many of us coming of age. Even now, Bay Area music, dances, culture still radiate Hyphy influence. So, when we decided to move forward with the idea, Hella Hyphy was an obvious choice for our ball’s name. This was a chance to “put on” for the Bay Area, and by that I mean celebrate where we’re from. This year was our second go-round hosting the Hella Hyphy Ball (September 9th, 2023), made possible by a few sponsors, including the CA$H Dance grant. Part ballroom experience, part educational tool, we also utilize the ball to educate about Bay Area historic moments and people. Our category sheet—which is a flier that ballroom promoters release ahead of a ball so that participants know how to prepare for the respective categories—reads much more like a booklet of fun Bay Area facts than a vogue category sheet. Both years we’ve kicked off the event with Bay Area trivia and guest Bay Area rappers: Keak da Sneak last year, who is the person who actually coined the term Hyphy, and Stunnaman and DJ Westcoast this year. Both shows featured some of the best turf dancers from the Bay. (Turf- ing being a Bay Area dance style that takes its influence from Tutting, bone breaking and gliding). We continue this pre-show tradition because we always want to book and promote artists from the community, and ensure that peo- ple from out of town get to see the Bay the way we do.
The Hella Hyphy Ball has also bridged the gap between the hip hop and the queer community, and created a space where everyone can share freely. Currently, everything publicized about the Bay Area is bad: robberies, shootings, smash-and-grabs. Safe com- munal spaces, like the Hella Hyphy Ball, are forgotten. Bay Area excellence is forgotten. This year Kamala Harris inspired one of our vogue categories. Though she may be polarizing to some, she is the FIRST EVER Black and Asian American female Vice President of the United States. And she’s from Oakland. That is HISTORIC, as are many social movements that have occurred here, like the creation of the Black Panther Party. We’ve created vogue categories inspired by Bay Area sports teams, Lake Mer- ritt, Oscar Grant, Keyshia Cole, Too Short, Marshawn Lynch, the Thizzle Dance and more. We always want to celebrate Bay Area culture with the Hella Hyphy Ball. OAKLAND TO ALL is a collaborative that seeks to foster an inclusive space for the ballroom community of the Bay Area and its surroundings. The ballroom scene is primarily comprised of Black and Latino LGBTQ+ individuals—communities that continue to be underserved. Our col- laborative creates an inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ+ Black and Brown folks and their allies to express themselves in a fun, safe and creative way. Access to resources and links to care are established through our partner- ship with local LGBTQ+ community based organizations. @oaklandtoall
28
in dance FALL 2023 28
FALL 2023 in dance 29
In Dance | May 2014 | dancersgroup.org
unify strengthen amplify unify strengthen amplify
44 Gough Street, Suite 201 San Francisco, CA 94103 www.dancersgroup.org
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker