‘Tens Across the Board’ puts St. Louis’ ballroom scene and culture on the big screen

Ballroom culture is now a mainstay in popular culture. Not to be confused with waltzing, swinging or doing the two-step, the ballroom in question has become a global phenomena. It’s championed by Black and brown LGBTQ artists in dance, music and fashion.

Beyoncé’s Renaissance World tour, which swept St. Louis off its feet last month, featured prominent ballroom dancers like Honey Balenciaga of HBO Max’s “Legendary.”

St. Louis’ own ballroom scene has grown and flourished for several years thanks to the event coordination of Maven Lee, founder of Tens Ballroom. Lee, and several St. Louis ballroom legends are featured in the documentary by filmmaker Bobby Best, “Tens Across the Board,” which premieres tonight at the Contemporary Art Museum.