSED TO KILL IN BLACK & WHITE: Legends vs. Stars vs. New. Have you been blessed by the Gods? Are you the best of the bunch? Well tonight you declare war on your enemies. And if you win you get to tell the losers, “It’s ovah for me, I’m attractive, eye-catching, trophy-snatching FACE. I’ve come to battle, come for war, and take the trophy out the door. Learn it!” In honor of “legendary” Michael Princess... (7/3/93: Alphabet Ball, House of Milan, Irving Plaza, NYC; 8/13/95: Battle Zone Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
“Can we see the legendary MICHAEL PRINCESS,” Pepper beckons. Dressed in black and white (apparently the color combination of choice in 1982), he starts at the back of the runway in a dip and vogues using his face all the way to the judges panel. Michael, a true pretty boy, was the only one to walk this night although his famous rival MICHAEL DUPREE was there to observe. The drop dead gorgeous DERRICK PRINCESS, CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, DAVID ULTIMA and TERRY CHANEL were also in the building. Michael Princess is the only person Pepper called "legendary" that night at the ball. This was perhaps due to the fact that Michael Princess made ballroom history in 1979 by winning New Face and Mod Boy Face over ERSKINE CHRISTIAN at Paris Dupree's first Paris Is Burning Ball. Michael was also the first to win “Legendary Face” at Erskine Christian & Fran Nafra Dupee’s 1984 Showdown of the Legend’s Ball, the first of if its kind. (The breathtaking Erskine Christian, a ballroom pioneer, was on the panel that night. In the mid-1970’s Erskine was the first person to walk and win the ballroom’s inaugural category for butch queens: Mod Boys.)
$1000 Sponsored by [TBA]
14. FQ vs. DRAGS FACE: MISS INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY 2010 – Legends vs. Stars vs. New. Because of political unrest in Thailand, its famous transgender pageant Miss International Beauty will now take place at TGBOE 2: A Harlem Fantasy. Make your presence known by making a dramatic grand entrance into the ballroom totally done in formal wear or a traditional costume of a country of your choosing. You must wear a banner declaring the country you hail from. In honor of Tracy Afrika, Tiny Showbiz, Rochelle Taylor, Dorae Princess, Portia Labeija and Miss Soni. (10/1/95: A Night With the Dolls, Octavia St. Laurent, Sally’s II, NYC) Note: 5 must walk and get 10’s for full cash award. If less than 5 walk, or if 5 walk and any team gets chopped a cash award of $500 will be awarded.
TRACY AFRIKA, a professional fashion model and actress, is the first to walk out splendidly done in a black & white summer dress with shell pattern. Regal and dark with strong features, you would’ve thought she was a Queen from Africa. (Tracy is perhaps most famous for her face on a Clairol Born Beautiful hair coloring box and being an Ultra Sheen Cosmetics Girl.) Next out is the enigmatic TINY SHOWBIZ, a Hispanic beauty with high check bones; she wore a gold lamet catsuit and is painted to perfection in gold make-up. Right behind them is the gorgeous ROCHELLE TAYLOR and DORAE PRINCESS, whose glowing skin was like fine china. After them PORTIA LABEIJA with those Asian eyes and Josephine Baker good looks stormed the runway with long flowing hair wearing a white ruffled gown. The last one out is MISS SONI who looked just like Iman. Nightclub Empress Chi Chi Valenti explains “The emergence of black models like Beverly Johnson and Iman provided new fashion models for women of color everywhere, and the femme queens of Harlem and Brooklyn were certainly no exception. Ballroom FQ’s became obsessed by these beauties, copying their every gesture and pose. So began the long romance between ball children and the fashion magazines that they study chapter and verse.”
