San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Unofficial events add to festivities
In the Bay Area, there are many ways to honor the LGBTQ community outside of events organized by San Francisco Pride.
While Oakland Pride plans to celebrate the community with an event set for Sept. 13, and Silicon Valley Pride plans to commemorate the occasion Aug. 2930 in San Jose, many organizations and personalities will host their own virtual gatherings and discussions honoring the community.
Here’s a list of virtual events and activities celebrating Pride in the Bay Area:
Out of Site: SOMA — A Virtual PerformanceDriven Queer History Tour A livestreamed street theater project explores the history of San Francisco’s South of Market district as a stronghold for queer and activist organizing. The event features immersive theater, drag, live music, puppetry, virtual tour and a dance party.
A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit organizations that support queer black lives, including TGI Justice Project and the Center for Black Equity.
79 p.m. Sunday, June 21; FridaySunday, June 2628. $25$500, sliding scale. Tickets available at bit.ly/outofsitesoma. More information at www.eyezen.org.
FullSpectrum Science: Rainbows In celebration of Pride Month, the Exploratorium plans to host a virtual lesson on the rainbow, its colorful qualities and what it means as a symbol for the LGBTQ community. The virtual discussion will teach audiences how to make their own rainbows, led by Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman as part of the museum’s FullSpectrum Science series. This event is for people ages 13 and up.
7 p.m. Thursday, June 25. Free. Live stream available via the Exploratorium’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. Find more information at bit.ly/exploratoriumrainbows
The Singing Out Virtual Tour: Heather Mae and Crys Matthews
Singersongwriters Heather Mae and Crys Matthews plan to come together for a virtual celebration of social justice, hope and love for everyone with internet access. Participants are encouraged to tune in wearing their best Pride gear.
810:30 p.m. Friday, June 26. $15. bit.ly/ singoutvirtualtour
New Conservatory Theatre Center’s Digital Pride Party Each Friday in June, New Conservatory Theatre Center celebrates Pride Month with new livestreamed offerings. A weekly variety show presents interviews with playwrights and activists, a night of drag trivia, and a loud and proud cabaret performance featuring LGBTQ+ artists.
Additionally, on June 30 the center plans to close out its Pride Month event series with “A Night Out with Katya,” an evening of songs, stories and strong cocktails with drag artist Katya SmirnoffSkyy as she performs live from the NCTC basement.
5 p.m. Friday, June 26, and Tuesday, June 30. Free. Access the live streams at the NCTC website, Facebook, and YouTube channels. www.nctcsf.org
Sonoma County Pride: Unmask Your Pride Sonoma County Pride will bring its celebration of queer culture straight to your home, featuring live music, drag performances, comedians and more. Join in as organizers bring muchneeded positivity to the internet, while highlighting the county’s diverse LGBTQ community.
67:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Free, with registration required. An email with access details will be sent to registered participants Friday, June 26. bit.ly/ sonomacountypride Porch Pride: A Bluegrass Pride Queerantine Festival In the face of Pride cancellations nationwide, LGBTQ musicians plan to perform as part of a livestreamed concert event scheduled to take place over S.F. Pride weekend. The festival lineup features Molly Tuttle, Front Country, Amythyst Kiah and Allison de Groot & Patrick M’Gonigle.
SaturdaySunday, June 2728. $10, suggested donation. Event access available on the group’s YouTube, and Facebook channels. For full weekend schedule and more information, go to www. bluegrasspride.net.