On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater glittered with queer excellence as QBurgh Presents: Lydia Lydia Lydia, a conversation with the authors, brought a full house to its feet. The electric evening celebrated the hometown glory of Lydia B Kollins, our RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 and All Stars 10 starlet, alongside the lens of photographer Ava Grace. Their collaborative photo book, Lydia Lydia Lydia: A Collection of Photographs, debuted with all the fanfare a drag legend deserves.
The night opened with a high-energy drag showcase featuring Lydia’s drag daughters, Gwendolyn Kollins and Zelda Kollins, who strutted their stuff alongside Pittsburgh powerhouse Indigo Sparks and the reigning Miss Continental Newcomer Joy Young, dazzling the crowd with performances that oozed charisma, couture, and Kollins family flair.
Then a cozy, captivating talk moderated by Pittsburgh drag pop sensation Joey Young took center stage. Lydia and Ava shared stories from behind the scenes of photo shoots that stretched from bedroom mirrors to hotel rooms and back alleys, showcasing queer friendship and the transformative power of drag. With pages projected behind them, the pair laughed, spilled tea, and reflected on how this visual memoir became a testament to Pittsburgh’s pulse-pounding drag scene and the community that lifts it.
From start to finish, Lydia Lydia Lydia was a family reunion, an archive, and a celebration of what happens when queer creativity is given center stage.
Photos by Maya Lovro.
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