Ian Kynast stW BERLIN

Ballroom Course – Voguing 101

From the floor to the beat, come experience Ballroom! The course starts on the 15th of April 2025.

The 5 elements of vogue! That's the motto of our ballroom course. Whether you're a beginner or expert - join us this summer and learn voguing!

The ballroom course invites all queer BIPoC (= black, indigenous, and people of color) and queer students of Berlin, as well as all others, to experience ballroom culture as well as voguing in this course. It doesn't matter whether you're a beginner or if you've participated in a ball session before. We will teach the basic performance categories (old way, new way, vogue fem), but also runway, hands and face, as well as other categories. For the performance categories the technique, confidence and the five elements of vogue (Catwalks, Spins and Dips, Floor- and Performance-Moves, Hands PerDuckwalks, and others) are also part of the course. 

We offer you a space in which you can discover Ballroom for yourself and develop a deeper understanding of the community. During the course you can expand on your skills and experiences.

  • Instructors: German Mother Mandhla Laveaux, German Leader Amowia Unbothered Cartier
  • The course takes place on tuesdays 15th April 2025 til 15th July 2025.
  • Time: The exact hours will be announced here soon. Likely time: 6:30 til 9:30 PM.
  • Ballroom Session: At the end of the semester, on 08.07.2025, there will be a ballroom session (practice ball) in front of a supportive audience.

A binding registration for the course is only possible for students of our partner universities.
By participating in this course you agree to our conditions of participation.

The vibrant subculture that originated in Harlem, New York, during the 1960s and 70s, also finds a stage at the StudierendenWERK Berlin. Initially created by Black and Latin American transgender women, also known as "Fem Queens," it provides a space for self-expression and art for these individuals as well as other members of the LGBTQIA+ communities within a competitive framework. Various categories such as Realness, Face, Runway, Sex Siren, Body, Fashion Killer, or the Performance Categories (Old Way, New Way, Vogue Fem) are forms of expression, language, and statements of the Ballroom community. Regardless of style, Voguing demonstrates the courage of Black and Latin American LGBTQIA+ communities in creating an art form that goes beyond just creative expression. Ballroom culture conveys a sense of identity, belonging, and dignity in a world that does not fully appreciate its existence.

Information on this semester's closing event:

Welcome to The Bel-Air Practice Kiki—a Ballroom event inspired by the iconic style and energy of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! This Kiki Ball is all about bringing the vibrant, bold, and effortlessly cool fashion of the 90s sitcom to life on the runway.
Think loud prints, preppy chic, oversized jackets, bright colors, and luxury with a playful twist. Whether you channel Will’s streetwear swag, Hilary’s high-fashion elegance, Carlton’s classic prep, or Aunt Viv’s timeless sophistication—this is your chance to embody the essence of Bel-Air!
For this night, we blend the essence of Ballroom with the unforgettable style of the 90s, paying tribute to the show that defined a generation. So bring your best Fresh Prince-inspired looks, your fiercest performance, and the energy of Bel-Air royalty to the floor.

If you are coming to the event in a wheelchair or have limited mobility, please send an email to kultur@stw.berlin before the event or call us at +49 171 7936994. Access is not always barrier-free, as our elevator unfortunately breaks down regularly. If the elevator is working, performers in wheelchairs can use our barrier-free stage.

Date

15 April 2025 to 15 July 2025

Time

07:00 PM to 09:00 PM

Category

  • Bühne & Musik
  • Kultur
  • Kurs
  • vor Ort

Participation Fee

26 € Registration fee

Host

Kulturwerk Berlin

Location

FREIRAUM im Studentenhaus
Hardenbergstraße 35
10623 Berlin

Language

Veranstaltungssprache: DeutschVeranstaltungssprache: Englisch