Attend a Queer Comedy Gala, Get Tickets for Tituss Burgess with the DSO, Go to the Colours Awards, Join a Pride Shabbat, Catch the Latest Prides
It’s too late to brace yourself because Pride season is in full swing, but why would you want to? Let go and let loose at events all over the state focused on putting you right at the center of it all. You’ll find Pride fests everywhere, including Michigan’s largest event, Motor City Pride, as well as smaller Pride events like a queer comedy gala fundraiser, a Detroit Symphony Orchestra performance featuring Titus Burgess, a Pride Shabbat dinner and the annual Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce Colours Pride Awards Gala.
1. Attend a Queer Comedy Gala
Celebrate Pride with a good laugh while supporting a great cause at the fifth annual Pride Comedy Gala at Valentine Distilling Co. in Ferndale on June 9. The lineup includes queer comics like Diana Graham, Joe Aasim, Sam Meier, Lauren Noelle and host Hailey Zureich as well as a silent auction, drinks specials and fun surprises throughout the night. Proceeds benefit Ruth Ellis Center and its mission to assist local LGBTQ+ youth and young adults of color with trauma-informed services to address issues like food and housing insecurity and health care.
June 9, 7-10 p.m., Valentine Distilling Co. (161 Vester Ave., Ferndale). Find tickets at bit.ly/4bGavRO.
2. See Tituss Burgess Perform with the DSO
Acclaimed Broadway and television actor Tituss Burgess will bring his larger-than-life voice to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra June 29 for a fabulous evening of song in celebration of Pride. Reserve your tickets now for a show featuring song selections from Broadway and film with accompaniment from the DSO conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Designate Enrico Lopez-Yañez. The event marks the first time the DSO has officially recognized LGBTQ+ Pride, a tradition the symphony intends to continue.
June 29, 8 p.m., Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit). Tickets available now at tickets.dso.org/syos/performance/10306.
3. Join a Pride Shabbat in Ferndale
Join the most fabulous Shabbat dinner of the year at the annual Pride Shabbat hosted by NEXTGen Detroit Pride, The Well, CSZ Village, Hillel of Metro Detroit and Repair the World. The event features inclusive Shabbat rituals, music, cocktails, live entertainment and an authentic celebration of queer and Jewish identities. Jaffe St. Queer, an award-winning Philadelphia-based drag queen known for Jewish-centered humor and over-the-top glamor, will bring her “chutzpah-filled shtick” to the event, according to press materials. Tickets include a vegetarian strolling dinner and a drink.
June 7, 6-9 p.m., 215 W (215 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale). Reserve tickets at jewishdetroitcalendar.org/event/pride-shabbat-2.
4. Support the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Style
Each year, the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds a gala awards dinner to recognize community members who have supported the local LGBTQ+ community as employers, mentors and professional partners. The third annual Colours Pride Awards Gala, themed “Purple Reign,” will feature a keynote address and awards presentation by former state Sen. Buzz Thomas, who will be presented with the Allan D. Gilmour Award for Outstanding Leadership in Inclusion. Other award categories include Small LGBTQ+ Business of the Year, Corporation of the Year and LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group of the Year. Chamber President Kevin Heard tells Pride Source that he is excited for the event. “We are adding a pitch competition where we will give away $10,000 and a silent auction featuring great gifts like autographed items, amazing artwork and more,” he says.
June 14, 6-10 p.m., MotorCity Casino Hotel Grand Ballroom (2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit). Reserve tickets at detroitlgbtchamber.com/coloursawards.
5. Catch the Latest Pride Fests
Chances are, there’s a Pride fest near you in the coming days. These events are up next.
Friday, June 7
Sat., June 8
- Detroit (Motor City Pride). Through June 10. Hart Plaza, 1-9 p.m. Saturday and 12:30-7 p.m. Sunday. Parade: June 9, 12 p.m. at Fort and Griswold, ending at Hart Plaza. Visit our booth!*
- Dowagiac (Cass County PrideFest). Dowagiac Library Pavilion, 4-8 p.m.
- Grand Haven. Downtown Grand Haven, 12-9 p.m.
- Holly. American Legion Post #149, 12-5 p.m.
- Marquette. Mattson Lower Harbor Park, 1-10:30 p.m.
*Bonus: Don’t miss the Pride in the Hall Motor City Pride afterparty, St. Andrew’s Hall, 9 p.m. Tickets at bit.ly/3R5wpWg.
Sat., June 15
- Grosse Pointe Pride. Grosse Pointe Village, 12-2 p.m.
- Howell Pride Parade. Downtown Howell, 12-3:30 p.m.
- Livonia. Civic Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Niles. Riverfront Park, 4-8 p.m.
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