We have not found many traces of the old Rockland Palace.  When visiting the parking lot on 155th and Frederick Douglass Blvd in Harlem, there’s no sign that indicates that on these grounds was once a famous ballroom establishment. In the 1930′s as many as 8,000 people attended the drag balls held here. An 13 year old article from the New York Times offers a meditation on sites of LGBTQ history in NYC, among them Rockland Palace. We were happy to discover that the old Rockland Palace was mentioned by the iconic Pepper La Beija in this clip from the Joan River’s show in the early 1990′s.

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Thank you so much to everyone who helped fund, attended, performed and in other ways supported “The Reincarnation of Rockland Palace”! I think we can truthfully say that it was a huge success! Documentation of the event will soon be on view at The Kitchen, featured in the exhibition “Matter out of Place” curated by Lumi Tan! Until then, check out these photographs from the event (photographer: Marcus Ohlsson)! We are currently working on the rewards for our backers, the video and taking a little moments rest before continuing the work on our documentary “Gesture”!

Much love,

Sara & Twiggy

A big THANK YOU to all of our supporters, both public and private. We couldn’t have done it without you. Tomorrow, July 15, 6 – 11 pm, we are bringing Rockland Palace back! Latest weather reports say that there’s a slight chance of  t-storms, but think about what a wonderful combination vogue + thunder will be! The stage will have roofing, too!

The closest Subway is BD 155th street. Walk a short block to Frederick Douglass and 155th, and take a left. The event will take place in the middle of the parking lot, which is right by the overpass, opposite from Rucker Park. The C train is also close by, but it’s quite a trek down a couple of slippery stairs. Directions can be found here.

9 Kiki Houses, as well as Arturo Lyons and Da New Breed, Matthew Pasterisa and Impact is performing! We’re happy to have DJ MikeQ, DJ Byrell the Great, and Snookie as commentator on our team, as well as a secret but impressive line of judges!

See you there!

Much Love,

Sara & Twiggy

From the archives (courtesy QualiaFolk)

Thank you again to 3rd Ward, Marcus Ohlsson, and the members of the Kiki scene!

We are just so excited to offer a limited edition of photographs of members of the Kiki scene, shot by esteemed photographer Marcus Ohlsson in a photo shoot organized by Sara Jordeno and Twiggy Pucci Garcon at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn. Single photographs are $25, and we have put together two sets of 5 photographs for $100! Available on our Indiegogo campaign until Thursday July 12, 11.59 pm! Thank you again for your support!

Much love,

Sara & Twiggy

Read the insightful peace by Megan Eardley here at AIAC!

Other news: we’re getting ready for the BIG EVENT this Sunday. A few days ago we did a photo shoot with the Kiki Scene at 3rd Ward, who were kind to lend us one of their studios! Talented fashion photographer Marcus Ohlsson was photographing. The pictures will be used in the set design at the ball and we will also make some special editions! Stay tuned.

Our Indiegogo campaign is up FOR 3 MORE DAYS! VIP seats, dance lessons going fast….

Friends! The Reincarnation of Rockland Palace is taking place on July 15, 2012, from 6 – 11 pm.  A few weeks ago we changed to this date from the original July 1st date. The New Yorker listed a July 1st date, and since it’s a print publication that came out this week, we want to make a post today to make sure there is no confusion about the date. We really hope you all can make it on July 15th!

Stay tuned!

Love,

Sara and Twiggy

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all the people that have supported the Rockland Palace project this far. It’s been a crazy journey, and we don’t regret a second of it. The campaign has been liked by almost 500 people, and our Youtube channel has had almost 5000 views! Twiggy got to voice his opinions and talk about the project in an article in the “Gay Voices” in Huffington Post during NYC Pride week! We’ve gotten love from many, from Joe My God to Janet Mock, and made it into this week’s New Yorker, thanks to the wonderful Hilton Als!

WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE EVENT IS STILL HAPPENING! Through our campaign we have been approached by several community and cultural organizations that has offered their support. We are leaving Kickstarter for Indiegogo, a fund raising platform which we feel is a better fit for us. We were able to lower our fund raising goal significantly, and with this new campaign, we will receive the funds even if we don’t reach that exact dollar amount. We are offering the same rewards and all donations are now tax-deductible! You can find our campaign HERE.

VIP seating, dance lessons, CD’s etc are very limited and only available through our campaign. We do except them to run out. We still need your support! All of the funds raised on our Indiegogo campaign, which ends July 12 at midnight, will go to creating a stage at the parking lot, including tents, lights and PA system, as well as prices for the competition.

You are invited to the opening reception of the show “Matter out of Place” on Wednesday June 27 at the Kitchen, NYC, a free event. The Rockland Palace project is featured in the show.

Finally, we hope you can make it to the Reincarnation of Rockland Palace event on July 15, 2012, 6 – 11 pm!

We thank you for your continued support!

Much love always,

Sara & Twiggy

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The Reincarnation of Rockland Palace Project Voices: a short interview with the terrific Symba McQueen about the Kiki scene and a different kind of family. Support us! You can still donate at our Kickstarter.
Much love, Sara and Twiggy