Celebrate Pride on Saturday at Montgomery's Kru
Though much of Montgomery Pride United's activities were moved to the end of October to avoid melting in Alabama's summer heat, the city was in need of cool happenings for Pride Month.
That's where Proud South: A Pride Celebration steps in for the LGBTQ community and its supporters with a night of adult fun at KRU on Mt Meigs, 2118 Mt., Meigs Road.
"This is really a celebration of love," said Jake Pugh. He's the creative director for Gravity, a Montgomery music event and party group. "When it boils right down to it, that's what matters, building community empathy and tolerance."
Gravity is working with Kru, Montgomery Pride United, MAO (Medical Advocacy & Outreach) and other allies to put on Proud South.
"This is really the first big Pride party that we've done," Pugh said.
There are at least 8 DJs scheduled to perform Saturday.
On the main stage will be The Secretary of Sound and Chasing b2b Special Guest, both from Montgomery, and Alexander of Atlanta. This will likely be on Kru's front patio, depending on the weather.
"There's a little more space and breathing room," Pugh said.
They're also scheduled to have five more DJs for a silent disco: DJ Oz, Emmerse, and Entropy Ray, all of Montgomery, Adina Renee of Atlanta, and Full Heart of Nashville. Again, depending on the weather, this will be at Kru's restored back courtyard area, which has been closed but is scheduled to reopen Saturday.
"We've been cleaning it up and getting it prepared," Pugh said.
So what is silent disco?
Basically, multiple DJs will be performing at once on their own turntables, but without speakers. Their individual music is all going to be sent to wireless headphones. People can adjust the headphones to switch to different DJs.
"It's an interesting way to create a dancefloor atmosphere, where you may have people dancing together to different music," Pugh said.
Proud South will also feature live painting, art installations, and a Pride history visual representation.
The drag queen mistress of ceremonies will be Chloe Von Trapp.
"A lot of community friends are coming together," Pugh said.
Tickets are $10 in advance at eventbrite.com/e/proud-south-2022-a-pride-celebration-tickets-358644042987, and $15 at the door.
This is a 21 and up event.
Along with artists and performers, Meta Ellis, director and co-founder of Montgomery Pride United, said Proud South will offer help and information for the community from all the participating groups.
Overall, events like this are about learning to love one another, Ellis said.
"We're just ordinary folks, like anybody else," Ellis said.
Pugh said it's also about creating a home for the LGBTQ community "that has felt relatively left out by the progress of our city and the South in general. We hope that things are changing, and this is a step in that direction."
More Pride-related events
Quality of Life Expo 2022: 2 p.m. Friday at ALOE (Another Level of Excellence), 2596 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery. MAO and community partners. This is a health, wellness and business expo. It is free to attend, and prizes will be given.
Pride Weekend at GTSouth: Friday 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at GTSouth Geek & Gaming Tavern, 2015 Cong W.L..Dickinson Drive, Montgomery. DJs all weekend. For ages 21 and up.
Pride Potluck: Tuesday 10 a.m. at Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park, 1010 Forest Ave. All are welcome to bring food, drinks, plates and decor. Hosted by Delta Samuel
Unity Mixer: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, presented by Grassroots at The Beautiful Boutique, 1 Court Square, Montgomery. Free light drinks and heavy hor dourves. For ages 18+. Business casual dress. RSVP online at caarac.org/unity-mixer.
Hot Boy Hot Girl All White Party: An end of Pride Month celebration on July 1, 8 p.m. at ALOE, 2596 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery. Live performance by TYSoul Limitless. DJ Chloe and DJ Meek on crowd control. Heavy hor dourves and cash bar. Dress code strictly enforced. Tickets are $25 before June 28, and $35 after. Charity event for campaign for Central Alabama Alliance Resource & Advocacy Center (CAARAC). The funds will be used to help further expand their reach to organizations, communities, and individuals that not only work on issues directly related to HIV, but other health disparities that directly impact those in vulnerable populations.
Pride Family Zoo Day: 1-5 p.m. on July 24 at the Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway. This is an event by Montgomery Pride United and Colors River Region. Lunch and drink will be provided. Cost of zoo entry not included. The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission is 4 p.m. For admission prices visit montgomeryzoo.com.
Pride march, rally and festival: For the first time, the Montgomery Pride United parade and rally will be held on Oct. 29 this year, and the Price Festival will be held Oct. 30. The move from June was made to avoid the excessive summer Alabama heat.
"Up to this point, we've been avoiding football season," Ellis said of the march, rally and festival. "But I think we're going to just work around football season and just do our own thing."
For more information, visit montgomeryprideunited.org.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Celebrate Pride on Saturday at Montgomery's Kru
