Strike a pose: An Afternoon with José Xtravaganza and Mix Mix Dance Collective
Written by Emily Lopez
A huge thank you to both Mix Mix Dance Collective and Jose Xtravaganza for allowing me this experience.
When most people think of Voguing, certain attributes come to mind; stylized hand and arm movements, reference to the famous high fashion magazine, and likely Madonna who introduced the dance to the mainstream in the 1980s. Lesser known are the true roots of Vogue history, that it began in New York City’s drag ballroom competitions, and that it impacted and empowered the LGBTQ, primarily in African American and Latino, Communities. In an afternoon of dance and choreography with powerhouse José Xtravaganza, Father of the House of Xtravaganza and the spearheading artists of Toronto’s Mix Mix Dance Collective, Voguing becomes the dance you thought you knew.
A quick google search confirms this acclaim - José Xtravaganza is impressive. Best known for his work with Madonna, as well as supporting the infamous runway walk of Supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Father José Xtravaganza is the voguing authority. While such a reputation might appear intimidating at first, dance participants soon learn that Jose’s warm, enthusiastic demeanour could not be more welcoming.
Today’s class takes place at Dovercourt House, a beloved home to many artistic performances, where soft lights stream through high, glass window panes casting a glow onto the wooden floor. As the dancers begin their warm up, Jose recites both the characteristics and significances of the dance, explaining how movements are meant to express inner beauty as opposed to being purely cosmetic, created not with attention to perfected technique but rather with attunement to the heart. He compares the spirit of Voguing to that of “Slam dancing”, popular in the 1970’s and 80’s Punk Rock scene, in both its energy and underdog status. Stretches become sculptured silhouettes as the dancers twist and mold their strong bodies into patterns of geometry. Wrists whirl quickly, circling past their ears with sharp agility, and robust arms slide past heads and whip backwards in movements reminiscent of the powerful grace of a Hellenistic Dancing Maenad. Jose instills Attitude. Over. Everything. Even the smallest movement is able to interpret and redefine the space. The chaos associated with such flourished twisting works much like a Rubiks cube, ultimately resolving itself and ending up exactly as it is meant to be, wherever that may be.
As the workshop continues, the movements become increasingly intricate and challenging. Throughout, Jose guides with extravagant praise, ensuring each dancer that no one will be left behind, not on his watch. As they experiment and perfect their movements, Jose calls out “Give me a pose, give me face! You’re not born with this movement, you’re going to create it!” His position is that Voguing is not about what you can or can’t do, it’s about what you as an individual can bring to the table.
In the workshop’s final segment, dancers swap their sneakers for glittering, heeled sandals and boots, as Jose starts up Martin Solveig’s beat-driven hit “Intoxicated”. The Runway walking begins. Dancers observe three different styles of Runway, then take turns imitating each movement, each one applying their own unique flare and technique. To say these walks are fierce feels like an understated cliche; in reality, they are jaw-droppingly impressive.
At the end of his Runway walk, Jose Xtravaganza does something that truly personifies his approach to Voguing. As he reaches the end of the catwalk, he turns his body backwards and whips his head around one last time, as if saying “Sure, whatever” with the same defiant approach he brings to every dance. This final lookback epitomizes the essence of Voguing, a dance which at its core honours personal expression and interpretation over everything else.
Written by Emily Lopez
A huge thank you to both Mix Mix Dance Collective and Jose Xtravaganza for allowing me this experience.
When most people think of Voguing, certain attributes come to mind; stylized hand and arm movements, reference to the famous high fashion magazine, and likely Madonna who introduced the dance to the mainstream in the 1980s. Lesser known are the true roots of Vogue history, that it began in New York City’s drag ballroom competitions, and that it impacted and empowered the LGBTQ, primarily in African American and Latino, Communities. In an afternoon of dance and choreography with powerhouse José Xtravaganza, Father of the House of Xtravaganza and the spearheading artists of Toronto’s Mix Mix Dance Collective, Voguing becomes the dance you thought you knew.
A quick google search confirms this acclaim - José Xtravaganza is impressive. Best known for his work with Madonna, as well as supporting the infamous runway walk of Supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Father José Xtravaganza is the voguing authority. While such a reputation might appear intimidating at first, dance participants soon learn that Jose’s warm, enthusiastic demeanour could not be more welcoming.
Today’s class takes place at Dovercourt House, a beloved home to many artistic performances, where soft lights stream through high, glass window panes casting a glow onto the wooden floor. As the dancers begin their warm up, Jose recites both the characteristics and significances of the dance, explaining how movements are meant to express inner beauty as opposed to being purely cosmetic, created not with attention to perfected technique but rather with attunement to the heart. He compares the spirit of Voguing to that of “Slam dancing”, popular in the 1970’s and 80’s Punk Rock scene, in both its energy and underdog status. Stretches become sculptured silhouettes as the dancers twist and mold their strong bodies into patterns of geometry. Wrists whirl quickly, circling past their ears with sharp agility, and robust arms slide past heads and whip backwards in movements reminiscent of the powerful grace of a Hellenistic Dancing Maenad. Jose instills Attitude. Over. Everything. Even the smallest movement is able to interpret and redefine the space. The chaos associated with such flourished twisting works much like a Rubiks cube, ultimately resolving itself and ending up exactly as it is meant to be, wherever that may be.
As the workshop continues, the movements become increasingly intricate and challenging. Throughout, Jose guides with extravagant praise, ensuring each dancer that no one will be left behind, not on his watch. As they experiment and perfect their movements, Jose calls out “Give me a pose, give me face! You’re not born with this movement, you’re going to create it!” His position is that Voguing is not about what you can or can’t do, it’s about what you as an individual can bring to the table.
In the workshop’s final segment, dancers swap their sneakers for glittering, heeled sandals and boots, as Jose starts up Martin Solveig’s beat-driven hit “Intoxicated”. The Runway walking begins. Dancers observe three different styles of Runway, then take turns imitating each movement, each one applying their own unique flare and technique. To say these walks are fierce feels like an understated cliche; in reality, they are jaw-droppingly impressive.
At the end of his Runway walk, Jose Xtravaganza does something that truly personifies his approach to Voguing. As he reaches the end of the catwalk, he turns his body backwards and whips his head around one last time, as if saying “Sure, whatever” with the same defiant approach he brings to every dance. This final lookback epitomizes the essence of Voguing, a dance which at its core honours personal expression and interpretation over everything else.