Tri-City Ballroom Project

Doors Open at 6:30 PM, with installation in Studio D
Performances start at 7:00 PM
Followed by Artist Talk Back / Social Winchester Street Theatre , 80 Winchester Street (VIEW MAP)

Accessibility Info: Unfortunately the Winchester Street Theatre is not currently wheelchair accessible. There are three steps outside of the front entrance, a small platform, and then three more steps to the lobby (a straight hallway that then leads you to the theatre). To access the private gender-neutral restrooms, there are five additional steps at the end of the lobby. The seats in the theatre are on risers with stairs; please contact info@tdt.org if you have any questions regarding accessing our space.

CanDance Creative Exchange

The Ballroom Tri-City Project is a collaborative initiative that fosters connections between 10 ballroom artists from three major Canadian cities, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Tangente, Toronto Dance Theatre, and The Dance Centre are partnering to facilitate a creative exchange with Ballroom artists Ralph Escamillan (Fakeknot; Kiki House of Gvasalia, Vancouver); Danah Rosales (Kiki House of Siriano, Toronto); and Anaïs ‘RISE’ Gilles (Ballroom 4 Community; Kiki House of Old Navy, Montreal), with support from the CanDance Network, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Each artist facilitates and mentors emerging artists within their respective communities. The selected artists are Katria Phothong-McKinnon, Vancouver; Solange Alexander & Ava Telfar, Toronto; Jontae McCrory, Brian Mendez, Chivengi & G Mako, Montreal. The three creative projects finally meet in this first tri-city group phase of this project hosted by TDT, Toronto. This phase will conclude with artistic exchanges, an informal presentation of the works in progress, as well as participation in the World AIDS Day Ball.

Solange Alexander and Ava Telfar, both based in Toronto, are collaborating for the first time on a new creative project. Both walking female figure performances, this new creation comes directly from the point of view and lived experiences of a ballroom drag performer and a femme queen, who are deepening and embodying the conversations around themes of transformation, transition, femininity, dramatics and soft & c*nt in the underground world of ballroom culture. The part of the project is facilitated and mentored by Danah Rosales.

The Montreal cast presents the work DULCE directed by Jontae and Brian. This performance art piece explores the intersections between contemporary stage work and ballroom culture, creating a dynamic space for these diverse practices to converge, merge, and provoke dialogue. The project examines the complex legacies of colonialism on the Black queer diaspora, specifically addressing the impacts of historical and ongoing violence, while also highlighting the transformative possibilities within Black queer subcultures. This work is presented by Jontae McCrory, Brian Mendez, Chivengi, G Mako and is facilitated by Anaïs Gilles.

Katria Phothong-McKinnon, Calgary Mother Katria Gvasalia, currently based in Vancouver, is interested in the intersections of dance and technology in relation to her cultures/communities she connects to. Finishing her final year of schooling at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and with the support of FORM Festival and The Dance Centre she works with how the body can be encapsulated in an 16×16 LED cube. Putting focus on the labour of the body in tech, her first draft cube uses the movement of her hands to affix the 4000+ LED’s. The future iteration with a state of the art LED cube will be made with support by mentor technical mentor Cristian Gonzalez and will be shown at FORM in 2025. The entirety of Katria’s project has been mentored by Ralph Escamillan, aka Posh Gvasalia Basquiat.

This project has been made possible by the CanDance Network, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Thank you!

Artists

Solange Oshiana Alexander

Solange Oshiana Alexander, known as Solar 007 in ballroom, grew up in the Clairlea neighborhood of Scarborough, Ontario, developed a passion for the performing arts at a young age. She frequently danced for her teachers and participated in talent shows, exploring a diverse range of dance styles, including Afro-Caribbean, Kompa, Vogue, and Contemporary. Solange’s lifelong ambition has been to expand her dance practice to reach and resonate with audiences worldwide. Today, she continues to perform at notable events such as Blockorama, Modecanadarock, the Toronto Pride Parade, and Aliens of Manila. She consistently pushes her artistic boundaries, achieving new levels of expression and inspiring both herself and those around her.

My personality, much like my stage name “Solar Morningstar” , is vibrant and energetic. I bring enthusiasm and a positive attitude to every project. I am a goal-oriented dancer committed to personal and artistic growth while actively supporting and advocating for my community.

Ava Telfar

Ava Telfar, also known as “The Flava,” entered the ballroom scene in 2021 and has since made a significant impact locally, and nationally. She has received numerous awards, including Drags Performance of the Year, New Runway of the Year, and, notably, the first-ever Most Outstanding Butch Queen award in the history of the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance (TKBA). Ava’’s passion and determination are evident in her performances at every ball she walks, and she aspires to become a respected figure and a household name.

