Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Return of Lavender’s First Thursdays

Lavender’s first First Thursday happened back in early February 2008. Considering that this was the theoretical birth of First Thursdays, it holds that First Thursday is an Aquarius: assertive, eccentric, visionary, kinetic. In other words, First Thursday takes its good times seriously.

A handful of years ago, then, our beloved First Thursdays began as a celebration of community and inclusion under the half-guise of a laid-back happy hour. But if we know Aquarians, that laid-back happy hour was serious business—laced with a mission of unity, of exultation, both a gathering of like-minded individuals and a single loving energy. Thus, First Thursdays have continued in this way.

And then the pandemic hit. Friendly neighborhood soirées were forced into hibernation.

Now Lavender is thrilled to announce the triumphant return of First Thursdays! We’re baaaaaack, baby. But we’re not alone: Our wonderful friends at Ma’am, the gathering space/social club for 40+ lesbian women, will join us in hosting our 147^th First Thursday!

Ma’am, founded by longtime friends Beth Mejia and Kate McFarland, provides a fun, safe and welcoming networking and social space that doesn’t otherwise exist. “Basically, that’s what Ma’am is all about,” says Mejia. “We’re a group of older women, we really don’t have a bar scene out here, we want to socialize, we want to network. So we get together on a monthly basis and just create events for our women in our community.” She adds: “Everybody’s welcome.”

The Lavender x Ma’am Return of First Thursdays will take place August 5, 2021, at the gloriously kitsched-out Park Tavern in nearby Saint Louis Park. The proceedings are from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. So we invite everyone to come as you are! The only requirement is to be yourself, because you’re beautiful. Enjoy complimentary apps, drink specials and a chance at some fantastic prizes.

On collaborating more with Lavender in the future, Mejia says, “I would love that. I think it’d be excellent. I think it’d be a really great way to bring our whole community together, to support each other as we’ve gone through a really tough year—I think everybody’s looking forward to getting together, and just hugging one another.”

We’d love to thank our incredible sponsors, Truly Hard Seltzer and Tito’s Vodka. Without you, Minnesota summers are just three weeks of hot weather.

So we look forward to seeing you at the Park Tavern on August 5, 2021 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM for the Return of Lavender’s First Thursdays. Cheers!

For more information, visit www.lavendermagazine.com/lavenders-first-thursdays/