David ian xtravaganza biography of christopher
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In vogue: How photographer Chantal Regnault captured the Harlem ball scene’s rise to fame
Recently, the Kunsthal Museum in Rotterdam opened up a brand new exhibition that surveyed the visual history of ballroom. Naturally, Chantal’s work was featured prominently. She was more than happy to participate in building the exhibition and attending its opening gala – but most importantly, she was overjoyed that more people around Europe could see the photographs she had lovingly taken of her friends back in New York. But how did Chantal manage to be so prolific? “I decided very early on to photograph them all in the way they wanted to be seen,” Chantal explains. “It was very important, and I never tried to catch them half-done or with their make-up not ready or somewhat tired or with their wig on the side, you know? I wasn’t interested in going to that place at all.” She speaks as if this is a given fact, a decision that was never up for debate. As the ballroom participants picked up on Chantal’s eager cooperative and collaborative spirit, they began to willfully direct her: “can you take this photo like this?” became “shoot me like this!” which became “I want to be in this pose.” It made sense, considering ballroom was all about the Black queer and trans community reclaiming an a
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The Legendary Council house of Xtravaganza
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By Karl Taps X.
“XTRAVA…GANZA!!!” is a chant instantly recognized by any NYC nightlife veteran. Since the House of Xtravaganza has built its reputation based on diverse talent, impeccable style, the ability to defy social boundaries and a fierce family loyalty. In the course of 30 years, “the Xtravas” have become an intrinsic part of the cultural life of New York, impacting fashion, art, music, dance and nightlife, and are one of the most acclaimed houses defining the ballroom scene.
It all started in the summer of when a small group of gay men and transgender women, formed of friendships made hanging out on dance floors and the Christopher Street pier, made the bold decision to open a downtown ballroom house in response to the Harlem uptown ballroom scene. One of the first to join this new venture was a young transgender teen of Puerto Rican descent who came to be known as Angie Xtravaganza and would assume the role of “house mother.” Under Mother Angie’s uncompromising but loving hand, the House of Xtravaganza would continue to recruit talented young members and build their recognition as a force to be reckoned with in the ballroom community.
By the ballroom scene was frequently being cited in the popular press for its cultural significance, and the House of Xtravagan