Beyond The Ball: LGBTQ+ Culture Through Movement

“Beyond The Ball” highlights Legendary Leggoh Johvera’s bi-weekly balls that have become a cornerstone for the NYC LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. Open To All (OTA) brings together dancers, performers, and community members from all walks of life to Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 3 Dollar Bill on 260 Meserole St every other Monday. Each event is a dazzling display of self-expression and fierce competition, with categories ranging from beginner runway walk to performing with a prop. The event serves as more than just a competition, it’s a safe space where people are celebrated for who they are and where the theme of chosen family thrives. The video captures the energy, artistry, and deep sense of pride that define the ballroom culture, showcasing the joy and resilience of the community it supports and the act of peaceful and visual protest during a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack.

Included in the video is a profile of Alaska, a charismatic and resilient drag performer who has found a true sense of belonging through the ballroom scene. Alaska shares their journey of discovering OTA and how it transformed their experience of community, offering a place where they could fully embrace their identity both on and off the stage. Through interviews and footage of Alaska’s performances, viewers see how the ballroom scene has not only fueled their artistic growth but also provided a network of support and friendship, describing it as a space where they could, “feel like myself.” Alaska’s story reflects the powerful impact of spaces that nurture authenticity, creativity, and connection.