Pump, Create, Elevate: New Way 101

It emerged as dancers imitated the poses of fashion models, particularly those featured in Vogue magazine. Voguing is also inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, pantomime 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 emerged as dancers pushed the physical and technical limits of the dance form and explored new forms of movement. The style introduced greater flexibility, contortions, and acrobatic elements, often accompanied by faster house and techno tracks. Influenced by the mannerisms and gestural repertoire of haute couture, New Way emphasizes precise angles and complex visual illusions created through the positioning 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 characteristic movement qualities—these form the foundation necessary for the further development of this performance category without losing sight of its essence.

The workshop is 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 gained international recognition for her choreography, ballroom performances, and expertise in ballroom culture, and is active in the television and music industries.

Before and after the workshop, the Hang-Out-Space will be available as a lounge area where you can relax, chat, and move around. You’ll also find various audiovisual, audio, and printed materials on the topic of ballroom there.

The workshops welcome anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge, skills, or network. Since ballroom culture was founded 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 particularly encouraged.

The event aims to provide a “safe space.” It is a requirement for participation to be mindful of the space one occupies, 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

Save the date: The next workshop as part of Pump, Create, Elevate will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 3:00–7:00 PM.