Velour spotlights the revolutionary art form of drag and its rich, often overlooked history.

Sasha Velour is an iconic queen. Turns out she’s also a historian! Her new book is a treasure trove of revelations about radical queer expressions throughout time. The revered entertainer weaves together gender theory, politics, and memoir to tell the story of drag. She recalls her own journey, from the women who inspired and raised her to how she learned the craft of an artist (creating and styling her costumes out of nothing). Velour redefines drag for a new generation while uncovering the history of queer life that made it all possible.

Velour speaks with drag historian Joe E. Jeffreys about the infinite ways in which gender, good taste, and art can be lived and embodied through drag.

To join the event in-person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

To join the livestream | A livestream of this event will be available on the NYPL event page. To receive an email reminder shortly in advance of the event, please be sure to register! If you encounter any issues, please join us on NYPL's YouTube channel.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Joe E. Jeffreys is a drag historian. He has published on the subject of male and female impersonation in encyclopedias, academic journals and essay anthologies. He has also video documented these communities for over a dozen years and this work has screened internationally at festivals, galleries and museums including the Tate Modern. Jeffreys teaches theatre and LGBTQ+ studies at New York University and The New School including a course, “RuPaul's Drag Race and Its Impact.” See some of his drag happy videos at https://vimeo.com/joejeffreys

Sasha Velour is a drag and performance artist, entrepreneur, visual artist and author. She has blazed a trail of unparalleled authenticity and impeccable stardom amongst the drag and LGBTQ+ community. As the winner of season nine of RuPaul’s Drag Race known for one of the greatest reveals of all time, Velour’s inventive and intriguing artistic endeavors have placed her in the upper echelon of today’s top drag performers with top media coverage in national publications such as VOGUE, Forbes, ELLE, The New York Times and Rolling Stone to name a few.

READ THE BOOK:

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android


• Purchase: The Library Shop — proceeds benefit The New York Public Library

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.

ACCESSIBILITY

In-Person | Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue. You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template. This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs. 

Livestream | Captions and a transcript will be provided. Media used over the course of the conversation will be accompanied by alt text and/or audio description. You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

CONNECT

Please submit all press inquiries to Sara Beth Joren at least 48 hours before the event: email sarabethjoren@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

For all other questions and inquiries, please email publicprograms@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

The New York Public Library's free services and resources are made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library. Join this group of Library lovers and take advantage of special membership benefits, like invitations to members-only virtual events, discounts at the Library Shop, and more. Join now.

LIVE from NYPL is made possible by the continuing generosity of Celeste Bartos, Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos and Adam Bartos, the Margaret and Herman Sokol Public Education Endowment Fund, and the support of Library patrons and friends.

Joe E. Jeffreys © Ves Pitts
Sasha Velour © Tanner Abel, Nicholas Needham