The House of Xtravaganza brought Ballroom directly into the heart of Times Square with the Love Is Imagination Pride Mini Ball, presented in partnership with Baltimore Center Stage, TENz: Some Nice Things, and TSQ LIVE.
More than a Pride Month activation, the event offered a first look at XTRAVAGANZA, a new original musical inspired by the legendary House and the Ballroom pioneers whose influence continues to shape music, fashion, nightlife, and performance around the world.
“The Ballroom community is experiencing a powerful moment of visibility as its influence continues to shape mainstream culture,” said Maximo Xtravaganza, curator of the Love Is Imagination Pride Mini Ball with support from house members. “By bringing this event to Times Square, our goal is to honor and preserve Ballroom’s cultural legacy while amplifying the community and performers who originated this art form.”
The location carried its own history. Long before Times Square became the polished tourist corridor it is today, Ballroom figures regularly moved through the area on their way to queer nightlife spaces including Sally’s Hideaway, Show Palace, and Escuelita. Staging the mini ball at 46th Street and Broadway created a public return to a neighborhood deeply connected to New York’s often-overlooked queer nightlife history.
Hundreds of Ballroom legends, statements, stars, spectators, tourists, and passersby gathered around the floor as competitors walked categories including BQ Performance, FQ Performance, Old Way vs. New Way, and Best Dressed. What began as an afternoon event quickly became a cultural spectacle, transforming one of the city’s busiest intersections into a space for competition, memory, and community visibility.
The panel featured Danielle Polanco, Dashaun Basquiat, Courtney Balenciaga, Andre Mizrahi, Jack Gorgeous Gucci, and Gisele Xtravaganza, with Madame007 serving as MC, Kevin JZ Prodigy on commentary, and MikeQ pumping the beats.
“We’ve always been more than a House, we’re a movement.” said Gerardo Felix– aka G Xtravaganza – current Father of the House of Xtravaganza. “As the new House parents, Angie and I, along with the House, are proud to be hosting the Love Is Imagination Pride Mini Ball in Times Square to honor the legends who built the runway and created a future where our culture, creativity, and community continue to thrive with a new generation. Now, that’s Ballroom!”
Photos by Reynolds “Rey” Fernandez | Videos by Kari Akin
Get into some of the category clips below.
Best Dressed 10s
Butch Queen Performance – 10s
Oldway vs New Way. Final Battle with Alvernian and Javier
The LSS/Opening Ceremony
The Xtravaganza Grand March
