ABOUT US

Who we are

Whacking Los Angeles (WLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that honors and grows the legacy of Punking and Whacking through dance education, cultural events, and brave spaces that empower individuality and collective liberation for queer, multicultural Los Angeles communities.

Founded in 2022 by a grassroots collective of queer-identifying artists and cultural workers, Whacking Los Angeles emerged from a shared recognition of the need for a dedicated, affirming home for this work. These artists came together to intentionally build a space where individuals could gather, train, create, and be in community. Situated on Tongva land, WLA has since grown into a central landing place for queer and multicultural Los Angeles artists, stewarding accessible and equitable dance spaces that center inclusion, artistic expression, and cultural preservation. Rooted in communal, grassroots values, we remain grounded and accessible to people of all bodies and walks of life. WLA is committed to expanding professional opportunities for queer and BIPOC artists, increasing the visibility of queer art forms, and honoring the originators and past contributors who shaped Punking and Whacking in its birthplace of Los Angeles - while continuing to preserve, expand, and pass forward its legacy for future generations.

Our Mission

Whacking Los Angeles (WLA) is an organization providing dance education, events, and brave spaces to honor and grow the legacy of Punking and Whacking. WLA empowers individuality and collective liberation of queer, multicultural Los Angelenos of all bodies and walks of life.

Our Vision

Whacking Los Angeles envisions a world where the legacy of Punking and Whacking is honored and sustained, queer joy is celebrated, and multicultural communities thrive through accessible, inclusive, and liberatory dance spaces.

Partners

Logo of Dance Resource Center with the word 'drc' in bold black letters
Red background with large white 'H' and text 'Since 1988' on the left side.
Logo of The Music Center, L.A.'s Performing Arts Center, with the name and an abstract red circular design.
Logo with text reading "Gloria Molina Grand Park" in large pink font on a transparent background.
Logo for One Institute with bold black text on a light background.
Logo with a circular design, black and red colors, featuring the text 'Versa-Style Dance Company' and 'Est. 2005'.
Logo for the Dallas Prouds, featuring an outline of the Dallas skyline above the words 'DTA Prouds' in white on a blue background, framed by a multicolored geometric border.
Logo with the text 'GR8IBERS' and a stylized emblem on the left
USC logo with a shield emblem and three torches on a red background.
Text reading 'Queer Libertasian' with flames and fiery design on a black background.

Meet the team

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Victoria Villamil, “Tori Cristi” is a queer Salvadoran Filipina artist, educator and organizer. Tori focuses on the intersections between culture, psychology and integrative healing. Tori’s work creates space to explore an anti-capitalist, healing-centered approach to art. In addition to specializing in Punking & Whacking, she has trained in multiple disciplines such as jazz, contemporary along with street and club forms of dance. She has worked with artists such as Katseye & Mark De Clive along  organizations such as Red Bull Dance, The Music Center LA and DTLA Proud. Tori continues to create purpose driven art and empower individuals to nurture their authenticity. 

CO-FOUNDER & executive Director

Victoria Villamil (she/They)

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Kevin Casasola "Ksoul" is a passionate punker and whacker, dedicated to cultivating environments for all to embody their authentic selves. Ksoul holds sacred the transformative power of punking/whacking towards liberation and play. Co-founder of Whacking Los Angeles, Ksoul continues to discover how dance creates genuine and meaningful connections.

CO-FOUNDER & program director

Kevin Casasola (he/They)

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Roxi Smith is an LA-based, Virginia-bred queer artist and organizer. In addition to specializing in Punking and Whacking, Roxi has trained in multiple disciplines including Popping, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and Hustle. Roxi has showcased her 1st-prize winning work “Track 10” at the Synesthesia Dance Competition in Washington D.C., and was the 2024 SEED Resident artist, performing her piece "The Roach". Roxi aims to create big productions no matter the cast size or budget, and to always transcend the mundane. Her art focuses mainly on womanhood, tech, and the art of being a clown.

CO-FOUNDER & finance manager

Roxanne Smith (she/her)

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Em (they/them) is a transgender dyke, an artist, friend, and lover of the human experience. em is a member of Whacking Los Angeles and has been Whacking for 3 years now. They value being in community with other queers and are currently exploring their artistic expression through dance, drawing, and printmaking. Their goal is to use various artistic mediums to share messages of love and liberation in solidarity with oppressed peoples all over the world.

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Em Smith (They/them)

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Ohsoong Justin Kweon, AKA, King Kweon, is a Korean dancer, educator, and battler. Justin’s goal is to pass down the legacy, history, movement, and essence of whacking to a new generation . In addition to specializing in Punking and Whacking, Justin was also involved in multiple scenes such as bboy, choreography, clubbing, and has performed in various locations such as America’s got Talent, The Carnival, Maxt Out, and Flava of the Year. Justin’s artist motto is to be authentic and unique to himself, as everyone has a story to tell, and not everyone can tell the same story.

TEACHING ARTIST

Justin Kweon (he/him)

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Milagritos “Floetic” Godina is a versatile Latina street dance artist from East LA and has been dancing professionally for four years. She joined the Versa-Style Street Dance Company youth program, Versa-Style Next Generation in 2016 and is a principal dancer of Versa-Style’s professional B Company, Versa-Style Legacy. She emphasizes healing, self-empowerment, and self-expression, teaching the history and movement of street dance to help students connect deeply with their art.

SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT

MILAGRITOS Godina (she/her)

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Sunset (they, them) is a Polyamorous Trans Nonbinary Filipinx artist dedicated to the continuous learning and sharing of Whacking. Sunset is a member of Whacking Los Angeles and Cosmic Chaos. Though based in LA, they are the first Whacking Lecturer and an instructor for Dance Making at San Diego State University. Outside of Whacking, they are a part of ballroom in the Kiki House of Bodega and their mainstream House of Marc Jacobs. Their mission is to use their artistry to build community and celebrate the queer cultural history of dance.

TEACHING ARTIST

Sunset Ebalo (they/them)

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Now based in Los Angeles, Titan (he/him/they) is a queer Asian American artist rooted in consistency, expression, and creativity in movement. Titan performed for the queer community, dancing at Drag shows and charity events. Titan is heavily involved in the street, club, and Whacking community. Titan has built up community by hosting and producing events (A W*ack on Titan Whacking Session, Homegrown Block Party), placed at several street battles, and performed with Whacking Los Angeles. He continues to enhance his training in various styles of dance. He hopes to help share the joyful resistance, self-discovery, and connection that dance helps him find every day.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

TITAN NGO (he/they)

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Earl “The Pearl” Lopez is a Pilipino-Chinese-American artist and healer who is based in Los Angeles. As a dancer, Earl is an avid student who immerses himself in various styles like krump, house, hustle, popping, contemporary, whacking, and more. Outside of dance Earl is a physical therapist, helping movers of various demographics achieve their ultimate potential. Earl’s goal in life is to spread the joy of movement and have people experience play, intentionality, and vulnerability.

TEACHING ARTIST

Earl Lopez (he/him)

Let’s build together