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5 Queer Things You Can Do Right Now: Judy Garland, Brandi Carlile, Drag Brunch and More

Whether you're settling in for the night or planning for a day on the town, there's music to be heard and queers to be found. That was a bad attempt at some song lyrics, but don't let that stop you. Treat yourself to these legit musical acts.

1. Find a Thousand (More) Ways to Love Judy
Judy Garland's impact on music history and gay culture is incomparable. For the ninth year in a row, the "Night of a Thousand Judys" concert, written and hosted by NYC cabaret icon Justin Elizabeth Sayre, honored the beloved legend with the help of celeb fans like Alan Cumming, Duchess and more. Sayre tells Pride Source Garland is an "icon supreme." "She made the mold that all the rest have fallen into. While many LGBTQ people come to people for a host of different reasons, for me, it's her commitment to her audience, her giving of herself to her audience — any audience. That commitment continues to surprise and inspire me." So put on your ruby slippers and, thanks to virtual concerts, tap back in time to this night to remember.

Watch the concert and donate through Saturday, July 24 at ThousandJudys.com. You can also bid on a piece of Judy Garland commemorative artwork to benefit The Ali Forney Center at charityauctionstoday.com.

Brandi Carlile performs at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Photo: Pete Souza

2. Plan for the Gayest Vacation Ever

It's every Americana-loving lesbian's dream: back-to-back sets by Brandi Carlile, joined by hit-makers Sheryl Crow, Tanya Tucker, Indigo Girls, Margo Price and Katie Pruitt at an all-inclusive-resort — and this isn't even including TBD special guests. Gays are obviously gonna eat up tickets for this third-ever Girls Just Wanna Weekend, so jump on booking yours now before the event kicks off Feb. 1, 2022.

To learn more and join the waitlist for rooms, visit girlsjustwannaweekend.com.

3. Shake the Summer Heat with 'Mamma Mia!'

It has all the makings of a classic tale: foreign lands, past romances, a wedding and Swedish pop. Those looking for a reprieve from Michigan's scorching summer should take a trip to the Greek islands (by that I mean Kindleberger Park in Kalamazoo) from July 7-11 for a taste of ABBA's smash hit musical "Mamma Mia!" as performed for the Kindleberger Summer Festival. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.

Learn more about the upcoming performance online at the Kindleberger Summer Festival's Facebook page.

Photo: PRISM Men's Chorus. Courtesy photo

4. Pop in for Music at the Market

On Saturday, July 17, take some time to shop at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market in the morning, and then come back that night for a musical performance by PRISM Gay Men and Allies Chorus. Having performed music from classic Broadway hits like "A Chorus Line" and "South Pacific" alongside standards like "Luck Be a Lady," the volunteer-led, nonprofit blends crowd-pleasing jazz standards and showtunes. Sure to please both the newbies and veterans of the gay a cappella chorus scene.

Tickets for this general admission event cost $25. Learn more online at prism-chorus.org.

Photo: MCA Media LLC

5. Have Brunch the Way God Intended

Is it really brunch if a drag queen isn't involved? The queens at Michigan Drag Brunch know the answer. Attend an upcoming event and let them school you in why mimosas should always be paired with lip syncs and death drops. "A lot of our audience is first-timers, so they don't really know what to expect, but as soon as the show starts, we dive right into it and they are getting the full experience of a drag show," says featured queen Donatella, whose signature number is "Show Me How You Burlesque" from the movie of the same name. The show benefits As You Are, an organization working to prevent youth homelessness.

For tickets (if they're still available by the time you read this) to the upcoming Knoop Rooftop Beer Garden event on July 25, visit midragbrunch.com.



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