By Kevin Ferrisi –

Drag entertainer Kiki Lucia is marking a milestone this year as she celebrates ten years of her signature show, Let’s Have A Kiki, a production that has become a staple of Connecticut’s drag scene. Hosted and produced by Kiki, the show has brought together drag, burlesque, and gender-bending performers from across the region while creating a welcoming space for both artists and audiences. What began as a small local show quickly grew into a beloved series with regular performances at venues across the state, including 10-year runs in both New Haven and Hartford, building a reputation for lively entertainment and a strong sense of community.

For Kiki Lucia, drag began as a simple bucket-list idea just before her 30th birthday. At the time, she had already spent years around the Connecticut drag scene, often working behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight. Since 2004, she had helped performers backstage with costumes and makeup, especially her drag sister Bella Lucia. Those nights at the former Polo Club in Hartford sparked something in her, and eventually she decided to try performing herself. With encouragement from the state’s Robin Banks, Kiki made her debut at the Robin Banks show at 168 York Street in New Haven on March 14, 2015, performing four numbers in one night. What she planned as a one-time experience quickly turned into something much bigger.

After gaining experience hosting at venues like Partners Café in New Haven and performing at charity events and Pride celebrations, Kiki Lucia’s first major opportunity came when local drag star Summer Orlando cast her as the original Sarah Sanderson in a production of Hocus Pocus. The role came within her first six months in drag and quickly pushed her further into the spotlight. Not long after, her friend Lucia Virginity suggested launching a show at Partners Café called the KLS Show, featuring Kiki, Lucia, and Summer. Lucia initially served as host, but Kiki soon stepped into the role. When Lucia later became Empress of Connecticut for the Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut, Kiki officially took over and rebranded the show as Let’s Have A Kiki on January 27, 2017.

The show soon became Kiki Lucia’s signature production. For the past decade, it has been a staple at Partners Café while also expanding to other venues, including Chez Est in Hartford and Trevi Lounge in Fairfield. Along the way, she has taken Let’s Have A Kiki to stages across Connecticut, shaping it into a defining part of her identity as both a performer and a host. This year, Kiki celebrates the tenth anniversary of the show, marking a decade of laughter, community, and live drag entertainment.

The numbers tell the story of the show’s reach. Kiki Lucia’s upcoming Let’s Have A Kiki on March 27th at Partners Café will mark the 162nd show, a steady run that has created 578 performance opportunities and welcomed more than 200 unique artists since it began. Over the years, the show has also had a tangible impact on the local drag and burlesque scene, generating more than $100,000 in booking fees and tips alone, not including what audiences spend at the venues themselves. For Kiki Lucia, it’s not just a milestone, but a reflection of a decade spent building space, supporting performers, and keeping the stage alive.

For years, Kiki Lucia found comfort in the drag world without stepping fully into it herself. Raised in Turkey, she struggled with masculinity and internalized homophobia shaped by cultural expectations and an upbringing where conversations about sexuality were rarely spoken aloud. Though her family was not homophobic, being visibly and unapologetically gay came with its own challenges. Kiki often felt she had to present a more traditionally masculine side of herself in Turkish settings, and after moving to the United States she found herself navigating the different pressures of masculinity in both cultures. 

Despite her love for drag and the community around it, she once worried it was “too feminine” and “too gay” to embrace. Today, she has moved far beyond those fears, proudly taking part in Pride celebrations and national protests while fully embracing her place in the community. She also leads the Haus of Kiki as its mother, mentoring her drag children Rory Roux Lay, Midnight, and Ryder Die, along with a growing family of drag grandchildren.

Kiki Lucia continues to bring her show Let’s Have A Kiki to venues across Connecticut, building it into a well-known brand celebrated for inclusivity and diversity. She is committed to creating spaces that are welcoming and representative of the entire LGBTQ+ community. By intentionally booking and featuring a wide range of performers, including BIPOC artists, transgender individuals, older entertainers, and lesbians and queer women. Kiki has created events that entertain while fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone in the audience.

March holds special meaning for Kiki Lucia. It marks both her drag birthday and her actual birthday, a tradition she often celebrates with a special edition of Let’s Have A Kiki at Partners Café. Last year, she marked her 40th birthday with a guest appearance by Kerri Colby from RuPaul’s Drag Race. This year, the celebration grows even bigger as Kiki marks ten years of Let’s Have A Kiki. She will celebrate alongside Kandy Muse, known for appearing on both RuPaul’s Drag Race and House of Villains, during a special show at Partners Café on Friday, March 27th. Tickets are still available.

VIP ticket holders will start the night with an exclusive meet-and-greet reception, enjoying music by DJ Chris Gallo, and the chance to meet Kandy Muse and take a professional photo by Linda-Cristal Young. VIP tickets are $40 and include the show, with exclusive access to the stage and upstairs bar during the reception. Regular tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. The show kicks off at 11:15PM and 12:15AM hosted by Kiki herself, and will feature performances by Haus of Kiki members Rory Roux Lay, Midnight, Valeryan, and Ryder Die, along with headliner Kandy Muse. Fans won’t want to miss this celebration of Connecticut drag and Kiki’s 10-year milestone. Tickets and meet-and-greet passes are available here.

Limited Time Exclusive Offer!

$5 OFF

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*Offer valid for Let’s Have A Kiki on March 27, 2026 featuring Kandy Muse from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Discount valid on General Admission or VIP tickets. Offer expires 3/25/26. Enter promo code during the checkout process.

Read more about Kiki Lucia and her drag journey in her exclusive interview