Andre 🧚🏼

Between the ballroom and the outside world, Andre Damian @andre.dmn_ reflects on identity, belonging, and the pursuit of something greater. Read the full conversation in Star Magazine; Issue 6 Vol 3 - Amorous Distance Use the link in bio to get it! Creative director: Papa Oyeyemi @papaoyeyemi Project Coordinator: Toyosi Ogunlela @_thecontentbender Photography: Ashley Zinhagel @arzcreates Editor: Justice Jite-Eda Graphics: Adewunmi Ogunrinde: @thegentledesigner01 Styling: Papa Oyeyemi @papaoyeyemi #maxivivestarmagazine #maxivivestar #amorousdistance

I’m excited to introduce BALLROOM WORKS @ballroom.works : a Foundation that supports queer and trans people of color through programs that strengthen the ballroom scene in the Netherlands. Founded in 2023 as the Queer Culture Foundation, our organisation is relaunching under a new name. All programs and events in Utrecht will continue as Utrecht Ballroom Scene, while the Ballroom Works Foundation will grow to support new initiatives across the wider Dutch ballroom community. We offer community events and programs that focus on creative expression, collective care, and personal growth. Current projects include Doll House, T4T Spaces, After School, The LAB, and more. We invest in the people who make the scene and build what’s needed to help them thrive, in and beyond ballroom. Follow us at @ballroom.works to stay connected. Credits: Logo and visuals @will.dodesign Photos @tomicornio @lottedale

Shot for @salonmaxivive by @arzcreates 📸 I had the pleasure of being interviewed by @papaoyeyemi for the new Star Magazine Issue 6 Vol 3 - Amorous Distance, talking about community work, belonging, and creating a queer utopia. And I was blessed with these fab shots by @arzcreates . Check out @salonmaxivive for the full interview. 💛 Creative director: Papa Oyeyemi @papaoyeyemi Project Coordinator: Toyosi Ogunlela @_thecontentbender Photography: Ashley Zinhagel @arzcreates Editor: Justice Jite-Eda Graphics: Adewunmi Ogunrinde: @thegentledesigner01 Styling: Papa Oyeyemi @papaoyeyemi

Your favorite ball in Utrecht is back, baby! 🔥 SAVE THE DATE: SUMMER OF PRIDE KIKI, PART THREE: AUGUST 30th @dehelling in UTRECHT by Andrea 007 @andre.dmn_ CATEGORIES: TBA TICKETS: TBA JUDGES:TBA DJ, MC, HOST: TBA Video footage: @ballroomtapes Music: @kiaraluxure Edited by: @sachakalalo

T4T: Open Practice Are you looking for a space to practice your category and connect with other trans* and non-binary people in the ballroom scene? In this edition you are invited to join an open practice for and by the trans community. This will be a space to practice and explore different ballroom categories such as Vogue Fem, Old Way, New Way, Sex Siren, Realness, and any other categories you would like to try. DBS members @la.incaluluh , @lionel_deul , @jojo_mugler , @raezor_beam and @andre.dmn_ will be there to answer any of your questions, guide you, and provide you with feedback on your category. Come and connect with your community! It does not matter if you’ve been in the scene for a long time or are just now becoming curious, you are welcome to join. *For all who do not identify as cis: trans femme, trans masc, non-binary, genderqueer, questioning, or anywhere under the trans umbrella, you are welcome in this space. 🕓 Program overview 16:00 - 19:00 | Open practice 19:00 - 20:00 | Community dinner & hang-out 🗓 Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 ⏰ Time: 16:00 - 20:00 📍 Location: Private (sign up to receive details) 🎟 Cost: Free (limited spots available) ⛓️‍💥 Register via link in bio ❓ How beginners friendly is this event? Anyone is welcome to join. You do not need to have any dance experience or background or even ballroom experience yet. Just stay aware that Open Practice is not a class, but a place to practice. ❓What does an Open Practice look like? An Open Practice provides a space for you to practice your category. It is different from a workshop in that it is less of a demonstration or class taught by a teacher, but more of an open space to ask for feedback from experienced ballroom members present or from others in the practice. ❓ What should I wear? You can wear anything you’d like. We advise you to wear light, comfortable clothes that you feel good to move in. Because of the studio floor, it is not allowed to wear heels. Powered by @ballroom.works @gemeenteutrecht

COMMUNITY DAY AFTERMOVIE🔥 Clips taken from the last Community Day, including workshops by @marinapopdipspin and @celinlevant , dinner, and the Mini Kiki. What part was your favorite? 👀 Powered by @ballroom.works @theaterutrecht @gemeenteutrecht . Curated by @andre.dmn_ @la.incaluluh @rstarberry @gifteelove @lana.varat . Video edit by @_akeyna_ Music by CoconutMint on Youtube (Title: Runway x Vogue)

A quick look back at the Mini Kiki during last Community Day 💓 Thank you to everybody who came! It was a fab night with full categories, tons of laughter, and many memories made. We couldn’t have done it without you. See you at the next function! 🔥🫦 Powered by @ballroom.works @theaterutrecht @gemeenteutrecht . Curated by @andre.dmn_ @la.incaluluh @rstarberry @gifteelove @lana.varat . Photography by @lottedale