$400 Sponsored by SECOND LOOK TV
15. OTA ALL-STAR vs. LEGENDARY RUNWAY – Ethnic Effect coming from a foreign country! You are here tonight for one reason and one reason only and that’s to punish your long time enemy. The one who smiled in your face and talked behind your back. The one who congratulated you even though they didn’t mean that. It’s time for payback! Make him gag. In honor of Chipper Corey, Junior Labeija, Gene Ebony, Jay Dior, and Curt Pendavis. (8/7/94: The Assassination Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
This was the original Butch Queen Overall Grand Prize at Pepper & Dorian's ball. It was called was ETHNIC EFFECT. Legendary CHIPPER COREY makes ballroom history this night with a King Tut production that has been imitated but never duplicated. He is flanked with muscle men fanning him while he wore Ancient Egytian attire. JUNIOR LABEIJA didn’t see it so he pointed out the fact that King Tut was only 14 when he became king and Chipper was an adult. Chipper Stays! Next out was GENE EBONY being escorted by founding Mother RICHARD EBONY; Gene is dressed like a Chinese countryman complete with wicker baskets, Chinese hat and … live chickens! "You brought live chickens into the ballroom?" asks Pepper. She alludes that Gene may be the first person ever to bring sacrilegious chickens to a ball. Then JAY DIOR hits the floor in a traditional Japanese red costume, and the way he sashays down the runway created the effect of him floating on air. (Jay Dior was also a female impersonator and is credited with introducing the ballroom’s first butch queen category, Mod Boy.) Last out was CURT PENDAVIS. He looked like a Brazilian for Carnivale wearing a skirt covered in black, pink, white and red feathers. He was flanked by dancers fawning him with huge matching feathered fans. Curt then whisks up the skirt and it turns into a large feathered backpiece. Chipper wins!
16. FF RUNWAY: “MISS SOLAR SYSTEM” – Spacewoman vs. Futuristic Fantasy 3001. Ms. Saturn vs. Ms Jupiter vs. Ms. Milky Way with dramatic Futuristic or Space Age make-up & hair effects. Is anyone out there beyond this world? "Planet Rock/it's a sure shot!" In memory of Dorae Princess, Tiny Showbiz and Crystal Labeija. (8/17/97: The Legends Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
We’ve reached the last category at Harlem Fantasy 1982. OVERALL GRAND PRIZE: MODELS EFFECT 2001 (how ironic), open to fem queens, women and drag queens. “For Grand Prize women can walk too and you know a few of them can serve you,” explains Pepper. The first one to land was DORAE PRINCESS, in a white top, silvery skirt and space-age silver makeup. Degorgeous! Hovering right behind her is TINY SHOWBIZ in all silver too. We all go crazy and rush to the runway to see these two rivals battle for blood (but they hold hands in good sportsmanship). “Why crowd the floor?” says Pepper. “We want to finish this with a bang.” And last out was none other than MOTHER CRYSTAL LABEIJA, founder of the Ballroom’s first House - a phenomenon that started in 1960 in Washington, DC with groups of drag performers who considered themselves a family. She opened the House of LaBeija and hosted its first ball in 1972, which in turn inspired others in the ballroom to declare their own Houses. Crystal was perhaps as famous as Dorian because she starred in the 1968 cult film “The Queen” under the title of Miss Manhattan.
17. FQ/BQID SHOWGIRLS - Female Impersonation Sensation: You’re auditioning for Dorian Corey’s famous cabaret drag act The Pearl Box Review. She’s looking for peculiarity, strangeness, weirdness or bizarre beauty and above all, a showgirl. Give Dorian something to remember and most importantly make her give you the gig. Hey Miss-ter. Use your imagination! Research may be necessary.
For 27 years beginning in the late 1950s DORIAN COREY was traveling with her female impersonation group THE PEARL BOX REVIEW. It consisted of a strange band of characters: Dorian who did her dance of the seven veils with a snake. There was an extraordinary beauty named Clyddie McCoy, who married some rich white man that bought her a mansion upstate. Then there was Luck La Baker who danced with fire. Miss Tony who called herself Lodie the Body was a stripper. Miss Avon was another girl who stripped, snake danced and did the can-can. The Review earned a sort of small fame along with a monument of notoriety around 1970 when they recorded an XXX-rated album, “Call me Miss-ter” featuring the existing members of the Pearl Box Review: Dorian Corey, Jaye Joyce, Clyddie McCoy and Tony LaFrisky.
