Latest news with #Ladyland
New York Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
At Ladyland, Everyone Wanted to ‘Protect the Dolls'
The L train had an even more carnival-esque energy than usual this weekend, as skimpily dressed revelers boarded it after streaming out of Ladyland, a two-day music festival held underneath the Kosciuszko Bridge for Pride Month. Colorful characters packed the cars trading joyful gossip, some returning home giddy from hours of dancing and others heading with friends to their next techno conquest. Ladyland, according to its founder, Rayne Baron — the 48-year-old high-priestess of nightlife known professionally as Ladyfag — is like the 'pre-party to your rave.' Founded in 2018, the annual event was conceived as a subway-accessible music festival for queer people. Though it has taken place at several venues, for the past few years it has happened at Under the K Bridge Park, which, as its name suggests, is underneath the bridge connecting Queens and Brooklyn. But it was never a rainbow-themed Pride event. Ladyland offers something 'just a little more alt,' Ladyfag said in her British-tinged-with-New-York accent. The first festival took place at the mega-club Brooklyn Mirage, featuring the rapper Eve as its headliner, alongside then-lesser-known acts such as 070 Shake and King Princess. Throughout its seven-year run, Ladyland has continued to book big name artists and emerging acts alike. Superstars such as Christina Aguilera, who performed in 2021, and Madonna, who surprised fans with a vogueing contest last year, have been joined by local legends and underground favorites. This year's headliners were FKA Twigs and Cardi B, who in 2017 performed at Ladyfag's Holy Mountain party — right before the release of the rapper's first hit, 'Bodak Yellow' — for a fee of $4,000. Now Cardi B is a superstar and plays Ladyland as an acknowledgment of Ladyfag's early support. Other acts on this year's lineup included drag performances and DJ sets to neoperreo, a type of reggaeton, J-pop, rap and electro music. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time Out
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The Empire State Building will light up for Pride and Juneteenth this month
The holiday season may still be months away, but June presents its own festive season with Pride events all month and Juneteenth commemorations at mid-month. This year, the Empire State Building is getting in on the fun with two special light-up events. In honor of Juneteenth, red, black and green lights will beam from the building on Thursday, June 19. Later in the month, the building's tower lights will shine in the rainbow colors of the inclusive Pride flag on Sunday, June 29, coinciding with the date of NYC's Pride March. There are hundreds of events happening for Pride this year. A few of our top picks include Ladyland (featuring Cardi B and FKA Twigs), Books and Burlesque, the Criminal Queerness Festival and PRISM: A Festival of New Queer Musicals. Here's our full rundown of Pride events. As for Juneteenth, there are plenty of ways to celebrate, including the Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee, Still We Rise: Juneteenth Celebration, "I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies" Juneteenth teach-in and a comedy show called Drunk Black History. Here are even more Juneteenth events. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Empire State Realty Trust (@esrtsocial) Considering the Empire State Building's status as the world's most famous building, it's very cool to add light-up celebrations to the list for Pride and Juneteenth festivities. Definitely head to Midtown and snap a photo of the lights on June 19 and June 29. The Empire State Building has been an icon since it opened in 1931 as the world's tallest building. Though the landmark may have lost its No. 1 height status, it's remained a beloved destination with incredible views of the city. The tower's lights change colors to honor holidays, special occasions and special causes. Thanks to a state-of-the-art LED system, the lights glow in a dazzling palette of 16 million colors with limitless combinations.
