It's time to get "wiggy" with it this coming Labor Day Weekend in New York City.
Wigstock, the legendary drag annual event that dominated drag culture from 1985 to 2001, is coming back to The Big Apple on Saturday, September 1st. It is being relaunched by the iconic Lady Bunny and film and television icon Neil Patrick Harris. The day-long event will take place at the gorgeous new Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City’s revitalized Seaport District.
Lady Bunny will executive produce with Harris and his husband, actor and chef David Burtka, alongside Oscar winner Bruce Cohen, Jason Weinberg, and Matador Content. Pride Media, owner of leading LGBTQ+ publications The Advocate and OUT, will also produce and be responsible for production of the live event and brand partnership sales. Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization, is joining as Wigstock’s non-profit partner.
“When Wigstock started in 1985, the LGBTQ+ community was in desperate need of an event where everyone could pull out their wigs and come together, with the help of some glitter, glitz and a glue gun or two,” stated Wigstock founder Lady Bunny. “There couldn’t be a better time than now to honor the legends of Wigstock, who paved the way for drag culture’s current popularity, by bringing back an outrageous and unapologetically entertainment-rich show.”
“Through fearlessness and fake eyelashes, Wigstock connected the LGBTQ+ community and its straight allies for two decades, while breaking down stereotypes and helping everyone to love and understand each other more,” stated Harris. “On Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, I got to dip my toe in the delicious, Champagne-filled pool called drag, so I am now drunk with excitement to help bring back a show filled with over-the-top and sometimes out-of-control performances at a time when we all desperately need to come together, to laugh and to be entertained.”
“Drag has come a long way since Wigstock’s early days in New York’s Tompkins Square Park,” stated Pride Media CEO Nathan Coyle. “Drag has transcended the LGBTQ+ community, making now the perfect time to bring back a show that celebrates our incredible diversity while reinforcing what truly makes our community great.”
“We are thrilled about the return of Wigstock and honored to be the festival’s non-profit partner,” said Kelsey Louie, CEO of GMHC. “This vanguard event will be a fun and fabulous way to celebrate our community, as well as help raise awareness and critical funds."
“Our list of performers is a veritable who’s who of drag queens, including classic NYC-based favorites who were fixtures at the original Wigstocks, newer NYC queens, members of the bourgeoning Brooklyn drag scene, and previous winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race," added Bunny.
The list of performers for Wigstock is quite the interesting bunch. This includes RPDR alum Alaska, Bianca Del Rio, Bob the Drag Queen, Jinkx Monsoon, Latrice Royale, Peppermint and William. Others are a bevy of one-of-a-kind names in the LGBTQ community like Glee star Alex Newell, Amanda Lepore, Candis Cayne, Charlene Incarnate, Darcelle XV, Desmond the Amazing, Dina Martina, Heklina, Jackie Beat, Jada Valenciaga, Joey Arias, Justin Vivian Bond, Kevin Avniance, Lina Bradford, Linda Simpson, Lypsinka, Murray Hill, Peaches Christ, Raven O., Sherry Vine, Taylor Mac, Unitard and Varla Jean Merman.
Tickets for Wigstock can be purchased here.