'Legendary' ball returns to Liverpool with special tribute

Liverpool’s “legendary” Vogue Ball is returning to the city this weekend with a special tribute to a Scouse dancer.

The Invisible Wind Factory will be taken over on Saturday, October 7, by The House of Suarez - the organisers of the event - and members of the region’s LGBTQ+ community.

In usual fashion, the event will treat attendees to “a high energy fast pacing rollercoaster of fashion, dance, comedy, and a celebration of inclusivity pulled together like a corset”. However, this year will honour the life of Dean Murphy, a dancer from Kirkby who helped bring the highly stylised modern house dance to the city.

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Ballroom culture dates back to the 1920s and is dedicated to marginalised groups, the ball's organisers say. They say ballroom hailed from Black and Latina trans women and with the likes of mainstream TV shows, such as Pose, it continues to flourish. Originating in New York City, houses competed in balls for their chance of securing a grand prize. Be it voguing, drag, body and more, competitors would go head-to-head in an effort to make their mark and Liverpool's upcoming event will be no different.

Darren Suarez, the founder of the House of Suarez, previously told the ECHO: “I lost my Vogue mother, Dean, earlier this year and usually we do an opening piece which embellishes the theme of the event but this time I am doing a piece for him. For me, I will feel more connected by doing a tribute to him - it will be more of a final goodbye from me to him. He was one of the icons who helped Vogue take off in Liverpool so it just makes sense to dedicate this to him.”

Dean previously told the