City of Toronto & TKBA Presents: Health is Wealth Kiki Ball

This Kiki Ball is inspired by the importance of holistic health and wellness within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Each category highlights a different aspect of well-being—mental, emotional, physical, sexual, and financial health—encouraging participants to embody the spirit of self-care, knowledge, and empowerment. Whether it’s bringing realness with a bold statement on sexual health, serving face with a radiant, minty-fresh smile, or showcasing creativity by reducing, reusing, and recycling, this ball is a celebration of taking care of ourselves and each other.

This event is taking place during Youth Week, a time to celebrate and uplift the voices, creativity, and resilience of young people. The Health is Wealth Kiki Ball as part of the Kiki Ballroom Program aligns with the City of Toronto's Confronting Anti-Black Racism Action Plan, specifically Action Item 2.1, which invests in programming that meets the unique needs of Black Queer and Trans youth. It also supports the Access Plan for Two-Spirit, Trans, and Non-Binary Youth, particularly Action Item 16, which seeks to increase recruitment and retention of Two-Spirit and Indigenous trans and non-binary youth through tailored programs and culturally appropriate supports.

Participants are encouraged to express these themes through innovative and intentional effects that reflect their interpretation of health and wellness. This Kiki Ball is part of an ongoing collaboration between the City of Toronto and the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance to provide safe, empowering, and celebratory spaces for the community.

What better way to honor Youth Week and welcome the Spring season than by embracing a future where health is truly wealth? Get ready to slay with purpose and showcase how vibrant and powerful wellness can be!

The Kiki Ball is proudly curated by the TKBA Community Engagement Team in collaboration with Community Recreation Programmer Sheldon Dixon.

Featured Performers

DJ: Legendary Father Pleasure Juicy Couture

DJ Apprentice: Tangerine 007

Commentators: Icon Twysted Siriano & Silk Pink Lady

Lunch

There will be a brunch available from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm at the event. All TKBA Members and Kiki Ball Walker ticket holders will recieve one meal voucher and have access to one meal between this time frame on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies last. The brunch will be closed at 4:30 pm; no food or drink is allowed in the GYM.

Building Skills Through Recreation Program - Pathway to Youth Employment:

Building Skills Through Recreation (BSTR) is an employment readiness program that provides youth ages 15-24 across the city of Toronto with various transferable skills and a knowledge base in preparation to obtain, retain and advance in meaningful work. The program focuses on supporting youth with resume writing, job application processes, interviewing and opportunities to gain pre-employment certifications, FREE OF COST that lead to employment opportunities in Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

We’re thrilled to offer a BSTR Workshop exclusively for youth in the Kiki Ballroom Program (ages 15–24).

Date: May 12th & 13th, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: One Yonge Community Recreation Centre (24 Freeland Street)
Limited Spots: Only 20 participants will be accepted!

This full-day workshop is designed to help you build skills, boost your confidence, and prepare for future opportunities.

PLUS:

All BSTR participants will be eligible for a FREE two-day Standard First Aid course facilitated by the Lifesaving Society (Dates to be announced soon!).

Don't miss this chance to learn, grow, and connect! Please indicate your interest in participating in BSTR the order form when reserving your ticket, and a member of our team will be in touch.

Additional Information on BSTR: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/program-activities/leadership-employment-readiness/leadership-coaching-programs/

Kiki Ballroom Program Background Information

This Kiki Ball is a part of the City of Toronto’s first Kiki Ballroom program which responds to the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Action Plan Action Item 2.1 “Consult on and invest in meeting the specific needs and aspirations of black queer and trans youth by providing black queer and trans youth with opportunities to learn about ballroom culture and connect with their community through the Enhanced Youth Spaces. This program builds on the highly successful Drag Masterclass program and will provide new opportunities for youth across the city, not just in the downtown core.

The Kiki Ballroom program offers Learn to Vogue Workshops where youth can learn the elements of vogue, Open House Practices where you get to practice Ballroom categories, and Kiki Balls where you can see it all come together at a fierce competition!

In March 2023 the Kiki Ballroom Program won the Access and Equity Award at the Parks & Recreation Ontario conference. The City of Toronto and the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance were recognized for championing equitable access to parks and recreation services through advocacy, infrastructure, and/or programming. The Kiki Ballroom Program demonstrated improved access for the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

For more programming information and locations please email [email protected].

Admissions Information:

Please be sure to reserve a ticket as there is a max capacity of 300 people in the event space. Your tickets will be scanned at the door for entry into the space.

Heel Policy - The use of high heels is not permitted unless you are wearing heel protectors. If you are walking the Kiki Ball in heels, you must wear protectors to avoid floor damage. Heel protectors will be available at the door for Walkers, if needed.

