Pride is more than a street parade. This year’s Durango Pride Festival is packed to the glittered gills with extravagant events. Here’s the lowdown to party town. All the dollars you toss to entry fees go to support local LGBTQI causes in the Four Corners.
Movie night at the Durango Arts Center7 p.m., Wednesday, June 21Director and playwright Del Shores finally released a sequel to his cult classic “Sordid Lives.” For $10 (plus fees) you can see “A Very Sordid Wedding,” at the Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. Revisit – or meet for the first time – the queer and conservative folks that live in Winters, Texas. Doors at 6 p.m.
Cocktails at The Secret Garden5-7 p.m., Thursday, June 22There’s a Secret Garden in downtown Durango, and it’s lushly located behind the Rochester Hotel, 726 East Second Ave. Big Mama Donna will usher in Pride with classic rock and blues tunes underneath the sparkling lights and greenery of Rochester’s hidden courtyard. PLATE will cater the cocktail reception that only costs $10. Ages 21 and up.
Comedy showcase at the Underground7 p.m. (doors), Thursday, June 22Gay Therapy Comedy Night is a tongue-in-cheekly-named showcase of local comedians taking over the Underground, the basement bar of the Irish Embassy Pub, 900 Main Ave. Comics include Stephen Harman, Juliette Ambler, Allie Wolfe, and Matt Adkinson. Dan Korman hosts the night and Fontoya Vendetta will be the featured drag performance. $10 and 21 and over.
Art opening at the Durango Arts Center5-7 p.m. Friday, June 23Pride is fulla gloriously creative folks who make going to a parade seem like an art show, but there’s more to eyeball than the march on Main Ave. The Durango Art Center, 802 East Second Ave., will host the work of queer artists in the Entrada Gallery from June 21-29. Free, all ages event.
Black Light Glow Show and dance party8:30 p.m. (show start), Friday, June 23Imaginario Circus, a collection of the Four Corners’ most magnificent cirque performers, will put on a Black Light Glow Show at the Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive, on Friday, June 23. From 8:30 to 10:30, bask in a superb selection of variety acts bound to astound. For $20 you get the performance and the all-night dance party afterward.
Can’t make it to the blissed-out, enchanting circus, but want to hit up the dance party? Totally doable. The black light boogie starts at 10:30 p.m. and will cost a five-spot.
Pride Parade down Main!Noon, Saturday, June 24Marching down Main Ave. in the Pride Procession is open to anyone who wants to celebrate the history, present, and future of LGBTQI people. If you just wanna watch the gorgeousness, that’s cool, too. Queuing will begin at 11:30 a.m. by Grassburger, 726 ½ Main Ave. The parade itself will begin at noon and end at Buckley Park, 1200 Main Ave. Free participation to walk and watch. All ages.
Pride in the Park Family Festival 12:30-6 p.m. Saturday, June 24At the end of the parade, stop in Buckley Park, 1200 Main Ave., for music, food, and jubilant groovin’. This free fest is family-friendly and a lovely way to connect with LGBTQI folks from the Four Corners region.
Kennedy Davenport at the ACT 8:30 p.m., Saturday, June 24Kennedy Davenport, former contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7, will host her Drag Extravaganza at the Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive, on Saturday. Fabulousity and fierce fashion strut the ACT till 10 p.m. It’s a 21-and-over show for $25. Entry fee includes dance party after.
After-drag dance party at the ACT
10:30 p.m., Saturday, June 24After Kennedy Davenport sashays away from slaying the stage, the Animas City Theatre will turn into a dance pit of thumping tunes and pulsing bodies. Five bucks to get in, if you’re not already at the show.
Durango Pride River Parade1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 25Sunday will cap Durango’s Pride Week by celebrating on the water with an Animas River Pride Parade Float. The river experience is free if you have your own raft or float and begins at the 32nd Street North Drop.
Don’t have a float? Not an issue. Mild to Wild will lead a river parade excursion that’ll cost $20. Meet up at 1 p.m. at Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours, 50 Animas View Dr. Advanced reservations are encouraged at 970-247-4789.
AND! AND! AND! This is not a complete listing of events. For more details about other events, like nightly dinners and a Sunday bingo brunch, visit http://4calliancefordiversity.org.
Patty TempletonDGO Staff Writer
