Spinlight said:

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/chrisisvacant/Ball.jpg[/img:$uid]

Portia LaBeija, OnJenae, Angela Carrera

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/chrisisvacant/Dorian3.jpg[/img:$uid]

Legendary Dorian Corey, mother of The House of Corey

The Drag Queen and the Mummy: Dorian gained national notoriety again a few years after the release of Paris Is Burning. When sorting through her items post mortem, a corpse was found stuffed into a trunk and wrapped in leather. To this day, nobody knows who killed the man or why Dorian had him in the closet.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/chrisisvacant/Willie-Ninja-D-Art.jpg[/img:$uid]

Legendary Willi Ninja, mother of The House of Ninja

Vogue: Willi Ninja starred in the first music video involving vogueing. He pioneered the dance movement primarily because, simply put, he was the best voguer out there! Willi went on to become a celebrated teacher and performer of dance, all over the world.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/chrisisvacant/tumblr_lrizxjoaC71qlqifqo1_500.png[/img:$uid]

Legendary Pepper LaBeija, mother of The House of LaBeija

The Fiercest Mother of Them All: Pepper was famous for her irreverence, her wit, uniqueness, and charm. Coming from mostly humble beginnings, she ascended the harlem ball circuit to eventually run one of the biggest and most prestigious houses, the House of LaBeija, after taking over from legendary beauty queen Crystal LaBeija. Other Paris Is Burning notable Junior LaBeija was a member of House of LaBeija. Junior typically MC'd the balls because of his outstanding wit and humoR

OMG YOU ARE BRINGING UP OLD MEMORIES WITH THAT PHOTO

portia was a bad chick back in her hey day a real newyork socialite

back in the days we would party with thierry mugler, marc jacobs and all the fashion elite would ocme out to the gay clubs drink , snort coke , pop pills , get their cocks sucked etc

it was a truly good time

one of my favorite memories was us the fem queens competing against the supermodels tyra banks,iman,beverely johnson and rushumba all on one side verse me,octavia st.laurent,carmen xtravaganza etc

we go toe to toe with them posing,whipping our hair back in forth letting lsoe to the music i miss thoes days newyork was so fun and carefree its so damn boring in newyork now im glad i laugh to many depressing memories in that hellhole of a state

OnJenae said:

OMG YOU ARE BRINGING UP OLD MEMORIES WITH THAT PHOTO

portia was a bad chick back in her hey day a real newyork socialite

back in the days we would party with thierry mugler, marc jacobs and all the fashion elite would ocme out to the gay clubs drink , snort coke , pop pills , get their cocks sucked etc

it was a truly good time

one of my favorite memories was us the fem queens competing against the supermodels tyra banks,iman,beverely johnson and rushumba all on one side verse me,octavia st.laurent,carmen xtravaganza etc

we go toe to toe with them posing,whipping our hair back in forth letting lsoe to the music i miss thoes days newyork was so fun and carefree its so damn boring in newyork now im glad i laugh to many depressing memories in that hellhole of a state

I was waitin' to see if you'd reply!

Spinlight said:

dream LLC said:

An unblinking behind the scenes story of fashion obsessed New Yorkers who created "voguing" and drag balls , and turned these raucous celebrations into a powerful expression pf personal pride. The world within a world is instantly familiar, filled with ambitions, desires and yearnings that reflect America itself. PARIS IS BURNING is an intimate portrait of one urban community, a world in which the allure of high fashion, status and wealth becomes an affirmation of love, acceptance and joy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100332/

Paris Dupree's Paris Is Burning Ball 1991

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...1bodznA4nY[/youtube]

Danielle Revlon vs Onjenae Mugler (watch me come out and destroy danielle she did not stand a chance that night)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...iXH9MWJfhY[/youtube]

Chanel Ball 93' - FQ Face (i was the girl before the last with the puppy in my hand )

Alyssa St Clair, Octavia St Laurent, Brenda Milan, Onjanae Mugler, Tanay Pendavis, Monica Allure

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...gjrvvyowbE[/youtube]

Alphabet Ball '93 (Femme Queen)

Evie Milan, Evie Pendavis, Jennifer Legend, India Ebony, CoCo, Sarah Richards, Tanay Pendavis & Onjenae Mugler.(im the last girl to walk out and i literally slayed all the girls at least the crowd thought i did)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...o43QEiZvIs[/youtube]

video of me at the latex ball in 2010

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...56WyG6WIPE[/youtube]

violator said:

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

"I was devastated!"

"You're becoming a woman right before my very eyes..."

"You're breasts are bigger than mine."

