The Trans Pride Festival supported by Senate Berlin for two consecutive years is an inclusive and vibrant series of ballroom events that aim to celebrate the art of the ballroom community while promoting the visibility and empowerment of trans people through panel talks and workshops. One of the highlights of the festival is a show with “Irmãs de Pau”, a Brazilian musical duo of Isma and Vita, who musically construct (and deconstruct) narratives about what it means to be trans. The Trans Pride Festival is made by and for trans people, specially.
Originating from the Afro and Latin-American trans, drag, and LGBTQIA* community of the 60s and 70s in New York, the ballroom scene where »The Met Ball« is held serves as a vital cultural and community hub. Embraced particularly by BIPOC and queer individuals, ballroom offers a sanctuary where creativity and self-expression thrive. It acts as a platform for queer individuals to authentically showcase their true selves, fostering a space where diversity and individuality are celebrated.
Founded in 1982, the Royal House of Xtravaganza is one of the most publicly recognized “houses” to emerge from the New York City underground ballroom scene and among the longest continuously active. The House of Xtravaganza is recognized for their cultural influence in the areas of dance, music, visual arts, nightlife, fashion, and community activism. The House of Xtravaganza family continue to be featured in popular media and travel the world as ambassadors of the ballroom scene.
The Iconic House of Ninja is a ballroom house created in 1982 by Willi Ninja, known as the “Godfather of Vogue”, along with Sandy Apollonia Ninja. Willi chose the surname “Ninja” because he had a passion for Asian and martial-arts culture. He allowed members of all races and identities to join the House of Ninja, which made it the most inclusive and multi-racial house in the ballroom of its time.
The Met Gala, also known as the Met Ball, is hailed as the pinnacle of elegance and sophistication in the fashion world, earning the title of “fashion’s grandest soirée”. This prestigious annual event is held to raise funds for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. A select group of influential individuals from various fields such as fashion, entertainment, business, sports, and politics are invited to partake in this glamorous affair, showcasing their cultural relevance in contemporary society.
This year on September 14 2024 for the first time in Berlin, Germany hosted by the Royal House of Xtravaganza and the Iconic House of Ninja, the Met Ball pays tribute to the luminaries of art and fashion, inviting guests to revel in the emotive power and artistic allure that captivates those with a keen eye for beauty and creativity. Tonight, you are our special guest joining us to celebrate the intersection of art and fashion in all its splendor along Icons and Legends on the panel from ballroom.
JUDGES
ICON MOTHER GISELE XTRAVAGANZA
ICON SHADY PRADA
LEGENDARY PIONEER LA B FUJIKO NINJA
LEGENDARY DUTCH MOTHER NAIMAH ELLE
PARIS MOTHER ALAÏA MIYAKE MUGLER
DJ
Bree 007
COMMENTATOR
Legendary Mère Mondial Matyouz Owens
Dianna Jacksan Ninja
MC
Ambika Xtravaganza
HOST
THE ROYAL HOUSE OF XTRAVAGANZA
THE ICONIC HOUSE OF NINJA
CATEGORIES
FACE (FQ / TM / BQ / FF / DARK & LOVELY / GNC / DRAG)
BLACK HAIR MAGIC (ONLY BLACK PEOPLE)
RUNWAY (EUROPEAN / AA / BIG, BOLD & BEAUTIFUL)
RUNWAY WITH A TWIST OTA
FASHION KILLA OTA
REALNESS AS A COUPLE (1FF / 1MF)
BEGINNERS PERFORMANCE OTA
OLD WAY OTA
NEW WAY OTA
VOGUE FEMME (FQ / FF / TM / GNC / BQ / DRAG)
ARMS CONTROL OTA
HANDS OTA
BODY (FQ / TM / FF / BQ / GNC)
SEX SIREN (FQ / TM / FF / BQ / GNC)
LIP SYNC ( CHOOSE YOUR PRODUCTION – SCORES 1-10)
