Now in its eighth year, the annual festival known as Bushwig stormed Knockdown Center in Maspeth last weekend, offering its stage to more than 200 drag queens, drag kings, and queer performance artists. Launched by local heroes Horrorchata and Babes Trust in 2012, the two-day event has grown to become one of the largest of its kind in the world, featuring both up-and-coming talent and RuPaul-certified superstars like Nina West and Soju.
The looks on display ran the gamut from glam to goth and everything in between, showcasing the drag community’s diversity and boundary-pushing creativity. It’s hard to choose standouts from the phenomenal lineup, but Victoria Precise’s full-frontal, avant-garde performance bears special mention. (Honestly, I’m onboard for anything that incorporates fire, hot wax, and the literal consumption of books.) And Pearl Harbor brought down the house on Sunday night with a funny and heartfelt act that centered queer and Asian identity.
All photos by Travis American for Bushwick Daily.
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