Darcelle XV Showplace

Darcelle XV Showplace, opened in Portland in 1967 by the performer Darcelle XV, became both a working cabaret and a lasting center of LGBTQ nightlife and drag performance. Closely tied to Darcelle XV’s public identity, the venue built a long-running reputation through its regular cast, including Alexis Campbell Starr, Bolivia Carmichaels, and Poison Waters. In 2020, it received formal historic recognition, becoming the first LGBTQ-related establishment considered in Oregon for national historic registry status and then joining the National Register of Historic Places. After Darcelle XV’s death in 2023, the showplace continued that legacy through ongoing programming and a 48-hour Drag-a-thon supporting The Trevor Project.

Portland, Oregon · United States