Douglas Crimp, Carmelita Tropicana, et al. to Salute Drag Performer Mario Montez at Superstar! Seminar

Performer Mario Montez will be honored by Columbia University’s Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race with Superstar! A Tribute to Mario Montez, to be held on March 31 in Davis Auditorium at Columbia University. The event, the inaugural offering of the university’s Artists at the Center, series is a one-day conference celebrating and discussing the Montez’ career and legacy.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1935, Montez moved to New York while still a child. He first appeared on screen in Jack Smith’s queer classic Flaming Creatures (1962-63). Later he became Andy Warhol’s first drag superstar, starring in more than ten of his films. Montez was also a favorite of underground theater, appearing regularly in Theatre of the Ridiculous productions by Charles Ludlam, Ronald Tavel and John Vaccaro.

Montez will be present during the seminar to discuss his work and life, and his appearance will mark the first time he has been in New York in 30 years. He will be joined by Callie Angell, Douglas Crimp, Arnaldo Cruz-Malavé, Ronald Gregg, Maja Horn, Brendan Joseph, Agosto Machado, Ricardo Montez, Frances Negrón-Muntaner, Marc Siegel, and Carmelita Tropicana, among others.

For further information, visit: www.columbia.edu.