Vogue-Chi is a movement practice incorporating principles of both Tai-Chi and Vogue/Ballroom –a spectrum of dance styles and theatrical formats inspired by fashion, consolidated during the 80's in New York by Black and Latinx LGBT people–.

Vogue-Chi is a dynamic, self-affirming, meditative group practice that uses catwalking, voguing vocabulary, learning how to use energy via word reclamation, bending of social performativities, among other exercises.

Vogue-Chi encourage its participants to fully find new versions of themselves whilst exploring gender, unconventional beauty and shameless self indulgence in a loving and safe environment. Vogue-Chi offers a gentle work out for the soul and a good stretch for the mind.

Vogue-Chi facilitates a collection of vital tools historically developed by LGBTIAQ+ people to engage positively in life and overcome institutionalized oppression, invisibilization and abuse.

Vogue-Chi was created in Margate, UK for people aged 50+ by artists/dancers Carlos (Atabey) Maria Romero & Ted Rogers, but it's OPEN TO ALL ages and backgrounds. No previous experience is required.

Vogue-Chi has evolved organically into a multigenerational queer and allies safe space for self-expression and coming together.

Vogue-Chi at Looping The Loop ©Dik Ng, 2016

Versión en Español:

Vogue-Chi combina movimientos y elementos de la cultura del Voguing* (una familia de estilos de danza y performance inspirados en la moda) y principios del Tai-Chi para crear una práctica meditativa que es dinámica y autoafirmativa a la vez.

Vogue-Chi es una práctica de movimiento queer que utiliza herramientas como el formato de pasarela característico del Voguing, la reclamación de palabras y reapropiación del insulto para aprender a manejar energía, y la flexión de distintas performatividades sociales. Vogue-Chi facilita un espectro de principios espirituales desarrollados históricamente por las personas con orientaciones sexuales e identificaciones de género diversas para participar y comprometerse positivamente con la vida y superar situaciones de opresión institucionalizada, invisibilización y abuso.

Vogue-Chi incita a sus participantes a encontrar nuevas versiones de sí mismos mientras se explora la belleza no convencional y la auto-indulgencia desvergonzada en un ambiente cariñoso y seguro. Es una ligera rutina de ejercicio para el alma y un buen estiramiento para la mente.

Vogue-Chi fue creada en Margate, Reino Unido para personas mayores de 50 años por los artistas/bailarines Carlos (Atabey) María Romero y Ted Rogers, y hoy en día está ABIERTO A TODOS LOS PÚBLICOS y se ha convertido orgánicamente en un espacio multigenerational de expresión y encuentro para personas LGBTIQ+ y sus aliados. Desde su inicio en marzo de 2016 las sesiones han llegado a personas de distintas edades, experiencias y procedencias, incluyendo grupos de interés como maestros y personal escolar, jóvenes LGBTIQ+ y cuidadores de adultos mayores, y se han desarrollado tanto en festivales y espacios de artes como en marcos terapéuticos y de capacitación.

*Voguing o Vogue se consolida dentro de la escena del Ballroom organizada por y para las personas gays y trans afroamericanas y latinas en el Nueva York de los años 80, aunque se gesta durante dos décadas antes en la prisión de Riker’s Island y en los bailes de drag queens en Harlem. Hoy en día es practicado en todo el mundo, especialmente por las generaciones más jóvenes. Voguing es actualmente la forma más popular de danza que activamente subvierte y desestabiliza estereotipos de género, raza, clase y orientación sexual.

Since 2016 Vogue-Chi workshops and methodology has served a variety of groups and frames like:

-Dance Your Cheeks Off, during Queer Migrants In The City, a day of events organized by The LoveTank / Team Prepster, at Glasshouse, in London, 2022

-Su Mano Amiga, at Siobhan Davies Studios, London, from November 2021 through out 2022. Su Mano Amiga provides counseling, advice and advocacy on issues including legal matters, immigration, isolation, exploitation, domestic violence and unemployment.

-Migration Matters Festival, at Theatre Deli and Dina, in Sheffield July 2021 and 2019.

-SAYiT, online during Sheffield Youth Pride 2020 in July. SAYiT works with young people and professionals offering support around LGBT+ life, sexual health, HIV and mental wellbeing.

-For Masculinities: Liberation through Photography exhibition at the Barbican, in London June 2020, in the frame of the creative learning program Community View, an online workshop with senior and LGBTAIQ+ senior participants from AgeUK and Opening Doors was facilitated. A mini workshop score was made available online too.

-Group exhibition Pasado tiempo futuro - Arte en Colombia en el siglo XXI, Museum of Modern Art Medellín, 2019

-Sexual health awareness program Latino Seguro, Metro Charity, London, 2019

-Micro Rainbow, in conjunction with ice&fire during 2018 in London, with groups of LGBTAIQ+ Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

-During afecto invernadero in El Parche, as an invitation by Laagencia, Bogotá, 2018

-Port Eliot Festival, Cornwall, 2018

-Short film Taking The Waters by Kathryn Fergusson and Ana Hart, 2018 / Trailer

-During Trajal Harrell: Hoochie Koochie, a performance exhibition, at the Barbican in London in August 2017, with the Creative Learning team workshops were facilitated to diverse audiences including LGBTQ+ senior affiliated to Opening Doors.

-Step Out Of The Box with Vogue Chi, a PSA by Tammy Why Not, conceived by Lois Weaver, 2017 / Supported by Welcome, Queen Mary University, Arts Council England

-POW Thanet - Multi disciplinary arts festival celebrating International Women's Day, at Dreamland, Margate, 2017

-STRETCH - Festival for Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer Men, Berlin 2017

-Margate Women’s Institute 2017

-Queer Fun, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London 2017

-Hiroshima, Barcelona 2017

-Care Fair, Dover 2016

-Youth Center, Whitstable 2016

-Chisenhale Dance Space, London 2016

-Margate Festival, Margate 2016

-Margate Pride, Margate 2016

-Bradstow School, Ramsgate 2016 and 2017

-Looping The Loop - Festival in Margate 2016

-Short film Vogue-Chi by Joseph Wilson, 2016

-Developed at Turner Contemporary as part of Ageless Thanet, Margate 2016