The PRIDE Kiki Ballroom - By Rayyan, The Gay Gaze & Zeesh

What is The Bombay Kiki?

A Kiki, is a low-key function, sometimes includes dancing and friendly competition – always fun, never serious (although we do have prizes) and non-intimidating gathering . 🎉🕺🌈  The Kiki scene is focused heavily on community, and events are often run by up-and-comers. Members of the ballroom community use these Kiki events to practice for the mainstream balls, but also to form smaller houses and balls within the group. The Kiki scene has allows newcomers and younger performers to harness their craft in a smaller setting.

The Bombay Kiki is a drag community event. Which is to say while there will be drag ballroom category events, we shall also have some drag performances and other interactive experiences for attendees focused on awareness and community building. 🎭🌟

The Bombay Kiki is an official Pride Event up to Mumbai Queer Pride March. Which is to say that 20% of all revenue will go towards the fundraiser for the Pride March.

Let’s have a Kiki!

Let’s have a Bombay Kiki!

The Theme - 

The People’s PRIDE!  "We call for a Pride that is a microcosm of the society we wish to live in, and not a mirror of the divided one that we currently live in. We wish Pride to be a space that all can access, where all can be free, and where every voice is important.” - The People's PRIDE

What is Ballroom Drag Culture? 

It's a fabulous subculture that emerged from the African American and Latinx communities in the 70s, and it's all about serving looks, talent, and attitude. At balls, fierce drag performers - queens, kings, and non-binary royalty alike - compete in categories. From realness to runway, from fresh to fierce these performers serve lewks that'll have you gagging like you just ate a whole jar of kimchi!  It's a space for marginalized communities to celebrate their identities, express themselves freely, and resist societal norms and discrimination.

What started as an underground scene has now sashayed into the mainstream, thanks to shows like Pose and the iconic Ru Paul's Drag Race and the adventures of Rani-Ko-Hinoor, or drag ballroom events by The Dirty Magazine, The Gay Gaze Bombay or The It Ball 01 - It events and a keen enthusiasm from the wider LGBTQIA+ community. the Ballroom Drag scene is only going to keep slaying!

Who is involved? 

This Drag Kiki event, is a collaborative effort. No one entity or individual mentioned below owns or runs the event. They manage it collaboratively.

• Zeeessshh - (Event Promoter, Hosting, Judge?, Performance - if we land sponsorship)
• Gurleen Arora - Melancholia (Organising, decor, design, Partnerships, Co-hosting?, Judge?)
• Winnie Chopra - Inqalaab Singh (Organising, Partnerships, Judge?)
• Rayyan Monkey - Margaret D’vyne (Co-Hosting, Copy/Literature, performance Organizing, Content)

Judges

Ideally we would like 5 judges for all categories.  We can keep one set of judges for all categories

Or we can keep two sets of judges split

1. Little Shilpa 
2. Gurleen Arora - Melancholia
3. Winnie Chopra - Inqalaab Singh
4. Zeeessshh 
5. Jason Arland

 Event Flow 

• Opening walk by organizing drag performers
• Intro judges and
• Announcement of event - Event policies and general ballroom rules that apply to all categories, setting the tone
• Briefing on first Umbrella category - Vogue
• Category takes place
• Briefing on the second umbrella category - Runway
• Category takes place
• Poster corner on that
• Briefing on the third umbrella category - Body
• Category takes place
• Prizes handed out at the end of each category.
• Followed by party at the venue

Rules and event policy etc 

Category Participation Rules:

• Trophies for winners
• An individual participant can walk in 2 categories maximum
• All participants must be present during their category and must not leave the event before their category is over.
• All categories have a time limit and participants must adhere to it.
• Photography and Videography: this is a photography and videography friendly event. Due to venue and event policies we will NOT be able to entertain participant’s request to NOT be photographed or videographed
• Three/five Judges for each walk and category.  Judges will score each walk at the end of the walk itself, using mark boards
• Judging sheet will have columns with criterias like : Face, outfit, nails, presence, attitude, hair

Event policy:

• NO SHADE
• Hey gorgeous, let's set the vibes right! Positivity and kindness rule this space, so drop any shade as you enter. Everyone's expected to be supportive and respectful, creating an atmosphere of love.
• Prioritize safety, darling! Any form of violence, discrimination, casteism, racism, sexism, ableism or hate speech won't fly here. Misbehave, and we'll swiftly escort you to the exit.
• All fabulous souls are invited, sweetheart. Gender, sexuality, or race? Irrelevant! If you're here to revel in the beauty of drag and have a blast, you're family.
• Show some love to the judges, darling. Their job is no walk in the park, so shower them with the attention they deserve. Disagree? Keep it chic and composed—no drama or shade, please.
• Lastly, unleash your fabulous self and enjoy, honey! We're here to slay and celebrate, so let's make this a night etched in memory!
• Remember, participants should honor other participants, organizers, hosts, judges and the event space, and the rich culture and history of ballroom with utmost respect. 💖🌈✨

Registration Link:

https://forms.gle/pyEXGkgSJzwUCmoj9 

Email id for registration request (if any):

rayyan@fatsmeagol.org