Step through the looking glass into a realm where fashion meets fantasy at the inaugural FAB Awards:
Enchanted - A Fashion Fairy Tale.
Where ballroom legends transform into magical beings, runways shimmer with fairy dust, and every walk tells a spellbinding story.
Join us for an evening where the boundaries between reality and enchantment dissolve.
Step into our fashion fairy tale dressed to captivate! We invite you to interpret enchantment through your personal style—from elevated streetwear to avant-garde fantasy. The night calls for reds, blacks, and golds to create our magical atmosphere. Most importantly, bring your mask—nothing embodies enchantment like the allure of mystery. This is your moment to showcase your fashion narrative, to transform, to put that shit on! Whether you channel mystical royalty or dark forest creature, let your imagination reign. Remember, in our fairy tale, you're not just attending the ball—you're creating it.
The Shades Project STL is a dynamic organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering every shade of the LGBTQ+ spectrum through art, advocacy, and community building. With a mission to create vibrant and affirming spaces for queer individuals, The Shades Project fosters inclusivity and intersectionality where authenticity thrives and differences are cherished. A cornerstone of their work includes "Finding Allies Through Ballroom," connecting the organization deeply to ballroom culture and its transformative power.
Created by two dedicated community leaders, Josh and Mariah’s Community Ballroom Practice offers a safe, affirming space for individuals interested in ballroom culture to learn, grow, and thrive. Through one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and community care, they are building confidence and connection for the next generation of ballroom artists. Your donation helps expand their impact and supports The Shades Project STL in uplifting creative, healing-centered spaces rooted in Black and Brown LGBTQ+ excellence.
The FAB Awards celebrates extraordinary individuals and organizations who embody the foundational pillars that define The Shades Project STL's mission and impact. Each honoree has been carefully selected to represent one of our core values—whether through their advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, contributions to ballroom culture, commitment to community health access, dedication to arts and expression, or advancement of intersectional justice.
These champions have demonstrated exceptional leadership in transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. By recognizing these pillars personified, we not only honor their individual contributions but also reinforce the interconnected framework that supports our community's collective resilience and joy.
The FAB Awards serves as both celebration and reminder of how our pillars—standing strong together—create the foundation for a more inclusive, vibrant, and empowered future for all shades of our community.
The Shades Project proudly honors Vivent Health with our Premier Community Support Award for their extraordinary partnership that has been the lifeblood of FAB Vogue Nites. Through two remarkable seasons, Vivent Health's generous financial contributions have transformed our vision into reality, allowing our ballroom community to thrive in safe, affirming spaces. Beyond financial support, their unwavering commitment to health equity has ensured vital healthcare access at every Vogue Nite, embodying their mission as champions for comprehensive wellness. Their presence has not only strengthened our events but deepened our impact, creating a powerful bridge between healthcare access and cultural celebration. Vivent Health exemplifies what true community partnership looks like—investing in both the art and wellbeing of our vibrant ballroom family.
The Shades Project proudly honors Handle Bar with our FAB Sanctuary Award for their extraordinary commitment to creating a true home for ballroom excellence. For two remarkable seasons, Handle Bar has transformed their venue into more than just a physical space—they've cultivated a sanctuary where our community can authentically express, celebrate, and elevate ballroom culture in safety and style. By opening their doors to FAB Vogue Nites, they've demonstrated that true allyship means providing the foundation upon which our community can build, grow, and thrive. Handle Bar's consistent dedication to maintaining a welcoming environment has allowed countless performers to discover their voices, perfect their craft, and find belonging. We celebrate their vision in recognizing that cultural spaces are essential infrastructure for community empowerment.
The Shades Project proudly presents MOHO Justice Coalition with our FAB Category Catalyst Award for their unwavering financial support of ballroom categories across two groundbreaking seasons. Through their generous contributions, MOHO Justice has directly empowered performers to showcase their talents while elevating the artistry and competitive excellence of FAB Vogue Nites. Their investment represents a profound understanding that ballroom is not merely entertainment but a vital cultural expression deserving recognition and resources. By backing our categories, MOHO Justice Coalition has helped transform creative vision into tangible opportunity, allowing participants to push boundaries, refine techniques, and celebrate their authentic selves. Their commitment to financially supporting this cornerstone of LGBTQ+ culture demonstrates how meaningful partnerships can sustain and amplify the voices that make our community vibrant and resilient.
