36th Houston LGBT Pride Festival and Pride Parade
With: Stamps, Morena Roas, Curtis Braly, Jess Walker, Courtney Locke and Pride Superstar finalists
When: 1 p.m. June 28 festival along Commonwealth and Yoakum, 8:15 p.m. June 28 parade along Westheimer between Dunlavy and Montrose
Tickets: Free, $125 VIP ticket includes grandstand-bleacher seating, pre-parade soiree with food and open bar, meetand-greet with celebrity grand marshal Mondo Guerra from “Project Runway”
More: 713-529-6979 or pridehouston.org
June has long been regaled as Pride Month — in Houston and across the country. And now it’s official. President Barack Obama, in a recent proclamation, declared June 2014 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, and urged “the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.”
So bring on the parties! Here is a rainbow-colored guide to all the parties, fashion shows, performances and festivities throughout the area. Make plans now because there’s something to do almost every day.
Thursday
Pride Superstar: Round 7 of the eightweek singing competition is down to five singers. With guest judge and performer Shangela from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” 10 p.m. at South Beach, 810 Pacific. Free.
Friday
Eden— A Pride Girl Party: Second annual event dedicated to the women of the LGBT community. (Guys are welcome, too.) 7:30 p.m. at Pearl, 4216 Washington. $5.
Rainbow on the Green: Outdoor concert featuring Derrick Barry from “America’s Got Talent” as Britney Spears, “The Voice” Season 4 contestant Michelle Chamuel and “American Idol” Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis. Hosted by Mix 96.5 FM’s Chad Pitt. 7 p.m. at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney. Free.
Pride Bingo: Cash prizes. Bring your own food and alcohol. 6 p.m. at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 W. 11th. $10 for 10 games.
Pre-Pride Party: DJ Photo and DJ Kittie, burgers and hot dogs on the grill. 9 p.m. at the Rig, 4819 Washington. Free.
Chaz Marie: Country singer from Dallas with a full band. 9 p.m. at Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon, 11410 Hempstead Highway. $5.
Saturday
Pride Unleashed: Leather and fetish party at this popular, new Montrose bar. 9 p.m. at the Eagle, 611 Hyde Park. Free.
Beaumont Pride: Inaugural pride celebration for the area, featuring live music, ven- dors and a Pride Walk. 11 a.m. in downtown Beaumont. Free.
Girl Jam End of the Rainbow Party: Featuring Whitney Mixter and Sada Bettencourt from “The Real L Word” and VH1’s “Couples Therapy” and singer Paige Lewis. 2 p.m. at Avant Garden, 411 Westheimer. $5.
Sunday
Salvation — A Pride Pool Party: Open bar, light bites and swimsuits. With DJ Chris Zane. 21 and older. 1 p.m. at the Morty Rich Hostel, 501 Lovett. $25.
Michael — A Tribute to a Legend: “Crawford Nation,” a family of fierce drag performers, celebrates the music and moves of Michael Jackson. 8 p.m. at Meteor, 2306 Genesee. Free.
Monday
Dine with Pride: A portion of your bill goes to Pride Houston, a nonprofit organization. All day at Gratifi Kitchen + Bar, 302 Fairview.
Tuesday
Rock the Runway: Annual Pride fashion event showcasing male and female underwear and swimwear. 8 p.m. at South Beach. Free.
F Divas are Super: A drag tribute to superheroes, featuring Tasha Long, Deyjzah Opulent Mirage, Violet S’Arbleu, Athena Campbell, Tonica Cavalli, Aria Crawford and Kourtney Paige Van Wales. DJ Chris Zane provides the music. 11:30 p.m. at F Bar, 202 Tuam. Free.
Wednesday
Jaymes Vaughan Karaoke: The Las Vegas singer, Chippendales performer and “Amazing Race” finalist hosts karaoke with local drag diva Kara Dion. Vaughan was a 2013 Pride Houston celebrity grand marshal and headline performer. 10 p.m. at Guava Lamp, 570 Waugh. Free. Pride Houston Happy Hour: Drinks and dish at the popular, unpretentious watering hole. 5 p.m. at Crocker, 2312 Crocker. Free. Dessie’s Drag Race— Pride Edition: Amateur drag competition. 11 p.m. at F Bar.
June 26
Pride Superstar finale: The final four singers compete for the crown in the eighth annual competition. With special performances by 2013 runner-up Morena Roas, Billboard dance artist Jenna Drey and more. 9 p.m. at South Beach. Free.
June 27
Wonderland Houston: Annual circuit party featuring DJ Brandon Moses from Dallas and a “winter wonderland” theme, complete with confetti, lasers and snow. Benefiting Bunnies on the Bayou. 9 p.m. at South Beach. $40.
June 28
36th Houston LGBT Pride Festival and Pride Parade: The main event, which draws more than 400,000 throughout Montrose. Festival starts at 1 p.m. and runs along Commonwealth and Yoakum. It features performances by Stamps, Morena Roas, Curtis Braly, Jess Walker, Courtney Locke and the Pride Superstar finalists. Parade kicks off at 8:15 p.m. on Westheimer between Dunlavy and Montrose with floats, dancers and general merriment.
Official Pride After-Party: Featuring performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” divas Phi Phi O’Hara and Jig- gly Caliente, along with DJ Drew G spinning his unique brand of “dirty pop.” 9:30 p.m. at South Beach. $15 advance, $20 at the door.
Alaska and Hot Chocolate: Spotlight performances by “Drag “Race” Season 5 favorite Alaska and Hot Chocolate, known for her Tina Turner illusion in Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas revue. 8 p.m. doors, midnight show at F Bar. Free before 10 p.m., $10 after 10 p.m.
June 29
Rapture — A Pride Foam Party: Lots of soapy ridiculousness on the dance floor. Don’t wear anything you really care about. 9 p.m. at South Beach. Free before 10 p.m. with text (text SOBE to 46786), $10 after 10 p.m.
Alaska and Hot Chocolate: The duo joins F Bar’s regular cast of drag divas for another round of fierceness. 5 p.m. doors, 11:30 p.m. show at F Bar. Free before 9 p.m., $10 after 9 p.m.