After being appointed Godmother of the Haus of Telfar, in November 2023, Ava has continued to excel on the floor while also giving back to her community. In January 2024, she launched “Feminine Fun,” a free monthly Vogue Fem Jam session for Queer and Trans youth. This program provides a safe and supportive space for self-expression.

Ava is enthusiastic about her future in ballroom and plans to expand her reach by performing internationally, sharing her unique style and talent with audiences around the world.

Photo by Kate Eteh

Chivengi

Chivengi is a queer Haitian singer/songwriter, producer and multidisciplinary artist based in Montréal. Blending experimental soundscapes and introspective R&B melodies, intending to bring audiences to a place of self examination.

Since the release of her debut EP “Mitsubishi” (2019), Chivengi has went on to perform for the likes of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, POP Montréal Festival and the CBC.

Chivengi is a member of the Montréal Ballroom Kiki scene. She has been involved in the scene since 2017 and has went on to walk at various balls locally, in Toronto and New York. Chivengi is also a ballroom community organizer via co-founded collective Black Gxrl Sesh.

Jontae McCrory

Jontae McCrory, originally from Detroit, Michigan, started their training at Western Michigan University at the age of 19. In 2017, McCrory attended the year-long Dancers Course with BalletBoyz in London, England. Throughout their training, they have had the privilege of learning works by Kyle Abraham, James Gregg, Frank Chaves, and Azure Barton. McCrory started working with contemporary company RUBBERBAND in 2018, while guest performing with Decidedly Jazz Dance Company later in 2020.

Currently, McCrory has been working with Andrea Pena and Artist, while freelancing in Montreal, QC since 2021.

G Mako

Montréal based DJ, G Mako (Luiggi Elancy) navigates vibrant and textured selections of sound ranging from house, jersey club, vogue beats, deep Afro house and more bringing about kaleidoscopic experiences to various dance ﬂoors, festivals, and radio shows.

Local Festivals and Projects include:
Festival Igloofest Montreal | “IglooFête”
Festival Fierté Montreal | “XOXO”
“DULCE” – (Sound Design & Performer)
OFFTA | “DULCE” – (Sound Design & Performer)

Photo by Jordan Shum

Katria Phothong-McKinnon

Katria Phothong-McKinnon, also known as Muse or Calgary Mother Katria Gvasalia Basquiat, is a Thai-Canadian dancer and artist based in Vancouver, BC. Her journey began with traditional Thai dancing, evolving to encompass Hip-Hop, Popping, Voguing, and W*acking.

As the co-founder of Vogue YYC and Soul Boulevard, she’s dedicated to building Ballroom and street dance communities in Western Canada. Katria has trained with pioneers of street dance and collaborated with organizations like Red Bull, the Calgary Philharmonic, and the Esker Foundation. She continues to hone her craft, sharing her passion through teaching, performance, and community-building.

In collaborative partnership with

Tangente in Montreal

The first organization to specialize in dance presentation in Québec, Tangente (est. 1980) champions emerging choreographers and offers contemporary dance programming from September to May. Each show is a unique experience that opens onto the experimental and the interdisciplinary. Our two intimate and transformable theatre spaces in ÉDIFICE WILDER – Espace danse allow us to ensure that the avant-garde and the alternative scene have a foothold in downtown Montréal.

With the conviction that contemporary art is an essential progressive social force, Tangente contributes to creating a deep and stimulating relationship between artworks, artists and audiences, whom it wishes to leave with a significant and lasting impression. Tangente supports creativity in contemporary dance in its most diverse aesthetics and forms.

The Dance Centre in Vancouver

Established in 1986 as a resource centre for dance in British Columbia, The Dance Centre is a multifaceted organization offering a range of activities which is unparalleled in Canadian dance. It presents performances and events, building audiences and nurturing public awareness; invests in programs, resources and support for hundreds of dance professionals working in all genres; operates Scotiabank Dance Centre, a cultural hub and one of Canada’s flagship dance facilities which welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually; and works to promote BC dance. Through programs, outreach and education, The Dance Centre is committed to sustaining a strong and vibrant community through dance.

The Dance Centre is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl’ílwəta?/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

The CanDance Network

Dance is a fundamental art form that communicates beyond language boundaries, while bridging and celebrating our differences. A thriving country includes a thriving arts ecology, and in turn, a thriving arts ecology includes dance.

CanDance is a national network of dance presenters, supporting collaborative creation and presentation of the myriad forms of dance in what is now known as Canada. As a network, we strive to nurture a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable environment in which a plurality of dance communities can thrive.