What happens when a dance born in the glittering underground clubs of 1970s Los Angeles travels halfway across the world and takes root in New Zealand? In this deep-dive episode, we unravel the electrifying story of Waacking—a street dance of fierce expression, resilience, and radical self-celebration—through its journey from its disco-era LGBTQIA+ beginnings to becoming one of Aotearoa’s most dynamic and inclusive dance communities.

We begin with Waacking’s origins: conceived in the flamboyant, high-energy world of LA’s queer disco scene. Once known as “punking,” a reclaimed slur, Waacking evolved into an art packed with whip-fast arm movements, sharp poses, and Hollywood diva dramatics inspired by icons like Lauren Bacall and Bette Davis. We tip our hats to global trailblazers such as Tyrone “The Bone” Proctor and Jeffrey Daniel—whose Soul Train performances broke ground for street dance on TV—as well as the new-generation instructors like Brian “Footwork” Green who ignited Waacking’s modern resurgence.

Then, we trace the arrival of Waacking in New Zealand—not in a single explosive moment, but through the dedication of local dancers determined to cultivate something real. Meet Jaydess Nand, the genre’s powerhouse pioneer in NZ, who trained with legends in LA, Australia, and New York before returning to set up foundational events like “Waack It Out”—the country’s first formal Waacking battle. As co-leader of The Jaackers NZ (Aotearoa’s first Waacking company) and creative force behind international and local fusions like “Desi Waack,” she has built a scene from the ground up.

Alongside Jaydess, Rina Chae stands out as a catalyst for change. After grooving with Beyoncé in LA, Rina returned to re-shape NZ’s scene. Now the “Mother” of Imperial House of Waacking NZ, Red Bull “Dance Your Style” 2023 dance liaison, and co-director at En Beat Dance Academy, Rina has nurtured both top-tier talent (from kids to pros) and built new platforms including Street Candee studio.

We shine a spotlight on the vibrant web of creators making Waacking a truly national movement. Hear about Hayley Walters-Tekahika (Prowl Productions, The Jaackers NZ), theatre-maker Andrew Cornish, southern ambassador Setu Mosegi in Christchurch, K-pop and commercial crossover artists like Angelika Zueva, ballet-turned-Vogue phenom Heidi Chen, competition standouts like Peggy Yao, and the boundary-pushing artistry of Earl De Castro (“Liberate-He”).

Discover thriving crews and collectives—Waackalicious shaking up Auckland Pride, the international Jaackers, Imperial House of Waacking NZ winning big at World of Dance, and the community-oriented Prowl Productions infusing theatre and activism into dance. Explore schools such as En Beat Academy, who train the next wave, and celebrated festivals like Ladies of Hip Hop NZ, where Waacking is front and center among street dance’s best.

Finally, we reflect on Waacking’s deeper cultural impact in Aotearoa—how battles like “Express Your Culture” and shows like “Club Waack” have woven ancestral pride, whakapapa, and queer, POC identity into every pose. We delve into the intersections with the growing ballroom scene led by figures like Lara Chuo, and the universal need for safe, affirming spaces for community and self-expression.

Full of stories of passion, resilience, artistry, and belonging, this episode is a tribute to the people who made Waacking more than just a dance. Grab your headphones, and join us as we celebrate the spirit, the rhythm, and the legacy of Waacking in New Zealand—a story still in motion!

Show notes

1. Introduction

• Purpose: Distill the artistry, culture, and history of street dance for dancers and enthusiasts.
• Sources: Historical accounts, academic research, dancer oral histories.
• Key themes: “Street dance,” being “well-rounded,” “cultural preservation,” “educate before you recreate.”

2. Hip-Hop Dance Origins: The Bronx (1970s)

• Hip-hop pillars: DJing, rapping, graffiti, breakdance.
• DJ Kool Herc: Jamaican roots, innovated “break beats” at Bronx block parties, inspiring new dance forms.
• Dance traits: Musical “bounces/rocks,” social dances like Running Man, Dougie, and original Harlem Shake.
• Misconceptions: Not all street dance is hip-hop or “breakdancing”—80s movies blurred many styles. Breaking (Bronx) ≠ Funk styles (West Coast).

3. West Coast Funk Styles: California (1970s–80s)

• Boogaloo: Oakland; fluid, “boneless” cartoon-inspired rolls and dime stops.
• Popping: Fresno; sharp muscular “hits/pops”—Electric Boogaloos (Boogaloo Sam, Popin’ Pete) popularized it. Includes “waving.”
• Locking: Don Campbell invented “lock”—sudden freezes, splits, points—popular on Soul Train. Tony Basil helped form Campellock Dancers. Emphasis on tradition and the problem of “slop lockers” (inaccurate imitators).
• Waacking: Gay clubs, LA (1970s disco); rotational arms, dramatic posing, Hollywood glamour. Rooted in Black & Latino LGBTQ+ resilience.

