Barbette’s Legacy Foundation

06/02/2026

🏳️‍🌈✨More than 10 years in the making! Join us Thursday, June 4, as Round Rock unveils a Texas Historical Marker honoring Barbette, the internationally celebrated aerialist and female impersonator who grew up right here in Central Texas.

This marker is one of only a handful in Texas that recognize LGBTQ+ history, helping to ensure Barbette’s remarkable story is remembered for generations to come.

📍 Round Rock Cemetery
🗓 Thursday, June 4
⏰ 5:00 PM

A community reception at Swallow Wines will follow the dedication.

Come celebrate a hometown hero, LGBTQ+ history, and a milestone years in the making. 🌈

MORE: https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/round-rock-to-unveil-texas-historical-marker-honoring-trailblazing-performer-barbette

Texas Historical Commission Round Rock Pride We Love Barbette

Round Rock will unveil a Texas Historical Marker honoring Barbette, the world-famous aerialist and drag performer raised in Central Texas, on June 4.

05/07/2026

We’re excited to share that we received 10 applications for the 2026 Barbette’s Legacy Scholarship. 💙✨

This year’s applicant pool reflects an incredible range of young artists from across Central Texas.

Our applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing fields like theatre, film, architecture, dance, design, animation, musical theatre, cosmetology, comic art, ceramics, and more.

The Barbette’s Legacy Board will now begin reviewing applications, with scholarship recipients expected to be announced later this month. We’re proud to share that TWO scholarships will be awarded this year.

Thank you to our partnership with Round Rock Pride, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, and to everyone who supported our Barbette Bash fundraiser. Your donations and support are directly helping the next generation of artists continue creating, performing, and telling stories.

DONATE HERE: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

And save the date:
🎪 Barbette Bash returns Saturday, December 12, 2026.

05/01/2026

Thank you to Revry for continuing to share Barbette’s story with the world.

In this clip, Cynthia Lee Fontaine highlights Barbette’s connection to Coco Chanel. The legacy runs even deeper. Barbette’s artistry intersected with cultural icons like Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, and Josephine Baker, placing a Texas-born performer at the center of a global artistic movement.

That’s the legacy we’re honoring and continuing.

Final hours to apply to be a Barbette Scholar.
We’re planning to award TWO scholarships to students in Central Texas pursuing the arts.

Deadline: tonight at midnight.

Apply here:
https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

Cynthia Lee Fontaine Round Rock Pride We Love Barbette Texas Historical Commission John-Carlos Estrada CBS Austin Revry

04/29/2026

📣 FINAL THREE DAYS! Barbette’s Legacy Foundation Scholarship Applications are due ✨THIS✨ Friday, May 1 at midnight.

If you’re a high school senior or college student in the arts, or know someone who is, please apply and tag them below.

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted applications. We expect to announce this year’s scholarship recipients in mid to late May.

🔗 APPLICATION LINK: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

Cynthia Lee Fontaine 💙 Round Rock Pride 💜 We Love Barbette 💛 John-Carlos Estrada CBS Austin

04/24/2026

🎨✨ Meet our first-ever Barbette’s Legacy Scholar, Gabriella Heath.

A Round Rock native now studying Comic Arts at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Gabriella embodies exactly why this scholarship exists: supporting bold, emerging artists and helping nurture the next generation of creative voices.

We’re especially proud that Gabriella has also given back to this mission, donating original arte for this year’s Barbette Bash auction. Their stunning Barbette-inspired sketches helped raise funds for our next cycle of scholarships. A beautiful full-circle moment. 💙

Now we’re looking for the next Barbette Scholar.

📣 Applications are due next Friday, May 1 at midnight.

If you’re a high school senior or college student in the arts, or know someone who is, please apply and tag them below.

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted applications. We expect to announce this year’s scholarship recipients in mid to late May.

🔗 APPLICATION LINK: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

Cynthia Lee Fontaine | Texas Historical Commission | Round Rock Pride | We Love Barbette

04/15/2026

TWO MORE WEEKS 💫 APPLY NOW

Cynthia Lee Fontaine is back with a special update 💙✨ We’re extending the Barbette’s Legacy Scholarship deadline! Applications are now due May 1… your moment isn’t over yet.

Don’t wait… we want to see your art, your story, your voice.

🔗 APPLICATION LINK: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

04/15/2026

Deadline extended… more time to apply. ✨

We’re giving you two extra weeks to submit for the Barbette’s Legacy Scholarship. New deadline: May 1st.

We know life gets busy, so this extension is for those last-minute applications ready to be finished and shared. This year, we’re planning to award two scholarships to support emerging artists across Central Texas.

Final decisions will be announced in mid-May.

Good luck! We can’t wait to see your work 💫

🔗 APPLICATION LINK: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

04/07/2026

A special reminder from Cynthia Lee Fontaine 💙✨

The Barbette’s Legacy Scholarship deadline is April 17!

In our second year, we’re awarding scholarships to Central Texas students in the arts, honoring Barbette’s legacy and supporting the next generation of creatives.

Last year, we named our first scholar. This year, we plan to award at least TWO scholarships.

If you’re a graduating senior or current college student in Williamson, Travis, or Hays County pursuing the arts, apply now.

Deadline: April 17

🔗 LINK: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

03/18/2026

✨ You’re invited to a historic moment in Round Rock! Join us on Thursday, June 4 for the official Texas Historical Marker dedication honoring Round Rock legend and global drag icon Barbette.

Come celebrate his extraordinary legacy and the lasting impact of LGBTQ+ history in our community. A community happy hour at Swallow Wines will follow the ceremony. 💙🌈

Barbette’s Legacy Foundation | Round Rock Pride | Cynthia Lee Fontaine | Texas Historical Commission | We Love Barbette

03/04/2026

Congrats to our founder: John-Carlos Estrada CBS Austin!

Remember to get your applications for this year’s Barbette’s Legacy Foundation scholarship!!! Deadline is next month. Application here: https://www.roundrockpride.com/the-barbette-legacy-foundation

Seven years ago, I came to Austin to take a job at CBS Austin. I had no idea how much this city would shape my life. Since then, Austin has truly become home. I’m deeply honored to be named a finalist for the Austin Under 40 Awards in Journalism, Media & Content Creation.

My family and friends know how much Bruce and I love this city. Grateful for ATX and the chance to serve it!! 💙

Proud this event also supports the Austin Sunshine Camps, which has provided life-changing camp experiences for Central Texas kids since 1928. I got to enjoy summer camps as a kid thanks to generous donors. So this hits close to home: https://www.austinunder40.org/about-the-beneficiary