2018 Pride Weekend What To Do

The biggest weekend of the year is upon us, and here is a list of events throughout the Twin Cities that will give you endless ways to show your Pride.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 21

Lavender’s Pride Score Thursday
LUSH
990 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN
5:30-8 p.m.
Free
lavendermedia.eventbrite.com
Join GLBT and GLBT-friendly athletes and sports fans as we celebrate the sports scene and Pride. Complimentary appetizers, drink specials, prize drawings, giveaways and silent auction. Visit sports representatives from local professional sports teams and GLBT leagues.

Fellow Travelers presented by The Minnesota Opera
Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts
528 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
June 21, 23
7:30 p.m.
Tickets $29-104
www.mnopera.org
A love affair develops between two men in 1950s Washington, DC, when a recent college graduate meets a handsome State Department official. However, during the McCarthy-era Lavender Scare, communists weren’t the only enemies.

Open Stage + Jasmine Masters—PRIDE WEEK hosted by Flip Phone
Honey
205 E Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
8:30-10 p.m.
$18
www.facebook.com/FlipPhone
Get your JUSH. Join Jasmine Masters and other talented performers for a night of pre-Pride drag. No competition. Just 100 percent fun. All guests, including performers, requires a ticket.

Lemonade Pride Kick-Off Party
Union Rooftop
731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
21+
9:30 p.m.
$15 door only
www.facebook.com/boobytrap.mpls
Here comes year two of Lemonade’s quarterly queer women’s event. Kick off Pride weekend and head to the roof at Union to dance under the stars!

Pride on the St. Croix Paddle
Interstate Park Boat Landing
307 Milltown Rd., Taylors Falls
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Costs for shuttle and kayak/canoe rentals, if needed: $10-$45
www.stcroixriverassociation.org
Want to celebrate Pride and get a good workout in the process? Take a trip down the lower St. Croix River! Scope out some amazing natural sights as you head towards Osceola Landing near Osceola, Wisconsin. Partake in a picnic and other fun activities before being shuttled back. Pre-registration is required.

Big Freedia
Pourhouse
10 S 5th St., Minneapolis
7 p.m.-1 a.m.
$30/General Admission, $60/VIP, $100/Exclusive VIP
www.vitalculture.com
Bounce into Pride with Big Freedia the Queen Diva with Bro Jules hosted by QWEEN J Jamecia Bennett. General admission is entry only; VIP tickets offer entry and upstairs VIP area access; and Exclusive VIP is entry, upstairs VIP area access, meet and greet, and appetizers.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival
Mears Park
221 E 5th St., St. Paul, MN
June 21–23
Free
www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a three-day music festival with headline acts on multiple public stages in and around Mears Park, plus performances at local clubs, bars and studio venues. Recognized as one of the region’s premiere music festivals, Jazz Fest brings top artists to Saint Paul to share the joy of jazz with thousands of people.

Pride Weekend at LUSH
LUSH
990 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis
June 21-24
Prices vary
www.lushmpls.com
Northeast Minneapolis’ Pride Headquarters will be none other than LUSH, which is hosting a plethora of Pride Weekend events, ranging from RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party, a #DragEvolution contest and show, a Pride Block Party, a Transcendence show, a Pride Bottomless Mimosa Brunch, Drag Queen Bingo, the Sashay Away Reunion Show, and a mammoth Pride Sunday celebration.

Pride Weekend at the 19 Bar
19 Bar
19 W 15th St., Minneapolis
June 21–24
www.facebook.com/The19Bar
Party with the 19 Bar Pride weekend! Located only two blocks from Loring Park, the lack of a cover charge makes it a great place to celebrate!

Pride Weekend at the Gay 90’s
Gay 90’s
408 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis
June 21–24
18+
www.gay90s.com
If you’re looking for nonstop events this Pride Weekend, the Gay 90’s will surely deliver. With a Miss City of the Lakes competition on Thursday, RuPaul Drag Race‘s Alexis Michelle and a foam party on Friday, Pride Brunch and Cee Cee Russell on Sunday, and Ladies of Lafemme and Jaida Essence-Hall all weekend long, Pride Weekend at Gay 90’s will be nothing if not thrilling.

Pride Weekend at the Town House
Town House Bar
1415 University Ave. W, St. Paul
June 21–24
www.townhousebar.com
The Town House has a great weekend planned, all beginning with a RuPaul’s Viewing Party, of course! Also, don’t miss out on the Aliveness Project Bingo, YOLO, and karaoke on Friday, Dotti West’s Pride Show and Lori Dokken on Saturday, and a Sunday Funday pool tournament on Sunday.

 

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FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Grown & Sexy Pride VIII
First Avenue & 7th St. Entry
701 N 1st Ave., Minneapolis
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
$15
www.first-avenue.com
If you don’t get a chance to see DJ Shannon Blowtorch at LUSH, no worries! First Avenue has you covered. Join DJ Shannon Blowtorch and Sweetpea (and many more performers, including your host Adonia) at the First Avenue Mainroom for Pride Weekend. It will be an all-night dance party with dynamic onstage performances that will keep you on your feet until morning.

