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13 Fantastic Ways to Celebrate Pride

BPT_Social_Graphic_June_2015-01June is LGBT Pride Month. A time to reflect on past (and current) struggles, celebrate positive changes and paint the town rainbow.

In honor of Pride Month, here are 13 LGBT festivals, parades, parties and fundraisers in big cities and small towns around the U.S. Do whatever makes you feel most proud.

Drag + Cabaret
1. The Story of Gay Pride in Drag, Seattle. Sylvia hopes to start a new tradition with gay “herstory” pageants. She pays homage to pride’s progression through drag and explores how drag queens and fringe performers have helped move LGBT rights forward.

2. German Beer Sparkle Party & Cabaret Show, Philadelphia. This cabaret show caught our eyes because it converges two things we like—Philly Beer Week and Pride Month. Sip German stouts and watch a dazzling drag performance by Martha Graham Cracker and her cabaret band.

LGBT Chorus
3. A Little Rainbow in the River City, Austin. Did you know Austin and San Antonio share the nickname, River City? Austin’s Capital City Men’s Chorus joins the Live Oak Singers, a San Antonio-based LGBT chorus for inspirational music selected from the great American Songbook.

4. The Stonewall Chorale Goes to the Movies, New York City. Strut the red carpet in your finest. Sing along to classic movie tunes, like “Over the Rainbow,” and “Moon River” with the nation’s first LGBT chorus. This event doubles as a fundraiser so you’ll get to bid on must-have items in the lobby.

5. Artemis Singers Present … Proud to be Me, Chicago. Celebrate pride with a song. Artemis Singers, Chicago’s Lesbian Feminist Chorus comprises, “women with diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to performing music written or arranged by women.” Artemis Singers is still singing it loud and proud after 35 years—that’s incredible.

Sports
6. Gem City Rollergirl’s Pride Bout, Dayton, Ohio. Frothy beer, free parking and loads of jamming fun for all.

Fundraisers
7. Dentistry Pride Alliance Fundraiser, Chicago. Finally, a dentist you’ll want to see. The Dentistry Pride Alliance fundraiser mixes socializing, cocktails and performances by dental students. Raises money for the College of Dentistry Pride Alliance’s efforts to improve LGBTQ oral health in Chicago.

Parties and Festivals
8. Elko Pride Festival, Nevada. Whether you’re tying the knot or just want to celebrate love, this festival sounds like the place to do it. Local bands, guided tours of waterfalls and local wedding planners will renew vows or assist couples ready to take the plunge. Be a part of history as the first Pride Festival Parade marches in downtown Elko.

9. Lush Party, Boston. Count it up: three DJs, four bars, two dance floors, go-go-dancers and a darn good time for everyone. Avoid the lines by getting your tickets in advance.

10. My True Colors Arts & Film Festival, New York City. Thirty-five plays, theater performances, narratives and documentaries tell the stories of LGBT lives and experiences. The festival takes place at Harlem’s Faison Firehouse Theater.

11. Annual Pride Yacht Party, Minnesota. 
All aboard for dinner, cocktails and dance parties as the Majestic Star cruises the Saint Croix River. Complimentary photography and an open deck for “wind-in-your-hair selfies” make it easy to humble brag that you’re on a boat.

12. Rainbow Bowling, Colorado. If rainbow is how you roll, get together with friends and bowl. Two hours, two shoes and proceeds support pride events. What could be better?

Comedy
13. Trans Women of Color Comedy Storytelling, Oakland. Nothing brings people together quite like a good chuckle. Come out to see comedy storytelling by trans women of color. Presented by the Peacock Rebellion & Qcc, who sold-out their runs last year.

Didn’t find the event for you? Discover all LGBT pride events.

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The Pronto Podcast — Brown Paper Tickets’ Event Guide for Seattle

BPT_buttonWelcome to The Pronto! Brown Paper Ticket’s event guide for Seattle.

Tune in every Tuesday to check out a few of our favorite events in the Emerald City! You can check back to the blog every Tuesday at 10am or hit “subscribe” on the player and get each week’s Pronto delivered right to your computer.

Have a friend that’s visiting Seattle this week? Why not share this podcast with them and give them ideas of something to do? 

This week’s podcast features local comedy, a masquerade party, a drag brunch and tons of great film screenings.

Want to know the nitty gritty legal aspect when working with art dealers and galleries? Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 29, at Safeco Plaza is the place to be for Gallery Law. Sponsored by Washington Lawyers for the Arts.

Thursday, January 30, head over to the Jewelbox Theater in Belltown for Now with Dames Presents: 66% New Dames. This local sketch comedy troupe keep it fun with plenty of feminine influence.

Head down to Georgetown on Thursday, January 30, for Snowball 2014 at Seattle Design Center. This sixth annual silent auction and dinner benefits the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Splinter Dance Company is a group of dancers who are coming together for An Art of Justice Performance at Seattle University.  This one is all about community awareness of critical social issues. Thursday, January 30.

Friday, January 31, head over to the Lake City Community Center for Chinese New Year Celebration and Lion Dance. Martial arts, tai chi, acupuncture and the lion dance. Not your average Friday night.

Masquerade Waltz 2014 happens at the Century Ballroom on Friday, January 31. It’s a passionate night of waltz, swing, foxtrot and tango. Details on the site.

When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me happens at the Broadway Performance Hall on Capitol Hill on Friday, January 31, and Saturday, February 1. Check out the tunes of Diverse Harmony, the nation’s first gay and straight alliance youth chorus.

On Sunday, February 2, and pretty much every other Sunday, head over to Julia’s on Capitol Hill for the Queen of the Brunch Drag Show. Eat an omelette and watch the show.
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Arts >

West Hollywood: Peter Mac Brings Garland Back For the Holidays!

Good news West Hollywood! Judy is back, just for the holidays.

Female impersonator Peter Mac is bringing his spot-on impersonation of everyone’s favorite diva to the stage for four nights this week in “The Judy Garland Christmas Special Live.” This show opens tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 14 and is an homage to one of the greatest performers of our time.

In her brief 47 years, Judy Garland accomplished a lot. She was a celebrated singer, both on record and live, and was renowned for her contralto voice. She was an international celebrity for her roles in musical and dramatic performances on film and on stage, most notably as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She received multiple Grammy Awards, a Special Tony Award, was nominated for the Academy award for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress and was the youngest recipient, at 39, to recieve the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in the motion picture industry.
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