Galleria Fort Lauderdale to Stage I AM WHAT I AM Tribute in Honor of Pride Month

The eyelashes, nails and wigs are on as History Fort Lauderdale, celebrating 60 years of being the proud steward of our community's past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, presents "I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida's Drag Pioneers," in honor of PRIDE Month (June 2022). This exciting and interactive free experience at Galleria Fort Lauderdale will pay tribute to the drag community who tirelessly entertain and support philanthropic endeavors. Tickets are now on sale for the opening reception, which also serves as the official Stonewall PRIDE Month Kickoff event celebration, on Tuesday, May 31, from 6 - 8 p.m., at Galleria Fort Lauderdale.

"History Fort Lauderdale is thrilled to pay homage to these endearing, enthralling and larger-than-life personalities who make our community a more colorful, creative and inclusive place to live and visit," said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. "The LGBT+ community has been resolute supporters of and contributors to the vibrant fabric of Fort Lauderdale's world-class arts scene and we're excited to celebrate their contributions during PRIDE month and beyond."

It will be a night to remember as six drag pioneers are celebrated - South Florida's own Nikki Adams, Tiffany Arieagus, Cathy Craig, Daisy Deadpetals, Electra and Latrice Royale. These treasured performers are being recognized for their longevity, entrepreneurship, roles on local television and international fame. The exhibit will include past and present images, videos, costumes and artifacts that tell the story of their illustrious careers.

The entire drag community will also be celebrated and represented with a "Wall of Fame" sponsored by Lips Fort Lauderdale and designed by acclaimed designer Robert Tabor. This tribute space will showcase many amazing local performers who currently grace the stages in bars, nightclubs, casinos and theater productions.

Memorable tribute performances will be done by Joanna James, Velvet Lenore and Erika Norell. Presentation hosts will be Shawn Palacious and Joe Posa as Joan Rivers with DJ Aulden Brown. Lips Fort Lauderdale, Stoli and Tulio's Tacos and Tequila Bar will provide light bites and libations.

"I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida's Drag Pioneers" is sponsored by Our Fund, HotSpots Media Group, Lips Fort Lauderdale, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Hunter's, OutClique, Stoli, Tulio's Tacos and Tequila Bar and GPR | Goodman Public Relations.

Tickets to the May 31 Stonewall PRIDE Month Kickoff and opening reception for History Fort Lauderdale's "I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida's Drag Pioneers" are $25 per person which includes one complimentary drink. Visit https://bit.ly/HFLIAmWhatIAm2022 for tickets.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.

History Fort Lauderdale

History Fort Lauderdale, now celebrating 60 years, brings the stories of our diverse community to life through engaging educational experiences, innovative cultural exhibits, research and preservation of artifacts. Residents and visitors to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city's rich past that is housed in historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus - the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1907 Pioneer House Museum, the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Museum and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida's foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910 - present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints. History Fort Lauderdale is located at 231 SW Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Museum hours are Monday - Friday from noon - 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets. History Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions. Follow History Fort Lauderdale on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory and on Instagram @ftlhistory and subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.

South Florida's own Nikki Adams, Tiffany Arieagus, Cathy Craig, Daisy Deadpetals, Electra and Latrice Royale will be recognized for their longevity, entrepreneurship, roles on local television and international fame at the Stonewall PRIDE Kickoff and opening reception of History Fort Lauderdale's PRIDE Month interactive exhibit "I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida's Drag Pioneers" on May 31 at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. The free exhibit, running June 1 - 30, will include past and present images, videos, costumes and artifacts that tell the story of their illustrious careers.

Tickets are on sale, now, for the Stonewall PRIDE Kickoff and opening reception of History Fort Lauderdale's PRIDE month interactive exhibit "I Am What I Am: A Tribute to South Florida's Drag Pioneers" on May 31 at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. The free exhibit runs June 1 - 30 at Galleria Fort Lauderdale.

To post a comment, you must register and login.