As we gear up for Collective Encounters, a festival for LGBTQ+ folx and their allies, the reviews are in for Graham Clayton-Chance’s latest documentary which will be shown at the festival. Join Graham in conversation on 31 May with excerpts from Last dance at the Sundance Stompede.

In November 2023, over 800 people from around the globe gathered in San Francisco for the Sundance Stompede, an LGBT+ country-western dance weekend that has been a cornerstone of queer culture for 27 years. This final Stompede marked the end of a remarkable era. Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede documents this historic weekend, capturing the reflections of 15 participants and founder Ingu Yun as they celebrate the event’s enduring legacy.

What began in the early 1990s as a small grassroots fundraiser for AIDS grew into a cherished non-profit event and cultural touchstone for the LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, the Stompede became a haven where queer individuals from diverse backgrounds united through their shared love of country-western dance. Beyond its workshops and performances, the Stompede was a celebration of community, resilience, and healing.

Festival founder Ingu Yun explains “Never in a million years did I imagine it would become such an institution, in fact, after that first benefit event, I didn’t think there would even be a second.” 

The film Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede explores this spirit, revealing how the event fostered both personal and collective transformation. It also highlights how queer dance has challenged and redefined the rigid gender norms traditionally associated with country-western dance. Historically, partner dancing in the genre adhered to strict male-female roles, but queer dancers at the Stompede subverted these conventions, creating a space for gender fluidity and equality in movement.

‘I grew up in a very conservative small town where cowboys did not dance with one another. I didn’t even know how to experience this.‘ – Sundance Stompede attendee

More than a farewell to a beloved event, Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede is a tribute to a community that, for nearly three decades, has used dance as a means of survival, celebration, and change. It’s a story of the power of community, the ongoing fight for equality, and the transformative impact of dance as a vehicle for self-expression, healing, and empowerment.

“Beautifully shot and meticulously pieced-together. It truly immerses audiences in the joy and spirit of the Stompede.’ – Bay Area Reporter

Read the full review of the film in the Bay Area Reporter.

Graham Clayton-Chance In Conversation will take place at 3.00pm on 31st May. Drop in to watch a special immersive installation throughout the day.