While in Amsterdam, we had the chance to visit the Huis Willet-Holthuysen, a historically accurate canal house that has been converted into a museum. While it was very cool getting to see how the ultra-wealthy citizens of Amsterdam lived in the 17th century, what made this place extra special for me was the Grand March: A Historic House Through a Ballroom Lens exhibit. The proprietors partner with local arts groups on a regular basis, inviting modern artists to reimagine the space. Our timing was fantastic, as we got to experience history intertwined with a look at ballroom culture, presented by House of Vineyard.
As the website explains: "Ballroom was created for and by Black and Latinx-American trans women and queer people in the 1970s in Harlem, in New York City. Organizers opposed the established, often racist pageants by holding balls for, with, and by LGBTIQ+ people of color. During a ball, queer, trans, and cis participants compete in various categories, including fashion, realness, body, and performance, and winning trophies, cash prizes, and respect. The balls are lively underground events, a manifestation of resistance to the predominance of cisnormative society."
This very cool exhibit, which was integrated throughout the house, meant seeing an extra large pair of thigh-high boots laying next to a 17th century velvet couch, and there was even a place where Clay could strut the catwalk to a virtual Ballroom host.
For more information, visit www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-o...