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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.
Join Black Girls Smile for the official launch of our in-person support groups at our new community space in Restoration Plaza.
These gatherings are designed to create a sense of belonging, community, and healing, while exploring the intersection of mental health and lived experience.
Our LGBTQ+ Young Adult Support Group is a affirming space for LGBTQ+ young adults to share their experiences and support one another at the intersection of identity and mental health.