I watched the fantastic documentary Paris Is Burning this weekend. The film came out in 1991 and focuses on the dazzling Balls that Drag Queens created and participated in during the mid to late 80s in the Harlem Ballrooms of New York City.
The Balls are elaborate and flashy competitions, like a fashion and drag sporting event, complete with gaudy trophies.
Each person has the opportunity to compete in many different categories. The competition is fierce! Competitors walk/work the runway and are judged loudly and with much enthusiasm on their styles as well as their "Realness"-- how flawlessly they pull off drag.
Complicating and deepening the Ball scene is the division of the Queens into Houses. The Houses are named for different Queens who have been especially successful at the Balls -- they are called, appropriately, "Legends." The way it is explained in the film is that the Houses are pretty much like
Ball gangs, each headed up by a Mother who is the most revered, respected member of the House and who provides emotional and aesthetic support to each member. Each House is really like a family. Members know where they can go to get support and advice, whether it's on life or makeup.
There's the House of Ninja, the House of LaBeija, the House of Dupree, the House of Xtravaganza, the House of St. Laurent...so many fabulous Houses! I love that there was a category at the Balls for "Mother of the Year." Perfect. Each House Mother has her moment to parade across and around the floor, but only one wins the coveted trophy.
The Balls are elaborate and flashy competitions, like a fashion and drag sporting event, complete with gaudy trophies.
Each person has the opportunity to compete in many different categories. The competition is fierce! Competitors walk/work the runway and are judged loudly and with much enthusiasm on their styles as well as their "Realness"-- how flawlessly they pull off drag.Complicating and deepening the Ball scene is the division of the Queens into Houses. The Houses are named for different Queens who have been especially successful at the Balls -- they are called, appropriately, "Legends." The way it is explained in the film is that the Houses are pretty much like
Ball gangs, each headed up by a Mother who is the most revered, respected member of the House and who provides emotional and aesthetic support to each member. Each House is really like a family. Members know where they can go to get support and advice, whether it's on life or makeup.There's the House of Ninja, the House of LaBeija, the House of Dupree, the House of Xtravaganza, the House of St. Laurent...so many fabulous Houses! I love that there was a category at the Balls for "Mother of the Year." Perfect. Each House Mother has her moment to parade across and around the floor, but only one wins the coveted trophy.
