QWEEN JEAN’S 3RD ANNUAL SUMMER LEGACY BALL AND MORE THIS WEEK AT LITTLE ISLAND
Press Contact:
Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Ellie Detweiler
rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / ellie@omdkc.com
212 695 7400
FOR RELEASE ON MONDAY, JULY 27
THIS WEEK AT LITTLE ISLAND:
JULY 29-AUGUST 2
JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND
RADIOLAB
PAPI JUICE
AND
QWEEN JEAN’S
THIRD ANNUAL
SUMMER LEGACY BALL
New York, NY (July 27, 2026) — After two completely sold-out seasons, Little Island is proud to launch its 2026 summer season with an exciting first week of programming across its open-air performance spaces—The Amph and The Glade—and through takeovers of the entire park. From Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, August 2, Little Island visitors can experience a dynamic lineup of events throughout the week, including Summer’s Eve, MacArthur Genius and cabaret icon Justin Vivian Bond’s fresh new act; Radiolab: Fruit Fantasia, curated by WNYC favorite Latif Nasser, hosted by Matt Kielty with musical guest Rafiq Bhatia taking audiences on a juicy live-radio romp that reveals the surprising histories, mysteries, and marvels behind our most beloved natural sugar bombs; the third explosive iteration of Tony Award® winner Qween Jean’s Summer Legacy Ball; and Brooklyn nightlife stars Papi Juice returning to the island to throw their first epic floor-packing party of the summer season.
THIS WEEK AT LITTLE ISLAND:
JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND: SUMMER’S EVE
- Wednesday, July 29 at 8:30 PM; Thursday, July 30 at 8:30 PM; Friday, July 31 at 8:30PM in the Amph
- All tickets $25
- Returning to Little Island, the cabaret icon keeps it fresh with a brand-new act of music and revelry.
- Lighting Designer: Christopher Gilmore; Sound Designer: David Schnirman; Styling for Justin Vivian Bond and her band by Christopher Rao; Scenic Consultation by Charlap Hyman & Herrero; and Mx. Justin Vivian Bond’s Wardrobe by Dries Van Norten
- Performers: Justin Vivian Bond, Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks, Nath Ann Carrera, Claudia Chopek, Mike Jackson, Matt Ray
RADIOLAB: FRUIT FANTASIA
- Friday, July 31 at 5PM; Saturday, August 1 at 5PM; Sunday, August 2 at 5PM
- Free admission
- A live radio show that reveals the surprising histories, mysteries, and marvels behind our most familiar staples.
- Host: Latif Nasser; Guests: Rafiq Bhatia, Nadia Bernstein, Dan Pashman, Mona Pirnot, Ben Shattuck, Kendra Vaculin, Robin Cohn, and more
- Food Pop Up: Amanda’s Bananas, a unique frozen banana treat topped with your choice of crunchy sweets or juicy fruits.
PAPI JUICE PARTY
- Friday, July 31 at 9:45 PM in The Play Ground
- Free admission
- Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party
- Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur
- Musical Guests: Tama Gucci, Nita Aviance, Bobby Beethoven
QWEEN JEAN’S THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER LEGACY BALL
- Saturday, August 1 at 8PM in the Amph
- Free admission
- A one-night-only ballroom extravaganza featuring legendary performers, fabulous runway walkers, and virtuosic spectacle.
- Creation Director: Qween Jean; Host: Qween Jean; Scenic Designer: Simean Carpenter; Lighting Designer: Cha See; Sound Designer: DJ Potts
- Honorees: Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Boom Boom Balenciaga, Kiara St. James, Brenda Continental Milan Soulja; Headliner: Infinite Coles; Preacher: Samora Pinderhughes & Dr. Jehbreal Jackson; MCs: Julz Romell, Thunda; Performers: Haus of Telfar (Flower, Sexy T, Divine, Victoria, Vonte, Von, Riche, SoHo, Poseidon, Hodge, Jose, Iris, Symone, Majesty, Ock, Dagner Segura, Chloe Mauro, Fudge, Zaniera James, Melo); Runway Facilitators: Daniella Agosto, Darius Case; Panelists: Luna Luis, Tracey Africa Norman, Mother Pandora West; DJ: Blaize (Ball)
The complete 2026 summer season includes concerts, world premieres, live radio shows, culinary events and parties—and through takeovers of the entire park. Presenting 56 performances by and featuring more than 200 artists in a dense, high-impact celebration of New York’s cultural life, Little Island enters its most focused and dynamic programming model yet. As in years past, The Amph tickets are $25, and The Glade performances and The Play Ground parties are free to the public – all enhanced by curated food, cocktails, and refreshments, served al fresco on the Hudson River.
Inspired by New York’s past and present cultural scenes – held in Little Island’s stunning 700-seat amphitheater, The Amph, overlooking the Hudson. In Little Island’s intimate 250-seat performance space, The Glade, six new live radio shows explore the hidden stories behind everyday foods. Following each program, visitors can enjoy a carefully crafted culinary pairing that complements the themes of the show. The Play Ground, the main gathering space at Little Island, comes alive with DJ fueled parties and food pop-ups for hundreds.
To download headshots, please click here.
Sitting directly in the Hudson River itself, Little Island opened in May 2021 and has since been enjoyed by more than 7.5 million visitors and has presented and produced more than 885 performances. In 2013, Barry Diller, in partnership with Hudson River Park Trust leadership, embarked on the unique opportunity to envision a solution for the repair and reactivation of Pier 54, which had been badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The park was designed as an entirely new type of public space for New York, one that would create an immersive experience of nature and art. Born from a collaboration of the UK-based Heatherwick Studio and the New York-based landscape architecture firm MNLA, led by Signe Nielsen, the park’s imaginative design offers all New Yorkers and visitors a new public space that is dynamic, captivating, and restorative.
Little Island is fully funded by The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. Zack Winokur is Producing Artistic Director. The park is operated year-round by a 55-member staff led by Executive Director Laura Clement.
Tickets to Little Island’s summer season of performances are available now on TodayTix.com, by downloading the TodayTix app; or LittleIsland.org.
THE AMPH REPERTORY DESIGN
- Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins
- Sound Designer: Shannon Slaton
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