Mark your calendars: on Monday, October 27, 2025, The Bushwick Starr will host its much-anticipated Annual Gala at Rule of Thirds (171 Banker Street, Brooklyn), beginning at 6:30 pm. This year’s edition promises to be a spellbinding affair, part cocktail soirée, part theatrical celebration, with a nod to autumnal mystery and “wicked play.”

Long before dinner is served, all eyes at this year’s Bushwick Starr Gala will be on Keanu Reeves, the 2025 Honoree. A long-standing member of the Starr’s Board, Reeves is being recognized for his philanthropic support and his contributions to theater. His diverse career, spanning blockbuster films, comic writing, and a currently running Broadway debut in Waiting for Godot, adds a resonant cultural weight to the evening.

Setting the Tone: Theme, Atmosphere & Invitation

The Gala welcomes guests to an evening of candlelight and creativity, set under the autumn moon. Expect playful seasonal touches, from trick-or-treat–style gifts to seasonal cocktails sponsored by Wandering Barman, all within an atmosphere that feels both elegant and imaginative. Guests are invited to wear cocktail attire (and costumes, if they wish).

The night draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe’s words: “There is no exquisite beauty that hath not some strangeness.”

Culinary & Beverage Experience

Attendees will begin with a curated cocktail hour, featuring specialty sake and spirits. Dinner will be served by Chef JT Vuong of Rule of Thirds, delivering a Japanese-inspired multi-course menu befitting the evening’s elevated tone. The meal is designed not just as nourishment but as part of the immersive experience.

Performances, Entertainment & Program Highlights

Live performances will punctuate the evening, offering tributes, new works, and theatrical interludes. The entertainment is billed as “haunting performances and wicked play,” matching the Gothic touches of the event theme. The evening will close with a dessert reception and take-home gifts for guests.

In past years, Starr has brought in headline talent (e.g. Jonathan Groff, Ellen Winter, Kuhoo Verma) to heighten the evening’s draw. The 2025 lineup features “electrifying” queer pop star Softee, “always rapturous” drag artist God Complex, and “master showman” mentalist Vinny DePonto.

Purpose & Stakes: Why This Gala Matters

For The Bushwick Starr, the Gala is a moment to gather their community, celebrate their artistic mission, and signal momentum for their current season of programming. More than just a fundraiser.

Some key context:
In December 2024, Starr celebrated the opening of its permanent home at 419 Eldert Street, drawing a full house and raising over $100,000 in its Grand Reopening Gala. The 2025–26 season promises new premieres from artists including David Cale, La Daniella, and Michael Oluokun (BroadwayWorld).

Donors and ticket buyers at the Gala help underwrite the theater’s programming—readings, commissions, education, residencies, and community-based offerings. By attending, guests enjoy an unforgettable evening while helping secure the Starr’s future and its role as a vital hub for new performance.

Logistics & Access

The event is 21+. Registration is required to attend (the Gala is not open-entry). Tickets include dinner, drinks, performances, and auction components. Guests should arrive with an open spirit, ready to engage theatrically.

Guests can anticipate a seamless evening where conversation, art, and fundraising coexist. Artists might perform between courses; surprise appearances are possible given Starr’s history of drawing from theater and performance networks; auction highlights and curated take-home gifts will punctuate the night. This is not an event you want to miss.

Get your tickets to the Bushwick Starr Gala here.