Pride guide: Here's how Corpus Christi is celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride Month this year
Celebrating its sixth year, PRIDE Corpus Christi is returning with 16 events for the city to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
The events, scheduled to start Friday, are designed to be indoors and outdoors to promote a fun and safe environment.
Jonathan Swindle, president of the Corpus Christi PRIDE board, said the festivities are mostly family-friendly and an opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to assemble and recognize the "many decade-long fight for equality."
"Our events are organized in a way that encourages engagement with affirming business in a fun environment," Swindle said. "By coming together as one, we signify our importance both economically and our capacity to create a welcoming place for those questioning their orientation or gender."
Swindle said the board decided in 2020 to move the PRIDE Parade and Block Party events to October after the severe heat attendees experienced in 2019. The Block Party will be at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Saturday, Oct. 8, and a Family Fun day at St. Paul United United Church of Christ Saturday, Oct. 22.
For more information on the events below, visit pridecorpuschristi.com.
Painting with a Twist
The art shop in Moore Plaza will hold four Pride-specific painting opportunities.
Attendees can choose to create a pride pallet, pride palms, a rainbow moon or a bohemian rainbow.
The event costs from $39 to $48 and is open to people 13 and older. It is a BYOB business, so adults 21 and older are able to drink.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit paintingwithatwist.com.
WHERE: 5425 S. Padre Island Drive
WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday; 7-9 p.m. Monday, June 13; 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 23; 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 28.
PRIDE Gallery
On Friday, during the Downtown Management District’s Artwalk, a curated art gallery by Jose "Joey" Gonzalez IV will be unveiled.
The free event will be exhibited in downtown Corpus Christi at Produce. It will showcase LGBTQIA+ artists and their works in a variety of mediums.
WHERE: 419 Peoples St.
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
Artwalk PRIDE Market
Also on Friday, LGBTQIA+ vendors will take over part of Peoples Street with a market featuring handcrafted goods.
The Downtown Management District‘s event will feature food trucks and other local vendors.
WHERE: Peoples Street in downtown Corpus Christi
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
YNOT Prom
The Coastal Bend Pride Center will host its YNOT Youth Prom Saturday.
The prom is organized as a safe environment for all LGBTQIA+ teens 13 through 18. It will be hosted at the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation’s community room and end at 11 p.m.
The theme is Night in the Enchanted Woods and tickets are available at cbpridecenter.org for $10. Tickets will be $15 at the door.
WHERE: 2882 Holly Road
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
Rainbow Doors and Rededication Quilt Ceremony
St. Paul United Church of Christ will host a Sunday service featuring a rededication of "The Everybody Church" quilt created by local couple Brent Sheive and Jason Tucker in 2008.
A ceremony of a new Rainbow Doors display in front of the church will be held shortly after the service. A potluck will also be open to attendees to participate.
WHERE: 5525 Lipes Blvd.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Sunday
PRIDE Week Kickoff
The Hidden Door, Corpus Christi's oldest LGBTQIA+ bar, will kick off PRIDE Week celebrations Sunday.
Starting at 2 p.m., the day will start with a Tea Dance, a 19th-century tradition when high society members would gather around a fancy parlor to eat snacks, drink tea and mingle with other citizens. The event became popular in LGBTQIA+ culture in the ’50s and ’60s.
There will be a Best Pride Costume contest, food available for purchase, an underwear fashion show, a swimwear fashion show, a Mr. and Ms. Hidden Door Pride contests and a drag show.
The event is for adults 21 years and older.
WHERE: 802 S. Staples St.
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday
Movie Night
Movie Night at Alamo Drafthouse returns with a viewing of “But I’m a Cheerleader” featuring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall and RuPaul at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 6.
Tickets to the cult classic are available for $25 at pridecorpuschristi.com/product/movie-night-ticket-admit-one until they sell out. Price includes a fountain drink and personal popcorn.
WHERE: 7601 S. Staples St.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 6
Poetry Night
The free event will be held at the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation and feature an open mic and readings to celebrate LGBTQIA+ history and community.
Held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, Poetry Night does not have an age restriction but adults 18 or older in attendance are advised.
For additional questions, email Robin Carstensen at switchgrassreview@gmail.com.
