Farewell to a friend: join us for "Lily White: A Tribute Show"

On February 16, Wisconsin lost one of its drag legends.

Timothy "Lily White" Lober (1965-2026,) an icon of Milwaukee and Minneapolis stages, may have departed, but friends, family, and loved ones are gathering on March 15 to honor the Queen of Thursday Night Talent with a farewell show.

Join us as we gather in love and community to honor the life, artistry, and legacy of our beloved queen, Lily White.

This special tribute show will celebrate the joy,  talent, and impact she brought to our stage and to all of our hearts.

When:  Sunday, March 15  (doors 2:00 p.m., show 3:00 p.m.)

Where:  La Cage NIteClub (801 S. 2nd St.)  

Miss B.J. Daniels will host an all-star line-up, including Shawna Love, Dear Ruthie, Baby Jane Hudson, Cass Marie Domino, Lady Gia, Debra Fox, and maybe - just maybe - a surprise guest or two.  La Cage will be offering $15 unlimited mimosas throughout the show.

This tribute is a space for friends, fans, and community to come together to celebrate Lily’s life through performance, memories, and love.  All are welcome as we honor a queen who will forever remain part of our drag family.  

This memorial event is co-sponsored by the WIsconsin LGBTQ History Project in loving memory of Lily White.

About Lily White
(by Miss B.J. Daniels)

The lights at Club 219 glinted off sequined gowns while laughter crashed against the walls like a wave on those Thursday nights in the mid 90's. The air thrummed with energy as Miss Lily White -- her platinum wig perfectly in place -- delivered a biting one-liner that sent the crowd into fits. Everyone wanted to be part of the riotous, glitter-dusted spectacle, but Miss Lily White was the undeniable star. 

Born August 25, 1965, as Timothy Paul Lober, he graduated from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in 1983. He furthered his education with an associate’s degree in Hospitality and Travel. After moving to Milwaukee, he flourished as a chef at many well-known establishments, including Pasta Tree and Pieces of Eight. 

But his real love was Broadway theater, and so performing in drag in the late 1980’s wasn’t a stretch. The drag scene in Milwaukee at the time was ripe for newcomers like Mimi Marks, Mary Richards, Shawna Love, and many others. So Timmy joined the festivities with a bang. 

Under the tutelage of his drag mom, Baby Jane Hudson, Miss Lily White was born. Known for a quick wit and a killer Marilyn Monroe impersonation, he rose through the ranks to become a treasured Milwaukee entertainer and emcee. Miss Lily launched the drag careers of many amateur starlets. Her Thursday night talent shows at Club 219 were always the talk of the town. 

His longtime spouse, Spencer, was offered a new job in 2002, and the couple relocated to Minneapolis. It wasn’t long until Miss Lily White found a gig hosting the Pumps and Pearls Revue, a new talent showcase at the Town House/ Black Hart clubs in Saint Paul. 

Inside Lily’s world, everyone got a shot at being the performer they thought they were. Known for giving underdogs a chance, she became beloved by Minnesotans for it. 

When not in the kitchen or onstage, Tim enjoyed traveling the world and saw over 1,000 Broadway shows during his lifetime. Each production, from the dazzling musicals to the sharp-witted comedies, fed his imagination and sharpened both his sense of timing and his appetite for spectacle. The sheer passion and polish he witnessed on Broadway spilled directly into Miss Lily's own acts, inspiring memorable monologues, quick-fire banter, and a magnetic stage presence. 

His sudden death on February 16 shocked fans and friends alike. Tributes poured in on social media from all performers, fans, and co-workers from all over the world.  Timothy is survived by his partner of 36 years, John Spencer Shafer, and many family members.

Questions? Contact us!