HOMAGE: (noun)
Formal public acknowledgement of feudal allegiance.
Special honour or respect shown publicly.

”Respect, Recognition, Admiration is exactly what the House of Suarez stands for. Their hunger and passion proves real, as always, to acquire the correct information from the heart of Legends and Icons from the Ballroom scene community.

An amazing experience with open arms to all. A safe space to unify all walks of culture, gender and generations.

The House of Suarez concept is inspired and admired from the Ballroom scene in a way that creates a wonderful show to experience visually and aesthetically.

So I, Avi’ance Tisci, give The House of Suarez my support and a HUGE round of applause.”

- Avi’ance Tisci’s tribute to House of Suarez 2021

Arts Council England (ACE) is a national government agency responsible for Arts & Cultural development and investment in England.

We have supported the development of the UK vogue ball movement through our investment in House of Suarez since its early inception in 2006 and emergence via Liverpool city of culture in 2008 which saw the initiation of the balls within an international and regional programme.

The House of Suarez was then indirectly supported by ACE via other organisations who were awarded grants and then commissioned or sponsored the balls and HOS artistic programme as the organisation was emerging. we have directly funded the balls since 2011. We regard HOS as the lead company for development of vogue as a dance form and for dancers/choreographers within Liverpool but also they are of regional, national and international significance in terms of their excellence in teaching practice under the leadership of Darren Suarez as well as their visiting international artists and promotion of the artform through high quality film and documentaries.

I have attended the vogue balls in both Liverpool and Manchester and seen the events and artists develop since 2011 and we have an excellent working relationship with Darren which enables conversations that have encouraged the activity to extend to other towns in the North and for some of the artists and houses to be supported in their own right through our grant programmes.

We are particularly proud to support this work as it has key significance to LGBTQ audiences and artists and it’s notable that HOS encourages everyone to take part in the work and has a particular focus around encouraging body positivity, deaf and disabled and young and emerging performers.

I have had the honour of working with the House of Suarez for 4 of the HOS Balls with the aim of promoting the reporting of hate crimes towards members of the community.

This has always been done to a higher standard than expected. Initially I had only expected to have a small piece in the brochure or any marketing materials but HOS went further ensuring everyone attending got the messages that hate crimes are not tolerated on Merseyside and victims will be supported. The level of diversity of those attending the event, performing at the event and presenting is huge and extremely important to HOS. This type of gathering shows Merseyside in its best light and is an important celebration of our communities.

On the events we were able to help with, the office was always represented at the actual event and we are always amazed at the level of planning and organising that made these so successful. The work that goes into the event and the performances is always spectacular but 2020 saw this go to a whole new level. Liverpool was not in full lockdown but had several restrictions in place. Everything was completely spot on. Social distancing was adhered to, masks were worn and the movement in and around the event was organised like a military operation. Was it a success? Oh yes, it was different but it still was a spectacular show of the diverse and wonderful talent that Merseyside has to offer. Thankfully lockdown did not stop the roof being raised in celebration of all things House of Suarez and I was thrilled to be there and witness the spectacle and the amount of blood, sweat and maybe tears that goes into the House of Suarez Ball.