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 […]
Bridging the past and present of our diverse our communities. The highlight of BAM’s FLUXX program was Having a Ball! with the House of Avant Garde (1992). The film stood […]
One of the city’s most exciting, most creative Black queer dance clubs in the 1980s. Opened in 1986, Club LaRay was located at 3150 North Halsted in Chicago. The club, […]
Part of BAM Film 2025, FLUXX takes place Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Brooklyn’s hub for cutting-edge creativity and connection. FLUXX is a unique one-night-only cinematic program curated by the […]
The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) will screen Having a Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Having a Ball! profiles the supportive, hugely creative LGBTQ+ family that formed around Chicago’s House […]
A feature film about the all-women, queercore punk band Tribe 8, directed and produced by Tracy Flannigan. The film chronicles live performances, candid moments of their lives at work and […]
A conceptual art project by artist Chris E. Vargas.
Explore the origins of house music, which began in Chicago’s underground party scene.
Stephanie Coleman, a seasoned videographer and realtor in Chicago, has a unique and inspiring background in the arts. Her film, Having A Ball! With the House of Avant Garde, was […]
The House of Avant-Garde was established in 1986 by Wardell Ford, Thomas Sampson, and DeRico “Tracy” Reed. Aaron Pierre Brown moved to Chicago from Michigan in the Fall of 1986. […]