WHERE: 2882 Holly Road
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 7
OUT Professionals Mixer
The Coastal Bend Pride Center will host its OUT Professionals Mixer at BUS in downtown Corpus Christi Wednesday, June 8.
The networking event gives local LGBTQIA+ professionals and allies an opportunity to meet and greet around their respective careers.
The mixer is scheduled to end at 7 p.m. with a drag show to follow.
WHERE: 702 N. Chaparral St.
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8
PRIDE Day at Funtrackers
As a celebration first, Funtrackers Family Fun Center will host a PRIDE Day full of family-fun and entertainment at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 9.
Wristbands are available for purchase at pridecorpuschristi.com/product/pride-day-at-funtrackers-single-wristband for $25.
The wristband enables the person wearing unlimited use of a two-hour window for go-karts, bumper boats mini golf and more. The window begins upon arrival.
WHERE: 9605 S. Padre Island Drive
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 9
'The Laramie Project'
Written by Moisés Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theater Project, "The Laramie Project" tells the story of the aftermath of the murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, who was assaulted and killed for being gay.
The Port Aransas Community Theatre will host four showings starting Thursday, June 9, through Sunday, June 12. Showings Thursday through Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday's showing is at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at portaransascommunitytheatre.com for $22.
WHERE: 2327 State Highway 361 in Port Aransas
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, through Saturday, June 11; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 12
Comedy Night
Held at the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, LGBTQIA+ comedians Ruby Dickulous, Arielle Isaac Norman and Ky Krebs will crack jokes at 8 p.m. Friday, June 10.
Tickets are $25 each and are available at pridecorpuschristi.com/product/comedy-night-ticket-admit-one. Beverages and snacks will be available for sale at the 18 and older event.
WHERE: 2882 Holly Road
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, June 10
Rainbow Paintbrush Charity Service
The Corpus Christi Association of Realtors Diversity and Inclusion Committee will host a charity service event Friday, June 10. Volunteers will meet at the Coastal Bend Pride Center.
Rainbow Paintbrush, a free service, will have volunteers paint doors for those in need in the Corpus Christi area. Volunteers will paint doors one of five colors — red, naval blue, coastal blue, white or black — and the committee will provide a flowering plant for porches.
To volunteer, sign up a door in need or more information, email rainbowpaintbrush361@gmail.com.
WHERE: 2882 Holly Road
WHEN: 9 a.m. Friday, June 10
Pet Paw-rade
Bring your friendly pooches decked out in rainbows and pride for the free second annual Pet Paw-rade at St. Paul UCC Saturday, June 11.
The event is from 10 a.m. until noon, but the walk begins at 11 a.m. Dog treats, free hot dogs and free water will be provided to attendees.
WHERE: 5525 Lipes Blvd.
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11
Downtown Pub Crawl
The downtown event is for attendees 21 and older.
The PRIDE Downtown Pub Crawl is set for 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, June 11.
This year's route will feature BUS, Rockit's and House of Rock. Live music, photo ops, discounts on food and drink specials will be offered at each location.
WHERE: 702 N. Chaparral St. (BUS), 709 N. Chaparral St. (Rockit's), 511 Starr St. (House of Rock)
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 11
'Spectrums: Neurodiversity and the Queer Community'
The Islander Spectrum of Sexuality and Gender student organization at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will host "Spectrums: Neurodiversity and the Queer Community" at 2 p.m. Friday, June 17.
Held in the Lonestar Ballroom in the University Center, the free event is open to the public and will feature seven speakers.
The community panel will discuss neurodiversity, mental health and how people can be better allies to each other.
WHERE: 6300 Ocean Drive
WHEN: 2 p.m. Friday, June 17
Hooks PRIDE Night
For sports fans, the Corpus Christi Hooks will host PRIDE Night Thursday, June 23.
The event will have $3 off food and drinks offered at the ballpark. Parade PRIDE flags will be given out before the game to attendees.
Tickets can be purchased at pridecorpuschristi.com for $9.
WHERE: 734 E. Port Ave.
WHEN: 6:35 p.m. Thursday, June 23
'A Place at the Table'
A special Sunday service will be held at All Saints' Episcopal Church at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 26.
A release said it will "celebrate inclusion and the unique gift every person brings forth simply by being their true, authentic selves."
WHERE: 3026 S. Staples St.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 26
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here's your guide to all Corpus Christi Pride events happening in June
