Join us at Varsity Cinema for a special Pride Month kickoff screening of PARIS IS BURNING. This landmark documentary offers an unforgettable glimpse into the vibrant ballroom scene of 1980s New York City and the creativity, resilience, and fierce self-expression of Black and Latine LGBTQ+ folks.

SCHEDULE
6:30 pm: Community Partner Tables – Kick off the night by connecting with incredible local LGBTQ+ organizations! Stop by their tables and discover new ways to get involved.

7:00 pm: Introduction + Screening – Strut your stuff and show off your look before we roll the film! Join us in the main auditorium for a fabulous kickoff you won’t want to miss.

CATEGORY IS: MOVIE MAGIC MAMA
You are invited to dress up in drag that celebrates iconic movie characters! Whether you’re channeling your inner Elle Woods, Freddy Krueger, or something uniquely yours, we can’t wait to see your cinematic creativity.

PARTNERS
Capital City Pride
One Iowa
Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
Des Moines LGBTQ Advisory Council

Film Details:
Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City’s Black and Latine Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion “houses,” from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.