Johannesburg

Vogue Nights Jozi Rodeo Ball: A queer celebration of Beyoncé's reclamation of country music

31 Jul 2024
Vogue Nights Jozi, founded by DJ Lelowhatsgood, is a cultural phenomenon that has become a beacon for the queer community in Joburg where self-expression is celebrated, identity is embraced, and the dance floor is a stage for self-assertion.

The ball has a format and a strict dress code. If you are planning to take to the catwalk and strut, the categories for the upcoming ball – Face, American Rodeo Runway, Pretty Cowboy Realness, Femme Performance, and Body – are taken very seriously, with each one providing a unique opportunity for participants to shine. 

With attendees often adorning themselves in outfits that defy norms and dazzle the eye, the catwalk is a runway of rebellion and pride, and a chance to embody the categories of the day.

The next edition, Rodeo Ball, on Sat, Aug 3, 2024, promises a listening of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, resonating deeply with the LGBTQIA+ community as it mirrors their narratives of reclamation and identity. Live performances by rapper Gyre and Adam 'The Drag Diva' will amplify the night. The Rodeo Ball is not just any ball – it’s a celebration of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, a homage to the roots of country music, and it's also a fabulous party. 
Vogue Nights Jozi is a fabulous party. Photo: Luke Ncube via Vogue Nights Jozi Instagram

Beyoncé’s journey through the soundscape of country music is a powerful narrative of reclamation. Cowboy Carter is not just an album; it’s a statement, a redefinition of boundaries, and a tribute to the black artists who shaped a genre (such as Linda Martell, Tanner Adell, Willie Jones, and others). Her voice, a blend of subtlety and swagger, tells a story of legacy, identity, and the struggle for recognition. It’s a tale that resonates deeply with the queer community, for whom the act of reclaiming space and narrative is all too familiar.
Cowboy Carter album cover art. Photo: Beyonce.com

Vogue Nights Jozi is a testament to the power of reclaiming one’s narrative. It’s a space where voguing transcends dance, becoming a form of protest, a declaration of existence, and a celebration of diversity. Here, the queer community finds solace, strength, and solidarity. The Rodeo Ball, inspired by Beyoncé’s album, is not just a nod to her music but an acknowledgement of the shared journey towards visibility and acceptance.
 
Vogue Nights Jozi, where the homage paid to one queen is reflected in the celebration of all queens. Photo: VNJ Ball via Instagram.

The upcoming Rodeo Ball is a confluence of recognition and respect. It’s a night where queens of all forms – drag queens, music queens like Beyoncé, and the everyday queens of Johannesburg’s queer community – come together in a dazzling display of defiance and pride. It’s a space where the act of recognition is mutual, where the homage paid to one queen is reflected in the celebration of all queens.

As the Rodeo Ball unfolds, the beats of Cowboy Carter will pulse through the crowd, each note a reminder of the journey taken and the paths yet to be trodden. The event promises to be a tapestry of music, dance, and fashion, where the aesthetics of the wild west meet the unbridled spirit of Johannesburg’s queer community. It’s a night where the rodeo becomes a dance of liberation, and the cowboy boots stomp not just to the rhythm but to the heartbeat of a community reclaiming its place in the world.
Vogue Nights Jozi. Photo: VNJ_Ball Instagram.

Vogue Nights Jozi’s Rodeo Ball is more than an event; it’s a movement. So let the music play, let the bodies move, and let the night be a testament to the enduring spirit of Johannesburg’s queer community, as they vogue under the stars, free and unapologetic.

Read more about Vogue Nights Jozi Rodeo Ball and to buy your tickets.

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