Queerly Beloved- A Sober Dance Party
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
519 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis
8:30-10 p.m.
18+
$5-10
www.facebook.com/SaintMarksEpiscopalCathedral
Want to celebrate Pride in a sober environment? St. Mark’s will be hosting a GLBT-friendly dance party on its open-air lot. A suggested cover charge of $5-10 will go towards assisting homeless GLBT youth in the Twin Cities.

Boobytrap Presents Catch Pride 2018
Varsity Theater
1308 4th St. SE, Minneapolis
Minneapolis
9 p.m.
21+
$16-27
www.facebook.com/boobytrap.mpls
Get groovy and fabulous with Boobytrap’s Catch Pride dance night at Varsity Theater! Break it down with performances by Sada Bettencourt, D Baz and D Mil.

Boss Pride
Loring Restaurant and Bar
327 14th Ave. SE, Minneapolis
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
21+
$14 General Admission/$25 VIP
www.bossqueerlounge.com
A Pride event for 30+ queer folx and friends. Get ready for an entertainment-filled evening featuring burlesque, drag, custom photo booth, musical performances by ZINA, SXSW favorite Holidae, and more!

Midwest Firefighters Calendar Launch Party
StevenBe
3448 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Free
www.stevenbe.com
StevenBe and Twin Cities firefighters are coming together to support Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm. The mission of Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm is to provide brand new, American-made winter coats to local children in need.

Pride Comedy Show
Sisyphus Brewery
712 Ontario St. W, Minneapolis
7-9 p.m.
$18
pridecomedy.bpt.me
This is a stand up comedy show to celebrate GLBT Pride. Hosted by Maggie Faris, with performances by Jakey Emmert, Sarah McPeck, Wendy Berkowitz, Madi Tentinger, Jacob Randall, and Jan Syverson.

French Twist
Park Square Theatre, Andy Boss Thrust Stage
20 W 7th Pl., St. Paul
June 22-24
$27-60
www.parksquaretheatre.org
The vibrant and bold Flying Foot Forum presents an inspiring evening of dance, theatre and percussion set in a Paris sidewalk café.

Pride Weekend at eagleBOLTbar
eagleBOLTbar
515 Washington Ave., Minneapolis
June 22–24
www.eagleboltbar.com
Party in the covered parking lot of eagleBOLTbar all weekend long with events like Happy Hour, Bear Night, Scorch Fireball, and show tunes.

Pride Weekend at the Saloon
The Saloon
830 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
June 22–24
$25 in advance/$30 at the door; 3-day weekend pass/$60
www.saloonmn.com
The party is going on all weekend, so come over to the Saloon for a Block Party you won’t forget with performances by DJ Naughty Boy, International Reggae All-Stars, and Todrick Hall on Friday; DJ Shiek, McNasty Brass Band, Emily Perry, Androgyny and the Dancers, and DJ Luis Perez on Saturday; and DJ Shiek, Pop Rocks, Betty Who, and DJ Luis Perez on Sunday night. The Saloon is really bringing their all to this year’s Pride Weekend.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Twin Cities Pride Festival
Loring Park
1382 Willow St., Minneapolis
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
June 23-24
www.tcpride.org
Free
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Loring Park shows its colors yet again for the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Festival. Food, drinks, entertainment, and, of course, pride galore! Bring your friends, family for the booths, concerts, art show, rainbow run, and more.

Pull for Pride Minneapolis
Father Hennipin Bluff Park
420 SE Main St. Minneapolis
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
pullforpride.com/minneapolis
50 lifter-fundraisers will take turns deadlifting progressively higher weights, aiming to match dollar for pound to help lift up often-unnoticed homeless youth. In true Pride fashion, this deadlift-only meet is completely inclusive of all people and strength/skill levels. Unlike traditional meets, Pull for Pride is non-gender-specific (open to trans and cis, intersex, agender, non-binary, women, and men) and prescribes no dress code or weight class. All proceeds from Pull for Pride Minneapolis will benefit Avenues for Homeless Youth. This fun and festive event will include a DJ, food trucks, raffle giveaways and informational and sponsor booths.

Whitney Houston + Diana Ross Pride Drag Brunch – Hosted by Union Rooftop and Flip Phone
Union Rooftop
731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
$11
www.facebook.com/FlipPhone
Celebrate Pride Weekend by honoring two of the biggest divas of all time, Whitney
Houston and Diana Ross. Performances by Cee Cee Russell, Domita Sanchez. Hosted by Sasha Cassadine.

PRIDE In Concert 2018
Loring Park
1382 Willow St., Minneapolis
6-10 p.m.
General Admission tickets $25, VIP $99
www.tcpride.org
Join Jamecia Bennett, Jujubee, The Vigilantease Collective, and—wait for it—Brandy for the PRIDE In Concert 2018 event. Hosted in Loring Park, this concert is perfect for the music lover attendees of Pride Festival.

