Performance

Vogue Rites present The Power Ball

supported by adidas Originals

Sold out

Sat 12 Aug

16.30-22.30

£5-£15

More details

Doors from 16.00

Edmond J. Safra

Fountain Court

Making a spectacular return to Somerset House, London’s grassroots Ballroom collective Vogue Rites present an unmissable open-air Vogue Ball in our courtyard.

This special evening event will see performers and house members walking the runway and competing for trophies in an outdoor extravaganza of dance, fashion and music, featuring a host of international Ballroom talent.

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This event is a celebration of global Vogue culture, so we ask that if you are not part of the Ballroom community, you learn about the scene’s history and cultural significance.

Please also note that are some categories that have an adult theme and are not suitable for younger audiences. Please be respectful of the performers and staff at all times. Somerset House staff may ask you not to take pictures, please ensure you listen to staff when asked to stop photography.

Tickets will be dispatched 48 hours before the event.

About Ball Culture

Originating from Harlem's Drag Balls (that date back over 150 years) and founded by Black and Latinx members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Ballroom is an intentional space that celebrates and prioritises that community, with a particular focus on centring and uplifting QTBPOC.

Pioneered by Crystal Labeija, ball culture has spread across the globe, largely thanks to one of its many competitive categories - Voguing. This is an improvisational art form/dance with rhythmic movement inspired by models' poses in fashion magazines. Voguing has since become a powerful representation of the socio-political struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community and QTBPOC in particular..

"Balls" are competitions/events where individuals and houses come together to compete in categories across fashion, beauty, realness and performance for prizes.

"Houses" are family units that are formed as support networks, with parents of each House guiding & caring for their children and as teams to compete together at Balls.

Ballroom Terms

While you're at the event, there might be some terms you're unfamiliar with. Below, we've unpacked some of these.

OTA: open to all
FQ (fem queen): trans woman
BQ (butch queen): gay man
FF (female figure): trans woman, drags, cis woman
MF (male figure): transman, butch queen, butch, cis man
NB: non-binary
GP: grand prize
TBA: to be announced
Effect: outfit/look
10s: if you get your 10s, you will continue to the battles.
Chop: being cut from the category.
Shade: to throw attitude and indirect insults

Booking your tickets

Concession and community tickets are intended exclusively for:

NHS employees
Disabled people (companion tickets available)
Students in higher education
Seniors (65+ on benefits)
Unwaged (people on benefits)

Please choose a full price ticket option if you can afford to do so. We operate on a trust basis, and standard tickets contribute to keeping prices low for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to visit.

At the end of your visit
We hope you have a memorable and enjoyable time. Please consider our neighbours and leave Somerset House quietly in a safe and orderly manner.

Categories & Information for Walkers

Find out more

People playing in the fountains, The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House

Explore summer in our courtyard

Open-air, affordable gatherings at the heart of the capital