Paris Is Burning

Name: Paris Is Burning
Start: 2026-06-05T19:30:00-07:00
End: 2026-06-05T22:00:00-07:00
Location: The 418 Project (Small Theater)

1990 American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston focusing on drag queens living in New York City

Date & Time

Jun 05 2026 (Friday)

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Location

The 418 Project

In the: Small Theater

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About This Event

Doors open at 7:00 PM, film at 7:30 PM at The 418 Project, 155 South River Street, downtown Santa Cruz at the Dragons Gate. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.

Featured Artists & Lineup

1 Artist

Jennie Livingston (Director)

Headliner

Award-winning documentarian of 1980s ballroom culture.

Website

Event Schedule

Times and locations across the venue

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Ballroom Lounge & Doors Open

Oasis Lobby music and reception.

7:30 PM – 8:50 PM

Film Screening: Paris Is Burning (78 min)

Small Theater big-screen presentation.

8:50 PM – 9:30 PM

Ballroom Legacy Discussion & Runway Walk

Community celebration and dialogue.

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.

As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.

We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.

To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.

As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.

Explore volunteer & work-trade opportunities

Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms

Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage

Get Directions on Google Maps