WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12
Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin and Q&A with Walter Naegle
Released this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, DC, Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer's remarkable documentary of the late Bayard Rustin's life sheds light on his unique role as a tireless nonviolent organizer and an openly gay man. With Rustin's partner, Walter Naegle, participating in a Q&A after the screening, this may well be your best opportunity to access a fresh perspective on the unsung hero who organized one of the biggest protests in America's history.
PSU's Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway, 7 pm, $5
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THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Homo Ha!
There are two reasons that headlining stand-up ANT can be considered Pride Comedy Showcase's biggest name in its four-year history. Firstly, IT'S LEGALLY SPELLED ALL IN CAPITALS FOR SOME REASON. Also, he appears on things like the Tyra Banks Show and The Tonight Show making funny happen. Regardless of her conventional and undercapitalized name, the ever-present Belinda Carroll is worth the entry fee alone, and the whole thing is hosted by local funnyman Manuel Hall who is indeed a very funny man.
Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE MLK, 7 & 9:30 pm, $18-25, 21+
Avenue Q
If you've already witnessed Avenue Q's wonderfully perverted take on Sesame Street, you'll probably want to go see it again. If you haven't, you probably should. For a start there's a puppet called Mrs. Thistletwat. It's also had rave reviews all over the world. Pass-the-hat proceeds go to Pride Northwest.
The Sanctuary at Sandy Plaza, 1785 NE Sandy, Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, through June 29, $15-35
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FRIDAY, JUNE 14
BMP/GRND PDX Pride: Velvet Goldmine Edition
The ever-great BMP/GRND presents four handpicked DJs pitting the '70s against the '90s with free admission for anyone who dresses up in the style of either decade. This raises the question of how to dress noticeably '90s when you live in Portland already. (Remember S Club 7? No? Me neither.) Either way, there's a screening of Todd Haynes' cult classic Velvet Goldmine in which Jonathan Rhys Meyers does a very good pseudo-Bowie impression. So, advantage '70s.
The Foggy Notion, 3416 N Lombard, 9 pm, $5 (FREE from 9-10 pm or with '70s/'90s attire)
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SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Hot Flash: The Big Gay Pride Party
Hot Flash brings its famous lesbian dance party to the bouncy floor of the Crystal Ballroom with the usual array of DJs, dancers, and drag kings plus a special performance from The Voice finalist Vicci Martinez.
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 6-10 pm, $12.50-15, 21+
Gaylabration
The biggest official Pride party of the weekend, Gaylabration returns for a third year with JustCircuit Award-winning DJ Grind. VIP tickets allow you to jump the line and view the whole thing from a balcony with a hosted bar. Otherwise, you'll just have to dance and drink without the aid of a balcony.
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 10 pm, $15-25, $50 VIP, 21+
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SUNDAY JUNE 16
Pride Waterfront Festival
The centerpiece of Pride, this year's Waterfront Festival brings together the following four prominent acts to play through both afternoons of the weekend.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, SW Naito, noon-6 pm, $7 donation
Andy Bell of Erasure
In many ways, Erasure defined 1980s synth-pop, selling 25 million records in the process. Andy Bell, who still sounds quite a lot like Alison Moyet, has also put out two well-received solo records in the last few years. But most importantly, he's still playing songs like "A Little Respect" which necessitates magnificently awkward dancing and out-of-tune falsetto sing-along attempts from anyone within a one-mile radius.
The Cliks
That trans frontman Lucas Silveira chose a portmanteau of "clits" and "dicks" for his band's name is revealing in more ways than the obvious. The Cliks make slick, sexy tunes with a swagger that is squarely aimed at the genitals in one way or another. That's right. Genital-Oriented Rock. From Canada.
God-Des and She
Imagine a world in which Johnny Depp is really a lady and vaginas dance in parking lots. Austin-based lesbian hiphop duo God-Des and She have already imagined this world. They've also imagined that "Tom Cruise is a big gay creepy liar." Such wild imaginations.
Aiden James
Aiden James is one of the few living musicians tame enough to make James Blunt look edgy and dangerous, which may or may not be necessary if you're trying to kill a hangover. He's definitely not Genital-Oriented Rock. That much is clear.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 16
43rd Annual Portland Pride Parade
Grand Marshals His Most Imperial Majesty Rose Emperor XXXIX Gina Valdez Kennaday Smith and Her Most Imperial Majesty Rose Empress LIV the Sassy Cassie Nova, of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court lead this year's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" themed parade. Needless to say, missing it would be silly.
Steps off from W Burnside and NW Park, 11 am, see parade route this page
Gula Delgatto's External Delusional Lounge
(See "Our Top 10 Pride Picks!" pg. 27) Eagle Portland, 835 N Lombard, 4 pm, $10, 21+
Apocalysp!'s All-Ages Pride Celebration
An all-ages night of queer hardcore, punk, and metal with local acts such as Labryse, Fucking Lesbian Bitches, Cockeye, and Thank You Holy Spirit. Legendary Olympia queercore duo and Kill Rock Stars alum the Need top the bill.
Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th, 8 pm, $7-8, all ages
