Heels clicking on a concrete floor, echoing against the near-empty walls of a downtown gallery. To your left, a colossal, balloon-like sculpture, gleaming in metallic primary hues. To your right, an acrylic pumpkin—larger-than-life, amber, and dotted in black. With pieces going for millions at auction, it’s easy to lose the true essence of art to a sea of ridiculously shocking headlines and record-setting sales. But what is its true value? Tonight, you get to answer that question. Aura 007 and Legendary Mother Tamar Miyake-Mugler welcome you to the fourth annual World AIDS Day Ball: MUSEUM, presented by FUNCTION.The World AIDS Day Ball is an annual event highlighting Ballroom culture, BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ talent, and the importance of HIV awareness, education, and linkage to care. For our fourth edition, MUSEUM, we’re diving headfirst into the fascinating and sometimes ostentatious world of contemporary art, drawing inspiration from the creative forces, movers and shakers, and industry behemoths shaping the art of today.
Doors at 4 PM. LSS at 5 PM.
About us:
FUNCTION is a platform for Ballroom culture, stories, and events. Through our work, we focus on uplifting BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and highlighting local and international Ballroom talent. Since our launch, we've welcomed over 3700 attendees, distributed over $160,000 directly to BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and participants, and handed out thousands of HIV self-testing kits, condoms, and other harm reduction supplies to community members, leaning on expert nonprofit organizations.
With many thanks to our team and partners:
Maggie’s Toronto
Founded in 1986, Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project is one of Canada’s oldest sex worker justice organizations serving sex workers across Toronto and the GTA. Maggie’s offers a wide range of programs and services targeting marginalized and underserved communities—participating in anti-poverty organizing, racial justice work challenging police violence, 2SLGBTQ+ liberation work, Indigenous sovereignty and outreach efforts, harm reduction work, and more.
CATEGORIES
GRAND PRIZE PERFORMANCE
$
6 trophies
BQVF, RWT, FQ, Womens, Drags, and Legendary
Yayoi Kusama
Acclaimed Japanese artist and visionary, Yayoi Kusama has left an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art. Her signature polka dots, vivid colours, and immersive infinity mirrors have captivated audiences around the globe, welcoming millions of museumgoers into her realm, where boundlessness and imagination converge. Drawing from Kusama’s near seven-decade career—spanning painting, sculpture, installation art, film, fashion, and so much more—bring it in a look inspired by any of her most mesmerizing works.
GRAND PRIZE RUNWAY
$
4 trophies
AA, European, FF, and Legendary
Jeff Koons
Renowned for his masterful craftsmanship and audacious spirit, Jeff Koons transforms everyday objects into monumental works that challenge conventional notions of art. Celebrated for his bold and provocative artistic vision, his creations ingeniously blend elements of popular culture, consumerism, and whimsy—eliciting both fascination and controversy. Modelling your look after Koons’ iconic stainless-steel sculptures, hit the runway in a mirror-polished or metallic creation of your own.
MINI GRAND PRIZE BEST DRESSED
$
3 trophies
MF, FF, and GNC
Bisa Butler
Standing at the forefront of contemporary fiber art, Bisa Butler pushes past the boundaries of traditional portraiture and celebrates the resilience, beauty, and diversity of the Black experience—paying homage to African American history and identity. Through intricate stitching and meticulously selected textiles, her vibrant and evocative quilted portraits weave together fabric and storytelling, breathing life into historical figures and everyday individuals alike. Tonight, bring it in a look that pulls from Butler’s unique style, rich colour palette, dynamic use of patterns, and innovative approach to quilting.
MINI GRAND PRIZE FACE
$
5 trophies
BQ, Transman, FQ, Womens, and Drags
Kehinde Wiley
Through his meticulous brushwork and attention to detail, Kehinde Wiley paints heroic portraits of Black individuals set against elaborate backgrounds inspired by classical art. His distinctive style merges the grandeur of Old Masters with a contemporary edge, resulting in visually arresting compositions that resonate with cultural and social significance and challenge the artistic canon. Tapping into the regal essence he infuses into his subjects, bring it in a look that embraces Wiley’s use of ornate florals and patterns.
