From The Back is a tri-city creative exchange project that draws upon the connection of vogue and ballroom artists across 3 different scenes within Canada. Based in Toronto, Solar Morningstar and Ava Telfar are co-collaborators in this new creative process. Both walking female figure performance, this new creation comes directly from the lens and experience of a drags performer and a femme queen who are deepening the conversations around themes of transformation, transition, feminine fun, community leadership, dramatics and soft & c*nt in the underground world of ballroom culture.
Facilitated by Danah Rosales, in partnership with Tangente (Montreal), The Dance Centre (Vancouver) and the CanDance Network.
Toronto Dance Theatre is partnering with Tangente (Montreal) and The Dance Centre (Vancouver) to facilitate a creative exchange project supporting Kiki Ballroom artists Ralph Escamillan (Fakeknot; Kiki House of Gvasalia, Vancouver); Danah Rosales (Kiki House of Siriano, Toronto); and Ali Desrosiers and Anaïs Gilles (Ballroom 4 Community, B4C, Montreal).
Each artist will mentor emerging artists from their communities. The project will culminate in artistic exchanges and showings in Toronto and Vancouver, and participation in the World Aids Day Ball.
Collaborators
Danah Rosales
Danah Rosales (she/her/siya), known as Maldita Siriano 007 in the ballroom scene, is a Tkaronto based queer millennial; 2nd-gen Canadian-Filipinx; a daughta; a cister; a solo parent of two humans; legendary women’s performance motha of the kiki house of siriano; and a 3-time Dora Award nominated artist in which her work encompasses dancing, teaching, coaching, mentoring, consulting, producing, collaborative and interdisciplinary choreography and performance.
She has walked balls in TO, MTL and NYC, has won multiple mainstream and kiki grand prizes for performance and women’s performance, was part of the Top 10 List for Canada’s Performers, was given the ‘Toronto Chapter Mother’ leadership position in December 2018 as well as being awarded and recognized as ‘Mother of the Year’ for 2019, 2022 and 2023. The Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance deemed Maldita ‘Legendary Status’ at the TKBA OTY Awards Ball in 2022, debuted as the ‘New Overall Mother’, was awarded ‘Legend OTY 2023’, ‘Legendary Performance OTY 2023’ and the Kiki House of Siriano holds the title of ‘House OTY’ for 3 consecutive years. Legendary Mother Maldita continues to nurture and support building the kiki scenes in Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton including the House’s chapters.
As an active community leader, Maldita Siriano 007 contributes and invests into the Canadian scene as a choreographer, organizer and teacher in pursuit of increasing the awareness of the ballroom scene, its history, major contributions, relevance and presence within today’s time. She has taught and facilitated classes and workshops at The Underground Dance Centre, Studio North, Run the Flex, Etobicoke School of the Arts, University of Toronto, U of T Scarborough, Appleby College and TDSB Schools with dancers and students from all walks of life. She continues to develop herself as a ballroom artist for the mainstream scene, training, working with and supporting her Kiki house in her leadership role as Overall House Mother and active community member within the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance as the co-chair of the TKBA Council.
Danah has worked with artists, Leeroy New, William Yong, Matthew Cuff, Ralph Escamillan, Justin De Luna, Francesca Chudnoff, Ceréna, Diséiye, Vivek Shreya, Aiza, Myst Milano, Dorian Electra, James Baley, Miyoko, Jenn Goodwin, Lauren Pirie, Tanya Lukin Linklater, Kent Monkman, Mix Mix Dance Collective, Arts Assembly, Blank Canvas, RUDE Collective, and more. She now emerges as a choreographer and aspiring curator bringing ballroom artists to different stages with ballroom-focused works, “The Grand March of the House of Siriano” that was presented by Fall for Dance North Fall 2021 and “GIVE ME ONE” presented by Toronto Dance Theatre Spring 2023, where the cast was nominated for the ‘Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble’ Dora Awards.
Ava Telfar
Godmother Ava Telfar also known as the “The Flava” joined the ballroom scene in 2021 and since her entrance has become not only a statement in her category, but a statement nationwide. With awards such as Drags Performance OTY, New Runway OTY and most recently awarded the first ever in TKBA (Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance) history as the Most Outstanding Butchqueen. Ava has stormed the floor with a vengeance and a determination of one day becoming not only a legend but a household name. After being placed as Godmother of the Haus of Telfar in November of 2023, Ava continues to make moments but also give back to her community launching her own community program January 2024 entitled Feminine Fun. A monthly drop in Vogue Fem Jam session where Queer and Trans Youth free of charge can come and simply “feel it”. Ava looks forward to her future in ballroom as she plans to travel and perform internationally more often and share the “flava” with folks all around the world.
Solar Morningstar
PERSONALITY – Just like my entertainment name – Solar – my personality is bright and fills the room! I am always the light in the space and I bring great enthusiasm towards any project. I am a goal oriented dancer that loves to achieve and grow while supporting and advocating for my community.
BACKGROUND – Solange Oshiana Morningstar grew up in Scarborough, Ontario in a small quiet place called Clairlea. During this time, she developed an interest in the performing arts! She would dance for her teachers and even perform at talent shows for fun – and discovered a wide range of dance styles (afro-caribbean dance, kompa, vogue, contemporary). Solange always wanted to expand and grow her dance to reach and speak to everyone around the world. Til this day she stands by that and dances at shows like Blockorama, Modecanadarock, Pride Parade, Aliens of Manila and ect. She pushes her boundaries of dance to new levels and heights and she continues to amaze herself and others around her!