Higher!: Nita Aviance, Cakes Da Killa LIVE, Rush Davis, 550am

Higher! returns to Signal for another night celebrating the artists and communities that continue to shape queer nightlife. Rooted in New York's ballroom, house, and club traditions while embracing the future of underground dance music, Higher! is a space where performance, identity, and fearless self-expression meet on the dancefloor.
A legendary figure of New York nightlife, Nita Aviance has spent decades defining the sound of the city's queer underground. A member of the iconic House of Aviance and one half of The Carry Nation, Nita's marathon sets weave together house, disco, tribal, and vocal classics with the unmistakable energy that has made her one of the most respected DJs in LGBTQ+ club culture.
Cakes Da Killa is one of the defining voices of queer hip-hop, known for his razor-sharp lyricism and effortless fusion of rap, ballroom, house, and electronic music. Since emerging during New York's queer rap movement in the early 2010s, he has become an internationally celebrated performer whose fearless approach continues to reshape the relationship between hip-hop and the club.
Rush Davis is a multidisciplinary artist, producer, DJ, and House of Xtravaganza member whose work moves fluidly between club music, fashion, and queer culture. Equally at home behind the decks and on the world's biggest stages, he's collaborated with Honey Dijon, KAYTRANADA, ZHU, SZA, and Doja Cat, while performing as part of Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour and appearing everywhere from MoMA to Glastonbury. His sets reflect that same breadth, weaving together house, club, and global influences.
Rounding out the night is 550am, whose genre-fluid selections embody the adventurous spirit of today's queer dancefloor, connecting house, techno, ballroom, and club music with an instinctive feel for movement and momentum.
Together, the lineup reflects Higher!'s vision: a celebration of queer artistry, boundary-pushing music, and the communities that have long driven dance culture forward.

RSVP discount ticket is paid at the door. RSVPs are one per person, so anyone coming with you will need to submit their own. We cut off RSVPs at 7pm, and you'll need to be checked in at the door by that time to receive the discounted rate. Plan to arrive early rather than risk being in line when the clock hits 7. Keep in mind that an RSVP does not guarantee entry, as the venue can fill up. Buying a full price ticket ahead of time is the surest way to guarantee your spot. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

To maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all, we ask that you respect our house code of conduct: no phones on the dance floor and zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or hate.