Dance Style - Voguing

Voguing: The Dance of Style, Grace, and Culture

Voguing is a highly stylized, modern house dance originating in the late 1980s that evolved out of the Harlem ballroom scene of the 1960s. It gained mainstream exposure through Madonna's song "Vogue" in 1990 and the documentary "Paris is Burning."

Origins and History

Emerging from the African American and Latino LGBTQ+ communities in New York City, Voguing was a form of expression and escape. Dancers would mimic the poses of models from Vogue magazine, combined with angular, linear, and rigid arm, leg, and body movements.

Styles of Voguing

• Old Way (Classic Style): Characterized by the formation of lines, symmetry, and precision in the execution of formations with graceful, fluid-like action.
• New Way: Notable for its rigid, geometric pattern movement, combined with clicks (limb contortions at the joints) and arms control.
• Vogue Fem: Fluidity at its most extreme with exaggerated feminine movements influenced by ballet, jazz, and modern dance.

Cultural Significance

Voguing is more than just a dance; it's a powerful form of expression for marginalized communities. It was and still is a way for LGBTQ+ people of color to channel their struggles and triumphs into a vibrant and supportive community.

Modern Voguing

Today, Voguing continues to evolve and gain popularity worldwide. It's celebrated in dance competitions, clubs, and in the fashion and entertainment industries, symbolizing a powerful and creative form of resistance and empowerment.