‘Strike A Pose’ Gives Different Look At History’s Most Controversial Tour
I didn’t know much about voguing as a child. From my highly monitored home, I thought it was a form of dance created by Madonna that complemented her hyper-sexual, high-fashion persona. In the two decades since her controversial 1990 Blond Ambition Tour and corresponding film Truth or Dare, I and the world have learned so much more.
One of the vehicles by which I learned about the origin of voguing was Paris is Burning, the 1991 documentary that jumped into the consciousness of America via Netflix. The film delves into the underground world New York’s queer ballroom scene in the Eighties. But the form of drag queens imitating models actually goes back to the 1960’s Harlem, where men would perform in small clubs.
Which leads to my second education on voguing, from the incredibly documentary Strike a Pose.
Directed by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, the film showed this spring at Tribeca Film Festival in a screening hosted by Lincoln Motor Company. Strike a Pose documents the dance of voguing going from underground to the main stage through seven charismatic dancers on Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour.
As noted by The Village Voice, by the Eighties, voguing was folded into the balls that brought Houses, largely composed of black and Latino performers, together to compete. After Madonna saw Luis Camacho and Jose Gutierez, both members of the House of Xtravaganza, dance, she invited them to audition for her upcoming tour. As the two dancers remember it, their spots were pretty much guaranteed: She needed them to teach her how to vogue. They also choreographed and performed in the “Vogue” video.
The documentary examines the lives of Camacho, Gutierez, Oliver Crumes III, Salim Gauwloos, Kevin Stea, Gabriel Trupin, and Carlton Wilborn who were backup dancers in the tour.
Overflowing with gay pride in the early ’90s at a time when homophobia and the HIV epidemic were at its peak, made an incredibly bold statement— and impacted the lives of many. These men, in a sense, were the welcoming liaisons to a world that many gay men wanted to live out loud.
But as the film tells, the platform they stood on was marred with shame and secrets that they hadn’t talked about until now. Three of the men on the tour were HIV-positive, with one passing away in 1995. There were also lawsuits against Madonna after the debut of Truth or Dare from dance members who claimed fraud and deceit, intentional misrepresentation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress for displaying their private lives in the documentary.
“It’s not just about these guys who went on tour with Madonna,” Gould told Hotdocs. “We wanted the themes to be recognizable for everyone. Because we haven’t all been on tour with Madonna, but we have all struggled with shame and pride.”
Adding, “When you’re in your 20s, most of us feel on top of the world. Even if you’re not on the Blond Ambition tour. So growing up, for everybody, is about embracing reality. What we like about this film is that Truth or Dare was provocative and about daring to be yourself in an outgoing, extravert way. Our film is about self-acceptance in a more introverted way, off stage.”
Gay pride, dance, competition, parties, laughter, HIV, tears, loss— the film touches upon so much of what these men went through and how they’re living today. And while Madonna herself isn’t in the film, her presence isn’t missed, with the men’s raw honesty being sufficient.
With the film showing in select theaters worldwide, we highly suggest you check it out for a moving and informative story.
The post ‘Strike A Pose’ Gives Different Look At History’s Most Controversial Tour appeared first on StyleBlazer.
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Matthew Torrez aka Slim9ine5ive (pronounced Slim-Nine-Five) was born on March 3rd 1995 in Harbor City. He was Raised in Gardena California and went to school in San Pedro. Before the age of 13, Slim was already experimenting with music. From DJing to Producing and Freestyling over instrumentals to backyard parties, to a studio owner. Today, Slim is becoming a legend in the music space working with many artists on his solo career journey. He’s featured on the cover of Undrgrnd Magazine issue 9, along with many other influencer features. Slim9ine5ive is dropping non stop dope content, and is definitely a name you will be hearing frequently. Watch his most recent Music Video Visuals: “Stay with You” and “4 am on PCH”.
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Afro-dancehall sensation Stonebwoy has inked a global distribution and label services deal with ADA Worldwide. Hailing from Ashaiman, Ghana, Stonebwoy’s music brings together a dynamic mix of afrobeats, reggae, and dancehall influences. Backed by his very own label Burniton Music Group, the deal marks a continuation of growth for the African music space in digital music distribution companies. As preparation for his sixth studio album, Stonebwoy teams up with Nigerian rapper ODUMODYBLVCK for the leading single EKELEBE. Stoneybwoy spoke on the partnership stating:
This deal marks another stride forward in bringing my music to the global stage via ADA’s network. My aim has always been to unite people through the fusion of African music (Afrobeats), Reggae, Dancehall, RnB, and Hip Hop. They say creativity flourishes in freedom, so owning my creativity is essential for me to make a meaningful contribution to the global music landscape.
Cat Kreidich, President, ADA Worldwide also added:
Stonebwoy is in a league of his own. His genre-blending style has resonated with millions of fans around the globe and he’s helped shine a light on the rich and vibrant sounds coming out of Africa. He’s spreading positivity, love and unity with music that makes you move and makes you feel. We can’t wait to support his unique creative vision even further across the international stage.
In the accompanying video, both artists spend the day building their next work until some unexpected enforcement gets involved. As the neighborhood protects their own, the enforcement gets side track and both eventually evade capture. There is no definitive date set for the album but you can still stream the latest single right here. Watch the official video below and connect with Sotonebwoy on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook.
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