TKBA Members - If you're a member of a TKBA House, you must reserve a ticket to receive a food voucher and secure your entry.

Kiki Ball Walkers - Planning to walk? Be sure to reserve a Walker Ticket to receive a food voucher, complete the required forms, and guarantee your spot.

General Admission Spectators - All spectators must reserve a General Admission Ticket through Eventbrite to attend.

Please feel free to share this email with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and/or youth-serving agencies.

Multi-Media Consent & Notice of Collection:

Parks, Forestry and Recreation collects personal information on this form together with the corresponding photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, films, and/or interviews under the legal authority of the of Toronto City Council Item 2014.CD31.9, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 894-2014; and Toronto City Council Item 2013.CD23.1, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 1234-2013. The information is used to obtain consent to reproduce and publish photograph/videotape/audiotape/film/interview in the City of Toronto publications/materials, including marketing and promotional materials, and the City of Toronto official website. Questions about this collection can be directed to the Manager, Community Recreation, North York Civic Centre, 3rd Floor, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M2N 5V7 or by telephone at 416-395-7678.

If you do not wish to be filmed, or photographed please email [email protected] to let us know. Participants of the Kiki Ball will have to sign-in at the door and fill out a multi-media consent form.

Accommodations:

If you are in need of accommodations please email [email protected] with details of your needs to help us provide a barrier-free experience for you.

Volunteer Opportunities:

If you are looking for volunteer opportunity and are interested in helping out for the Kiki Ball, please email [email protected] with your name, and contact information. This is a great opportunity to get volunteer hours for High School or work experience with the City.

Family Friendly Event:

Please be advised that this is a family friendly event. Spectators and participants of all ages are welcomed. Note that a family friendly dress code and code of conduct must be observed at all times from all performers, spectators, volunteers, City of Toronto staff at the event and while on City property. We want to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and safe experience at the Kiki Ball.

The consumption of cigarettes, marijuana, drugs and alcohol are not to be consumed on City of Toronto property or within 9 metres of the building as per City policy. If you would like to smoke outside of the facility please keep that in mind.

Event Schedule

3:00 Lunch & Mix & Mingle

4:45 Welcome & Kiki Ball Event Start

5:00 LSS

5:15 First Half of Categories

6:15 INTERMISSION

6:30 Second Half of Categories

7:30 Closing Remarks

8:00 End of Kiki Ball

11 Categories, 22 Trophies

‘Emotional Health’ Step into your feelings. Bring an emoji to life with an effect and performance that embody pure emotion. The judges should see it and feel it.

‘Emotional Health’ Step into your feelings. Bring an emoji to life with an effect and performance that embody pure emotion. The judges should see it and feel it.

‘Oral Hygiene’ A flawless smile is key! Show off your pearly whites with a prop that screams fresh, clean, and picture-perfect. Let your face radiate that sparkling, minty-fresh glow.

‘Mental Health’ Self-care looks different for everyone. Whether it's meditation, luxury skincare, or tuning out the world, bring an effect that reflects how you protect your peace and indulge in self-care.

‘Sexual Health’ Sell your realness while making a bold statement about sexual health—because confidence and knowledge are the ultimate attraction.

‘Sleep’ From beauty sleep to slumber party chic, bring a sleepwear-inspired effect that serves comfort, elegance, and undeniable body.

‘Nutrition’ Serve it fresh, flavorful, and fashionable! Bring an effect inspired by a healthy food from the four food groups—make it mouthwatering and make it fashionable.

‘Financial Health’ Luxury isn’t about the price tag—it’s about the vision. Create a stunning look with a budget of $100 or less and prove that true style is priceless.

‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ Reinvent an old effect or craft something genius from recycled materials—innovation is key. Blow the judges away with your eco-friendly creativity.

‘Medical Care’ Let your hands do the talking. Wearing hospital gloves, tell a compelling story through movement and precision. Precision, poise, and purpose—let your hands speak volumes.

‘Health Awareness’ Pick a component of health to chant about. Use your words to educate, inspire, and energize the crowd while slaying the mic with rhythm and flow.

Notes:

Male Figure is a male presenting body.

Female Figure is a female presenting body.

FQ is for femme queen transwomen

BQVF is for butch queen vogue femme (butch queens are gay men)

RWT is for realness with a twist (realness men that can vogue)

City of Toronto Event Producer:

Sheldon Dixon

TKBA Program Planners:

Legendary Father Notis Poseida, Father GqJay Balenciaga, Flossy 007, Persuasion Telfar in collaboration with Community Recreation Programmer Sheldon Dixon.

Event Venue

One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, 24 Freeland Street, Toronto, Canada