Bright Vignettes: How Astoria Got Its Pride

With director Patrícia Silva and special guests in person

Dir. Patrícia Silva. 2024, 80 mins. U.S. DCP. With an original score by Salvatore Zanelli, Astoria-based nonbinary filmmaker-artist Patrícia Silva’s new feature documentary contextualizes the achievements and activity leading up to the Astoria neighborhood’s inaugural Pride in 2023. Queer Astorians had gathered for ad hoc marches propelled by grief, three consecutive pride marches fueled by joy, queer public and private parties, but never an official neighborhood Pride event until June 2023. Filmed on Super 8mm color film and digital video, Bright Vignettes comprises original event footage and interviews with performers, organizers, and local residents in attendance of Astoria’s Pride, marches, and block party preceding the inaugural event. Featuring all-queer local residents, activists, community organizers, and the iconic performers who have been redefining queer culture in Astoria from 2000 to 2024.

Following the screening, join us for a special discussion with legendary performers Alicia Love, Candy Samples, Sherry Poppins, Hassan, Avant Garbage, Harriet Tugsmen, Angela Mansberry, and possibly Balkan sensation Ronda Vu. 

NOTE: Hold onto your ticket stub and present it at Fresco’s Grand Cantina to enjoy a 10% discount; at Icon Bar and Albatross Bar for a free shot; and/or enjoy a free jello shot at Kween during Drag Brunch (December 15).

Tickets for this event are sold out. Please note, a limited number of standby tickets may become available at the door. Tickets: $17.50 / $12 senior and students / $10 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. 

Patrícia Silva is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer based in Astoria, Queens. Their award-winning short films have screened in film festivals at the British Film Institute, UK; Anthology Film Archives, USA; IFC Theater, USA; MIT List Visual Arts Center, USA; Tengis Cinema, Mongolia; Cervantes Institute, Brazil; among more. Their photographs have been exhibited in group shows at The Berlin Biennale, Germany; The Center for Fine Art Photography, USA; New Art City in partnership with The British Journal of Photography, UK; and at Flux Factory here in Queens. Their on-going photographic archive and primary research of Queer spaces in Queens from 1890-2000 was recently published as its own chapter in the academic book The Physical and the Digital City, Invisible Forces, Data and Manifestations in November 2024. Bright Vignettes evolved out of that research, and it’s their first feature film. They are a professor of Video Art at St John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, and an instructor at the International Center of Photography.

Bright Vignettes: How Astoria Got its Pride is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts; and with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by Flushing Town Hall.