Meet: Andrea 007 😍 @andre.dmn_ will be speaking during BECOMING A Ball, on May 8th in Theater Kikker! Andrea 007 (he/she/they) started the @utrecht.ballroom.scene in 2020 and is the Director of BALLROOM WORKS. She entered ballroom in 2019, and has walked and won across Europe. @ballroom.works is a community-powered platform uplifting queer and trans people of color through ballroom. Utrecht Ballroom Scene is a community that centers and is led by queer and trans people of color. They organize weekly classes for various ballroom categories, workshops, community care initiatives, balls, and other events that support the joy, empowerment and wellbeing of the community in Utrecht. During BECOMING A Ball, they will be interviewed by @sharmila.v007 about the history and future of Ballroom Works, and how they plan to do even more for the community in Utrecht. We can’t wait to see what they have to say! ❤️‍🔥 Get your tickets for BECOMING A Ball now via the link in bio! ✨ #QueerUtrecht #UtrechtBallroomScene #Becoming #QueerIsMeer #TransTheater #TransUtrecht

What You See en Aluin zoeken Utrechtse makers voor de betaalde zomereditie van What You See Research. Heb jij een idee waar je zonder druk in wilt duiken? Check dan de Open Call op onze website >> whatyouseefestival.nl What You See and Aluin are looking for Utrecht based artists to join our paid Summer Edition of What You See Research. Do want to dive in a research question without the pressure of producing? Check out our Open Call on our website >>> whatyouseefestival.nl Deadline 20 May! Photo @prinsdevos of SERIOOS at WYS Research 2025

Andre’s dream is to create a queer utopia and he hopes to do that through ballroom, and that is why he is building a community. Here, Andre wears: flower vest, disrupted denim trousers, Chelsea boots in Sherling Read Andre’s conversation with Papa Oyeyemi in Amorous Distance Get it here: star.maxivive.com Videographer: Papa Oyeyemi @papaoyeyemi Video editor: David Ntah Jacob @d.jayvisualz Creative director: Papa Oyeyemi @papaoyeyemi Project Coordinator: Toyosi Ogunlela @_thecontentbender Photography: Ashley Zinhagel @arzcreates Editor: Justice Jite-Eda Graphics: Adewunmi Ogunrinde: @thegentledesigner01 Styling: Papa Oyeyemi #maxivive #maxivivestar #maxivivestarmagazine #amorousdistance

LET KIKI’S BE KIKI’S🔥‍ That’s exactly what this is. A function where it’s all about the essence of the kiki scene - being playful, lowkey and having fun. Come to the community day for workshops, food, and a function all in one, or just show up for the mini kiki. 📅 Sat May 2 🕗19:00 - 22:00 (We only have the space till 22:00, so come on time. No ballroom time zone!) 📍 Location: Theater Utrecht, Boorstraat 107, Utrecht 🎟️ €7.50 (covers workshops, food and mini kiki) for ballroom community or €12.50 for mini kiki spectators. 💛 Open to all levels (beginners friendly) 🎟️ Get your tickets via the LINK IN BIO Q&A: ❓ Can anyone join Community Day? The Community Day is open to everybody in the ballroom scene - people who are new to & curious about ballroom, and people who have been around for a while. ❓ How do the tickets work? Check out our website for more information. ❓ What should I wear? The dress code is: bring it with a splash of color! You can go simple or all out, as long as you wear at least one item with a bright color. Powered by @ballroom.works @theaterutrecht @gemeenteutrecht . The program is curated by @andre.dmn_ @la.incaluluh @rstarberry @gifteelove @lana.varat . Visuals by @elia_bergh and video edit on slide 1 by @therealmisscolombia .

SAVE THE DATE! 📢 On May 2nd, we’re all coming together for a full day with the community. Come and (re)connect with the ballroom scene! 🕓 16:30 - 18:00 WORKSHOPS: Workshop 1: Vogue Fem with Celine Mugler Workshop 2: Old Way with Legendary Marina 007 Note: Both workshops happen at the same time! Choose wisely which one you'd like to join. 🍽️ 18:00 - 19:00 COMMUNITY DINNER: You'll be hungry after the workshops, so dinner’s on us! Sit down, eat together and catch up with your people. 🏆 19:00 - 22:00 MINI KIKI: We heard you: let kiki's be kiki's! So that's exactly what this is. A playful kiki function where we go back to the essence of having fun. Dress code: Bring it with a splash of color! Pair your fit with something colorful. Think bright pink shoes, baby blue tie, green sunglasses, colorful makeup, etc. We want to welcome Spring with a bang. CATEGORY ORDER: MF Realness FF Realness OTA Runway OTA Hands vs Arms OTA Face with performance OTA Beginner’s performance Best Outfit of the night BREAK Spoken Word Fag out vs Dyke out OTA Old Way vs New Way on House beats OTA Vogue Fem OTA Sex Appeal OTA Performance with a prop The Community Day is open to everybody in the scene - people who are new to & curious about ballroom, and people who have been around for a while. It’s up to you whether you want to come for the workshops and grab a bite or just show up for the function. There’s a little bit for everybody on this day. Bring some good vibes, bring your people and let’s go DBS! 📍 Location: Theater Utrecht More details and sign-up info coming soon. Tickets will be accessibly priced. Save the date, we can’t wait to see you there 💜 Powered by @ballroom.works @theaterutrecht @gemeenteutrecht . The program is curated by @andre.dmn_ @la.incaluluh @rstarberry @gifteelove @lana.varat . Flyer by @elia_bergh .