Michigan June Pride Season 2012

LGBT organizations and volunteer organizers are gearing up for another fabulous summer of pride. Below is a comprehensive list of this year’s June Pride season festivals.
Check back for updated additional information and new pride events as June draws closer.

June 1
Motor City Pride Kick-Off Party
Presenting Organization: NECTO
Location: 516 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Contact: Motor City Pride.org
With special guest performances from Josey Greenwell and Jessica Sutta.

Motor City Pride Boat Ride
Presenting Organization: LOCS Network
Time: 10 p.m.
Location: 201 Civic Center Drive, Detroit.
Contact: 853-313-LOCS, LOCSNetwork@gmail.com
A boat ride fundraiser for Motor City Pride. Featuring the first Mr. and Mrs. Motor City King and Queen (non-gender specific).

Pride Art Hop Reception
Presenting Organization: Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Metro Nightclub, 411 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
Contact: KGLRC.org/Pride
Enjoy Metro’s Art Hop reception and fundraiser for Kalamzoo Pride. Art from the community will be on display and available for purchase to kick off Pride week. Suggested Donation: $5.

Start Your Engines for Motor City Pride
Presenting Organization: Imagine Entertainment
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: 2739 Russell St., Detroit
Performances from Marie Vonteese and MeChella Shannon of Battle of the Dragons, Lula La Rose, Xerxes, DJ Maestro, Mae James and B ez. Tickets: $15.

June 2
Kalamzoo Invades Oval Beach
Presenting Organization: Kalamzoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Kalamazoo 10, 820 Maple Hill Dr., Kalamazoo to Oval Beach, Saugatuck
Contact: KGLRC.com/Pride
A caravan will depart to Saugutuck to spread the word of Kalamazoo Pride and enjoy Oval Beach.

Motor City Pride
Presenting Organization: Equality Michigan
Location: Hart Plaza, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit
Contact: 313-537-7000, MotorCityPride.org
Commitment Ceremony, 2-3 p.m. Affirmations and Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit partner for a domestic partnership registry pride ceremony on the main stage.
Pride Stage, Entertainment includes Barbara Payton, Kelsy B and Julissa Veloz, Dani Rice and Josey Greenwell, and Dave Aude and – of course – the Motor City Pride Drag Show.
Festival Stage, Entertainment includes belly dancers, J’Sett’s Dance Competition, Duane the teenage weirdo, Mike Trombley and Gay Marvine, John Collins, and Miz Corona.
Underground Dance Area, DJs include Nikolai, Chico, Maestro, Doug Roberts, Captn, Lena, Jinx and Goth.

June 3
Alpha
Presenting Organization: Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center
Time: 5-10 p.m.
Location: The Union Cabaret & Grille, 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo
Contact: KGLRC.com/Pride
Kicking off Kalamazoo Pride with the 2nd annual Alpha event. Performances from All American Funk Parade and Alexis, silent auction items and signature cocktails. Admission: $10.

Motor City Pride (continued)
Motor City Pride Parade, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Celebrating the first Pride March held in Detroit. Parade will line-up along Fort and Griswold and step off at 11 a.m.
Pride Stage, Entertainment includes J’Sett Dance Finals, Killer Flamingos, Nervous But Excited, Kerli and Kimberly Cole, Nini Sky and Hyper Crush.
Festival Stage, Entertainment includes Jojjon, Gin & Tonic and Big Freedia’s dance tutorial.
Underground Dance Area, DJs include John Cruz, Jace, Hardy, Rod Carillo, Yos and Kenneth Thomas.

June 7
Ru Paul’s Drag Race’s Willam Performs
Presenting Organization: Menjo’s
Location: 928 W. McNichols, Detroit
Contact: www.MenjosBar.com
Ru Paul’s Drag Race star and performer Willam comes to Menjo’s bar during Pride month. VIP booths available.

June 8
LGBT Network at Grand Rapids’ Relay for Life 2012
Presenting Organization: The LGBT Network of West Michigan
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Ah Nab Awen Park, Grand Rapids
Contact: Grlgbt.org
The LGBT Network has formed a team for the Grand Rapids Relay for Life and invites all to join their team and donate to the cause.

“Shall We Dance?”
Presenting Organization: LanSINGOut Gay Mens Chorus
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Molly Grove Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, 510 W. Ottawa St., Lansing
Contact: LanSINGOut.org
LanSINGout Gay Men’s Chorus was founded in December 1988. Performances interpreted into American Sign Language.

