Out Boulder County: Pride a time for LGBTQIA+ community to relax and celebrate among allies

Jun. 8—Though the soggy month of June is well underway, the Pride festivities in Boulder don't shift into full gear until this weekend. On Sunday, Boulder Pride Festival will return to Central Park, 1212 Canyon Blvd., in a big way.

The event will kick off with a Boulder Visibility March through downtown, and wrap up in Central Park, where all LGBTQ+ identities and allies are invited to dance the day away — rain or shine. Marchers can gather at the Bandshell in festive gear with banners and pride at 11 a.m. Sunday. Then from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. is Boulder's Pride Festival, organized by Out Boulder County (OBC). This is the largest festival of LGBTQ+ visibility in the city.

"During these time of intense attacks against the community that are happening nationwide, we want to be sure that the community still has some time to rest, to gather, to be in community, and to be able to celebrate themselves and their existence," said Juan Moreno, director of corporate sponsorships and special events at OBC. "As we spend so much of our time fighting for our rights, we want to make sure that everyone is able to have some time to relax."

Moreno also notes that OBC will be selling rainbow umbrellas, should it — quite literally — rain on the parade Sunday.

Attendees can look forward to treats from a smorgasbord of local food trucks, tables of vendors, giveaways and more. There will be performances by drag queens Lee Lee James, Jessica L'Whor, Hunnie Bun and the Colorado chapter of House of LaBeija. Lion dancers from Boulder's Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu, Nahucalli Mexican Folkloric Dance Troupe and Cheer Colorado will put on a show. Live music will come from

Denver indie alt-rock band Immigrants Child, Boulder's high-energy Quemando Salsa and Fort Collins' funk crew Hand Turkey, among others.

DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder, will host the official Pride Festival pre-party on Saturday with a double-header: "Sounds Gay, I'm In!" Drag Brunch is at 10 a.m., followed by a Poolside Pride Pre-Party at 8 p.m.

"It's a blessing and it's an honor to host the party," said Adam Kroll, operating partner at DV8. "We've been doing this a couple of years with Out [Boulder County] and it feels really good to give back to our community."

DV8 opened in 2016 and remains the only designated "queer" bar in all of Boulder. This doesn't quite fill the gap for the queer community, but it at least makes it smaller.

"Being the only [queer bar] — it is sad for the community, and I don't think it's such a great thing that we're the only one. But what is great is that I've seen different folks coming in here feeling open and supported. The transformations that I've seen in friends who have become family, it's amazing. I'm blown away," Kroll said of DV8's role in the community.

Longmont will host its Pride from 4-8 p.m. June 30 and it will be held for the first time at Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave. There will be vendors, prizes, giveaways and family-friendly activities. Before the festival, the Longmont Visibility March will kick off at 3:30 p.m. in front of the main stage at Roosevelt Park. Performances and music for Longmont Pride have not yet been announced. Visit outboulder.org for updates.

Longmont Pride will be a sober and tobacco-free experience.

Pride along the Front Range

In addition to the fabulous aforementioned festivities, OBC and DV8 have a full schedule of events celebrating and supporting the Boulder queer community this month.

Rainbow Singles Social: Enjoy music, games, mocktails/cocktails and icebreakers every Thursday in June with this social group; 7 p.m. Thursdays, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; dv8.fun/events.

Queer happy hour at Avery Brewing: Celebrate Pride with Avery Brewing every Friday in June at Queer happy hour. Members of the LGBTQ+ community, their allies and their dogs can head to the beer garden for $1 off all draft beer. On Friday, June 16 and June 23 at 4:30, drag bingo will be hosted by Jessica L'Whor; 3 p.m. Fridays, Avery Brewing Company, 4910 Nautilus Court N, Boulder; averybrewing.com.

Drag Lab: Come watch Colorado's best up-and-coming drag performers battle it out for a chance to win the crown; 8 p.m. Sundays, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; free; dv8.fun/events.

Bolder Young Professionals lunch and learn: As part of Pride Month, come celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. Hear from the team at Out Boulder County about the work they are doing in the community, learn how to be a better ally and help make signs for the Boulder Pride Festival. Lunch will be provided, and all are welcome. Rainbow and bright attire encouraged; noon Friday, Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; $15; bit.ly/43qaiOh.

Busting with Pride: Join Blue Dime Cabaret in a celebration of Pride with a wild, wacky and wonderful variety show, including burlesque, drag, song, acrobatics — both in the air and on the ground — and much more; 7 p.m. Friday, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; $15; dv8.fun/events.

'Sounds gay; I'm in!' drag brunch: With delicious eats and a lineup of amazing drag performers, this brunch is the perfect blend of tasty and tantalizing. The menu includes breakfast burritos with veggie options, fruit and DV8 cocktail/mocktails. The drag show will be hosted by Mo Whoremoans and feature performances by Serious Leigh, Abstract Daddi, Mona Mystic, Alexandria Galileo and Void Phlux; 11 a.m. Saturday, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; $20; dv8.fun/events.

Poolside Pride: Don't miss out on this pre-Pride celebration. Grab a swimsuit, gather friends and enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, live DJs, gogo dancers, aerialists, water activities and a wet T-shirt contest; 8 p.m. Saturday, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; $15; dv8.fun/events.

Boulder Pride: Out Boulder County's Pride festival will be jam-packed with activities, community partners sharing information and Pride merchandise. Bring the whole family to experience a diverse array of performers, giveaways all over the park and multiple activities for all. Food vendors include Nothing Bundt Cakes, Abo's Pizza, McDevitt Tacos and more; 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Boulder Central Park, 1212 Canyon Blvd., Boulder; outboulder.org.

