In Memory of Willi Ninja

(www.houseofaviance.com) - It's been a time of mourning for the clubbing community as we said good bye and remembered two clubbing personalities that were larger than life. Last week there was a tribute to Adam Goldstone with another one planned for Cielo on November 14th. We also have this memory of Willi Ninja shared by Kevin Aviance. Willi Ninja was widely known for his art of voguing and performing in Harlem dance balls with his House of Ninja children. His style served as an inspiration to Madonna, who immortalized it in her 1990 hit song and music video "Vogue." Willi was also immortalized in the documentary film Paris is Burning.

From Mother Juan Aviance: It's been a few weeks since the passing of our dear Willi Ninja and as the days pass my mind slips into day-dream mode thinking of him and what he meant to so many of us. That said, I'd like to share one of my first memories of Willi.

One night in Washington D.C. (1988) as we danced and pranced on the dance floor at Trax (thinking we knew the taste) LOL ..... and all of a sudden on the large video screen a video emerged, it was "Deep In Vogue" by Malcolm McLaren which featured Willi Ninja, Adrian & Aldawna Xtravaganza, Melissa and Melanie. Honey we stopped in our tracks cuz we never seen voguing and posing done this way, "it was smooth, slick and the silhouettes were to die for"... At that moment I was instantly hooked and I was inspired to learn more, plus the lyrics really gave me a better sense of what was what in those days! I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT AS LONG AS I LIVE!

Willi... THANK YOU for so many years of inspiration... you will be missed but not forgotten! They say.... HEAVEN IS BURNING now and I'm sure your teaching the angels how to walk on the clouds, as you surely walked ohhhhh so gently on this earth.

Love, Peace and Aviance,
Mother Juan Aviance
www.houseofaviance.com

Deep In Vogue video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9KDmJQjS_0

Deep In Vogue (lyrics & song):
https://www.houseofaviance.com/div

Video tribute to Willi Ninja:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivs_d8LlO6s&NR