Fresh Talk: Gender & Performance

Step into the bold and creative world of drag, where artistry and activism collide. This program spotlights four exceptional drag performers, Evry Pleasure (she/her in drag; he/him out of drag), Sweet Pickles (she/they in drag), King Molasses (they/them in and out of drag), and Citrine the Queen (she/her in drag), who use their craft to challenge societal norms, foster inclusive communities, and redefine artistic expression.

Through a dynamic conversation moderated by Tyler Cargill, the performers share their perspectives on drag’s transformative power to disrupt conventional ideas of gender and identity. They also discuss the role of drag in building connections and creating spaces of belonging, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. The conversation highlights drag as a multifaceted art form that weaves together elements of fashion, makeup, performance, and storytelling, showcasing its power to inspire and connect.

Following the discussion, attendees are invited to a salon-style cocktail hour to continue the conversation.

Location: Performance Hall

About the Panelists: Dubbed “Queen of 17th Street,” Citrine is a Washington, DC-based drag queen, makeup artist, theater producer, and model extraordinaire. Debuting in 2018, Citrine regularly hosts and performs at a variety of events throughout the DMV. Currently, she serves as show director for all drag shows at the historic JR’s Bar in Dupont Circle and as executive producer for the theater group Highball Productions DC, which presents live drag parodies of popular musicals. From her conceptual and creative fashions to her keen eye for quality, this exquisite Filipina beauty is the complete package ready for the stage, the runway, and beyond!

Evry Pleasure is a Puerto Rican plus-size diva making waves in Washington, DC’s drag scene. Known for blending glamour, dance, and comedy, Evry was voted DC’s Best Drag Queen in 2023. Passionate about uplifting fellow performers and fostering a sense of community, Evry hosts the award-winning all-Latinx drag show Con Acento and the celebrated all-BIPOC showcase Brown Sugar, while regularly performing and hosting at venues across the DMV. Evry’s style is a fusion of Puerto Rican culture and DC’s performance flair, creating a unique, larger-than-life persona making her everybody’s pleasure!

King Molasses (they/them) is an award-winning drag king and performing artist based in Washington, DC. They consecutively reigned as DC’s Best Drag King from 2022 through 2025 and were voted Best Gender Non-Conforming Artist 2024-25 by the DC Drag Awards. They have been featured on Bravo, Good Morning America, NPR, and in the Washington Post. A DMV native from Prince George’s County, MD, Molasses debuted in 2018 and has since become a fixture in the District’s performing arts scene. Their work has been commissioned in venues nationwide, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian, and Sasha Velour’s acclaimed NYC drag revue, NightGowns. Their drag is a call to mindfulness, black Surrealism, and heritage-based movements that dare to create images of self-liberation.

Sweet Pickles is a drag artist, event host, and content creator based in Richmond, Virginia. For the past seven years, she has worked as a full-time artist, performing on stages all across the DMV. Known as the Technicolored Troll Doll, her drag is heavily inspired by the colorful toys and media of her childhood. Her love of whimsy led her to create handmade yarn and ribbon wigs, which have become a signature part of her aesthetic. Some of her favorite moments of her drag career include hosting Youth Pride at Virginia Pridefest for the past three years, performing on the Anthem stage alongside Kesha during her Only Love tour, and opening for Chappell Roan on three separate shows during her Midwest Princess tour. When she is not performing for a live audience, she is actively engaging with her online audience, creating drag-centric content for all of her social media platforms.

Tyler Cargill is a dynamic genderfluid educator, anthropologist, and advocate with more than 18 years of experience specializing in fostering cultural understanding and engagement. Passionate about building bridges and creating opportunities across diverse communities, he has led transformative training programs, developed innovative outreach strategies, and built meaningful partnerships to advance human rights and promote a sense of belonging in both private and public sectors. A dedicated advocate for gender and queer rights, Tyler harnesses the power of art, fashion, and policy to address the complexities of intersectional human rights. Their work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that marginalized voices are not only heard but celebrated in every sphere.