As massive crowds, former presidents and other celebrities mingled in Jackson Park for the opening of the Obama Center on June 18, a much smaller group on the North Side came together with an entirely different kind of gathering for the second edition of Welcome Home: A Celebration of Queer Street Dance.
The event, which took place in Union Park’s basketball courts, brought together legendary queer ballroom artists including Icon Kentrel “Gorgeous” Gucci, Zhane Croft, Jeremiah “Jay-J” Green, Icon Tracy Balmain, Malique St. Patrick and Ashley “AshMoney” Esper for an educational forum laced with spontaneity and no-holds-barred fun.
The gathering, which was co-produced by Jordan “J.Ro” Ordonez and Dana “DC” Christy of The Rainbow Children Dance Collective, also attracted other notables from the scene, including Fedor Adarichev, Vera Segredo, Monte Rezell and TJ Morris, along with MissG. of Align Movement with DJ Salem providing a steady soundtrack.
The free event, which had participation from Brave Space Alliance, acknowledged the impact, creativity and joy infused in the queer ballroom scene since its beginning. Eschewing a tone of academia, the tutorial had an organic feel which came from the energy of artists who truly love both what they are creating and the queer scene they’ve maintained for decades.
Some of the speakers spoke at length about their craft, with Icon Tracy Balmain speaking on the creation and design of instant ballroom fashion on a tight budget. Icon Kentrel “Gorgeous” Gucci spoke about his development as a commentator, while Ashley “AshMoney” Esper, Zhane Croft and Jeremiah “Jay-J” Green led a workshop in House, W(h)aacking and Vogue Fashion dance for everyone in attendance.
Co-producer Ordonez poignantly noted that the current scene is engaged in preserving Black queer dance forms and culture that stand as a major component of collective identity.
Mothers and their children enjoyed the dancing and especially the all-star “Soul Train” dance off which closed the night. Welcome Home was sponsored by Chicago Park District/Night Out in the Parks.
