Ready for a night to remember? Enter the House of Heroes, if you dare … Photo: The Huxleys, MARS Gallery.
The National Portrait Gallery’s annual Late Night 18+ Event is right around the corner, and this year, the gallery will transform into a House of Heroes.
So, what’s on the agenda?
The 2026 iteration celebrates Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey and her incredible Super Kaylene Whiskey exhibition.
Expect roving live performances, creative pop-ups, interactive workshops, immersive art tours, and an electric dancefloor pulsing with Kaylene’s favourite music superstars: Dolly Parton, Cher, Tina Turner, and more.
Sensational curators Will and Garrett Huxley – AKA The Huxleys – have spent months bringing House of Heroes together. Avid fans of Kaylene and her art, they describe working on the event as a dream come true.
“When we were first presented with the idea of working on a night celebrating Kaylene, we just exploded with joy,” Will and Garrett say.
“We first met Kaylene at the 2018 Archibald Prize event, and it was love at first sight. We were completely in awe of her joy and skill, her embrace of colour, popular culture, and queer icons, and the sacred beauty of her Anangu Culture.
“We believe Kaylene is what the world needs now more than ever. We’re going to channel joy, colour and dance into a night filled with incredible performers, with a focus on queer, femme and First Nations artists.”
The Huxleys are Australian-based collaborative artists who present queer spectacle, surrealism, freedom, and all things gloriously absurd across the visual art, performance and fashion spectrum.
The dynamic duo have an incredible lineup planned, including roving performances by Bendy Ben, Gabi Barton, and Rosie Allways, a bag charm crafting circle with Haus of Dizzy, and Cowboy C*untry queer line dancing with Kath Ebbs.
Will and Garrett are especially excited for Warrane/Sydney-based storyteller Betty Grumble to get the dancefloor pumping.
“Betty Grumble is one of our absolute favourite humans. Her art is so powerful and uniting and radical, and we’re excited to see how she embodies the strong female superhero energy that Kaylene celebrates in her work,” The Huxleys say.
“The phenomenal Felica Foxx is a powerhouse – her performance experience will be special. And our MC, 2Joocee, is sure to charm everyone.”
Also on the bill are D Flowers, Kitty Obsidian, Tyra Bankstown, Nefertiti LaNegra, Simone Page Jones and DJ Charlie Villas.
No party is complete without some late-night fuel.
Luckily, Octoball Japanese soul food, Stripey Sundae desserts, and Jarochos traditional Mexican will be taking attendance in the courtyard, complemented by wine and cocktail bars indoors.
There’ll also be a calm reset space available, open to anyone looking for a break from the action.
“Late Night is one of our favourite events of the year, because it brings everyone together in such a beautiful way,” says National Portrait Gallery program coordinator Ellie Brotchie.
“It’s a huge event in scale and capacity, but also in energy. Expect a full takeover of the gallery populated by amazing performances, art, music, and dance, fuelled by a drive to connect and celebrate with other wonderful humans in a safe and inclusive environment.”
Keen to get in on the action yourself? The Huxleys invite Canberra’s everyday superheroes to shine on the runway, with exclusive prizes on offer for the best-dressed star.
As for their own performance, The Huxleys have a tiny teaser to share – along with a note that impractical costumes will be definite.
“We will be honouring some of Kaylene’s most beloved musical heroes, so expect a surreal spectacle invoking David Bowie and Tina Turner.
“Canberra is so lucky to have this exhibition. There is no way you can go and see this show and not smile. It’s the embodiment of how art can heal and make us dream of more magical and colourful worlds.
“We want everyone to be the hero they dream of. Nights like this don’t happen every day, so channel all your joy and creativity, and come dance the night away with us.”
House of Heroes Late Night 18+ Event will run from 7 pm until midnight on Friday, 20 February, at the National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes.
Early bird tickets are now sold out – to purchase general release tickets or view artist profiles, visit National Portrait Gallery.
