Pattie Gonia Brings Climate-Focused Drag Show to Asheville for Blue Ridge Pride 2025

This September, Asheville will welcome one of the nation’s most dynamic voices in both drag and environmental advocacy: Pattie Gonia. Known for taking drag out of the clubs and onto the mountaintops, the mustachioed queen has added Asheville to her nationally acclaimed “SAVE HER!” tour, which has sold out across the country. Her show, centered on climate change and solutions, will take place Friday, September 26, at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, coinciding with the Blue Ridge Pride Festival and the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene.

Pattie’s visit comes at a pivotal moment for the region. Last year, Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation across Western North Carolina, but it also revealed the extraordinary resilience of Asheville’s LGBTQ+ community. From queer chefs who launched food relief efforts to grassroots groups that delivered aid to isolated mountain towns, queer Appalachians led with compassion and strength. Their efforts challenged stereotypes of the South, proving that queer voices are not only present here but vital to the region’s recovery and spirit.

“Welcoming Pattie Gonia to Asheville leading up to our fall season and during Blue Ridge Pride this year is a powerful acknowledgment of the strength, resilience, sustainability and inclusivity our region is known for,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.

In addition to her performance, Pattie will also host a community hike that weekend, celebrating the Blue Ridge Mountains’ reopening as a cornerstone of Asheville’s recovery. For Blue Ridge Pride organizers, her presence embodies the deeper meaning of Pride. “Pattie reminds us that Pride is more than celebration. It is a sacred gathering of spirit, strength and community, where we honor the earth, one another and the truth of belonging,” said Josie Seay, interim executive director and president of Blue Ridge Pride.

Pattie Gonia’s influence reaches far beyond the stage. With more than 1.5 million followers, she has become a global leader in blending drag, art, activism, and environmental justice. Recognized as Outside Magazine’s Person of the Year, National Geographic’s Traveler of the Year, and a Time Magazine Next Gen Leader in 2023, she has redefined what it means to use performance as a platform for change.

Her Asheville show will feature a mix of local and national drag performers, with further details about the lineup, community hike, and Pride march to be announced soon. Tickets for “SAVE HER!” at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on September 26 are now available.