The Dolly Pops perform as part of End of the Rainbow
Oh my god, today is the day! So shake off that 3 day hangover and get your ass to the big Pride Parade…Make it Happen! And check out the earlier route and Waterfront Festival maps in case you’ve forgotten. Gay Standard Time is probably ok but the route is short so don’t miss it! And once you’re done with downtown it ain’t over yet, as there seem to be more Sunday afternoon and nighttime events than ever!
Families of Color Day Out picnic – Sunday is a perfect day for winding down and slowly easing yourself out of Pride weekend. I’ve often gone to informal friend BBQs but people of color might want to consider the larger group gathering in North Portland’s Kenton Park. SO grab the hot dogs and the ribs and show your out of town guests what a NW picnic in the shadow of the big Paul Bunyan statue really means.
7th annual Pride Block Party – Today’s the day when Stark Street really is gay again as Red Cap/Boxes closes down the triangle to outsiders in favor of colorful tents that contain some of the best daytime dancing and performance I’ve seen. Hosted by San Francisco’s Trannyshack momma Heklina, the block party, open mere moments after the parade at 1pm, features performances by the Rose City Sirens, ChiChi and Chonga, and (can it be?) all the Miss Thing winners of 2010.
Deep Pride: A Happy Ending to your Pride weekend – The gays and lesbians have begun a small takeover of Old Town anyhow, but this party really brings the queer to the straight hookup bars of NW 3rd St. I don’t know about hand jobs but there will definitely be tag teaming of some of the west coast’s best qDJs including double deck duo Robo Pony. Their taglines claims they’ll leave you wondering “What just happened?” but I’m fairly certain instead you’ll be pumping your fists proclaiming, “That just happened!”
Hot Chocolate Pride edition – Yet another highlight of Portland Black Pride, Hot Chocolate is a celebration of gay sisterhood at Darcelle’s. Poison Waters, Maria, Tiara Desmond, Kourtni Capri Duv and Alexis Campbell Starr take the stage their to fulfill all your drag star of color desires (well the onstage ones anyway…).
At the End of the Rainbow… – One last offbeat drag performance will send you off right when Artemis Chase, Ecstasy Inferno, The Tampon Troupe and more providing drag performances and sexy dance talent from the likes of the Dolly Pops, and Burlesquire. Live music will also be on hand with the feminist hip hop SistaFist, trans electro dance outfit CJ & the Dolls and Blondage.
Reese Rideout headlines the Refuge White Party
Refuge PDX’s White Party – If you were wondering where all the circuit boys are it looks like you’ve found your spot. This male-focused party wants you to wear your whitest whites but I’m guessing their going to get real dirty real fast. And the whites are going to come right of the boys of Randy Blue with live all-nude performances and appearances by Reese Rideout, Micah Brandt, Brett Swanson, Lucky Daniels, Nicco Sky and more.
Spit does PDX – BC buddies Spit are gracing Portland with their sex-positive alterna-queer dance party with burlesque sexpot Evelyn Ivory and hosts Mike & Quinn. Not that we’ve needed an excuse all weekend, but in case your lips aren’t tired yet there will also be a make out booth and slutty attire encouraged. This folks are friends of Blow Pony so you get the idea.
The Abbey New Wave Punk party – You’ll be inundated with top 40 all weekend long so it’ll be a welcome respite to get together with the queers who dig The Cure and Joy Division. And yep, another damn good freebie.
And, of course, the beach party continues at CCs.
