The Queerguru Team are not always up for trying new things, but when the invite from SHOUT Queer Arts and Culture arrived in our intray we were very intrigued.  Based in Birmingham, UK they are creating the foundations for having a ballroom community, and the difference is that this project is the first step to a new generation of voguers in the city.

The invite states ‘come along and learn Waacking and Voguing‘. The latter we knew, but the former had us scrambling for our Urban Dictionary as we thought it may have something that should happen when you swipe right on Grindr.  It’s actually a street dance style that was popular in Los Angeles gay clubs during the 1970’s disco era and was inspired by the stars of Hollywood’s golden era, and is characterized by expressive arm movements, posing, and a focus on musicality and improvisation.  Like Voguing, it has its roots in the LGBTQIA+ community, and it is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, with dancers sharing their moves and inspiring others. 

Now Waacking has turned up in the UK thanks to  Eric Scutaro, a Venezuelan choreographer, dance performer, activist, and refugee in the United Kingdom  Eric has been a pioneer in his country in Waacking and Voguing, and even introduced the word ‘queer’ to Venezuela. His choreographies, workshops, and performances explore hip-hop, Waacking and Voguing as a way to advocate and carve out space for the LGBTQIA+ community.