WEEKEND ROUNDUP: G Philly‘s 2014 Gay Pride Guide
Ladies, gentlemen, non-binary friends, and everything in between: Philly Pride is officially upon us. And what perfect timing — mere weeks after we became the 19th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. (Cue the confetti, rainbows, and music!) This is the time of year when the queer community comes out (pun intended) to celebrate our strength, love, camaraderie, and accomplishments. In short: It’s the thing summer and lifetime memories are made of.
Pride festivities officially kicks off tonight, Friday, June 6th, on 12th Street between Walnut and Spruce streets with a huge block party. On Saturday, things keep rolling along with the Philly Dyke March and William Way’s 2014 Homecoming. And Sunday sees the 26th annual Pride Day, giving Philly its ultimate fix of rainbows and all-around fabulousness.
Pride Day begins with the parade at noon at 13th and Locust, and continues with the festival at Penns Landing. If you’re feeling extra adventurous you can buy a ticket and jump on the Freedom Elite yacht for the Independence Business Alliance’s PrideDay Lunch. The event, which is on a private yacht, promises a two-hour scenic cruise along the Delaware, a delicious lunch menu, and an open mimosa, Bloody Mary, and wine bar. As Iggy Azalea would say: “That’s so fancy!”
But we’re only scratching the surface here: Check out the rest of G Philly’s Pride Guide for Friday-to-Sunday, dusk-till-dawn shenanigans that should satisfy every type of Pride reveler. Crack open the Red Bulls, family. It’s gonna be one hell of a weekend.
FRIDAY
Kick off Philly Pride at the official block party on 12th Street between Walnut and Spruce Streets.
- Check out Ritu Comes Home, a play about two gay men who are surprised when the young Bangladeshi girl they sponsored for 80 cents a day suddenly shows up at their door.
- Martha Graham Cracker’s doing her thing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Hairy chests galore: Bearlesque is back and furry as ever just in time for Pride.
- The Pride Edition of Guerilla Queer Bar kicks off at Public House.
- Venture Inn is serving nostalgic ’90s realness with the launch of its newest monthly event, Sleepover, with all the fun of a classic sleepover without having to hide the alcohol. Best of all, the theme is Clueless (as if.)
- CUTN PASTE will be rocking house music all night long at The Bike Shop.
- Meet and mingle with Philly TNG members at their First Friday Munch at Midtown II Diner.
SATURDAY
Confront HIV/AIDS at the Faith Leaders and Community Summit (pre-registration is required.)
- Bring your feistiest go-get-her attitude to the 2014 Philly Dyke March.
- Join William Way for Homecoming 2014 at the beautiful courtyard of the John C. Anderson Apartments (another thing worth celebrating this Pride weekend.)
- Get pumped at Icandy’s Pre-Pride Warm-Up soiree.
- Stimulus’ all-night Pride Party is the official after-party for the Philly Dyke March & William Way Homecoming 2014. This is your last chance to enjoy Stimulus before it says goodbye for the summer.
- Liberty City Drag and Burlesque and special guests present a special Pride edition of Vixens and Vagabonds Queer and Kinky Cabaret at Tabu.
- Enjoy a 20-percent-off pride discount at Anna Crusis’ Women’s Choir spring concert: Beauty Unmasked.
- The Spruce Foundation 2014 Gala honors four grant recipients in the areas of arts, education, health and wellness, and LGBTQ.
- Crankshaft is a dress-code enforced party at the Bike Shop, hosted by Philadelphians MC. Details on what gear is acceptable is on the event page.
- Deviant Otter hosts “a night of queer underground realness” at Honcho: A Philly Pride After-Party for the scuzzy-sexy set.
SUNDAY
Philly Pride wouldn’t be complete without the Pride Festival and Pride Parade.
- Surprise, CUTN PASTE is hosting a Secret Daytime Party.
- Join the Independence Business Alliance on Freedom Elite private yacht after the Pride Parade and enjoy lunch, an open mimosa, Bloody Mary, and wine bar, and a scenic tour of the Pride festivities at Penn’s Landing.
- There’s another boat party: the Big Gay Boat Party featuring DJ Deejay.
- Back 2 Basics’ Special Pride Edition party will keep your blood pumping and booty bouncing till the wee hours.
- Party the night away at Icandy’s Philly Gay Pride Party.