Join Whacking Los Angeles (WLA) for a three-part introductory Punking/Whacking program!
The program will begin with a short lecture and movement class on the history of Punking/Whacking in Los Angeles, from it’s origins in 1970s Los Angeles’ gay multicultural community, its evolution into the forms “Whacking” and “Waacking,” and its cultural impact today. The movement class will allow attendees to explore different elements of Whaacking, such as posing, acting, arm techniques, and more. Together, this portion of the workshop will teach community members the formal and technical elements of the dance, as well as the origins of the culture from films, comic books, martial arts, and more.
The second part of the program will feature an electrifying improvisational dance exchange performance by 2 LGBTQ+ Whacking stars, showcasing the cultural practice of Whacking in real time and embodying the history of the dance movement that began and persisted through queer nightlife, as well as in conspicuous but fabulous forms in media.
The evening will conclude with an inclusive social dance party, where participants are given the opportunity to practice their dance moves and find inspiration on the open dance floor with a live DJ.
“WHACK!: Sound of a Dance (R)Evolution” will take place at Pieter Performance Space on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 7-9:30 p.m.
The gathering will provide an opportunity for networking, building friendships, and forging lasting connections within the dance community within an inclusive and welcoming space, with amenities such as gender-neutral bathrooms and wheelchair accessibility.
This program is suitable for all ages.
Participants
Raymond Kyooyung Ra (a.k.a., “Ray Valentine”) is a freelance media professional, dancer, and Ph.D. Candidate at USC, Division of Cinema and Media Studies. His research interests are centered on race, queer theory, performance, transmedia, transnational media, and East Asian popular culture. Specifically, Ray studies the queer performance genre ‘waacking,’ tracing its origin from the 1970s Los Angeles gay disco scene and transnational movements.
Since 2012, Ray has accumulated years of professional experience as writer, director, producer, and on-camera personality in the South Korean television and digital media industry, and this includes his time with companies such as SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System), The Korea Herald, and TBWA Korea. He is also a dance and performance practitioner, having hosted accessible classes as well as sponsored international workshops in Asia and Europe, and worked with artists such as the Blacklips Performance Cult and Queen Green.
Victoria Villamil (a.k.a., “Tori Cristi”) is a queer Salvadoran Filipina artist, educator, and organizer. Utilizing her experience with a hyphenated identity, Tori focuses on the intersections between culture, psychology, and integrative healing. Tori’s work creates space to explore an anti-capitalist, healing-centered approach to art. In addition to specializing in Punking and Whacking, she has trained in multiple disciplines such as jazz and contemporary, along with street and club forms of dance.
Tori has worked with organizations such as HYBE America, Red Bull Dance, Heidi Duckler, Choreographer’s Carnival, Grand Park Performances, VersaStyle Dance Company, Pieter Performance Space, Blaktinx Dance Festival, DTLA Proud Festival, Ruts Dance Studio, and more. She is the founder of the organization Whacking Los Angeles which is dedicated to preserving the history and practice of Punking and Whacking as well as providing safe space for LGBTQ+ community. Tori continues to create purpose-driven art and empower individuals to nurture their authenticity.
This workshop is organized by Whacking Los Angeles (WLA) as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2024, presented by One Institute.
Pieter is a home for all people to dance, create, and heal together with the belief that embodiment liberates. We say “all people” because dance spaces historically exclude those who are non-white, non-able, non-“fit,” non-“healthy,” non-young, non-cisgendered and non-independently-wealthy. Dance includes a broad spectrum of body-based practices and the cultivation of culture. Rooted in Los Angeles, Pieter fosters a just and expansive community of movement artists, healers and activists.
Whacking Los Angeles (WLA) is a community organization providing dance education, events, and brave spaces to honor and grow the legacy of Punking and Whaacking (spelled as so in order to incorporate the evolution of the dance culture "punking" to "whacking" to "waacking" from the 1970s to now). WLA empowers individuality and collective liberation of queer, multicultural Los Angelenos of all bodies and walks of life. WLA serves queer people of color by providing recreational community spaces, accessible fitness, movement therapy to facilitate body positivity, self discovery and an alternative form of healing.