Mother Juan Aviance facts for kids

Mother Juan Aviance was born in 1963 in Charleston, South Carolina. He is an American secretary, dancer, music artist, and nightclub host. He also owns a record label. He is famous for starting the House of Aviance. This is one of the well-known "houses" that came from the ball culture scene in the United States during the 1980s. The House of Aviance is still active today in New York City.

Juan Aviance also started Aviance Records, LLC. This is a record label that helps new artists in many different music styles. He is a respected leader in the ballroom community. He is like a "House Mother" to other artists such as Kevin Aviance and Erickatoure Aviance.

As an artist and host, Mother Juan has worked with many famous singers, music producers, DJs, and film directors. These include Janet Jackson, Ce Ce Peniston, Madonna, Junior Vasquez, Tony Moran, and Wolfgang Busch.

Early Life and Learning

Juan Aviance was born in 1963 in Charleston, South Carolina. He grew up in Boston. When he was in school and a teenager, he enjoyed performing arts like dance and music. However, he decided not to make a career out of performing. He found the repeated practice, especially in dance, to be boring.

In 1982, he finished high school. He then went to business school to learn office skills. Juan's background in business and dance was very important. It helped him create the successful House of Aviance in 1989. This "house" is known for its vogue dancing.

Juan Aviance's Career

Work Outside Ballroom Culture

While studying business, Aviance worked as a clerk for the Boston Public Schools. After that, he worked for "The State of Massachusetts Disability" in the same type of role.

In 1987, Aviance moved from Boston to Washington, D.C. There, he got a job with an environmental lobbyist. He did paralegal work, which means he helped lawyers. He also helped set up press conferences with senators on Capitol Hill.

Leading in Ball Culture and Entertainment

In August 1989, Aviance started the House of Aviance. This group became one of the "legendary" ballroom houses. These houses grew from the African-American LGBT ball culture. The Legendary House of Aviance is known for its amazing dancers, performances, and fashion. They are also known for their music producers and DJs. The House of Aviance "currently rules the club scene in New York City."

As of 2014, the House had over 700 members worldwide. These members include dancers, musicians, DJs, and other artists. Since it started, Aviance has been the "House Mother." Daddy Tony Aviance has been the "House Father." Juan Aviance said he started the House because he loved the arts. He also said he has always been a leader, even as a child.

I started the House because of my love for the arts; and I have always been a leader–even as a kid, in dance troupes, singing groups, etc. Starting a House was just an extension of what I have always done since childhood.

—Mother Juan Aviance

Some well-known members of the House include Kevin Aviance and Erickatoure Aviance. DJs and producers like Jean-Philippe Aviance and Nita Aviance are also members. Dancer Tamsier Joof Aviance is another notable member.

As an artist and host, Aviance has worked with many famous people. These include Janet Jackson, Ce Ce Peniston, Madonna, Kevin Aviance, Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Jennifer Hudson, and Mariah Carey. He also worked with Willi Ninja, a famous voguing dancer. Other collaborators include Junior Vasquez, Tony Moran, and Wolfgang Busch. Wolfgang Busch directed the 2006 movie How Do I Look.

The Role of House Mother

Historically, the "Mother" of a ballroom house was often a drag queen or a transgender woman. Because of this, Aviance was at first unsure about taking on the role of House Mother. However, he decided to do it. His way of "mothering" is very organized, like a business. This is because he went to business and dance school. This style has been key to the House's success.

He is also very protective of his "house children." He helped remove the House of Aviance from competing in balls. He did this to protect his members from what he called "Ballroom politics," unfair treatment, and bad judging. This happened even though the House won many trophies and cash prizes over the years.

Aviance has also strongly supported the careers of many of his members. This includes Kevin Aviance, Erickatoure Aviance, and DJ/Producer Jean-Philippe Aviance.

In the 1980s, Aviance started weekly parties in Washington, D.C., called Kindergarten Parties. Many famous "Club Kids" from New York City attended these parties. These included Amanda Lepore, James St. James, and Kenny Kenny. Kevin Aviance, who later joined the House, also went to these parties. These events helped many artists in the LGBT community become famous. Kevin Aviance and Jean-Philippe Aviance (the House of Aviance's first DJ) used to DJ for Mother Juan at the Vault Nightclub in D.C.

In January 2014, Aviance celebrated his 50th birthday. Many House of Aviance DJs and members were there. The event was hosted by Aviance's "eldest daughter," Kevin Aviance. Special guests included singer and DJ Lady Miss Kier from the group Deee-Lite.

Aviance is seen as one of the living "legends" in the ballroom scene. His house is one of the longest-running and most active ballroom houses. It has won many prizes and trophies. He is one of the longest-serving "house parents" in ball culture history. As of 2022, he had led the House for 33 years. This is longer than the record of Pepper LaBeija, who led the Legendary House of LaBeija for almost 32 years.

On March 23, 2014, Aviance teamed up with fellow House member David Ohana. They started Aviance Records. This record label helps new artists in many music styles. Some famous House members and other artists have released music through this label. Erickatoure Aviance released her song OVAH in 2017. The music video for OVAH was first shown on Jonny McGovern's Hey Qween! Channel on June 26, 2017.

See also

• LGBT culture in New York City
• List of LGBT people from New York City