MINI GRAND PRIZE SEX SIREN
$
5 trophies
BQ, Transman, FQ, Womens, and Drags
David LaChapelle
Blurring the lines between fine art and commercial photography, David LaChapelle has solidified himself as one of the most distinctive and influential voices in the field today. With a career spanning over three decades, LaChapelle has collaborated with an army of the world’s most iconic celebrities, directed music videos to many chart-topping anthems, and shot countless fashion spreads, often characterized by his use of vibrant colours, surreal compositions, and blend of popular culture and social commentary. Hit the runway in a look that exudes the provocative and over-the-top essence of LaChapelle’s best work.
REALNESS
$
8 trophies
Schoolboy, Prettyboy, Executive, Thugs, Transman, FQ, Drags, and Legendary
Tyler Mitchell
A rising star in the world of photography and the first African American photographer to shoot the cover of Vogue, Tyler Mitchell captures the beauty, individuality, and complexity of his subjects with intimacy, often exploring themes of identity, race, and culture. With a keen eye for natural light and dreamlike compositions, Mitchell has become a leading voice in the industry, using his lens to tell powerful stories and inspiring the next generation of photographers. With so much to pull from, bring it in a look inspired by the image of your choice. You must bring a framed reference photo.
BODY
$
2 trophies
BQ, Transman, FQ, Womens
Mickalene Thomas
Known for her dynamic and vibrant mixed-media works, Mickalene Thomas constructs visually striking portraits that fuse the classical with the contemporary through the intricate layering of patterns, textures, and a kaleidoscope of colours. Drawing inspiration from art history, popular culture, and her personal experiences, she crafts bold compositions that evoke glamour and intimacy, redefine notions of beauty and identity, and celebrate Black empowerment and femininity. Tonight, bring it in a look that reflects Thomas’ distinctive artistic voice and diverse use of mediums.
BIZARRE
$
1 trophy
KAWS
Prominent American artist and designer, KAWS—or Brian Donnelly—is celebrated for his unique fusion of street art and pop culture, and now iconic figures like Companion and Chum. His sculptures, paintings, and collectibles have garnered widespread acclaim, resonating with audiences around the globe and placing him at the forefront of contemporary art. Set your creativity free and bring it as your own character, drawing inspiration from KAWS’s style and character design without recreating any of his work.
COMMENTATOR V. COMMENTATOR
$
1 trophy
Barbara Kruger
American conceptual artist and collagist, Barbara Kruger is known for her distinctive style that combines black-and-white photographs with bold, declarative text—often critiques of consumerism, feminism, and power structures. For your tens, incorporate one of Kruger’s thought-provoking pieces into your chant. You must include the original caption in full and unaltered at least once. You must bring a framed reference of the artwork you’ve selected.
Additional Information
All cash prizes are in Canadian dollars.
For media inquiries or if you have any questions or concerns regarding this event, please get in touch with us via email at [email protected]
We wish to acknowledge the land on which we will be meeting for the World AIDS Day Ball. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. We are grateful for the opportunity to host this event on this land. If you identify as a member of any of these groups, please get in touch with us at [email protected] by November 30th, and we’ll be more than happy to offer you a discounted ticket.
Please note that this event will be filmed and photographed, and footage may be used for marketing, social, and archival purposes. By attending, guests hereby grant FUNCTION 10 Inc. the right to use their name, likeness, image, voice, video, performance, biographical and other information in any format whatsoever, and to distribute, broadcast and exhibit these without charge, restriction, or liability.
FUNCTION 10 Inc. and Maggie’s Toronto (“Event Organizers”) accept no responsibility whatsoever for any property brought to the premises by any guests or participants, and will have no liability for any loss, damage, or destruction of property. Participants understand and acknowledge the risks and dangers associated with participation in the World AIDS Day Ball (“Event”) and related activities, including without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, sickness and disease, permanent disability, paralysis and loss of life; contact with other participants, spectators, or objects; participants of varying skill levels; situations beyond the immediate control of the Event Organizers; and other undefined, not readily foreseeable and presently unknown risks and dangers (“Risks”). Participants hereby expressly assume all such Risks and responsibility for any damages, liabilities, losses, or expenses incurred as a result of their participation in the Event.
Event Venue
History Toronto, 1671 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1G5, Canada,Toronto, Ontario
