Sasha Velour Marks a Decade of NightGowns: Celebrating 10 Years of Radical Drag at La MaMa

Sasha Velour, a pivotal figure in contemporary drag and LGBTQ+ culture, will mark the 10th anniversary of her acclaimed drag revue, NightGowns, with a special series of performances at New York’s legendary La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. The seven-show residency, running from August 27 to September 1, 2025, promises a celebration of drag’s artistry, activism, and its vibrant, inclusive community .

Velour’s anniversary shows will feature a lineup of drag luminaries including Sasha Colby, Kevin Aviance, Tenderoni, King Molasses, Elle McQueen, Vigor Mortis, The Illustrious Pearl, and others, underscoring NightGowns’ reputation as a platform for both established icons and emerging voices in the drag world . Tickets are set to go on sale July 28 through SashaVelour.com, with high anticipation from both longtime fans and newcomers to the NightGowns experience .

NightGowns began in August 2015 at Bizarre Bushwick, a Brooklyn venue known for its support of experimental and alternative performance art. At its inception, Velour envisioned NightGowns as a space where drag performers of all backgrounds could showcase their most daring and creative work, free from mainstream constraints and judgment .

Over the past decade, the revue has evolved from a local showcase to an internationally acclaimed event, recognized for its artistic innovation and its unwavering commitment to inclusivity. NightGowns has been lauded for uplifting transgender people, nonbinary artists, and drag performers of color, creating a space where marginalized voices are not only welcomed but celebrated .

“Ten years—this is history! And if we made it, anyone can,” Velour stated in her anniversary announcement. “Determination and hard work have embedded NightGowns into the traditions of drag in New York City… or maybe even the world. When our art form and our people are being criminalized, erased, displaced, having that kind of longevity and legacy—or just knowing it’s possible to survive—is a source of POWER. I am deeply honored to celebrate the audiences and artists who have made NightGowns into the platform and space that it’s become over the last decade, as we toast to the power of drag artists around the world” .

NightGowns’ impact extends far beyond the stage. In the past three seasons alone, the series has raised over $80,000 for organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ communities, immigrants, and direct aid efforts in Gaza . This commitment to social justice and mutual aid cements NightGowns' legacy as not just a drag show, but as a cultural movement at the crossroads of performance and activism.

At a time when drag artists and LGBTQ+ people face increasing legislative and societal challenges in the United States and abroad, the longevity of NightGowns serves as a beacon of resilience. The revue’s continued success demonstrates both the enduring appeal and the necessity of queer spaces that foster creativity, community, and advocacy .

La MaMa ETC, the site of this milestone celebration, is itself a historic venue with deep roots in New York’s avant-garde and LGBTQ+ artistic communities. Its partnership with NightGowns for the anniversary series highlights the interconnectedness of queer artistic innovation and the importance of preserving cultural institutions that support experimental, inclusive work .

With a decade of trailblazing artistry behind her, Sasha Velour shows no signs of slowing down. Following the NightGowns anniversary, she is set to premiere her next solo show, Travesty, at Washington, D.C.'s Woolly Mammoth Theatre before embarking on a European tour .

As NightGowns enters its second decade, its influence on drag performance, queer visibility, and LGBTQ+ activism remains profound. The upcoming residency at La MaMa is not only a celebration of what has been achieved, but a call to continue the work of building inclusive, empowering spaces for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

For those attending the anniversary shows, or following along online via Sasha Velour’s Instagram (@sashavelour) and other social media, the message is clear: drag is artistry, drag is activism, and drag endures—even in the face of adversity .