Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
In a city where queer history is as rich and vibrant as its nightlife, few names carry as much legacy and heart as The Armorettes. For nearly half a century, this legendary camp drag troupe has mixed big wigs, bold humor, and unshakeable community care to bring laughter and meaningful impact to Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community. On January 17th, 2026, that legacy comes roaring into a new year with their 47th Anniversary Show, and it promises to be one of the most meaningful performances yet.
From Softball Cheerleaders to Drag Icons
The story of The Armorettes begins in 1979, at a Midtown mainstay called The Armory Bar, where a group of friends who loved drag and softball decided to cheer on the Falcons in style. Before long, their weekend antics – campy drag performances with over-the-top costumes and infectious energy – grew into something more than entertainment. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic emerged and devastated the community in the early 1980s, these performers shifted from half-time fun to full-on activism. Their drag shows became benefit events, and a simple mission was born: raise money to support Atlanta’s friends, lovers, and neighbors impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Over the decades, The Armorettes have raised more than $2.3 million for HIV/AIDS charities – making them not just entertainers, but pillars of queer philanthropic history in Atlanta. They have turned every laugh and wig flip into a tangible impact on people’s lives.
A Night of Celebration & Giving Back
This January, The Armorettes invite Atlantans and allies alike to join them for a night that blends nostalgia, performance art, and heartfelt community support. The 47th Anniversary Show takes place on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Heretic Atlanta.
What makes this anniversary especially powerful is its dedication to philanthropy: over $45,000 will be awarded to HIV/AIDS charities throughout the evening. It’s not just a performance – it’s a reminder that even after nearly five decades, The Armorettes are still running toward the heart of the community’s needs, not away from them.
A Lineup That Bridges Past and Present
The spirit of The Armorettes comes alive not only through their mission, but through the performers themselves. This anniversary show reunites former queens with current stars, blending histories, styles, and personalities into one camp-filled spectacle. Returning to the stage are beloved alumni Kitty Love-Antoinette, Roxy Cotton, and Dixie Normous – icons who helped shape what Armorettes entertainment looks like both onstage and within the community. Joining them is the current cast of fierce talent, including Nurse Holly, Baby Dee, Kellie Divine, Vivian Vallium, Trashetta Galore, Lori Divine, Eileen Slightly, and Muffy Vanbeaverhousen. Together, they bring their own distinct brands of comedy, dance, drag flair, and heart to the stage, promising an evening that is campy, emotional, hilarious, and unforgettable.
Drag With a Purpose
For those unfamiliar with The Armorettes’ work, it’s easy to see their shows as pure entertainment. But behind every joke and big performance number lies years of resolute activism. When HIV/AIDS ravaged the queer community in the 1980s, support was scarce and stigma was everywhere. The Armorettes stepped in – not just to fill dance floors, but to fill gaps in care, funding, and hope. Their drag was laughter with intention, comedy with purpose.
Their commitment continues today through partnerships with HIV/AIDS service organizations, from local care centers to grassroots outreach efforts. This is drag as community empowerment, and it’s a model that Atlanta has embraced for decades.
A Legacy That Still Matters
In a world where drag often gets reduced to fandom or pop culture moments, The Armorettes remind us that drag can also be a tool for social good – a way to gather people together, spark joy, and turn profit and talent into real-world support. They have weathered decades of change in queer culture, always standing firm in laughter and charity alike.
As the troupe enters its 47th year, the anniversary show isn’t just a look back – it’s a promise that Atlanta’s queer community will continue to celebrate, support, and uplift one another, with humor and heart front and center.
So mark your calendars and ready your cheer. On January 17, The Armorettes will once again prove that when drag meets devotion, the result is legendary.
