“…I HAVE BEEN A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND." - Exodus 2:22
Inspired by the worlds of science fiction dystopias, and a world becoming increasingly hostile and unfamiliar, come share a taste of a truly Strange Land as we turn the Grade II listed Limehouse Town Hall into a voguing utopia. Realness, Runway and Performance categories are all given a dark twist, a sci-fi edge and just a touch of the post-apocalyptic. Join Felix Garçon of the International House of Comme des Garçons as he raises money for his Naturalisation as a British Citizen, and immerse yourself in the impossible energy of ballroom culture and the unrivaled creativity of the London Ballroom Scene.
THE STRANGE LANDS BALL
SAT 24th FEB 2018
LIMEHOUSE TOWN HALL
646 COMMERCIAL ROAD
E14 7HA
MC / JayJay REVLON
DJ / Seven ULTRA OMNI
JUDGES
- Christopher 007
- AMAZON Phoenix
- Bam Bam Garçon
- Karteer MUGLER
- Faye REVLON
//////////////////////// CATEGORIES ////////////////////////
IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF DYSTOPIA, EACH CATEGORY WILL FEATURE A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT WHICH MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. CATEGORIES ARE LISTED IN THE ORDER THEY WILL RUN ON THE EVENING.
BQ / Butch Queen: Cis gay man
FQ / Fem Queen: Trans woman
FF / Female Figure: Female-presenting (ie. Trans/cis woman)
MF / Male Figure: Male-presenting (Trans/cis man)
OTA / Open to All: Any of the above
• EXECUTIVE REALNESS [BQ] // Le Connoiseur (The Matrix)
Crude, crass, sophistication and class, the Merovingian is one of the oldest and most powerful programs in the simulated utopia of The Matrix. He is a self-made ‘man’ of unparalleled taste, from his slick high-collared appearance down to his Francophone affectations - ‘like wiping your arse with silk.’
Bring it to the judges in your best and sharpest Merovingian dinner attire, escorted by your wife (the equally cunning Persephone). Be prepared to showcase your mastery of French curses.
Do not forget your silk handkerchief to wipe that skilfully filthy mouth of yours.
• SCHOOLBOY REALNESS [BQ] // Child’s Play (Ender’s Game)
Orson Scott-Card’s ‘Ender’s Game’ showed us a future where war was gamified and its master strategists were mere children. It is your first day of Cadet Training at the Academy where you are being groomed as the future Destroyer of Worlds.
Bring it to the judges in a full navy or grey look fit for a young cadet - think functional, utilitarian performance fabrics that will show off your slender, boyish physique.
Do not forget your helmet or your training tablet, or you will face expulsion from the Academy.
• AMERICAN RUNWAY [BQ + MF] // Scorched Earth (Mad Max)
Despite our best efforts the Earth has warmed to unbearable temperatures and those who were unfortunate enough to survive have had to adapt or die. Bring your cruellest, most brutal interpretation of the dieselpunk desert apocalypse to the runway - think oiled skin, dark, earthy tones and billowing silhouettes that will keep you cool in the punishing heat. Mad Max - meets - Aitor Throup - meets - John Galliano AW07.
Do not forget your gas mask or goggles that will protect you from toxic sandstorms. Extra points for the creative use of weathered metals. Give us all the drama of the forthcoming apocalypse…but make it fashion.
• EUROPEAN RUNWAY [BQ + FF] // The Drowned World
A great flood has unleashed the power of the unforgiving oceans across the Earth and humanity has been bent to the will of the sea. Bring it to the runway in a look inspired by a population sent adrift, surviving on nothing except what the ocean provides.
Your effect must feature the creative use of a fishing net (the most essential asset to any seafaring civilisation) as well as the various ocean treasures you have collected along the way.
• HAND PERFORMANCE [OTA] // A Touch of Fire (The Hunger Games)
You have volunteered as Tribute for your District, and tonight you have been granted permission to showcase your skills in front of The Capitol’s distinguished panel.
Bring it to the judges in shades & textures of black that represent the strength of your District - coal, and tell us a story of blazing defiance in a fiery red glove. Do not forget to start your 10’s with the District 12 salute.
