For 15 years in New York WIGSTOCK was THE ultimate Drag Extravaganza. Hosted by the eponymous Lady Bunny recognized as the Drag Queen Mother, the Festival delighted audiences every Labor Day Weekend for years. That is until it rained two years in a row. And if there is one thing queens do not like, it’s make up that runs and also soggy sequins.
This was 2001 and Giuliani was the puritanical Mayor who had set his heart on making the entire city a sprinkle clean soulless Disney Theme Park. Somehow Wigstock got in the crossfire and crowds started staying away and the festival had some financial problems
It didn’t fade away completely as there were mini Wigstocks over the next few years, but it was never the same. Now life has gone the full circle with a more enlightened administration in on charge of the city, plus the fact that TV’s ubiquitous Drag Race has revived the interest in drag in general, and Wigstock is finally back big time.
Lady Bunny is hosting it with Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris who will be reviving his Hedwig role. However the most exciting thing about the line up of a veritable who’s who in drag is that is isn’t just full of Drag Race alumni but more importantly has the ‘old time; drag performers learned their craft the hard way and who made their way to the top without a big helping hand from RuPaul.
In fact if you are spending this Labor Day Weekend in Ptown you will probably notice an unusual dearth of drag queen performing as so many of them are making their way to NY to take part. .
The full list that has been announced is :
Lady Bunny Neil Patrick Harris Alaska Thunderfuck Alex Newell Amanda Lepore Barbara Tucker Bianca Del Rio Bob The Drag Queen Candis Cayne Charlene Incarnate Darcelle XV Desmond Is Amazing Dina Martina Dirty Martini Drew Droege Frieda Fogo Azul Harmonica Sunbeam Heklina Imperial Court of New York Jackie Beat Jada Valenciaga Javier Ninja Jinkx Monsoon Joey Arias Justin Vivian Bond Kevin Aviance Ladies of Lips Latrice Royale Lina Bradford Linda Simpson Liza Lott Lypsinka Murray Hill Peaches Christ Penny Champagne Peppermint Pixie Aventura Qya Marie Raven O Scarlet Envy Shequida Sherry Vine Suga Pie Koko Toilet Boys Unitard Varla Jean Merman Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black Wendy Ho Willam
Wigstock Sat 9/1 @ 3pm The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York, NY TICKETS HERE
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