Pacific Pride Foundation Presents: “50 Years of Fabulous: The Story of the Imperial Council”
Best Bet
Community
Film/Movie
Lecture/Discussion/Panel/Talk/Q&A/Seminar
LGBTQ+ /Allies/Pride
Marjorie Luke Theatre
Contact Details:
Phone: 8058844087
Email: kathykelley@luketheatre.org
Website: View Website
Social Media:
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Tue, Aug 18 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Address (map)
The Marjorie Luke Theatre
Venue (website)
Marjorie Luke Theatre
The Marjorie Luke Theatre, in partnership with Pacific Pride Foundation, is proud to present a special screening of the award-winning documentary 50 Years of Fabulous: The Story of the Imperial Council on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at The Marjorie Luke Theatre. The event serves as the official kickoff to Santa Barbara’s Pride Week celebration.
50 Years of Fabulous chronicles the remarkable history of one of the world’s oldest and most influential LGBTQ+ organizations. The documentary follows the Imperial Council’s evolution from creating safe spaces and building community in San Francisco to becoming a powerful force for equality, advocacy, and charitable giving throughout North America. Aside from the Imperial Court story, the film is also an important retrospective of queer life evolving from the early 1960s to present day.
For more than five decades, the Imperial Council has combined pageantry, philanthropy, activism, and community service to strengthen LGBTQ+ communities while raising millions of dollars for charitable causes. Through personal stories and historical perspectives, the film celebrates Jose Sarria the founder of The Imperial Council whose vision and dedication transformed countless lives and continues to inspire future generations.
As the kickoff event to Santa Barbara’s Pride Week, the screening invites audiences of all backgrounds to reflect on the progress that has been made while recognizing the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ history and supporting the ongoing pursuit of equality and civil rights.
The Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus will be opening the show. Following the film, we will host a discussion with the film’s producer and 36th Empress of San Francisco’s Imperial Court, David Lassman (Chablis), along with representatives from Pacific Pride Foundation. The evening will also feature social justice warrior, activist, and performer Afrika America, the Absolute Empress 60 also of San Francisco’s Imperial Court.
Tickets can be purchased at luketheatre.org
