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A curatorial conversation with Lee Sessions, Karen Jaime, C. Ondine Chavoya and David Evans Frantz
In conjunction with Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art, this curatorial talk brings exhibition curators C. Ondine Chavoya and David Evans Frantz into dialogue with Karen Jaime, historian and Associate Professor of Performing and Media Arts and Latina/o Studies at Cornell University, moderated by Permanent Collections Associate Curator at El Museo del Barrio Lee Sessions.
The galleries will remain open for extended evening hours, giving visitors time to experience the exhibition before and after the conversation.
Moving between the queer Chicane communities and cultural spaces of Los Angeles and histories of Latine life in New York, the conversation will consider how bars, clubs, streets, homes, and artistic networks become spaces for gathering and exchange. Together, the panelists ask: What happens when queer people make space for one another, and what kinds of art, politics, relationships, and communities become possible within those spaces?
A reception will follow the conversation.
Co-presented by El Museo del Barrio and Independent Curators International.
There is simply nothing like PolyEsther; just ask any of the 800 guests from last year's sold-out party. This year we are going queerer, kookier, & kinkier. That means we are partnering with House of Yes in Brooklyn to throw the largest and most epic Queer Purim Party for All.
Come through the looking glass and experience two huge dance floors, immersive performances in every corner, and a Purim wonderland where you definitely won't be able to tell the difference between Esther and Mordechai! Craving a Bris Station / Circumcision Salad bar? We got you. How about a Drag Shtreimel Petting Zoo? We got that. Crazy costumes are advised, but there will be makeup and masquerade corners for last minute makeovers. Of course, for anyone too uptight, there will be plenty of poppers.
Purim is the ancient Jewish holiday where getting drunk, high, and silly is the main commandment. This year it falls on a Monday night, which means you might want to already call in late for work on Tuesday. Tuesdays come every week, Purim is once a year. Don't miss out.
The Blackyard Collective “Black Love” Gala — Celebrating 10 Years of Black Queer & Trans Recovery**
Join us for an unforgettable evening of elegance, joy, and liberation as The Blackyard Collective commemorates a decade of Black queer and trans recovery, resilience, and community care. For ten years, BYC has created Black space, cultivated Black connections, and conjured Black joy—trailblazing a community where our stories matter, our brilliance is centered, and our healing is sacred.
This year’s Mardi Gras–themed Gala invites you into a world of color, celebration, and Black queer magic. Think feathers, beads, bold glam, and all the vibrancy that Mardi Gras traditions offer—from pageantry to second-line spirit. Expect a night overflowing with culture, rhythm, and unapologetic abundance.
Hosted at The Center, this formal celebration welcomes guests to embody Mardi Gras elegance in Black & Gold attire, honoring both New Orleans pageantry and BYC’s tenth-anniversary glow-up.
The Gala also serves as a fundraiser for the 2026 BYC National Conference, the first-ever international gathering dedicated to Black queer and trans recovery. Your presence, your contribution, and your spirit help ensure that this historic convening becomes a transformative space for hundreds across the diaspora.
Event Highlights
Mardi Gras–themed celebration of Black queer & trans brilliance
Performances, tributes, and reflections honoring 10 years of BYC
Black & Gold masquerade moments, photo ops, and festive elegance
Community social hour, dancing, and decadent celebration
Opportunities to support the 2026 National Conference
Tickets
In-Person Tickets:
$50 • $75 • $100
(Sliding scale – all proceeds benefit the 2026 BYC National Conference)
Virtual Attendee Ticket:
$25
(Join the celebration online and support BYC from wherever you are!)
Come dressed in your finest Mardi Gras glam.
Come ready to celebrate Black love in all its abundance.
Come ready to continue creating Black space, building Black connections, and spreading Black joy.
The Blackyard Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (Federal Tax ID # 88-3641425) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Michael has practiced for 20 years as a licensed clinical social worker, and holds licenses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. He works with adults facing anxiety, depression, substance use, challenging medical conditions, and life transitions — including the LGBTQ+ community, and active-duty service members and their families. His approach is client-centered, holistic, and culturally sensitive, drawing on a variety of therapeutic methods to fit each person's goals. He has extensive experience working with gay men across identity, relationships, coming out, and the unique stressors gay men may face.
Founded in 2005 and rooted in the Kingston, NY community, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center was built by and for the LGBTQ community to strengthen, support, and celebrate its members through all of life's challenges and triumphs. Operating under the principle that "hope will never be silent," the center has dedicated nearly two decades to promoting well-being, advocating for equity and opportunity, and celebrating the diverse experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning individuals and families. As a grassroots organization, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center serves as a gathering place where community members across all demographics can connect, find support, and access professional resources. The center's approach emphasizes inclusion and accessibility, offering programs and events throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley at various locations and in multiple formats to reach as many people as possible. Whether through intergenerational connections like the Rainbow Lounge, family-centered initiatives through Queer Kinship, or creative and spiritual exploration, the center recognizes the unique needs and strengths within the LGBTQ community. Beyond programming, the center maintains libraries, hosts commemorative events, and provides comprehensive support services that affirm the dignity and potential of every person it serves. The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center represents a commitment to building a stronger, more equitable community where LGBTQ individuals and families can thrive, supported by peers, resources, and genuine celebration of their identities and contributions.