Review: Sissy Ball 8 at Town Hall

Review by Greg Gorton

A blind-spot in my cultural knowledge: until last night, I had never heard of the half-a-century-old cultural experience known as Vogue Ballroom. Part dance, part fashion show, part competition, ballroom is still an underground society in many ways, filled with its own customs and rituals, and it was exciting to experience it in the large and exuberant show that was Sissy Ball.

Even then, Sissy Ball was ballroom with a twist - all performers were trans people of colour, those for whom the vast majority of the world either hate profusely or simply refuse to acknowledge. Using ballroom, these amazing people are not only recognised but celebrated - not as people within a culture, but individuals who make a culture.

The ballroom is both the most serious and relaxed experience I’ve witnessed. Performers, referred to as sisters/brothers/children, belong to “houses”, with examples being “Double Oh-Seven”, “The House of Revlon” and “The House of Devine”. Part family, part cheerleaders, as performers take the stage the house is right behind them, from the outside looking all like the teams at a WWE match. There’s a sense of ritual and belonging in the competition, with hand gestures and chants used by those who are recognisably within this culture.

Most of us have seen vogue ballroom dance before without knowing it. It is what Madonna performed for her eponymous single “Vogue”. It’s what can clear the dancefloor at the cooler nightclubs. It is a feat of human strength, flexibility, and stamina. At the Sissy Ball, performers dance down the fashion-show runway, showing off ballroom moves, the most popular (and impressive) being “the dip”. Almost all will receive “full tens” from the judges, but only one in each category receives cash prizes (along with a reputation that makes the crowd go wild). Categories include “most real”, “big hair”, “first timers” and “action heroes”. Ballroom is about the dancing ability, the costumes, but mostly the passion - can you put all you are into what you do?

While this is a competition, with real prizes, and judges known internationally in the ballroom circuit, the more important element is in the sense of community. At the start of the night, MC and curator, Mother Kianna, makes sure that those who are part of this small community are closest to the stage. Through the night she emphasises that, while allies such as myself are welcome to be here, this is a night specifically for a community to have a safe and encouraging space. It’s truly beautiful. It is a serious experience, helping people find and celebrate their identity, and more specifically their individual identity. While there are dance moves in common, it is those performers who are most authentically themselves who are most celebrated. 

That it is relaxed enough that all can compete, and all can be celebrated, it is at times too relaxed. At a theatrical level, the Sissy Ball is out of its depth. Competitors are regularly late and enter the stage whenever they turn up. While passionate and caring, Mother Kianna shows far less confidence in her role as MC. Stage management appears to be improvised at the moment, or is attempted with far too few crew members dedicated to the task. However, it is easy to agree that this lack of professionalism in some way makes the night feel more open and accessible to newcomers, and certainly does no harm in helping create that sense of community.

The Sissy Ball has a home as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras, but it should also become an integral part of Melbourne culture. I would love to see it become a staple of Rising, Midsumma, or whatever festival can best help it rise to the level of attention it deserves. I’m not the person Sissy Ball was created for, but I am lucky enough to put the voice out - this is a place you can celebrate who you are, even when it feels like the rest of the world rejects you. I feel honoured that I was able to be there and celebrate this spectacle, and I can only hope that the community continues to grow.

Image Supplied