Pump, Create, Elevate: New Way 101

In the organizer's words:

Workshop, Hang-Out Space

This workshop led by Sattva Ninja, renowned ballroom practitioner, will explore the origins and core elements of New Way, one of the three performance styles of ballroom dance, also known as voguing. It originated from dancers imitating the poses of fashion models, particularly those featured in Vogue magazine. Voguing is also inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphics, mime and performance techniques, martial arts and dance subcultures such as breakdancing and popping. In the 1980s, the Old Way category focused on symmetry, lines and classical poses. A decade later, the New Way category developed as dancers pushed the physical and technical boundaries of the dance form and explored new forms of movement. The style introduced greater flexibility, physical contortions and acrobatic elements, often accompanied by faster house and techno tracks. Influenced by the habitus and gesture repertoire of haute couture, the New Way emphasizes precise angles and complex visual illusions created by poses of the body, arms and hands.

New Way 101 teaches the historical and classical foundations of the style while providing a space to practice its signature movement qualities - providing the foundation needed to evolve this performance category without losing sight of its essence. The workshop will be led by Sattva Ninja, the Asia Mother of the Iconic House of Ninja, a legend in the kiki scene and an emerging legend in the mainstream scene. Sattva Ninja has achieved international fame with her choreography, ballroom performances and expertise in ballroom culture and is active in the television and music industry.

Before and after the workshop, the Hang-Out-Space is a lounge area where you can relax, exchange ideas and move around. There are also various audiovisual, acoustic and printed materials on the subject of ballroom.

The workshops welcome anyone who wants to expand their knowledge, skills or network. As Ballroom culture was started by trans women of African, Central and South American and Caribbean descent and continues to center the lives and resilience of racialized and sexually diverse people, their participation is especially encouraged.

The event aims to provide a "safer space". It is a prerequisite for participation to pay attention to the space you occupy, to respect the dynamics of the space and to give priority to the groups in focus.

Co-production, co-curation: Georgina Philp and Litchi Ly Friedrich

With: Thanh-Tú 'Sattva' Nguyễn

Language: In English and German with consecutive translation

Venue: Haunani-Kay Trask Hall

Save the date: The next workshop as part of Pump, Create, Elevate will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 15:00-19:00.