We are thrilled to produce the seventh annual Cosmic Cherry Arts Festival at Court Square Theater in LIC, NYC from April 9-11, 2026.

This year’s theme, CARNAVAL, celebrates femme and queer joy as a radical act of liberation, building a vibrant, safe space for our communities to express pride, pleasure, and authenticity. We’re inviting our artists to shed their inhibitions, embrace their weirdness, and let their freak flags fly. Get ready for a cosmic bacchanal that’s weird, wonderful, and wildly liberating.

Co-produced by Lizzy Jarrett, Irene Lazaridis and Ruthie Ofrasio, Cosmic Cherry is an annual, all-inclusive festival celebrating femininity, queerness, and gender expression featuring the works of dozens of femme, trans and genderqueer artists. With a strong focus on uplifting femme, trans, and genderqueer voices, the festival presents the work of emerging artists across theater, music, visual arts, and multimedia performance. Cosmic Cherry blends the magical creative energy our artists bring with a powerful punch of moxie, inviting audiences and artists to feel sexy, empowered, and brimming with cosmic creative energy. Since 2018, we have showcased over 150 femme and LGBTQ+ emerging artists from music to theater to visual art and so much more! 

Cosmic Cherry is a one-of-a-kind event in New York City, offering something truly exceptional in the city's artistic landscape. We don't just host performances—we create an atmosphere of warmth, inclusion, and belonging. Our commitment to a safe and welcoming space is central to why our audiences return each year, eager to experience fresh art.  Each year, a portion of our proceeds is donated to nonprofits supporting women and LGBTQ+ communities, extending our impact beyond the arts. Past beneficiaries include the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), and the Ali Forney Center. Through these partnerships, we are honored to contribute to the critical work being done on behalf of our communities. 

Our goal is to raise $25,500 for this year’s 2026 festival. In doing so, we’ll be able to pay all of our artists, cover our production costs and ensure that a majority of our profits go towards advocating for women and LBGTQ+ communities all over the world.

Our $25,500 budget goes towards: 

Every year, we work to grow Cosmic Cherry in ways that better support our artists and enrich the festival experience. This year, we’re directing more funding toward labor by hiring a line producer and festival staff to run bar, box office, and production support—strengthening the backbone of the entire event. Coupled with our partnership with Court Square Theater, Cosmic Cherry is poised to make an even deeper impact.

Cosmic Cherry isn't just another arts festival—it's a joyous, electrifying experience that fills a gap in New York City’s cultural scene.

Your potential donation to support new and diverse voices at Cosmic Cherry will not only benefit the artists we feature, but the community at large as we continue to create more spaces and opportunities for femme and LGBTQ+ artists and advocate for their creativity to be seen and heard.