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Photos: Inaugural KC Pride Ball presents drag, dance, fashion and attitude in competition

By Zachary Linhares
Jordan Wilson stands for a portrait outside of the KC Pride Ball at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. This is the first KC Pride Ball to be organized by the Kansas City Pride Community Alliance.
Jordan Wilson stands for a portrait outside of the KC Pride Ball at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. This is the first KC Pride Ball to be organized by the Kansas City Pride Community Alliance. Zachary Linhares

The Uptown Theater was host to the Kansas City Pride Community Alliance’s inaugural Pride Ball Friday night.

The Pride Ball was a heated competition in the tradition of ballroom culture with entrants competing for $10,000 in cash prizes and the honor of being judged the best in one of 16 categories.

Performances combined drag, dance, fashion and attitude and were judged by a panel of judges and a vocal crowd.

Pride Ball kicked off a weekend of LGBTQ pride events scheduled in Kansas City.

Here are photos from the event.

Mariah Carter-Ebony dances for a crowd of people during the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. To start the night, contestants and attendees danced on the main floor before the competition began.
Mariah Carter-Ebony dances for a crowd of people during the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. To start the night, contestants and attendees danced on the main floor before the competition began. Zachary Linhares zlinhares@kcstar.com
Jose Deanda records a group of performers during the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Contestants at the Pride Ball competed for cash prizes for each of their respected categories.
Jose Deanda records a group of performers during the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Contestants at the Pride Ball competed for cash prizes for each of their respected categories. Zachary Linhares zlinhares@kcstar.com
Judges at the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance score contestants at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Judges at the Pride Ball scored contestants during their performances with the help of the crowd.
Judges at the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance score contestants at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Judges at the Pride Ball scored contestants during their performances with the help of the crowd. Zachary Linhares
Ka’Juan Hill judges contestants at the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Contestants at the Pride Ball competed in 16 different categories including drag, best dressed, and fem queen.
Ka’Juan Hill judges contestants at the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Contestants at the Pride Ball competed in 16 different categories including drag, best dressed, and fem queen. Zachary Linhares
Khoree Jordan waves a fan in the air during the Pride Ball at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. The Kansas City Pride Alliance handed out $10,000 in cash prizes to the winning contestants.
Khoree Jordan waves a fan in the air during the Pride Ball at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. The Kansas City Pride Alliance handed out $10,000 in cash prizes to the winning contestants. Zachary Linhares
Chasmar Aponte of New York City waits to act out his final performance at the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Contestants at the Pride Ball came from all over the country to take part in the competition.
Chasmar Aponte of New York City waits to act out his final performance at the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Pride Community Alliance at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. Contestants at the Pride Ball came from all over the country to take part in the competition. Zachary Linhares
Taylor Fosters looks on as a contestant of the Pride Ball enters the dance floor at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. The Pride Ball initiated the start of the Kansas City Pride activities over the weekend.
Taylor Fosters looks on as a contestant of the Pride Ball enters the dance floor at Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. The Pride Ball initiated the start of the Kansas City Pride activities over the weekend. Zachary Linhares
Attendees of the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Community Pride Alliance watch as a contestant performs a dance at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. The floor at the Pride Ball quickly filled up leaving eager attendees waiting in long lines outside of the theatre.
Attendees of the Pride Ball organized by Kansas City Community Pride Alliance watch as a contestant performs a dance at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. The floor at the Pride Ball quickly filled up leaving eager attendees waiting in long lines outside of the theatre. Zachary Linhares
Trophies sit on a judging table before being handed to the winning Pride Ball contestants at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. After each performance category finished, judges handed out trophies and cash prizes to the winners.
Trophies sit on a judging table before being handed to the winning Pride Ball contestants at the Uptown Theater on June 9, 2023, in Kansas City. After each performance category finished, judges handed out trophies and cash prizes to the winners. Zachary Linhares The Kansas City Star
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