Musikschule Region Wohlen and RFK Human Rights Switzerland have been working together since September last year. In March, the STTP exhibition was installed at the school and a joint kick-off event was organized. Since then, several teachers and students engaged in human rights projects. One of the pupils was interested to learn more about Ballroom here in Switzerland and engaged the help of RFK Human Rights Switzerland to make this happen.
On June 4th the Musikschule and RFK Human Rights invited all interested parties to partake in a workshop by Sandro on ballroom and voguing 1-o-1. Sandro is the father of the House of Poderosa in Switzerland and knows what he is talking about. The day starts out with an excellent and outsider-friendly overview of ballroom, catwalk and voguing. With witt and sass, Sandro tells us that ballroom actually originated as an African-American and Latino underground LGBTQ+ subculture that originated in the USA. What began as entertainment for white people, started to emancipate and organized themselves in “houses”. These houses as Sandro puts it, are something between a gang, an art collective and a family. The “mothers” and “fathers” take others under their wing and in some cases even literally into their house.
Since most members of the ballroom community are drag queens, gay men, (former) sex workers and/or transgender, the HIV/AIDS epidemic had an enormous impact on the community. During these times too, the community came together and people helped each other with doing educational work, raising awareness and making sure people got tested.
Sandro went into much more detail and showed clips and videos from different documentaries. Whoever is interested can find a lot on Netflix - and no, not just RuPaul’s Drag Race. For example: “Paris is burning” and “The Queen”.
After a short brake, we delved right into the music. Again, Sandro was well prepared, with many different examples of the kinds of music and instrumental specifics who wanted to let us hear. With the music, comes explanation about voguing, catwalk and the many different styles that quickly developed. With lots of charm and enthusiasm, Sandro not only tells, but also shows us.
And than.. it is our turn! We learn to vogue, do the duck walk, and of course: strike a pose!