Priority Hoarding: A Retrospectacle

Pack Your Baggage, The Future of Queer Art Awaits! Welcome to the Bearded Ladies’ Hairport, an interactive installation built on 16-years of accumulated baggage from a queer cabaret company devoted to art, care, mess, and community. While you’re waiting for a flight that may never take off, unpack your baggage and rifle through some of ours. You may recognize something as your own, or find something you never knew you were carrying. Made for anyone who has ever lost a bag, gotten stuck, or missed a (metaphoric) flight, this trans(formational) installation asks: how do you know it’s time to move on when you don’t know where you’re going? The Hairport (444 N 3rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19123) is an interactive, immersive installation filled with costumes, cardboard props, and other ephemera from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret’s 16-year performance history. Visitors will make their way through a sprawling multi-room space made to look like a fantastical, metaphorical “airport”. Visitors will be invited to interact with components of the installation and may encounter docents in guiding roles. The experience will culminate in a “lounge” space full of “Bearded baggage” which will also serve as the performance site for the Now Hoarding: In-Flight Entertainment live event series. It will take visitors approximately 60-75 minutes to view the entirety of the Priority Hoarding installation. Groups of 6 will enter the installation, at 15-minute timed entry intervals. An opportunity to ride a Surrey bike is offered but not required. Looking for the related Live Event series? Click here for dates and details.

Details

• Presented by: The Bearded Ladies Cabaret
• Genres: Interactive Experience
• Venue: The Hairport
• Run time: 300 mins, 240 mins
• Tickets: General Admission $25; PWYC Options
• Advisory: ages 13+ Adult Language Strobe/Flashing Lights Audience Interaction Fog/Smoke Effects This installation takes place in a converted performance space with an uneven brick floor. A ramp is available to access the performance space. There is one accessible restroom available at the venue. It is an immersive, interactive experience that will involve walking between spaces, navigating uneven surfaces, steps, and low light areas. We have done our best to offer accessible options wherever possible. For more detailed information on accessibility, please contact The Bearded Ladies at [email protected]
• Festival tags: LGBT+ Artist, Trans Artist, BIPOC Artist

Part of the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival (September 8-27, 2026). Full listing and tickets: phillyfringe.org