ballroom is getting bigger
Female Singapore|December 2023
And if KikiHQ has its way, everyone is welcome to be a part of it. Keng Yang Shuen speaks to the barely-year-old Singapore collective that aims to spread the legacy, spirit and moves of ballroom culture where marginalised individuals find space to express their authentic identities through dance, elaborate costumes and performative battles - about how it's breaking even more boundaries.
Keng Yang Shuen
ballroom is getting bigger

It’s a Friday night in late October and 20 or so people have gathered in a studio on the second floor of Block M  within Goodman Arts Centre. They’re from all walks of life and range from students to working adults. They share at least one thing in common though: Everyone’s present to delve – or should we say, dip – into the world of ballroom.  And, no, we’re not referring to what you see on Dancing with the Stars.

Leading the session are the co-founders of KikiHQ, a collective formed seven months ago that has been conducting free monthly classes on what's also referred to as ball culture (the kind better associated with shows such as the hit Ryan Murphy series Pose) as well as its moves since July. Anyone who's interested in the scene is welcome both the initiative and venue are supported by Dance Nucleus, a National Arts Council-backed scheme that aims to grow the field of contemporary performance here and help independent artistes develop their skills.

The KikiHQ team is made up of Father Irzie Kasicunt and Diamond Kasicunt from the Trailblazing Kiki House of Kasicunt; Lil Vexx Marciano from the Legendary Kiki House of Marciano; Fellix Nangfa Sun from the Kiki House of Sun; and Father Glenn Obsidian Mizrahi, who hails from both the Kiki House of Obsidian and the Iconic House of Mizrahi. If the names sound grandiose, it's a bittersweet reminder of what "houses" in the ballroom community are meant to do: provide an alternative form of strength and family support and when you can christen your own clan, why hold back? The goal of this exuberant posse: to create a safe space for the emerging ballroom scene in Singapore.

Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Female Singapore.

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Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Female Singapore.

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