John Waters Marks 80th Birthday With “Going to Extremes” at the Adrienne Arsht Center
- Dec 15, 2025
- 1 min read
Filmmaker and cultural provocateur John Waters brings “Going to Extremes: A John Waters 80th Birthday Celebration” to the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The Miami appearance is part of Waters’ latest spoken-word performance, a new comedy revival that blends satire, social commentary, and the filmmaker’s trademark irreverence.
The show unfolds as a high-energy monologue in which Waters delivers sharp observations on contemporary culture, politics, and identity, drawing on decades of countercultural influence. Known for pushing boundaries on screen and stage, Waters revisits themes that have defined his career while introducing new material shaped by the present moment.
Waters has written and directed sixteen films, including Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, Hairspray, Cry-Baby, Serial Mom, and A Dirty Shame. Beyond film, he has built a global following through live performances such as This Filthy World, Make Trouble, and A John Waters Christmas, presented at universities, museums, film festivals, and comedy venues worldwide.
His spoken-word tours have reached audiences at venues including the Sydney Opera House, Volksbühne Berlin, London’s Southbank Centre and Barbican Hall, and major festivals such as Coachella and Bonnaroo. He also serves as the longtime host of the Mosswood Meltdown punk rock festival and has appeared before diverse audiences ranging from American MENSA to the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival.
Tickets for the Miami performance range from $47 to $71, including fees, and go on sale through the Adrienne Arsht Center beginning December 11 at 10 a.m. Event updates are shared via the Arsht Center’s official Instagram.