Event: Pride Open House
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Performances by Egyptt La Beija, Simone, and Barbara Herr
DJ Sets by Alissa Brianna, DJ Nikki Jax, Astor Lux b2b Spencer de Paz, and Eli Escobar
Installation by Devin Antheus & Harry James Hanson
Gallery:
About the Event:
This Pride Month, the New York City AIDS Memorial transformed into a vibrant sanctuary of radical joy, music, and performance for our PRIDE OPEN HOUSE. This immersive evening brought together stunning art, legendary drag icons, and a powerhouse lineup of local DJs to celebrate the progress we have made while recommitting to the fight ahead.
The visual anchor of the evening is a breathtaking site-wide transformation by Legends of Drag creators Devin Antheus & Harry James Hanson, who curated an immersive floral installation that drew inspiration from Gilbert Baker’s original, 8-color 1978 Pride flag. The installation honors the full spectrum of its original meanings: Sex, Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Magic, Serenity, and Spirit. As modern governing bodies attempt to diminish and erase the history of queer liberation, this installation proposes a defiant return to these core tenets.
To amplify this magic, the evening featured live performances by three local Legends of Drag—Barbara Herr, Egyptt LaBeija, and Simone—alongside an outdoor dance floor powered by rhythm, soul, and community. The sonic journey paid homage to the roots of house, funk, soul, and groove—genres born in the very club communities that served as the heartbeat of survival during the height of the AIDS crisis in New York. Spinning in joy and solidarity were an exceptional lineup of local nightlife champions: Alyssa Brianna (Resident DJ of The Carry Nation), DJ Nikki Jax (of NYC AIDS Memorial staple the House of Jax), Astor Lux b2b Spencer De Paz (two staples of the vibrant Astoria DJ scene), and our headliner Eli Escobar (NYC’s own legendary DJ and producer). Hundreds joined us under the New York City AIDS Memorial canopy, festively lit for Pride Month, into the evening.
About the Performers:
Alissa Brianna is a New York City-based DJ, vocalist, and songwriter whose infectious energy has made her a recurring favorite across iconic underground dance floors like Nowadays and Good Room. Known for her seamless, genre-bending soundscapes that fuse bassy house, spacey techno, and nostalgic, late-night grooves, she consistently delivers sets that feel both raw and meticulously crafted. Beyond her prowess behind the decks, Alissa is a powerhouse studio artist whose soaring vocals have anchored massive club tracks, notably collaborating with NYC legends The Carry Nation on their acclaimed single "Prism."
Simone got her start performing in the 90s, working the Tunnel and The Limelight, and was the first queen to perform at Lips. In 2021, she received a grant from the City Artist Corps to continue performing publicly at Stonewall each weekend throughout the summer. More than any other trans entertainer, Simone carries on the spirit of Marsha & Sylvia and the street queens of this city.
Nikita Dejanira Jax, aka Mama Nikki of the House of Jax, aka DJ Nikki Jax, is a proud South Bronx native and founder of New York City's first transgender and women-owned AV event production company. Drawing from an expansive open-format library that spans Soca, Afrobeats, Reggaeton, Salsa, and more. DJ Nikki Jax has become a beloved fixture at NYC Pride, where she can be found spinning for corporate events, rooftop parties, and club nights. Above all, Nikki gravitates toward music with a positive, uplifting message, playing with an energy that shines throughout every set.
Egyptt LaBeija is the Overall Godmother of the House of LaBeija, renowned for her impressive 35-year career in drag performance. She has achieved many crown-holding titles and gained recognition for her contributions to the books West Side Rendezvous, Christopher Street, and Legends of Drag. Egyptt has also appeared in the popular TV series Pose and in the 2023 HBO documentary The Stroll, directed by Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker. As an advocate for the Trans community, she is committed to promoting inclusivity and empowerment. Her journey reflects resilience, creativity, and a commitment to inspiring others in the world of drag and activism.
Spencer De Paz is an underground house and techno DJ known for crafting immersive, high-energy sets that balance deep grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and driving percussion. Influenced by the raw spirit of warehouse culture and late-night dancefloors, Spencer blends atmospheric textures with powerful basslines to create a sound that is both intense and refined. Dedicated to the underground ethos, his sets are defined by careful selection, emotional tension, and a relentless connection to the dancefloor.
Astor Lux is an internationally performing DJ and producer whose sound is rooted in the tribal rhythms of South America and Africa, connecting ancient grooves with modern beats. Standouts among his 2026 releases include two roof-shaking odes to house music, La Bomba and Messiah. A Juilliard-trained dancer and central figure in the rising Astoria dance scene, he moves fluidly between deep ancestral energy and the electric pulse of today’s dance floor. His boundary-dissolving sets lead the crowd on a pilgrimage to freedom, ecstasy, and magic, opening a doorway both to oneself and to one another.
Barbara Herr is a Puerto Rican Bronx native actress, writer, and LGBTQ activist who recently celebrated 50 years in entertainment. In 1973, while studying cosmetology in Puerto Rico, Barbara discovered the underground world of drag and immediately put her new hair and makeup skills to use. Given the opportunity to embrace her femininity on stage, she excelled. Barbara landed a gig in Old San Juan at a straight venue called Cabaret, and through that scene she met Antonio Pantojas, one of the earliest pioneers of drag in Puerto Rico. Since returning to New York in the 1980’s and beginning her transition, Herr has worked tirelessly as an advocate for the trans community.
With over two decades of electronic music eminence, Eli Escobar has confirmed his place amongst dance music greats. Cut from the epicentre of 1990s New York City hedonism, the veteran DJ and producer has released music on influential labels including Phonica, Razor-N-Tape, and Defected, while his remix work spans artists from Lana Del Rey to Honey Dijon. As a selector, he has appeared on BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix, Boiler Room, Resident Advisor, and Mixmag, with residencies at House of Yes, Le Bain, and beyond. Armed with an unparalleled record collection and an instinct for the unexpected, Escobar guides revellers through the heartbeat of music, from the past to the future.
Thanks & Support:
Support for PRIDE OPEN HOUSE has been provided by the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation and AARP.
Floral support provided by UrbanStems.
PRIDE OPEN HOUSE is presented in partnership with Divine Creative. Cultural programming at the New York City AIDS Memorial is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, in partnership with the City Council.