Arts & Entertainment
Queer icon Joey Arias donates archives to Harvard
Queer performance and drag icon Joey Arias has donated a collection of his personal papers to the Harvard Theatre Collection at Houghton, according to the Harvard Gazette.
Arias, whose 40-year career began as a “window dancer” at New York’s Fiorucci designer clothing store, started his rise to fame when he connected with fellow queer performance pioneer Klaus Nomi. The two became collaborators, with Arias singing backup and doing visual designs for Nomi’s shows, culminating in a now-famous appearance on Saturday Night Live in support of musical guest David Bowie in 1979.
In the years since, he became a staple of the New York cabaret and performance art scenes, evolved a drag persona inspired by Billie Holday, performed with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and toured in “Arias With a Twist,” an acclaimed adult-themed marionette show conceived with puppeteer Basil Twist. He still performs regularly at cabaret venues around the country.
According to Harvard Theatre Collection curator Matt Wittman, the materials donated by Arias include correspondence, artwork, posters from shows, audio materials, and almost 70 boxes of photographs. Materials from Nomi’s archives, which Arias held as sold executor of the late singer’s estate, were also included.
“Joey’s archive illuminates aspects of the performing arts that haven’t previously been represented in our collection,” Wittmann told the Gazette. “Part of my impetus here has been to reflect the diversity of American life and orient the collection more toward current interests.”
As for Arias himself, he admitted, “I don’t know what’s even in some of the boxes.”
Nevertheless, he went on to say, “My archives show a career that’s not just drag. It’s drama, movies, performance art.”
“When you hit the top, there’s nowhere else to go,” he added. “I like to go sideways, where you can transform again and again. I want to still be something unexpected, someone who you’re not sure what you’re going to get.”
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
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The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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