4. East Coast Innovations: NY (Late 70s–2000s)

• Breaking: Bronx; athletic spins, flips, freezes. Key crew: Rock Steady Crew. 1981 Lincoln Center battle mainstreamed the style. “Settle beef in the circle” culture.
• Vogue: Harlem, late 80s; Black/Latinx LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. “Houses” as competitive families. Three styles: Old Way (geometry, “pinning” duels), New Way (flexibility, arm illusion), Vogue Femme (fluid, exaggerated femininity). Pioneers: Paris Dupree, Willi Ninja. "Paris Is Burning" controversy and "no game" critique emphasize authenticity.
• House Dance: 1980s Chicago/NY clubs (Frankie Knuckles); fast footwork, torso “jacking,” expansive moves. Innovators: Frankie Knuckles, Brian “Footwork” Green. Community-focused, improvisational.
• Lite Feet: Harlem, 2000s; quick, weightless footwork, hat/shoe tricks. Seen in subways, reflecting Harlem identity. Uptempo beats (100–110 bpm).

5. Becoming a Well-Rounded Dancer

• Master the groove/bounce first; break down moves, drill for muscle memory, focus on one style.
• Use resources: YouTube, Steezy, Funk In Focus, workshops, local groups.
• Attend cyphers/jams for improvisation and community; “dance like no one is watching.”
• Listen to foundation music (funk, soul, hip-hop, disco).
• Observe but don’t copy—find icons for inspiration.
• Know freestyle (flowing improv), choreography (set routines, often from freestyle), and battling (creative pressure).

6. Mindset & Authenticity

• Set small, consistent goals; practice alone or with supportive peers.
• Prioritize authenticity: Learn origins, respect communities (“educate before you recreate”). Study from history if OG access isn’t possible.

7. Conclusion

• Recap journey: From Bronx hip-hop, West Coast funk, to NY’s Vogue, House, and Light Feet.
• Each style = local roots and evolving culture, tightly linked to its music.
• Street dance uplifts identity, community, and self-expression—reinvented yet anchored in tradition.
• Closing thought: What music or “dance” shapes your life? Understanding origins deepens connection. Always “educate before you recreate”—in dance, and beyond.

Join us on a dazzling study into the electric world of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Vogue Ballroom scene—where self-expression, community, and queerness sparkle brighter than stage lights. This episode traces the journey from Harlem’s underground runways to South Auckland’s marae halls, exploring how a global movement rooted in resistance became a beacon of cultural restoration, chosen family, and Pacific pride in New Zealand.

In this episode, we unpack:

1. The Origins & Global Roots

• Voguing’s birth in 1960s Harlem, USA, as an artform of African American and Latino LGBTQ+ communities (Paris Is Burning as pivotal inspiration).
• Signature elements—fashion magazine-influenced poses, Egyptian iconography, and sharp body movements.
• Cultural impact and sanctuary ballroom culture provided, especially for Black/Latino queer and transfeminine people.
• The global ‘vogue explosion’ after Madonna’s “Vogue” (1990) and the worldwide influence of Paris Is Burning.

2. Arrival & Adaptation in Aotearoa

• The first balls in Ōtara, South Auckland (2013), at Tapu Te Ranga Marae—significance for Māori and Pacific queer communities.
• The founding of FAF SWAG Arts Collective in Auckland by Pati Salomona Tyrell and Tanugago.
• Ballroom as “chosen family” and radical cultural adaptation for indigenous and diaspora communities facing both racism and queerphobia.

3. Architecture of the Scene: Houses, Stars, and Safe Havens

• The rise of iconic houses: House of Coven-Carangi, House of Aitu, House of Iman, Kiki House of Marama (Wellington), House of Givenchy, and Avant House of Dawn.
• The living legends: Mother Mistress Coven-Carangī (scene’s godmother), Tanu Gago, Pati Salomona Tyrell, Mother Honey Givenchy, Cara Mara & Romay, Mother Venus, Godfather Sam.
• House structures as surrogate families—mentorship, life skills, competition, and fierce love.
• “007s” (free agents) and the organic flow of new houses and talent.

4. Balls, Battles & Community

• Signature events: Legacy Vogue Ball, Fictional Ball, Metalliball, Dusk Till Dawn & Through the Eras Kiki Balls, A Hula Fashion Week, Battle Zone.
• The move from grassroots marae venues to national arts centres and Te Papa museum.
• Workshops and educational events from FAF SWAG to Kiki House of Marama—building skills and preserving authenticity.

5. Cultural Impact & Ongoing Journey

• Ballroom as sanctuary and tool for radical self-love and empowerment, especially for queer Māori/Pasifika youth and artists.
• The vital role of cultural restoration: spaces for “queer brown bodies” to thrive, challenging conservative Pākehā norms and colonial values.
• Scene’s evolving inclusivity, mainstream visibility, and the joys/challenges of greater recognition.

6. Timeline of Pivotal Moments

• 1960s Harlem origins → 1990s globalisation → 2013’s Aotearoa debut, house formations, major events.
• Recent landmark balls, art residencies, and government honours—plus a look ahead to rising regions and future plans (Blenheim, Te Papa events in 2025).

Tune in for shimmering stories, iconic moments, and a celebration of resilience—where every duckwalk, dip, and pose is a victory against erasure. As the scene grows, we ask: how can we help every future star’s freak flag truly fly?

Show notes