Three Ring Spectacle: Austin's Queer Extravaganza

Presented by the Paramount Theatre, "The Majestic Ball"* was a night of glamour and extravagance, bringing Austin's queer community together for a celebration of expression and individuality. A revival of the underground "ballroom" culture, the now-annual Pride Month event transforms the historic stage on Congress Avenue into a dazzling spectacle.

A Circus-Themed Extravaganza

The ball shined a spotlight on inclusive pageantry, with attendees donning circus-themed attire. Think queer disco-runway fusion with a hefty dose of glitter.

“It was a safe space created for People of Color individuals who did not have that in their pageantry, so they created a safe space for people like themselves.”
-- Natalie Sanders, House Mother of the House of Lepore and host

Step into the Spotlight

Guests were greeted by a stilt walker, with attendees dressed to impress in red velvet coats, rainbow attire, and lacy tanks. Austin's own DJ BabiBoi set the tone with a mix of queer R&B and pop hits. Co-producers Ryan Thompson and Sawyer Stoltz emphasized the importance of showcasing Black and brown queer talent in Austin and Central Texas.

“When this theater was built, I don’t think they could have ever imagined this kind of event. I hope they’re rolling over in their graves.”
-- Ryan Thompson, Co-Producer

Diamonds Are Forever

Diamond Dior Davenport delivered a show-stopping drag performance, paying homage to R&B icon Ciara. Draped in a salmon gown, Davenport owned the stage with her lip-syncing prowess, belted vocals, and dynamic moves. A costume change revealed a Missy Elliot-inspired tracksuit, as Davenport made the venue her runway, backed by knit-clad dancers.

A Majestic Host

Natalie Sanders, draped in a crimson gown, joined Davenport as co-host for the evening. Known for bringing ballroom culture to Central Texas, Sanders set the stage with simple house rules: "Know your category, walk it, win it." The ball featured four categories: "Face" (looks), "Ringmaster" (circus-themed attire), "Bizarre" (two-headed costumes), and "Performance" (voguing with aerial silk). Each category boasted a grand prize of $1,000, presented by the Paramount Theatre, and a $100 runner-up prize sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign.

Reading the Room

The "Face" category showcased competitors' kissers, with intimate walks and fierce fans. "Ringmaster" competitors dazzled in red coats, black gloves, and top hats, with a slender entrant, Ivan, taking the grand prize. The "Bizarre" category wowed with conjoined mummies and a two-headed winning clown, while a refined look featuring a moving psychic mannequin head went underrated.

The Grand Finale

Controversy sparked during the "Performance" category when rule interpretations caused a stir. Ultimately, all gymnasts and acrobats were allowed to perform, with divas taking over the stage in a duck-walking, silk-swinging finale.

Sanders reflected on the night's magic:

“Every queer community deserves ballroom to know that there is a space for you to be loved and to love.”

The Majestic Ball celebrated queer talent, creativity, and resilience—a testament to the power and diversity of Austin's LGBTQ+ community.

URLs:

• https://austin.culturemap.com/news/events/06-13-21-atx-pride-events-austin-june-2021-pride-month-lgbtq-celebrations-things-to-do/
• https://puzzles.usatoday.com/