In conjunction with the Victoria Film Festival’s screening of the documentary “Strike a Pose” local Victorian's have come together to present “Strike a Pose Dance Party”, a fundraising event to celebrate the courage, creativity and passion of the underground dance scene during the AIDS crisis. These two events will feature Kevin Stea, one of Madonna’s original back up dancers, who is highlighted in the film.
At the height of the AIDS crisis, seven young dancers joined pop star Madonna on the most controversial world tour of her whole career. These flamboyant dancers became icons of sexual freedom, inspiring people all over the world to be their own unique selves. What wasn’t known then was that three of these dancers had been diagnosed with HIV before they joined the tour and one of the seven would die from AIDS-related complications in 1995. The six surviving dancer’s stories became the narrative of a new documentary called “Strike a Pose” which will be screening on February 9th at the Vic Theatre as part of the Victoria Film Festival.
To honour their spirit of freedom and joy in the face of adversity we are throwing an after party following the showing of “Strike a Pose”. We invite you to come to our “Strike a Pose Dance Party” at the Copper Owl for a chance to show off your best dance moves, have fun and celebrate these pioneers of sexual freedom. All proceeds will benefit programs at AIDS Vancouver Island. We will warm up with a Vogue dancing lesson at around 9:30pm. DJ Nova Jade* Greene will be the musical guide for the night and AVI’s very own Screw Crew will be there offering educational resources and safer sex supplies.
About Kevin:
Kevin Alexander Stea is an American dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, director and model. He has worked as a dancer and choreographer with a number of high-profile artists, including Madonna, Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson, and has appeared in several movies and television shows. Stea was an assistant choreographer and dance captain for Madonna in 1990, and subsequently appeared in the 1991 documentary film Madonna: Truth or Dare.
Stea went on to lay out a solid foundation for his professional career: appearing in the role of Swifty The Rake in the Disney musical Newsies, touring in the Glorious Revolution tour with Japanese pop-star Seiko Matsuda, working with Michael Jackson in the iconic MTV 10th Anniversary live performance of Will You Be There 1991, and then going on to serve as the associate choreographer for the official videos Black or White and Blood on the Dance Floor.
We are thrilled to announce that Stea will be available for a Q&A after the documentary Strike a Pose” which will be screening on February 9th at the Vic Theatre as part of the Victoria Film Festival. In addition he will be attending the Strike a Pose Dance Party, a fundraising event for AIDS Vancouver Island.
Advance tickets are available online at bit.ly/StrikeAPoseAfterParty (Eventbrite). Limited tickets will also be available at Copper Owl when doors open at 9pm.
Cost: $10 | Doors open at 9:00pm | Event starts at 9:30pm | 19+ | Copper Owl, 1900 Douglas Street.
Event takes place on Coast Salish traditional territories.