CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 6/25/2025

Rizzoli presents Anderson Zaca with Thom (Panzi) Hansen for the NYC launch of 'Fire Island Invasion: A Day of Independence'

Anderson Zaca's photographs capture the magic of the annual Fire Island Invasion, which has brought thousands of queer people and drag queens to the Pines since the 1970s in the spirit of rebellion and celebration. Wednesday, June 25, from 6–7:45 PM, Rizzoli Bookstore presents Zaca in conversation with essayist Thom (Panzi) Hansen, leader of the original 1976 invasion. The discussion will be followed by a signing of Fire Island Invasion: Day of Independence, published by Damiani.

PLEASE NOTE: RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Register here.

Can't attend? Order your signed copy here (please specify that you would like it signed in the comments box at checkout).

Anderson Zaca is a photographer and filmmaker with degrees in photography and film production. He has exhibited his work internationally and traveled extensively for both documentary assignments and commercial projects. While maintaining a portfolio of high-profile commercial work, he also teaches photography, journalism and filmmaking part-time at various schools in New York City.

Zaca’s first book, Block Party: NYC Soul of Summer, is a vibrant collection of photographs celebrating New York City’s iconic block parties a defining tradition of summertime. The book inspired an interactive six-month exhibition at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, sponsored by Fujifilm and Samsung 360, which hosted over 250,000 visitors.

He is currently developing multiple documentary projects, including a feature on the art of Carnaval, another on NYC’s surfing culture and The Darkroom MCs, a documentary series in which he collaborates as director, producer and host, premiering on ALLARTS TV spring 2025. Additionally, he has written several screenplays that are ready for production.

Zaca’s commercial clients include Nike, Budweiser, Neiman Marcus, Spotify, Renault, Samsung, Rolling Stone, Target and other major brands. In 2018, he was named Best Fashion Photographer by the Visual Arts Press Awards. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide, as well as in a variety of publications.

Thom (Panzi) Hansen has a long and varied life in International Marketing, Property Management, Real Estate Brokerage, Actor in Film and Theatre, Professional and Community Drag Performance and Political Activism since 1970, and was Founder of the Invasion of the Pines in 1976—which in and of itself was a bold act of defiance in defense of trans-phobia in the LGBT+ Community (though it was not called that at the time—that is what it was!). He marched in the 1st Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade in 1970 and continues as an activist to this day, whether as a participant or a leader.

His greatest achievement is the founding of the Invasion of the Pines. It began as an act of defiance during the US Bicentennial (1976), however, has evolved into an annual celebration of joy and inclusion and self-expression, bringing together two diverse communities on Fire Island in a spirit of Community and mutual respect. It is sad to state that he was fighting Trans-Phobia in 1976, and here we are in 2025 facing even more treacherous challenges.

Rizzoli Bookstore
'Fire Island Invasion' with Anderson Zaca and Thom (Panzi) Hansen
Wednesday, June 25, from 6–7:45 PM
1133 Broadway
New York, NY 10010
Register here