Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration
Apr 22, 2026
Starting: 7:30 PM
An evening of sharp-edged humor and cultural commentary marks a milestone birthday for one of American cinema’s most provocative voices.
Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration takes place on Wednesday, April 22 at the Adrienne Arsht Center as part of the Arsht Center’s Live at Knight series and the 2026 Miami Film Festival, running April 9-22. Presented by the Adrienne Arsht Center and Metropolitan Entertainment, the event features filmmaker and writer John Waters in a live performance blending monologue, satire and social observation.
Known for his transgressive films and outsider sensibility, Waters uses the stage to reflect on contemporary culture, politics and personal obsessions through his signature mix of provocation and humor. The program functions as both a birthday celebration and a standalone performance, offering audiences a direct encounter with Waters’ irreverent worldview in a live setting.