$500 + POTLUCK (No entry fee) Sponsored by [TBA]
**$18. FF PERFORMANCE – THE ART OF SELLING PUSSY: Streetwalkers vs. Nightstalkers vs. Hookers. Legends vs. Upcoming vs. Lost Ones. Your performance and your effect should be as nasty and slutty as possible. Let this performance be your best, from throwing your hair to selling your breasts. We want to see whose pussy is the best. And don’t forget your heels or you’ll be chopped. Who will catch the dates and get the cash? In honor of all those who beat 14th Street selling PUSSY in New York’s Greenwich Village, 10th Ave in Midtown Manhattan and in Times Square. (8/13/94: 3D: Dare. Destiny. Defy. Little B Ebony, Washington Pavillion, DC) Winner advances to Special Prize #2 for $400. You have a chance at doubling your earnings: $500 + $400 + POTS = $$$
In the latter 20th century, the area along West 14th Street and the West Side Highway has historically been a gathering place for transgendered prostitutes. Midtown’s Manhattan’s 10th Avenue was legendary for female hookers and Times Square was known for both. Drag queens were also known to work on Harlem’s Eastside. Many of our most famous ballroom girls made their living from the street and between them millions of dollars were made. According to Michael Cunningham, "Even Dorian Corey would admit to running a house or two as a Madam wielding a whip over a brothel full of real women and female impersonators. She pimped out a few male beauties too. But make no mistake she was quick to assure you that she herself had not ever turned one trick."
19. MALE FIGURE SEX SIREN – Sr. vs. Jr. vs. Catboy vs. TM vs. Butch: Rent Boy Erotic Fantasy. Pepper Labeija is low on cash so she’s hosting a “rent party” to raise money. She is looking for someone to turn her bedroom into a sexual fantasy experience for paying patrons. Come show us why she should choose you. Using the 26 words of the alphabet following this paragraph, bring your erotic fantasy to reality. Create your most accurate and definitive picture of what still lurks in your illusive mind. A-Affection; B-Bondage; C-Cucumber; D-Dominance; E-Erotica; F-Fantasize; G-Genesis; H-homosexuality; I-imagination; J-Jelly; K-Kinky; L-Leathers; M-masturbation; N-nasty; O-Obedience; P-pain; Q-queer; R-romance; S-stripper; T-Toys; U-Undress; V-versatile; W-whips; X-rated; Y-Yielding; Z-Zippers. (7/3/93: The Alphabet Ball, House of Milan, Irving Plaza, NYC)
Pepper Labeija actually told me about the “rent” parties she used to host at her apartment to keep a roof over her head. For an entry fee of five to ten dollars, you got to enjoy an electrified night with Pepper and friends as well as copious amounts of libation, food, and drugs. Rent parties were notoriously risqué throughout Harlem’s history and often sex was for sale as described here: “These were private affairs held in flats whose tenants needed to pay the rent, and in which each room featured a different pleasure - sometimes very different ones, as in bull-dagger "jaspers" or "freakish" men, drag queens waiting and available, even erotic animal acts. "Rent parties" were among the few racially-mixed venues of their time, and one of the gayer aspects of the literary and cultural era that later came to be called the Harlem Renaissance.”
$100 Sponsored by Legendary KHALIF PRADA
$$20. BUTCH FACE – Masculine vs. Prettyboy. Who has it? Who doesn’t? Make the BQ’s gag! (4/23/95: The Eternity Ball, Father Reece & Emperor Kim Tuscany, Minisink Town House, Harlem, NYC)
$100 Sponsored by JOSHUA NINJA
**$21. OTA OLD WAY PERFORMANCE – Legends vs. Statements vs. Lost Ones – Welcome to the Circle of Doom! You must employ the principals of hip hop to win: Hip is the knowledge and Hop is the movement and Intelligent Movement is what you’ll to need to claim victory. Pop, lock, dip, spin, and serve in classic old school attire or breakdancer gear. Bring it in the name of Midtown 43’s Circle of Doom where legends like Jerome “Arms” Omni Pendavis, Ronald Lamay, Jason Overness & Stevie St. Laurent would battle each other after the drag shows featuring Grace, Octavia St. Laurent, Danielle Revlon, Tempress St. Laurent and Sapphire. (12/8/08: Take Me Back To Yesterday, Tony Ovah & Jovan Ebony, Skateland, Richmond, VA) Winner advances to Special Prize #2 for $400.
