Happy Pride! 15 Ways to Celebrate in Seattle
Deck yourself in rainbows or just come as you are
By Lexi Bolton June 25, 2014
Seattle Pride has been celebrating its LGBTQA community and supporters for 40 years, and the convivial weekend festivities filled with drag queens, rainbows and glitter galore begin in just days. Kick Sunday’s celebrations off right with a celeb-fueled Pride Brunch at Tom Douglas’ Palace Ballroom featuring the Pride Parade’s celebrity grand marshal George Takei (6/29, 8:30 a.m., Palace Ballroom, 2100 5th Ave., $57.50). Then hit the streets for the Pride Parade—this year’s theme is “Generations of Pride.” The mile-long march starts downtown at Fourth Avenue and Union Street at 11 a.m., and winds its way to PrideFest at the Seattle Center, offering myriad vendors and musical performances (12-8 p.m., 305 Harrison St, 877.774.3382, seattlepride.org). If standing amid the parade revelers isn’t your thing, but you’d still like a great view of the hoopla, head to the 4th & Bell Beer Garden, which opens at 9:30 a.m. For even more pride-filled fun, we’ve gathered a slew of dance parties, drag performances and beyond to round out your 2014 Seattle Pride itinerary. Explore your options around the city in uberX’s Pride cars feel good knowing that 50 percent of fares are going back to Lifelong, an organization empowering people with or at risk of HIV/AIDS to live healthier lives and partnering with Uber this month as part of the newly launched Uber Impact program. New Uber users get $10 off using promo code ‘lifelong14’.
CAPITOL HILL
T-Shack, San Francisco’s infamous drag party, is coming to Seattle. Put aside the rivalry for a night as queens from both cities lead drag performances at The Unicorn/Narwhal. Friday, 6/27, 10 p.m., 1118 E Pike St., 206.325.6492, $5 cover, 21+ only
Linda Derschang’s cool lounge Bait Shop boasts an extended happy hour on its outdoor patio, because why limit the possibilities that cheap pitchers of beer (only $5 for Olympic), Jello shots and festive (body-part shaped, perhaps) straws promise? Saturday, 6/28, 11a.m.-6p.m., 606 Broadway E, 206.420.8742, baitshopseattle.com
Lesbian-owned craft cocktail bar, Tommy Gun, will host Tryst, an evening for those with more discerning drink tastes. Expect summery cocktails with Damrak gin, fresh fruit and whatever else its talented bartenders can dream up. No cover. Saturday, 6/28, 8 p.m., 1703 E Olive Way, 206.323.4866, tommygunseattle.com
Free dance parties and drag performances every night at Lobby Bar, with a BlackLight Dance Party on Saturday, June 28 at 9 p.m. including giveaways, a photo booth and drink specials. Dates and times vary, 916 E Pike St, 206.328.6703, thelobbyseattle.com
DOWNTOWN
The WNBA recently launched its Pride initiative, which celebrates “inclusion and equality, while combating anti-LGBT bias.” On Friday, June 27, the Storm host reigning league champs, the Minnesota Lynx, in a Pride-themed face-off at Key Arena. The first 3,000 fans will receive Storm Rainbow beads and guest DJ Ricki Leigh will be spinning. 7 p.m., Prices vary, wnba.com
SOUTH LAKE UNION
Catch the Revealing Queer exhibit at MOHAI before it’s gone. Family Pride Day on Saturday, June 28 is a full day of activities, including performances by Seattle Pride Idol winners, create-your-own Pride swag for the parade and bingo.10 a.m.-5 p.m., 860 Terry Ave N, 206.324.1126, www.mohai.org
The Pride Cruise Daytime Boat Party aboard The Islander Yacht frees land lubbers for an afternoon boat party, one of the weekend series of events hosted by Nark Magazine. “Gender Blender” at Neighbours welcomes VIP host New York of VH1’s “I Love New York” to start things off on Thursday night with the Sketch Disco closing party on Saturday night at basement venue Kremwerk. Buy a weekend pass for all three Nark features and the cruise, or be more selective. Saturday, 6/28, 2-6 p.m., Prices vary, 1611 Fairview Ave E, narkmagazine.com
WEDGEWOOD
Temple Beth Am is proud to hold a citywide, inclusive Pride Shabbat service with special guest speakers for the occasion. Follow it up with the free and, of course, kosher Shabbat dinner. Friday, 6/27, 6:15 p.m., 2632 NE 80th St, 206.525.0915, templebetham.org
BELLTOWN
A chance for the under 21 crowd to bust a move, the Youth Pride Dance at the Belltown Community Center has a crazy hat theme and a make-up table to keep things interesting. Friday, 6/27, 8-11 p.m., 415 Bell Street, Free
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