Pillow Party: Mini Ball

October 26, 2019 | 8-11pm

Vogue, Runway & Best-Dressed Contest with Jason A. Rodriguez

Jacob’s Pillow and Jason A. Rodriguez from FX’s hit television series Pose team up to showcase New York City’s Ball scene at the first-ever Pillow Party: Mini Ball. Rodriguez is joined by five Vogue performers along with local drag performers.

Starting with a “mini” Ball (performance & demonstration), party-goers can observe what it means to ‘walk the runway’ and learn about the history and societal impact Vogue has had on the LGBTQIA+ community and dance world at large. Then, all are welcome to enter the best-dressed contest to be judged on their most extravagant look.

The night ends with an all-out dance party, featuring local drag queens Boxxa Vine & Miss Berkshire 2019 Mirando Moirai.

Want to know more?

Balls originated as a safe gathering space for those primarily in the black and Latino communities who identified as LGBTQIA+ in 1960s Harlem. Groups of people, known as ‘houses’, competed in elaborate costumes with a signature walk, dance, strut, vogue, and pose for trophies, prizes, and glory. Today, ball culture and voguing is a global phenomenon and is ever-present in pop culture.

Balls are an intentional space for queer and trans people of color. If you are not from this community, you are a spectator or ally. Please be mindful of this; any racist, classist, sexist, homophobic, and/or transphobic behavior will not be tolerated. To learn more, click here.

What should I wear?

Whatever you’d like! Some ball participants wear elaborate, self-designed costumes, dress in drag, or don their most fabulous evening wear; some dress for a night out, a club scene, or make sure to have comfortable clothes so they can easily bust a move. Whatever you wear, make sure it exemplifies the real you.

Jason Rodriguez is a New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights. He began his dance training at 19 and graduated from SUNY Purchase with a B.A. in Arts Management while continuing his dance training. Rodriguez co-stars in Ryan Murphy’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated television show Pose as Lemar Wintour. He has taught Voguing in New York City, Miami, Ohio, Savannah, Vienna, and Japan.