Butch Queen vogue didn’t get popular at balls until around 1983 but it was long happening in the streets and gay haunts like Better Days, Peter Rabbits, Midtown 43, Tracks NY and the legendary Paradise Garage. Some historians even point out that breakdancing and vogue evolved together in “a state of mutual borrowing, with artists from both sides interacting with each other in New York City's Central Park, West Side Piers, Harlem, and Washington Square Park during the '70s and early '80s.” These were the days of PARIS DUPREE, founding father HECTOR CRESPO XTRAVAGANZA, and MICHAEL COSTA, etc. Chi Chi Valenti says: At the piers in the West Village, where ball children had been hanging out for generations, a brand-new dance called Voguing would emerge in the early 1980’s, brought down from the ballrooms where it was called “performance” or “hold that pose.”
**$22. OTA NEW WAY PERFORMANCE – Vogue like it’s 1989! We want a clean, on-point performance that will be remembered for years to come. You’ll need a perfect costume to go with your dramatized entrance and your explosive departure. Whether it’s stretch, gymnastics, precision, pop, dip and spin or yoga, turn it out now or forever hold your peace. Bring the world to a complete halt. In honor of Jose Xtravaganza, Andre Mizrahi and in memory of Willie Ninja – each who took voguing to the world. Winner advances to Special Prize #2 for $400.
The year 1989 was very important for the exposure of vogue as a real dance form. Although it was perfected in clubs like Tracks NY, Red Zone, the Tunnel and "at Susanne Bartch’s Copa Thursdays, where the House of Magnifique practiced New Way Vogue, it caught the mainstream public’s eye and became known all over the world. "
Impresario Malcolm McLaren’s 1989 music video, "Deep in Vogue" featured Willie Ninja. Susan Bartch’s LOVE BALL on May 10, 1989 is where Madonna was first exposed to voguing and met Jose & Louis Xtravaganza; they would go on to perform in her famous "Vogue" video in 1990. Jenny Livingston also released pre-screenings of “Paris Is Burning” in 1989 in clubs like Visions before it was released in 1990. Nightclub Empress Chi Chi Valenti says voguing is not one dance but many: it is most simply defined as movement to poses. The difficulty of these poses, and the ease of the transitions between them, are the measures of the voguer’s highly personalized art. Each legend of vogue develops his (or her) own language of movement: borrowing here from runway modeling and department store mannequins, there from modern dance, gymnastics and martials arts.
**$23.BQ VOGUE FEM TERMINATOR – SISTERS vs. TWISTERS. Tonight you will be crowned as the Queen of Cunty performance. Sisters bring it as your favorite Superheroine (Wonderwoman, Batgirl, Andromeda, etc). Twisters bring your favorite Supervillainess ( Catwoman, Storm, Poison Ivy, etc.) AFTER you get your tens in any realness category. At last the two of you meet, ready to destroy each other with your voguing techniques. Which one will survive, take the trophy and tell the other “Nice try, better luck next time?” There will only be one left standing - The Terminator. NO PRODUCTIONS! (12/6/97: Battle of the Century Ball, Mystery Mysterious-Diore, The Shelter, NYC; 7/18/93: I Declare War Part II, Eric & Kenny Chanel-Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC) Winner advances to Special Prize #2 for $400.
In the early 1990’s people like Tiny Labeija, Koron Aphrodite, Baby St. Caire, Africa Adonis, DeAndre Revlon, Bobby Mizrahi, and Tyrone Revlon used to emulate fem queen performers in clubs like Tracks NY, Visions, The Red Zone and Neutral Zone. Koron says they were the first “girls” to vogue fem before it reached the ballroom in 1992. Vogue fem is perhaps the most popular category today.
**$24. VIRGIN VOGUE – Never Walked In WHITE vs. Never Won In BLACK. Either way be prepared to get down and dirty. No productions. Winner advances to Special Prize #2 for $400.