May the odds be ever in your favour!
• FACE [OTA] // Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (The Stepford Wives)
Welcome to Stepford, post-war home of the eternally perfect and impossibly beautiful…but is everything (and everyone) as they really seem? When obedience or physical perfection can’t be achieved naturally, perhaps a healthy combination of brainwashing and robotics may do the trick.
Wowzers! Looks like we are just in time for the Stepford Winter Ball where the latest eligible debutant(e)s will be paraded for the judges and grace the floor in their most extravagant evening wear. Tonight is perfect, you are perfect, and you will not let anyone else take this from you.
Mandatory: Let us know who you are with a clear and elegant pageant sash. Also, do not forget a Stepford spouse’s distinct feature - their menacing, full-black eyes.
• DESIGNER’S DELIGHT [OTA] // Anti-Gravity
Design in the lightest of fabrics and the most weightless of layers, to bring us a creation that truly defies the laws of gravity.
No matter how you achieve it, your creation must always be in motion, and glide effortlessly towards the judges.
• BIZARRE [OTA] // Blacklight Magic
Visible light only makes up less than 1% of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, which is made up of everything from X-rays to infrared. For this category the ballroom will be brought into complete darkness and illuminated only by ultraviolet light.
Showcase your creativity and imagination within these limits and present us with a creature of elegance that will leave us gagging.
Mandatory: your face must form a key part of your effect.
• DRAG FACE [BQ in drag] // Space Witch (Dune)
The Bene Gesserit are Dune’s politically powerful matriarchy from space, feared for their use of an ancient witchcraft. Serve us this version of 17th Century Dutch Noblewoman - meets - Battlestar Galactica in all-black, using shades of gold and blue in your makeup.
Mandatory: Keep this about your face in an unclockable bald cap.
• OLD WAY [OTA] // Binary Logic: Excalibur Performance (Equilibrium / Ultraviolet)
Our Old Way warriors have been conscripted to serve an oppressive totalitarian regime. However, the time has come for an uprising and you must show your loyalty as either an enforcer of this regime (in all-black) or the rebel that will lead to its downfall (in all-white):
MF: Bring it as one of Equilibrium’s sharp-suited Grammaton Clerics
FF: Eliminate the competition as Ultraviolet’s Violet Song Jat Shariff
Mandatory: two guns or combat batons for your 10’s, which must never leave your hands.
• NEW WAY [OTA] // Pick A Bitch, Any Bitch: Excalibur Performance (Battle Royale)
“Today’s lesson is: you kill each other off.”
Channel this crazed vision of martial law and be ready for Battle Royale ballroom style in your school uniform. Do not step onto the floor until a house member or fellow 007 announces you via megaphone.
If you don’t have your tracking collar, guide map, and randomly-assigned weapon, I’m afraid you will face instant elimination. Domo arigato!
• VOGUE FEM [OTA] // Outworld Rebellion: Excalibur Performance (Mortal Kombat)
The barriers between the worlds are breaking down, and so the Elder Gods have summoned each of their greatest fighters to a grand tournament to maintain order. Meanwhile, there is unrest in Outworld as its two princesses and their trusted allies battle for the throne. Show us your true colours and bring it to the floor as Outworld’s deadliest female ninjas:
SOFT & CUNT: Kitana (blue) or Jade (green)
DRAMATICS: Mileena (pink) or Tanya (yellow)
<<For those wanting to add a twist - make your entrance as the male ninja of the same colour>>
Props mandatory for your 10’s. Masks optional.
• SEX SIREN [OTA] // Splice Up Your Life (The Island of Dr Moreau)
Inspired by H.G. Wells’ dark tale, showcase your animal sexuality by giving us a glimpse of a future where animal testing and gene splicing have created races of human / animal hybrids. Whether you are painted, costumed, or fortunate enough to have a friend skilled with prosthetics, your inner beast must be clear and unmistakeable.
Your entire seduction (including your 10’s) must take place on the floor. Standing bipeds are absolutely forbidden.