Check out city Pride events
Series of LGBTQ events underway thisweek
Chicago’s 2018 Pride month is officially underway with events and celebrations throughout the city all month long leading up to Chicago’s Pride Parade on June 24.
Pride began in New York City in the 1970s after the Stonewall Rebellion in Greenwich Village. Originally a time for protest, especially during the AIDS epidemic, it became a more festive celebration of gay identity in the 1990s.
Today, Pride is celebrated throughout the month of June in cities across the world, including Chicago.
To help you make plans, the Sun- Times will be sharing information about Pride events in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Pride 2018 events, June 11- 17
June 11: Pride Mosaic sat Volumes Book Volumes Bookcafe in Wicker Park is hosting a rainbow mosaic making class from 6: 30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. June 12: Pride Story Time “Drag Story Time” features drag queens reading stories to children. It will be held at the Garfield Ridge Branch Library at 5:30 p.m. June 13: Variety Show The groundbreaking queer variety show “WeFest” opens at the Pride Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. These mi-annual festival is a celebration of Chicago’ s queer, female, non-binary and trans artists.
June 13: Trans Community Ice Cream Social
The Center on Halsted’s third annual Trans Ice Cream Social will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the center’ s rooftop deck. This event is free; no RSVP is required. June 15: Pride Latinx Dance Party Dance Center Chicago hosts “June Pride BKS Dance Party” on Friday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The party will feature performances by Jonathan Troncoso and Roy Castro, as well as individual rooms for dancing salsa, kizomba and bachata.
June 16: Cards Against HumanityWriters at Pride Arts Center
The Pride Arts Center hosts “Cards Against Humanity Late Night Writers Room ,” at 10 p.m. Cards Against Humanity performers will feature specially themed LGBTQ+ content and segments. June 16- 17: Chicago Pride Fest One of the biggest Chicago Pride events of the month is the annual Pride Fest in Boystown. It’s two full days of livemusic, drag performers, food, drink and fun. A $ 10 donation is suggested.
Pride 2018 events, June 18- 24
June 19: Panel Discussion A notable panel of influential Chicago LGBTQ+ activists will gather at The City Club of Chicago at 11: 30 a. m. for a discussion called “Taking Pride in Our Story: Chicago and Its LGBTQ Community.” Tickets cost $ 35 for members and $ 50 for non- members. June 20: Awards Ceremony Windy City Media Group hosts the “30 Under 30 Awards” from 6 to 7: 30 p. m. at Polo Café and Catering. The ceremony honors 30 LGBTQ+ individuals and allies who have sparked positive change in Chicagoland.
June 21: Queer Summer Solstice with Alok Vaid- Menon
This summer solstice party, hosted by gender non- conforming writer, educator and performance artist Alok Vaid- Menon, will feature fellowqueer artists of color at the BerlinNightclub for a fun- filled night. The event lasts from 10 p. m. to 4 a. m and costs $ 10 to attend.
June 21- 24 30Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes
The Neo- Futurists theatre group has four performances of this show. The one on June 21st is a benefit for Brave Space Alliance, an LGBTQ center on the city’s South Side. June 22- 23: Pride Comedy Party The Playground Theater onNorth Halsted Street will host Chicago’s premier LGBTQ+ comedy collective for two evenings of improv and drinks at 10: 30 p. m. Tickets cost $ 15. June 23: Pier Pride Navy Pier’s third annual event kicks off at noon that Saturday, and features fun activities and performances. The family- friendly Pride event is the largest in Chicago outside of the Lake View neighborhood. June 23- 29: Tap Dance Show The Chicago Tap Theatre, the Athenaeum Theatre and artistic director Mark Yonally present “Tapped for the Very First Time” on June 23 and 29 at 7 p. m. This program features dance inspired by divas, a performance by the Chicago GayMen’s Chorus and is hosted by Mattrick Swayze. June 24: Pride Parade The parade is the headlining event of Chicago Pride Month. The city’s 49th annual Pride Parade begins at noon and will feature Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz, the first openly gay active professional boxer, as the parade’s grand marshal. Each year around 1 million people attend this celebration in Boystown. June 24th: PrideNorth In the Glenwood Arts District on the city’s North Side, Pride North is a neighborhood Pride party with food, drink and a big focus on dancing.