25. BQ REALNESS – EBONY SCANDALS
a. Pretty Boy – Simply put this category is a combination of REALNESS and FACE. (8/24/85, Ebony Scandals Part IV, Uptown Social Club, Harlem, NYC).
b. Thug – Hands Down, No Question, Point Blank (11/27/94: Bounce Thru Ball, Dray Ebony & Sons, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
c. Schoolboy – College vs. High School: A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste! (4/21/96: I Got My Education, Preston & Jay Ebony, The Nile, Philadelphia, Pa)
26. TRANSMAN REALNESS – A stone cold MAN in a traditional man’s occupation. This is a uniform Category requiring that you appear in an occupational outfit i.e. Police Officer, Fireman, Boxer, Football player, Plumber or any character EXCEPT businessman. (9/30/00: The Night All the Stars Came Back Out!; Pepper Labeija, John Moschino,Portia Labeija; YWCA, Brooklyn, NY)
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27. Male Figure ALL-AMERICAN RUNWAY: Hi Fashion Military Model’s Effect: The Russian Cossack vs. The American General vs. Bristish Grenadier Guard, etc. Conquer the runway by destroying everything in your path. Plan you look well or you will fail. (12/22/84: An Evening of Performance & Fashion, Andre Christian & Micheal Princess, Uptown Social Club, Harlem, NYC)
28. OTA STREETWEAR, STREETWEAR & MORE STREETWEAR – Luxury Goes Urban. Back in the day, crafters would take their luxury fashions to New York’s Diamond District and wholesale it to a “fence,” a retailer of sorts who bought their items and sold them to wealthy people. Your fence just informed you that his clients include rap artists and they want the very best in Streetwear. So bring all of your acquisitions.
In an interview with The Village Voice in 2000, PEPPER LABEIJA said her life had grown more ordinary, and called herself an old-way legend in recovery. Without mentioning her disabled status, she volunteered that she had even given up shoplifting designer clothes, called "mopping" by performers who rely on the practice. "You mop, you get locked," she explained. Shoplifting of course made a huge dent in the fashion industry. Icon Mother Angie Xtravaganza once invited New York Times reporter Guy Trebay to her house: he found tossed on a bed in her Brooklyn apartment a $600 Vuitton Broadway satchel, two $600 burgundy quilted nylon skirts from Chanel, a $545 scarf with the blocklettered Chanel logo worked into the weave and two pairs of blunt-toed $425 Prada Nero shoes for men. “These are going right out to Manhattan," said Angie. "I use this fence in the diamond district. There's two brothers. They're the ones that sell it. I just mop the stuff and get my little cut."
***$400 Sponsored by [TBA]
29. OTA FROCK SHOCK BIZARRE – COAT, SKIRT AND HAT MADNESS - Come slay this runway in one sickening severe floor-sweeping coat. A coat so severe even Thierry Mugler wouldn’t dare come for you. And underneath you have the shocker of all shockers, a one of a kind creative bazaar skirt. A skirt so sickening that it would make Jean Paul Gaultier cringe. And to top it off a one of kind skyscraping hat. A hat so shocking it would make Philip Tracey die. Remember imagination is the key to winning. (7/7/94: The Assassination Ball, Eric Bazaar, The Marc Ballroom, NYC) ***Winner battles Haute Couture Winner for $400.
30. WOMEN’S FACE: THE LADY IN RED –The one and only babe setting the house on fire in all red. (12/14/97: Absolutely Fabulous, House of Mizrahi, Marc Ballroom, NYC)Front and center Belleza vs. Prada vs. Moulin vs. Diata vs. Bossalino vs. Belladonna vs. Mecca vs. Vanity vs. Hilton vs. DaVinci vs. Balenciaga vs. Iman vs. Corleone vs. Prodigy vs. Fame
31. WOMEN’S BODY – Miss Centerfold of the Universe. Whatever you wear for the layout, make sure that it’s sexy and seductive but most of all make sure it’s alluring! (10/10/98: The Final Conflict, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
$100 Sponsored by Legendary MONET EBONY
32. WOMEN'S PERFORMANCE– Bring me Back to the old school Vogue Divas. A trip down Memory Lane. In the name of the legend herself, Monet Mysterious-Diore Mugler Ebony!
