Description below written with Ralph Hopkins and Halo Kaya Perez-Gallardo

On September 17, 2022, Ralph Hopkins, Halo Kaya Perez Gallardo, and I co-organized a large-scale participatory public art project in the form of a party on NYC’s only historic, public gay beach: The People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, NY (known as Riis Beach). Titled ‘Ralph’s Neon Oasis Beach Party’, the artwork engaged with a broad community of over 200 beach goers and the general public.

The project re-enacted the iconic, historic fashion shows that Ralph created with the Riis Beach community on the same site throughout the '90s. We constructed a catwalk on the sand from the same long piece of mylar fabric that Ralph used in his original parties. As Ralph said in an interview that we did almost a year before the party, “It looked like you’re walking on water,” (Gilian Rappaport with Ralph Hopkins, “They Call Me The Mayor At Riis Beach”, SOFA Journal, December 12, 2021).

It was also – unintentionally – staged at a crucial time in the history of the beach. In early 2022, New York City announced plans to demolish the Neponsit Hospital building, which has sheltered Riis Beach as a queer sanctuary since the 1940's. The long-abandoned building acts as a barrier between the beach and the heavily trafficked Rockaway Beach Blvd, while also serving as a canvas for important community artworks including graffiti on the exterior walls reading "QUEER TRANS POWER" and "KNOW YOUR POWER". City councilwoman Joann Ariola, whose district includes the building, explained in Reuters in Fall 2022 that a park has been proposed in the wake of the demolition, which is aimed for completion before the 2023 beach season.

The re-enactment of Ralph's Beach Parties shifted time and space, and engaged new and old audiences on Riis Beach that day through offering artistry and a sense of belonging. As Ralph explained: “I wanted something for you to see that you hadn’t seen before. And to have a good time, and feel that you’re part of it.” 

‘Ralph’s Neon Oasis Beach Party’ ran for five hours from 1pm to 6pm, with the fashion show around 4pm. It included fashions by designers from Ralph’s community, Everett Clark and Lonnie Cisco, alongside young, emerging designers and performers curated by queer performance space Lil' Deb’s Oasis.

On September 22, 2024, Ralph, Halo, and I again revived Ralph’s Beach Parties at Riis with Ralph’s Red Hot at Riis beach party. It was an unforgettable celebration that marked both a pivotal moment in Riis Beach's history and the launch of They Call Me The Mayor at Riis Beach: Ralph’s Beach Parties, 1994–2000. This book, co-published with Anthology Editions and green flash projects, tells the vibrant story of Ralph Hopkins' iconic fashion shows and beach parties, which defined the culture of The People's Beach for over a decade.

The event was a joyous nod to the past, and it also happened at a crucial time for Riis Beach. Due to significant beach erosion, the National Park Service granted us a permit to host the event at an alternate location within the park. This shift underscores the environmental changes threatening the coastline and the very space that has been home to a rich, diverse community for decades. Beach erosion is a real and pressing issue, and while we celebrate Ralph's legacy, we are also raising awareness about the challenges the beach faces. During the show, The People’s RIISearch Group also conducted oral histories on Riis with their oral history booth at the party. 

Co-organizers: Ralph Hopkins, Halo Kaya Perez-Gallardo, Gili Rappaport

At least 70 people attended and participated from Ralph’s original Riis Beach community. Many of them were already on the beach at 8am when we arrived to begin setting up. Participants from Ralph’s Baach Parties in the ‘90s: participants include: Kathy Mageski, Desira, Dominic Murphy, Terry McMahon, Eric Toodles, Kevin Baysuga, Norma Van de Marc, Reuben Russell, Theo Slite, Kenny M Bear, Eva Wright, Blondie Divaob, Kriis Turgeau, Dave Anderson, Darren, Mark, Henry Gibbons, Press Canady, Jojo Tyler, Ramon Frisheda, John Forde, Nina Beans, Denis Grela, Francesco, Jackie Clay, Coth Chcotansula, Helen Arnold, Jacob Wilcock, Nandy Harry Belard, Keri Weaver, Yaya, Joe Goldbeck, Daniel, Charlie Rosas, Lawrence Moss, Claudia Cintron, Julio Vega, Tanna Balecki, Bobby Robles, Carlos Ortiz, Alicia Smith, Tyrone Speight, Dianne Franco, Joe Garcia, Patricia Morrison, Lonie McGowan, Keith McCullough, Patricia, Rico, Joyce, Tina, Ira, Tee, Natalie, Giovanni, Julio, and Dianne.

RALPH'S RED HOT AT RIIS BEACH PARTY | 2024

Sunday, September 22, 2024

4PM Show

The People's Beach at Jacob Riis, Queens, NY

Designers: Lonnie Cisco, Midnite Abioto / Studio Abioto, Kate Williams, Lord Proverbs

Performers: Star & Stan (Kate Williams, Reed Rushes)

Models: Julio Vega, Yvonne Littlejohn, Keith Lorenzo, Press Kenady, Tracey Collins, Rico Rican, Phoenix Amadi, Shéár Avory

DJ: Lil Ray (Jamboree NYC), Greg Cee

Announcer: Giovanni Amato

Co-organizers: Ralph Hopkins, Gili Rappaport, Halo Kaya Perez-Gallardo

Support from green flash projects and National Parks Service

RALPH’S NEON OASIS BEACH PARTY | 2022

Sunday, September 17, 2022

4PM SHOW

The People's Beach at Jacob Riis, Queens, NY

Designers from Ralph’s Baach Parties in the ‘90s: Everett Clark, Lonnie Cisco

Designers curated by Lil’ Deb’s Oasis: Care Instructions (by Anne Gilbert Symons), Baggiana (by Sacha Medjo), Boiled Wool (by Cynthia Chang).

Models: Boiled Wool - Margo Greb, Anastasia C Warren, Hot Bird Bath, Nifemi Ogunro; Care Instructions - Claire Beauchamp, Jasmine Araujo, Mo Romney, Anne Gilbert Symons; Baggiana: Sophia Urftik, Talaya Robinson, Logan Francis

Performers curated by Lil’ Deb’s Oasis: Davon Rainey, PVSSYHEAVEN (aka Rose Mori), Venus Babes (aka Ejike Figueira).

DJ: David Store

Photos: Christian DeFonte, Stephanie Keith, Ralph Hopkins

Poster Design: Gilian Rappaport with Ralph Hopkins and Halo Kaya Perez-Gallardo