Pride on the Plaza: Join Out Boulder, Arts & Cultural Resources and Lafayette Public Library for a Pride Fair on Festival Plaza with live entertainment, booths, artists and more. Musical performers include Laurie Dameron, Jeremy Dion, Cellists for Change and Cordle & Rice; noon Thursday, Festival Plaza, 311 S. Public Road, Lafayette; free; lafayetteco.gov.

Drag Me To The Beach: Come party with Queen Cardiac Arrest who hosts this beach-themed drag back-to-summer party. There will be dancing after the drag show; 8 p.m. Friday, June 16, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; $15; dv8.fun/events.

Free testing clinic: Out Boulder County is offering free, confidential HIV and hepatitis testing in partnership with Boulder County AIDS Project. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. June 16; Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; outboulder.org.

A Prideful Cabaret: Join Venus Victrola for a prideful cabaret. This is a sit-down style drag show celebrating local drag artists, featuring music by MC Markie Arendelle and performances from local queer and trans entertainers; 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St., Boulder; $10; tridentcafe.com.

Drag queen story time: Welcome beloved local family entertainer Shirley Delta Blow for a special summer story time. Drag queen story time captures the imagination and gender fluidity of childhood play and shows children that people come in all shapes, sizes and forms; 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette; free; lafayetteco.gov.

Dance Til' You Glow: Get ready to shine at this Pride glow party. Enjoy an unforgettable night of vibrant celebration, body painting, aerial performances and DJs spinning beats; 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; $15; dv8.fun/events.

QTPOC Pride: Enjoy this free mixer for queer and trans people of color. Bites will be provided by Rae's and Kay's Catering, music by Ciudad Reina, and dance performances by Mi Chantli; noon-4 p.m. June 18; Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; outboulder.org.

The Boulder The Better: Watch a one-night-only competition for drag artists to show off their shine and sparkle. Hosted by Kat Danger, the theme of the night is zodiac. The audience will get the final say in the winner; 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; dv8.fun/events.

Queer Contenders: (LGBTQ+ Video Game Tournament) 10 competitors will go head-to-head playing Nintendo's "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," with a chance to win a $750 cash prize; 6-10 p.m. June 21; Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; outboulder.org.

50+ Mixer: Join OBC and Rainbow Elders for an annual mixer for LGBTQ+ folks and allies 50 years of age and older. Younger partners are also welcome to join; 4-7 p.m. June 22; Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; outboulder.org.

Superior Pride celebration: Head to Angry Horse Eatery for an evening filled with networking, camaraderie and a sense of belonging. There will be complimentary drinks and appetizers, prizes and a special performance by drag queen Zarina Sherrie; 5 p.m. Thursday, June 22, The Eatery at Blue Sports Stable, 1 Superior Drive, Superior; free; superiorchamber.chambermaster.com.

Queer Circus: This cabaret-style show features local LGBTQIA+ comedians, dancers, poets, musicians, entertainers and performing artists; for ages 18 and up; 8 p.m. Friday, June 23, The Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Ave., Suite A, Boulder; $15-$20; junkyardsocialclub.org.

Hard Grooving: Head to DV8 Distillery for Hard Grooving, showcasing Colorado's best underground music. Bring friends for an epic night of house and techno music with DJs Grant Sabadash, TOPH, LySoul and Lemonade and EIGHTYTWO; 8 p.m. Saturday, June 24, DV8 Distillery, 2480 49th St., E, Boulder; $15; dv8.fun/events.

Denver Pride 5K: The Denver Pride 5K goes from the state capitol to Cheesman Park and back. All money raised by individual fundraisers goes directly to The Center on Colfax, a Denver nonprofit that supports programs and services for Colorado's LGBTQ+ community, including the youth center, health services and social support groups; 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 24, Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; denverpride.org.

Denver PrideFest: The festival includes over 250 exhibitors, 30 food and beverage vendors and live performances all weekend long. The party starts on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. with colorful floats, marchers, music and much more at the annual Coors Light PrideFest Parade. More than 100,000 cheering guests will line 14 blocks of Colfax Avenue from Cheesman Park to Civic Center, where the celebrations continue at day two of Denver PrideFest; 9:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25, Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; denverpride.org.

National Day of Action — One Year Without Roe: YWCA Boulder County and the Women's Collaborative of Boulder County will hold a rally to bring the community together one year after the historical decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, undermining reproductive and health care rights for women; 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24, Central Park Bandshell, 1212 Canyon Blvd., Boulder; ywcaboulder.org.

Name and Gender Change Clinic: This workshop will offer information on how to legally change name and gender markers, led by an attorney who can answer questions and help guide attendees through the process; 3-4:30 p.m. June 24; this event is virtual; outboulder.org.

Glamorous Goats: This event is for teens and tweens and will offer a glamorous night of crafts and fun hosted by OBC, Boulder Public Library and Medicine Horse. There's a with a very high chance some furry friends (goats) will make an appearance; 5-7 p.m. June 26; Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; outboulder.org.

Rainbow Pride fondant workshop: Learn how to work with fondant, and leave with a cake topper from award-winning sugar artist Heather K. Sherman. All supplies, tools and instruction will be provided; 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder; $95; art2eatcakes.com.

Dine Back, Do Good Day: Dine at Postino and mention Out Boulder County and 20 percent of the meal's price will be donated to Out Boulder County; Thursday, June 29, Postino, 1468 Pearl St., Suite 110, Boulder; postinowinecafe.com.

Longmont visibility march: Start off Longmont Pride with joy and visibility at Out Boulder County's visibility march. All LGBTQ+ identities and allies are welcome to march and show pride for the community. Festive, colorful dress is encouraged; 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 30, Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont; outboulder.org.

For details, visit outboulder.org and dv8.fun.