One year ago, Reverence made an indelible mark on Cape Town’s queer community with their first party. In their own words, “the dance floor is our altar, the bass is our sermon, and our bodies moving together is our testimony.”
Their slogan reads: Born in protest. Rooted in community. It’s a powerful message, and this Youth Day, for their first birthday, they make their return to the dirty floors of EVOL to celebrate this enduring ethos.
The night promises to be a unique meeting of rave and ballroom culture. In fact, this will be Reverence’s very first ball, as they endeavour to honour the legacy of queer South African youth.
“These movements—rave, ballroom, the categories, the chaos, the freedom—they were birthed in queer, POC spaces,” Reverence says. “They exist because of our people, who carried our culture through resistance, through rhythm, and through community.”
For those interested in walking, the ballroom categories are as follows:
Vogue OTA (Open to All)
“This is your moment. Serve face, give hands, spin, dip, and own the floor—no matter your gender or background. Bring your sharpest lines, softest grace, and boldest drama.”
Runway
“Command attention with every step. Whether it’s high fashion or street realness, bring a walk that turns heads, stops time, and reminds the crowd why the runway was made for you.”
Bizarre
“Push the boundaries of imagination. Think strange, surreal, otherworldly—a look or concept that no one saw coming. Get weird, get creative, and make them gag.”
The lineup will also feature music from Songo Ananda & Soulchoke (founders of Eurydice and GIDA), Tactix (co-founder of Bathhouse), DRAGMOTHER (founder of Death Of Glitter) and Reverence residents AYLI and Codygotbands.
