Bushwig, one of the world's largest drag festivals, kicks off in Queens

Sai Mokhtari

Published Sep 9, 2023

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One of the Bushwig participants.

Sai Mokhtari for Gothamist

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Sai Mokhtari

Published Sep 9, 2023

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On Saturday, drag queens, kings and aliens continued to trickle into Maspeth’s Knockdown Center for Bushwig, one of the world’s largest drag festivals.

Bushwig, which just celebrated its 12th year, is known for featuring big names and heavy hitters in the drag scene alongside local up and comers. The festival has continued to expand; it added a third stage this year, and announced its biggest lineup to date with nearly 200 performers. And unlike other music festivals, Bushwig’s lineup is listed in alphabetical order.

“We're not focusing on who's the biggest, we're just focusing on uplifting the drag community as a whole,” explained a Bushwig spokesperson.

The creativity, bravado and giddy raunchiness at Bushwig are on another level. The event’s stage embraces the subversive and the grotesque in a way that can make “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” look like the Mickey Mouse Club. Gender norms are dismembered and rearranged in outrageous and hilarious ways and participants are invited to push the limits of their personal expression and creative freedom.

“Bushwig is truly my queer utopia,” said Sister Mari of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. “It’s where I can actually let my hair down. Bushwig’s main goal is to create a safe space for everyone no matter who you are — full inclusivity, as long as you come with an open heart and come with love, you will receive love.”

But the last few weeks have been particularly devastating for the festival and its organizers. Bushwig’s cofounder Simone Moss, also known as Babes Trust, died suddenly in early August.

“This year, Bushwig will honor and celebrate her memory,” said Horrorchata, another Bushwig cofounder. “Babes was an icon who inspired countless performers and friends to be bold, fearless and innovative, and our whole Bushwig family and our lineup will be imbued with her spirit in 2023.”

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence kicked off the event by saying “There is no greater testament to her legacy than the fact that all of us are here today in this space being fearless and fabulous because Babes wanted us to claim our space, to use our voices and to be THAT B—-.”

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Sai Mokhtari

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Sai Mokhtari has photographed all things NYC for Gothamist since 2012 and is best known for her Subway Halloween series. She fuels herself with well-made sandwiches and conversations with strangers. Sai is also a family and event photographer at Citybird Photo.

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