PRESS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, March 29th, 1-2:30pm PT / 4-5:30pm ET
Alameda County Behavioral Health presents: Ball Culture as a Mental Health Strategy w/ Oakland To All

This presentation will be lead by Icon Dhalimu Moschino (@dhalimu) and is based on his lived experience from the Black Era (1990s)

Panelist include:
Legendary Omari Oricci (@omari_wiles)
Legendary Snookie Juicy West (@snookielanore) Packrat Basquiat (@_packrat_)
SoHo 007 (@secrets2fashion)
Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga (@ijenniferbarnes)
and OTA’s very own Ashlee Basquiat (@ashleebadasss)

Oakland To All brings everything Ballroom to this training! Learn how Ballroom supports mental health, became a support system during the HIV/Aids crisis and now is a key contributor to the health field. You will learn how Ballroom got started by creating house families and how it became an international phenomenon. Experience online a demonstration of Ballroom's unique competitions. This training will offer a panel discussion moderated by Icon Tim Lanvin (@_timtobias) founder of Ballroom We Care (@ballroomwecare) on the positive impact of ballroom in young people's lives while also discussing other barriers the community still faces today. 

Hella Hyphy Ball
Lake Merritt Amphitheater, Oakland
Sept. 10, 1pm–7pm

The follow-up to 2021's dazzling Open to All Ball is set to transform the shores of Lake Merritt once more into ballroom bliss. This year's ball carries the same ethos as the last one: everyone—and they do mean absolutely everyone—is welcome. The 2022 theme, however, is brand new, and hella Oakland: hyphy. That will influence every category in this year's contests, from performance soundtracks to the all-important runway fashions.

As usual, there are big prizes to be won, including $1,000 cash awards for categories including Realness, Face and Runway, and a $4,000 prize for the Tag Team performance. This year's grand finale promises to be next-level thanks to the caveat that teams must include at least one hyphy move in their presentation. So ... serve and turf?

LGBTQ+ Oakland Shows Out at the 'Open To All' Ball

Vogue is about much more than turning the world into a catwalk: it’s a form of self-expression, a celebration of culture and a way to find a sense of community. The Oakland Pride parade may have gone digital this year, but Open To All (OTA) weekend more than made up for it. Consisting of back-to-back vogue events on Sept.10 and 11, the Oakland To All Kiki Ball and Back with a Vengeance Ball brought the true spirit of Pride to Lake Merritt in full color...