Spinlight said:

Deadflow3r said:

I have not seen this movie since it came out and I went to the theatre to see it. I just remember laughing with my friend Fred. I also remember the old time Drag Stars as being very wise. I really should see this again. I also remember that one of them dies and that she basically was very vulnerablel; she reminded me of that TLC song that I think is titled "Waterfall". "Don't go chasing waterfalls, stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're use. I know your wanna have it your way or not at,but I think you're moving too fast". Lyrics were something like that. I need to see this movie again!

Yeah, you're referring to Venus Xtravaganza, the main daughter of Anji Xtravaganza's House of Xtravaganza who was found strangled to death and stuffed under a bed in a motel. Horrible and tragic. She'll be remembered forever, though.

Look no further if you want to watch the movie as the youtube in my first post has the entire theatrical production.

Thank you! I will remember that and when I can have the computer to myself for a decent length of time I will play it.

PurpleRighteous1 said:

Spinlight said:

I love the freedom of expression. Kind of a microcosm of a subculture where oppressed people create and share and revel in a level of solidarity and joy that most people hardly ever achieve.

Many of the important figures from this era are now gone; most of them died within 5 years of the documentary's release, but I love that the message is eternal. Those performers always wanted to make a lasting impression upon people outside of their small world and they did. Shame that only some of them got to witness this film take hold and stay fresh for 20+ years.

This is another one of my favorite glimpses into this world. Crystal LaBeija was no joke! Reading bitches in the 1960s!!!

God I wish I could track this movie down!!!

I've been looking for it and haven't been able to locate at all, it in spite of my usual trusty old sources having every movie under the sun online.

If i find it though, you know I can orgnote you

IAintTheOne said:

Venus

Is that the girl who was found under the bed, who had been killed by a trick?

Her face, I can still see it. And her voice. I remember crying the first time I saw the movie because I wasn't ready for that.

vainandy said:

Absolute great movie. Reminds me of how it was back in my old whorin' days.

Are you sure those days are behind you?

vainandy said:

That damn Pepper is my favorite sitting there in those leather pants and that bad ass leather police hat talking about his mama burning his fur coat.

I always envision him thinking she was jealous cause no man bought her a fur coat . . . .

OnJenae said:

OMG YOU ARE BRINGING UP OLD MEMORIES WITH THAT PHOTO

portia was a bad chick back in her hey day a real newyork socialite

back in the days we would party with thierry mugler, marc jacobs and all the fashion elite would ocme out to the gay clubs drink , snort coke , pop pills , get their cocks sucked etc

it was a truly good time

one of my favorite memories was us the fem queens competing against the supermodels tyra banks,iman,beverely johnson and rushumba all on one side verse me,octavia st.laurent,carmen xtravaganza etc

we go toe to toe with them posing,whipping our hair back in forth letting lsoe to the music i miss thoes days newyork was so fun and carefree its so damn boring in newyork now im glad i laugh to many depressing memories in that hellhole of a state

Thank you.

I would never have walked a ball, but I would so love to have attended.

OnJenae said:

Spinlight said:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100332/

Paris Dupree's Paris Is Burning Ball 1991

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...1bodznA4nY[/youtube]

Danielle Revlon vs Onjenae Mugler (watch me come out and destroy danielle she did not stand a chance that night)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...iXH9MWJfhY[/youtube]

Chanel Ball 93' - FQ Face (i was the girl before the last with the puppy in my hand )

Alyssa St Clair, Octavia St Laurent, Brenda Milan, Onjanae Mugler, Tanay Pendavis, Monica Allure

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...gjrvvyowbE[/youtube]

Alphabet Ball '93 (Femme Queen)

Evie Milan, Evie Pendavis, Jennifer Legend, India Ebony, CoCo, Sarah Richards, Tanay Pendavis & Onjenae Mugler.(im the last girl to walk out and i literally slayed all the girls at least the crowd thought i did)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...o43QEiZvIs[/youtube]

video of me at the latex ball in 2010

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...56WyG6WIPE[/youtube]

You are gorgeous, and yes, you wrecked them.

My personality has always been way too subtle for this scene, but these brothers and sisters always have struck me as so inspirational, so creative, so self-affirming. Organized LGBT communities of colour like that are needed now more than ever, and I hope these houses still are going strong.

As an aside, this gives me yet another excuse to post one of my favourite current voguers, Javier Ninja. That house still rules...

Ottensen said:

PurpleRighteous1 said:

God I wish I could track this movie down!!!

I've been looking for it and haven't been able to locate at all, it in spite of my usual trusty old sources having every movie under the sun online.

If i find it though, you know I can orgnote you

OMG Yes! The only thing I've found is 3rd party sellers on Amazon.com trying to sell the VHS for $90+ That's a little too rich for my blood.

fantasticjoy said:

I love this movie although today it's hard to watch it knowing most of them passed away so young. I can truly relate to it. My favorite was Octavia although I loved them all.

That is sad. Of the featured mothers, they've all died as of last August, when Paris Dupree passed.

