With Ballroom Icons Dray Ebony &

Founder Michael Roberson Maison-Margiela

Honoring NYC Black Pride 2025

Tuesday, August 12th, 2025

6 PM – 9 PM

City Lore Gallery: 56 E 1st Street, New York, NY 10003

Free and open to the public!

Ballroom: A History, a Movement, a Celebration by Founder Michael Roberson Maison-Margiela

Activist and longtime Ballroom participant Roberson debuts with a dynamic overview of the Ballroom community. He begins by taking stock of Ballroomʼs recent growth from a small North American subculture to a “global phenomenon,” in part thanks to the popularity of TV shows such as Legendary and Pose. With an intimate insiderʼs perspective—Roberson first participated in Philadelphiaʼs Ballroom scene in the 1980s and went on to be “a part of eight Houses” and a founder of four—he provides a comprehensive survey of todayʼs biggest balls, including his own POCC (People of Color in Crisis) Ball, “a health, wellness, and HIV prevention/testing ball,” and the Latex Ball, “the first in the fight” against AIDS. This somewhat daunting catalog of balls and Houses is enlivened by descriptions of such memorable performances as Lola Gorgeous Gucci materializing from “an all-white icebox” in “teal fur and a crystal hairpiece” before “stripping down to a crystallized white corset and thong” as Aaliyahʼs “Rock the Boat” plays. The volumeʼs most valuable contribution is its historical timeline: tracing Ballroom back to 19th-century drag balls, Roberson shows how this nightlife community has intersected with political and artistic movements from the Harlem Renaissance to AIDS activism. Itʼs an essential, if sometimes dense, primer that places Ballroom within a lineage of liberation.

The Smooth Side of Roughness: “Nothing is as exciting as it seems initially” by Andrée Paul aka Icon Dray

In The Smooth Side of Roughness, Andrée Paul, also known as Icon Dray, presents a collection of insights and reflections grounded in personal experiences and life lessons. The book aims to inspire and motivate readers through quotes and narratives exploring themes of love, truth, and personal growth. Paul discusses the importance of managing expectations to avoid disappointment, emphasizing that common sense is not universal. He highlights the need for empathy and the ability to distinguish sincere cries for help from mere attention-seeking. Life’s unpredictability is acknowledged. The book notes that how we respond to situations is even more important than the events themselves. The author encourages readers to recognize the unique roles and purposes people have in their lives. He also emphasizes the importance of staying motivated, learning from setbacks, and focusing on what truly matters. Through these reflections, Andrée Paul offers a guide for navigating life’s challenges with positivity and purpose, encouraging readers to embrace their journey with gratitude and determination.

Legendary Looks: Preserving Our Legacy

Exhibit run (extended): July 25th, 2025 – September 21st, 2025

City Lore Gallery: 56 E 1st Street, New York, NY 10003

Preserving Our Legacy is one of a three-part exhibition series, co-organized by City Lore, ArtsWestchester, and Pioneer Works, focused on the cultural legacy and community impact of House Ballroom.

At City Lore, the Legendary Looks curators spotlight select House Ballroom community leaders, including Pioneer Founder RR Chanel, Pioneer Alvernian Du’Mure-Versailles and include Reign Supreme Queen Mother Baby Garçon and their efforts to preserve House Ballroom culture and history. The multimedia exhibition features collections of ball flyers, archival photos and video, original effects, as well as video and audio excerpts from oral history interviews recorded and collected by the curators.

See below for information about exhibitions and programming at partner sites.

Legendary Looks: The Art of Effects Design in House Ballroom (May 31 – August 17, 2025 at ArtsWestchester) Featuring a multimedia installation and over 30 unforgettable looks created by some of ballroom’s top designers, stylists and walkers.

Legendary Looks: My Ballroom Story (June 6-August 10, 2025 at Pioneer Works) Featuring a multimedia installation by Felix Rodriguez, a filmmaker who has documented the Ballroom scene since the 1990s.

About the Co-presenters

ArtsWestchester (ArtsW), established in 1965, is one of New York state’s largest private, not-for-profit cultural service organizations. ArtsW’s core offerings include a grants program for Westchester and Rockland-based artists & cultural orgs; a folk arts program that presents, promotes and preserves the artistic expressions of the region’s cultural communities through collaborative programming; and an exhibitions program that has shown the work of over 4,000 regional artists in 75+ exhibitions. It is one of few arts organizations in the U.S. with an ongoing commitment to supporting the expressive practices of House Ballroom. Since 2019, ArtsW has presented over 25 House Ballroom-led programs; and has helped administer over $400K in direct public and private support for HBC artists and organizations. A leading funder and advocate for the arts, ArtsW works to create an equitable, inclusive, vibrant and sustainable community in which the arts are integral to and integrated into every facet of life.

Pioneer Works is an artist and scientist-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural center in Red Hook, Brooklyn that fosters innovative thinking through the visual and performing arts, technology, music, and science. We provide visual and performing artists, musicians, scientists, technologists, community organizers, and educators the resources and platform they need to expand their practices. Our approach encourages experimentation and empowers curious minds across diverse communities, knowledge bases, and frames of reference; in so doing, Pioneer Works aims to accelerate culture through the free exchange of ideas and information for all.

Legendary Looks: Preserving Our Legacy is made possible with support from the Coby Foundation, Ltd. and the Mid Atlantic Folk and Traditional Arts – Community Projects program of Mid Atlantic Arts. The exhibition at City Lore is supported by the André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, La Vida Feliz Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and the Scherman Foundation, as well as public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council, as well as the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.