**Winner advances to Special Prize #2 for $400 in addition to the $100.
$100 Sponsored by Legendary FATHER LIONEL INFINITY
33. BQ UP IN PUMPS - In an ovah wicked effect. Gimmicks and tricks to get the ballroom in an uproar, a rousing walk which is sure to get you 10’s across the board. No need to list names because you know who you are. You wanted a battle, well let’s see who’s the real “pumping” stars. Bring the madness and be on point, the slightest mistake could cost you to lose the victory that’s at stake. (8/17/97: The Legends Ball, Eric Bazaar, Marc Ballroom, NYC)
34.TRANSMAN SEXY FACE - You’ve just been voted “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine. Come show us why in something you would wear for the cover shoot. (6/6/98: Love Hang Ovah, Reno & Monique Prestige, YMCA, Philadelphia)
35. OTA SUPER PRINT MODELS FACE- From the magazine spread to the Times Square billboard, bring us your versatility. We want four (4) poster-size photos: We want to see three (3) very different creative looks of your Face. The fourth & final look must be the unmistakable, beautiful Y-O-U!
36. HEAL THE WORLD AS A HOUSE - Your house has been chosen to give a special benefit performance to help fight against homelessness, drug use, violence or our number 1 enemy AIDS. What will you do to show the world your feelings about one of these issues. Choose only one category (Runway, Realness, Sex Siren, Face etc.) and bring it with a production and your message. (5 or more).(1/17/93: Healing of the World, House of Revlon, Lincoln Center, NYC)
***$400 Sponsored by [TBA]
37. OTA DESIGNER'S DELIGHT: HAUTE COUTURE - Extravagant, wonderful and wild in memory of Pepper Labeija, Dorian Corey, Avis Pendavis and in honor of Paris Dupree and La Duchess Wong. Dorian was Las Vegas or Folies Bergere, Avis was Madame Pompadour or Mardi Gras, Pepper was Egyptian or Evening Wear, Paris was Marie Antoinette or Josephine Baker, and Dutchess was Ethnic. Bring it in home-cut garments as one of these ladies would. They were levels above being a legend. They were Icons, a rarified status earned by only the most enduring and charismatic of pioneers. Research them and find out what it was that made them Queens of the Night. Note: Menswear acceptable. While we don’t expect you to imitate them, we do require the same level of creativity they had. (9/30/00: The Night All the Stars Came Back Out!; Pepper Labeija, John Moschino, Portia Labeija; YWCA, Brooklyn, NY) ***Winner battles Frock Shock Winner for $400.
Trip for 2 & $500 or $1500 Sponsored by [TBA]
38. GRAND PRIZE: WEDDING OF THE CENTURY: AVANT-GARDE BIZARRE VS HIGH FASHION BAZAAR. THE BEST WEDDING EVER. The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together. In the spirit of Pepper Labeija & Dorian
Corey’s Harlem Fantasy Balls combine forces with someone you love and bring forth THE BEST WEDDING ON EARTH! Bride and Groom with a production. Male to female, male to male, female to female, FQ to FQ, whatever. Any style you feel will turn the ball out (i.e. Haute Couture, Bizarre, Fairytale, Futuristic, Cartoon, Military or Royal). Tonight it’s all about LOVE. You would think this sort of thing happens in heaven or just in a dream, but some of the best this world has ever seen was displayed right here in Harlem. (Inspired by The Last Harlem Fantasy, Pepper Labeija & Dorian Corey, NYC 1993 & Susan Bartch's LOVE BALL, Roseland, NYC May 10,1989) (Note: 5 must walk and get 10’s for full cash award. If less than 5 walk, or if 5 walk and any team gets chopped a cash award of $750 will be awarded.)
*$400 Sponsored by [TBA]
SPECIAL PRIZE: HEAD TO TOE OVERNESS OF THE NIGHT –Winners of the following categories will compete for $400: Best Dressed Spectator vs. FQ Labels vs. Best Dressed Woman vs. BQ Labels vs Best Dressed Butch. Now Who’s really DONE ...from head to toe?
**$400 + POT Sponsored by [TBA]
SPECIAL PRIZE: OTA PERFORMANCE – THE INTERNATIONAL SHOWSTOPPER - IN HONOR OF ANDRE MIZRAHI (New vs. Old vs. VF vs. VV vs. FF): Now that you’ve won your battle, it’s time to win the war. Bring it back with a rousing production that will settle the score, making the others know they don’t ever, ever, ever want it no more. And for what it’s worth once you win you shall be declared the Greatest Voguer on Earth! Show us what made Andre an Icon (and you better hope he’s not walking)! Do your research! All winners compete for $400 plus pot taken by audience. BUT HERE’S THE CATCH: for an entry fee of $20 anyone can join in the battle!
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