GRRRL SCOUT PRESENTS SUMMER CAMP 2018: MERIT BADGE
The Cabooze
913 Cedar Ave. S, Minneapolis
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
21+
$15
www.grrrlscout.com
Featuring live screen printing with Ritual Print Co. and Sparkle Station with Fox Den Salon. Also, there’s a Dress to Impress Challenge with Smitten Kitten, Patio Play—Outdoor Games and Contests, performances by Symone Smash It, Redbone, Troop 612, Scarlette Revolver, and more!

The Woman’s Club Pride Dance
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis
410 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis
8 p.m.
$15-30
www.womansclub.org
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis will be hosting its annual Pride Dance. View fireworks from the fabulous rooftop overlooking Loring Park. Everyone is welcome.

Flip Phone XXL: Pride
First Avenue & 7th St. Entry
701 N 1st Ave., Minneapolis
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
$15-30
www.facebook.com/FlipPhone
Starring Monet X Change, Flip Phone’s XXL Pride dance party features Cee Cee Russell, Domita DeBaun Sanchez, Julia Starr, and host Tygra Trinity Slarii. Featuring the music of Britney Spears, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Kesha, Nicki Minaj, Dua Lipa, Madonna, Spice Girls, Taylor Swift, Janelle Monae, and more. Music by Flip Phone’s DJ Fancy Restaurant.

Café & Bar Lurcat Pride Celebration
Café & Bar Lurcat
1624 Harmon Ave., Minneapolis
June 23-24
Free
www.lurcatminneapolis.com
Café & Bar Lurcat will be hosting another two-day celebration with DJs, food and cocktails galore on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24. Located at the conclusion of the Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade, Lurcat’s festivities will include a Saturday MiX Pride Edition dance night featuring performances by DJ Shiek and DJ Lenka Paris, and a 21+ Sunday Pride Disco party: bell bottoms encouraged!

Wright’s Lake Park Mural – Painting Party and New Playground Celebration
Wright’s Lake Park
8501 17th Ave. S, Bloomington
5-8 p.m.
Free
www.blm.mn/placemaking
Come help paint the Wright’s Lake Park Community Mural! The mural will be painted onto large sheets of canvas, which GoodSpace Murals will later adhere to a large wall across the street from Wright’s Lake Park. Smocks and t-shirts will be provided, as well as free chalk for sidewalk art and popsicles or snacks at some events. All ages welcome!

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SUNDAY, JUNE 24

Rainbow Run 5K
Boom Island Park
724 Sibley St. NE, Minneapolis
9:30 a.m.
Registration required
www.tcpride.org
Now in its seventh year, the Rainbow Run is a 5K that supports the annual Pride celebration. The run starts at Boom Island and the last mile is the Parade Route, where those gathering for the parade cheer you on. All runners (ages 21+) get a free beer at the Twin Cities Pride Festival Beer Garden after the run!

Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade
Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
11 a.m.
www.tcpride.org
Free—all are welcome! Parade route is Hennepin Avenue from North 3rd Street to 16th Street.

Pride Parade Rooftop Drag Brunch + Viewing Party
Union Rooftop
731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
9 a.m.-7 p.m
$15
21+
www.facebook.com/FlipPhone
Get ready for parade viewing, cocktails, and drag at Union Rooftop, with a drag show featuring Sasha R. Cassadine, Lila Vera, Lala Love-Iman, and Anya DeGrant.

Pride In the Sky: Rooftop Parade Viewing and Dance Party
CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar
825 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
$14.72
www.facebook.com/FlipPhone
Check out the parade from the best seats in the house with Flip Phone and Open Arms of Minnesota. 50 percent of the door will go towards Open Arms of Minnesota. Featuring dance tunes by DJ Fancy Restaurant and Flipstyle TC.

Bearracuda Minneapolis Rooftop Parade Pride
Mercy
901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
$12
www.facebook.com/bearracuda
Calling all bears! Bearracuda returns to Minneapolis for a rooftop Pride spectacular at Mercy. Join DJ Larry Peace for a gay old time on the rooftop!

No Boys In The Booth – Pride Brunch & Day Party Celebration
Seven Steakhouse Sushi & Rooftop
700 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tickets $20/advance, $25/door
pridesevenmpls.eventbrite.com
The ladies take over Pride at Seven Steakhouse! Dance to some of Minneapolis’ best female DJs, such as Lenka Paris, Lucy Luxe, TeeSo, Sax Sells, and Sheik. There’s limited rooftop seating, so get tickets soon!

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PRIDE SPORTS IN THE SUMMER

Pride Night at Minnesota United
Minnesota United FC vs. FC Dallas
TCF Bank Stadium
420 SE 23rd Ave., Minneapolis
June 29
7 p.m.
www.mnufc.com
Join Minnesota United FC for Pride Night as they take on FC Dallas for a great night of soccer!

Pride Night at Target Field
Twins vs. Kansas City Royals
Target Field
1 Twins Way, Minneapolis
July 9
7:10 p.m.
$22-85
www.mlb.com/twins
Cheer on the Twins and celebrate GLBT Pride as our boys take on the Royals on July 9. A portion of each ticket will go towards the food shelf nonprofit One Heartland. The Twins will also be partnering with Gay For Good, which aims to mobilize the GLBT community to interact with the larger community via volunteering.