Institutional invitation to curate the MQ Pride Night by MuseumsQuartier (MQ) Vienna, one of the largest districts for contemporary art and culture in the world.

The performing arts presentation and aftershow was curated to highlight and uplift local queer artists during Vienna Pride Month. The theme brought the focus to how queer bodies are often excluded from public spaces and events, particularly those who are most marginalized in mainstream society and mainstream Pride Events.

The line-up of performances was diverse in order to showcase a plurality of artistic approaches.

The 2023 edition, “Take Up Space!”, included an operetta story by Danielle Pamp, a vocal evocation of Ethiopian ancestrial linage by Faris Cuchi, drag performances by the group Haus of Rausch, and vogue performances by Kiki House of Dive. This was followed by DJ set by Bicha Boo Collective, an audio-visual, performative and festive collective.

The 2024 edition, “Celebrate Queer Creativity"!”, included solo performances by two well-known singers, Athene Atlas and Oluchukwu Akusinanwa. The queer performance artists and dancers Evandro Pedroni and Mzamo Nondlwana appear as ‘The Influenzers’ in an exaggerated performance to reflect on social media phenomena in the world of superficiality and filters. Drag performer Lady Nutjob presented drag performances by Madame Léa, Haus of Rausch and BroHomo. The evening ended with a one-hour DJ set by Rumi von Baires.

The evening was curated and moderated by Daniel Hill, and co-moderated with Denise Palmieri.

The free and public event attracted approximately 500 guests and had a running time of 3 hours.

Photo documentation by Simon Veres (2023) and Martin Steiger (2024) / curtesy of MQ Wien.