Of the others featured, it seems only Freddie Pendavis is still alive and kicking (at least as of this 2007 video). I hope he's still doing well...

[Edited 3/24/12 20:14pm]

Lammastide said:

Spinlight said:

OnJenae said:

OMG YOU ARE BRINGING UP OLD MEMORIES WITH THAT PHOTO

portia was a bad chick back in her hey day a real newyork socialite

back in the days we would party with thierry mugler, marc jacobs and all the fashion elite would ocme out to the gay clubs drink , snort coke , pop pills , get their cocks sucked etc

it was a truly good time

one of my favorite memories was us the fem queens competing against the supermodels tyra banks,iman,beverely johnson and rushumba all on one side verse me,octavia st.laurent,carmen xtravaganza etc

we go toe to toe with them posing,whipping our hair back in forth letting lsoe to the music i miss thoes days newyork was so fun and carefree its so damn boring in newyork now im glad i laugh to many depressing memories in that hellhole of a state

I was waitin' to see if you'd reply!

me too.

Spinlight said:

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/chrisisvacant/Ball.jpg[/img:$uid]

Portia LaBeija, OnJenae, Angela Carrera

Beautiful...

Lammastide said:

fantasticjoy said:

I love this movie although today it's hard to watch it knowing most of them passed away so young. I can truly relate to it. My favorite was Octavia although I loved them all.

That is sad. Of the featured mothers, they've all died as of last August, when Paris Dupree passed.

Of the others featured, it seems only Freddie Pendavis is still alive and kicking (at least as of this 2007 video). I hope he's still doing well...

[Edited 3/24/12 20:14pm]

More are still kicking. Carmen Xtravaganza ("...But that voice is still there!") is still living and I believe she is still the mother of House of Xtravaganza as she took over some time after Anji's death.

Of course, Jose Xtravaganza is still around. You saw him as a young pup in Paris Is Burning and then on the Truth Or Dare film and the Blonde Ambition tour.

Junior LaBeija is still MCing, you can find vids of him recently on YT.

There's others too, but I would need to break out a master list. Suffice it to say, you are right about the featured house mothers. Very sad, but their personalities are so epic they reverberate through the hearts of everyone they touch even beyond the grave.

Spinlight said:

Lammastide said:

That is sad. Of the featured mothers, they've all died as of last August, when Paris Dupree passed.

Of the others featured, it seems only Freddie Pendavis is still alive and kicking (at least as of this 2007 video). I hope he's still doing well...

[Edited 3/24/12 20:14pm]

More are still kicking. Carmen Xtravaganza ("...But that voice is still there!") is still living and I believe she is still the mother of House of Xtravaganza as she took over some time after Anji's death.

Of course, Jose Xtravaganza is still around. You saw him as a young pup in Paris Is Burning and then on the Truth Or Dare film and the Blonde Ambition tour.

Junior LaBeija is still MCing, you can find vids of him recently on YT.

There's others too, but I would need to break out a master list. Suffice it to say, you are right about the featured house mothers. Very sad, but their personalities are so epic they reverberate through the hearts of everyone they touch even beyond the grave.

It's wonderful to know some are still alive. And I don't think I ever noticed Jose Xtravaganza was in PIB. I've always found him and Luis to be pretty fun, even if I hope I never again hear "The Queen's English."

[Edited 3/25/12 17:36pm]

I got my nails done yesterday.

Peoples court was on and I heard the word "House" being used the way it was used in this movie.

A young gay man and his father were suing another man and his male fiance for their security deposit.

The young man went off to college and the father had agreed to pay for the deposit and rent on a room off campus.

After a month they wanted out. The tenant with the lease was behind on the rent.

The son said the tenant also smoked marijuana openly in the home.

The tenant with the lease said the real problem was that the young son wanted into the House that the man with the lease was head of. (everyone was black and only the father was perhaps straight).

The judge said " what do you mean, he was already living in the house?"

That is when the tenant with the lease and his fiance explained they did not mean " house " in that way but described "House " as a family of gays who support one another and pick up where eachothers families have left off. They treat eachother like family because many don't have any family that will acknowledge them any more.

So the houses still go on I guess, even thought far more people are open then they were 20 years ago.

A compilation of Junior LaBeija cuts.

Trailer for "How Do I Look" which is the 2006 (I think) follow up to Paris Is Burning (not done by Jenny Livingston, though). Lots of Carmen and Octavia in this one.

A clip of "Newark Is Burning" - a play about the ball scene written in part by some of the old players.

Also, I had a question. Anyone know the song playing during Pepper's walk in the beginning of Paris Is Burning? I know damn near every song in the film EXCEPT this one??

Skip to 2:39 to hear the song as it kicks in. This has to be an 80s dance track, but it doesn't sound familiar to me at all. Surely someone on the org knows this song??