Ballroom & the West Ball: Powerhouse Late x Vivid Ideas

From Harlem, New York to Sydney, via Western Sydney, artists Jamaica Moana and Father Xander Silky bring the essence of ballroom to the Powerhouse Museum for a special one-night edition. Expect guerrilla performances, live music, ballroom workshops (the art of voguing and more), interviews with living legends and a display of extravagant gowns and costumes from previous West Ball contestants .

Attend workshops hosted by international stars MC Kevin JZ Prodigy, Buffy West and Overall Mother Asia West – the crème de la crème of the ballroom scene.

Created by two of the most renowned members of the community, Ballroom and the West Ball will merge Western Sydney culture with the underground ballroom subculture of NYC. Celebrate the diversity and energy of the Australian ballroom community, which is predominantly led by POC, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ communities from Western Sydney. 

Learn about the history and the evolution of this artform that is gaining more mainstream attention through television series such as Pose and Legendary. 

After attending this fun night and learning some skills – go and see the West Ball in action at Casula Powerhouse or watch the viewing party at the Bearded Tit.

Proudly presented by Vivid Ideas and Powerhouse. 

GUERILLA PARADE 

Escalators and Levels 1, 2, 3 

6.30 pm Ballroom Australia community 

WORKSHOP 

Microcars, Level 1 

5.45 pm Beginner Vogue Femme workshop by Buffy West 

6.45 pm All levels Vogue Femme workshop by Asia West 

The Lab Gallery, Level 2 

6.45 pm Commentating workshop with MC Kevin JZ Prodigy 

LIVE WITH LEGENDS 

Theatre, Level 2 

8 pm Interviews with living legends - hear about their journeys, their inspirations and how they use Ballroom to express themselves.

Theatrette, Level 2 

6.30–7.30 pm Live Stages podcast recording. Peter Eyres interviews costume designers Jennifer Irwin and Julie Lynch about creativity and self-expression. 

Free but pre-registrations required here. 

COSTUME SHOWCASE 

Entrance, Level 3 

5–9 pm Display of costumes from Iconic/Balls curated by Jamaica Moana and Xander Khoury 

PROJECTIONS 

Turbine Hall, The Lab Gallery, Kings Cinema, Level 2 

5–9 pm Archival ballroom photos, short interviews with legends curated by Jamaica Moana and Xander Khoury 

SCREENING 

Kings Cinema, Level 2 

5–9 pm feature documentary 

BAR 

Balcony, Level 2 and Café, Level 3 

7.30–9 pm Kiki – Throwdown 

5–9 pm Bombay Sapphire 

MUSIC 

Curated by FBi Radio 

FREE event as part of Vivid Ideas x Powerhouse Late. No bookings required. 

Over three nights, we celebrate what makes Sydney unique: the artists who push boundaries, the creative leaders who build community, and our city’s distinct diversity and queer history.