Whether you're a horse racing fan or a smoker sad about the upcoming ban, the Ruth Ellis Center has a way you can enjoy yourself – while supporting the center.
First, on April 30, REC will host the Last Drag, a walking pub crawl held in downtown Ferndale from 7 p.m. to midnight. The night not only promises bar and club fun with hourly tours featuring local drag queens, but marks history in the making. On May 1, Michigan will go smoke-free, giving the Last Drag its literal meaning: it's the last time LGBT club and bar-goers will be able to puff in freedom (of course, non-smokers are welcome, too).
"I expect the Last Drag to become a signature event as the last-call bar crawl for smokers and party-goes to visit Ferndale's favorite watering-holes before the smoking prohibition goes into effect", said David Rudolph, managing partner at D. Ericson & Associates Public Relations and Last Drag spokesperson.
The Last Drag will begin at the Loving Touch with a patron check-in and ticket purchase station and make its way north along Woodward Avenue, up to and along Nine Mile Rd., heading west. Other bars participating in the Last Drag include Woodward Ave Brewery, The Emory, Dino's Lounge, Como's, Gracie's Underground and The 9. Last Drag patrons are free to stay or go to the next location at their own accord or follow the one-mile tour, and a list of bar locations and route will be provided to all participants.
"I am looking forward to the Last Drag," said Dan Vander Ley, board member of the Ruth Ellis Center and Last Drag event producer. "Ferndale is a great community and has some of the best bars and dinning establishments in metro Detroit. The Last Drag is not a bar crawl for smokers; it's a celebration for a community that has been very open and supportive to all people from all walks of life."
The bar crawl will end at midnight at the designated last stop venue. Tickets for the event will be sold in advance for $10 through the Ruth Ellis Center and at the door for $12.
Continuing the celebration into the first smoke-free day in Michigan, The Adam's Apple will be hosting a Kentucky Derby Day from noon to 8 p.m. May 1 at their Detroit location. The day of fun will include a fancy hat contest, with base hats provided by the Adam's Apple. The contest ends at 4 p.m.
Proceeds from both events will benefit the Ruth Ellis Center, which provides short-term and long-term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless and at-risk gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in southeastern Michigan. Offering hope and help, the Ruth Ellis Center is the only mission specific agency in the entire Midwest dedicated to LGBTQ youth.
For more information regarding the Ruth Ellis Center and either The Last Drag or Kentucky Derby Day, visit http://www.ruthelliscenter.com, or call 248-867-6936.
