Stephanie Coleman’s 1992 documentary includes amazing footage of ballroom performances.
Established in the 1980s, the House of Avant-Garde was the first Chicago ballroom house. It served as a safe haven for predominantly Black LGBTQ+ youth and fostered a vibrant community where they could fully express themselves.
Having A Ball! With the House of Avant Garde offers an immersive and thrilling experience into Chicago’s vibrant Black LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. The film was created in collaboration with the House of Avant Garde.
The House of Avant Garde Discusses Planning a Ball
A family member talks about the formation of the House of Avant Garde and details everything that goes into planning a ball.
“This is a house of love here. And that’s the reason that we’re here. We’re also here to show people that you can do and you can be whoever you want to be without any fear, because there is always going to be someone there to give you the support that you need. That [person’s] going to be just like you, that kindred spirit that you need so you can feel some type of connection. So you can feel some type of belonging. So don’t be afraid to be who you are.”
Thanks to Media Burn, footage from the House of Avant Garde’s Unity Ball and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Ball can be viewed online! Videos are available to watch and share for free.
- Watch Having a Ball! with the House of Avant Garde at mediaburn.org/video/having-a-ball-with-the-house-of-avant-garde.
- Watch the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Ball at mediaburn.org/video/2nd-vouge-ball-vhs-1.
Media Burn is a nonprofit dedicated to video’s overlooked histories and its most fiercely independent voices, from the 1960s to today. Visit mediaburn.org for more films. Please support their work by making a donation.
Aaron Enigma
Aaron Pierre Brown was a member of the first Chicago ballroom house, the House of Avant Garde. The house was established in 1986 by Wardell Ford, Thomas Sampson, and DeRico “Tracy” Reed as a safe haven for predominantly Black LGBTQ+ youth.
Having a Ball with the House of Avant Garde chronicles the activities of the house, from forming as the first Chicago Vogue House in 1986 to hosting their first Ball in 1991. Interviews with some of the early legends of the house include: the late Tyrone Avant-Garde, the late Christopher Avant-Garde, and the late Big Thomas Avant-Garde.
Aaron shares his experiences online at aaronpierrebrown.com, and at YouTube.com/@fumamachu.
