BEHIND THE MUSIC 9: THE ERAS
Schedule
Sat, 04 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Sun, 05 Apr, 2026 at 02:00 am
UTC-04:00Location
American Legion Shawnee Post 193 Louisville Kentucky | Louisville, KY
CommentatorsIcon Jack GG and Legendary Boom Balenciaga
DJ
Adore Chanel
GRAND PRIZE $2500
THE ERA INVITATIONAL – For years, many have debated about the performance category and which era did it the best. Tonight, it’s time to put these theories to the test and see which era will outlast the rest? To battle for this prize, you must have earned an “OTY” for performance (vogue fem, realness w/a twist, drags, fem queen, woman, legendary/iconic, new/beginners), in mainstream ballroom. Bring it in a look that represents your era’s color and incorporate the year(s) and region(s) of your OTY(s). Your era represents the 1st time you walked a mainstream ball. Each era will battle within their own era. The final 2 will advance to the next round to battle the other era winners for the $2500. There will only be 1 winner for 1 trophy with no breakdowns or house affiliations. The 1st battles will be chosen randomly, and the winner of the previous battle chooses the next battle. No back-to-back battles!
Below are the era colors
Black (1991-1997)
Blue (1998-2004)
Green (2005-2010)
Yellow (2011-2015)
Orange (2016-2021)
Purple (2022-2025)
Pink (2026)
Mini Grand #1 $1000
BQ Pretty Boy Realness – Tonight you must stand out and make a bold fashion choice that breaks away from the typical masculine color palette. Made famous in hip-hop by Cam’ron, you must embrace fashion in a streetwear look using mostly pink. (2T *Non- Legends vs Legends)
Mini Grand #2 $1000
OTA Runway – Era winners will battle for the cash. (Disco, Renaissance, Rock, Country, Pop)
Iconic/Legendary Realness w/ an Understudy - $600
Before streaming era, you had to tune into BET, MTV, VH1 or THE BOX to see your favorite music video. Tonight, bring a music video to the ballroom floor from any genre of music! There must be a minimum of 3 people but at least one must be a statement or star.
DISCO ERA
Transman vs Butch Realness $500 – It’s all about feeling alive, vibrant and being fully immersed in the disco experience because boogie nights are always the best in town! 2T/1$
Hand Performance – Get this party started on this Saturday night in a 70’s look with shiny/glittery gloves. 1T
*Iconic/Legendary Runway – The look is on you, whatever you choose, just let a disco ball be your muse! 1T
MF vs GNC Face – Studio 54 was a sanctuary where individuals could express themselves freely. Free yourself in a Studio 54 ensemble incorporating at least 2 of the following in your look: sequin, glitter, gold, silver or metallic. (4T *BQ/Transman/GNC/Legendary)
PINK ERA
Female Figure Performance – Pink wig, thick ass and give ‘em whiplash! 1T
Sneaker vs Sneaker – Current or old, bring us a sneaker with pink in it and be bold! 1T
Male Figure Sex Siren – Real men wear pink! Get your 10’s in a solid pink suit but shirtless, then peel and reveal your pink undergarments for the battles! (4T *Sr/Jr/Catboy/Transman)
RENAISSANCE ERA
Best Dressed $750 - Will it be tens, tens, tens across the board? Make sure silver/chrome is visible and incorporated into your look. (3T *MF/FF/GNC* 1$)
Male Figure Body – Oiled to perfection, show off your thique physique in silver/chrome attire. (3T *Muscular/Models/Transman)
American Runway – You are the Alien Superstar setting the bar using diamonds and pearls while incorporating silver/chrome into your effect. 1T
Big Girls Realness – You’re not the traditional church girl but you still got church in the morning so bring your Sunday’s best and don’t forget your hat! 1T
POP ERA
Female Figure Face $500 – Fresh and new like a virgin, bring it in a wedding dress with flowers and a veil! (5T *Women/Drags/FQ/Big Girls/Legends *1$)
BQ Vogue Fem – Give us a taste of your poison paradise with one of Britney’s looks from the “Toxic” video! 1T
Foot and Eye – It’s been a while and it’s been long overdue, the flash is on, and we need a picture of you! What combination of pieces of your collection are the ‘Paparazzi’ trying to capture and see? Any season, any year! 1T
BQ Schoolboy Realness – They say the cream always rises to the top so tonight you must bring it like the King of Pop. Don’t forget your crown and picture! 1T (no backpacks)
Oldway vs New Way – When the beat drops the butterflies fly away, bring it in red, white and blue because it’s a party in the USA! 2T
Female Figure Runway – Your “Reputation” speaks for itself before you walk in any room! Your task tonight is to create a look inspired from “Look What You Made Me Do!” (3T *Women/BQID/ FQ)
ROCK ERA
BQ Runway – Welcome to the Black Parade where emo meets goth with a deadly walk! (3T *Tall/Small/Big)
Female Figure Sex Siren $250 – Women beat their men and the Dominatrix sleeps tonight in S&M attire. (2T *Women/FQ)
Bazaar – Will you drive us wild and crazy while you create rock and roll fantasy? 1T
BQ Everyday Realness – Is this the real life or is this a fantasy? In a wife beater, belt and denim jeans, bring it as Freddie Mercury, the lead singer from Queen! 1T
COUNTRY ERA
Thug Realness – Shaboozey appeared with Guy Fieri at the Stagecoach Music Festival for a cooking demo, tonight in honor of Derwin West Prodigy, bring it in denim overalls, cowboy boots and a white chef’s hat with a plated snack. $200 Sponsored by Ke’andre. 1T
GNC Runway – Give us high fashion with denim on denim on denim. 1T
Drags Realness – The steppers have come to town and need your boots on the ground. Bring it in cowgirl boots with a fan! 1T
RAP ERA
FQ Realness – Female rappers earned their respect in the rap game and you must do the same. Bring it as any female rapper from any video. Please have a picture for reference. 1T
BQ Executive Realness $250 – From rapper to entrepreneur you have now entered the shark tank! Be ready to present your product! 1T
Commentator vs Commentator – It’s time for a rap battle where you shift from story-telling to being a crowd-pleasing comedian. For your tens give us a chant that tells a story and for the battles, it’s not holds barred against your opponent but you better be funny! 1T
Female Figure Body – It’s “Murda Night” at the Pynk and Rule #44.26 says you must always have on your best floss! (2T *Women/FQ)
Urban vs High Fashion Streetwear $250 - The late 1990s and early 2000s saw an emphasis on opulent and ostentatious displays of wealth and status, with "bling" culture becoming prominent. Bring it with 1 blinged out item in your ensemble to show us that your dominant!
Beginners Categories
New Kids on the Block – 1 year or less in neon colors, no black
Face, Runway, Realness, Vogue Fem, Twist, Sex Siren (1T each)
**LEGENDS WILL WALK WITHIN THEIR PERSPECTIVE CATEGORY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
TABLES GO ON SALE AUGUST 1ST AT NOON. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY BEFORE HAND OR IT WIILL BE REFUNDED! PLEASE SEE TABLE CHART