June 9
Crossroads Annual Picnic
Presenting Organization: Crossroads
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Affirmations Community Center, Room 201, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Contact: CrossroadsMI.com
Join Crossraods for a picnic on the sun deck at affirmations. Hotdogs and chips provided. Gathering cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Annual Women’s Golf OUTing
Presenting Organization: Equality Michigan
Location: 44045 Five Mile Road, Plymouth
Contact: EqualityMI.org/Golf
Join Equality Michigan for their annual women’s golf outing in Plymouth. Join more than a hundred golfers competing for terrific prizes. Supports both Ruth Ellis Center and Equality Michigan. Tickets available online.

“It Gets Better”
Presenting Organization: Sing Out Detroit Chorus
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Lamphere High School, 610 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights
Contact: SingOutDetroit.org
Sing Out Detroit’s 4th Annual Spring Concert. Dedicated to youth with the powerful message that it does get better, includes songs by artists such as Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Natasha Bedingfield, and Coldplay. Tickets available online.

Kalamazoo Pride
Presenting Organization: Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center
Time: 2-11 p.m.
Location: 145 E. Water St., Kalamazoo
Contact: KGLRC.org/Pride
Kalamazoo’s 5th annual Pride festival. Suggested Donation: $5 to benefit KGLRC. Performances from Funktion, DJ Matt House, Neon Tetras, Pandora Boxx, and Kimi Hayes.

June 10
Run as One
Presenting Organization: West Michigan Pride
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Richmond Park, Grand Rapids
Contact:WestMIPride.org
West Michigan Pride teams up with Gazelle Sports for a 5K fun run/walk to celebrate unity. T-Shirts for participants while supplies last. Followed by food and refreshments. Registration: $10, all proceeds of which go to West Michigan Pride Festival.

June 15
Cruise for a FUNdraiser
Presenting Organization: The Forum Foundation
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Diamond Jack’s River Tours, Detroit
Contact: TheForumFoundation.org
Join the Forum Foundation for the annual river cruise to support their LGBT scholarship mission. Tickets are $40 each and include hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle and dance music by DoublePlay DJ Services. Tickets available at Just 4 Us and Five15.

Light the Night Against Hate
Presenting Organization: Ferndale Pride
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown Ferndale
Re-designed for 2012 as a self-directed walking tour through downtown Ferndale and its adjoining neighborhoods. Walkers will visit welcome stations along the way where they can learn more about historical and contemporary issues surrounding hate in our schools and communities, including hateful speech in social media and online bullying. Walkers may also participate in a candle lighting ceremony and carry colorful glow sticks to visibly unite against hate.

Motor City Bears Charity Dinner
Presenting Organization: Motor City Bears
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Zion Lutheran, 143 Albany St., Ferndale
Contact: 248-470-4449, MotorCityBears.com
Motor City Bears’ 6th Annual Fundraiser for Affirmations and Ruth Ellis Center. Menu includes roasted pork loin and chicken pasta primavera. Tickets: $15 adults, $7.50 children. Accompanied by a silent auction of gift cards and donated arts and services.

Pride at Eve
Presenting Organization: Eve at The B.O.B.
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Contact: WestMIPride.org
Presented by West Michigan Pride and The Matthew Agency, hosted by The Princess of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4. Progressive drink specials, masks capes and tights encouraged for the sexiest superhero costume contest. Cover: $10.

Pride Premiere Movie Night
Presenting Organization: West Michigan Pride
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: The Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Contact: WestMIPride.org
World Premiere of the upcoming LGBT movie “Jamie and Jessie are Not Together,” to be preceded by refreshments and a reception.

Tupperware Party with Dixie Longate
Presenting Organization: Equality for A Cause, Inc. and Five 15
Time: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Location: Above Five15, 215 W. Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak
Contact:Five15.net/Dixie
America’s #1 tupperware Lady Dixie Longate for a limited engagement. All proceeds will benefit Affirmations. VIP Tickets: $100. General Admission: $25.

White Party
Presenting Organization: Michigan Pride
Location: Testival Tent, Esquire, Grand Cafe and Spiral Dance Bar
Contact: Michiganpride.org
One ticket for four venues throughout the Lansing area. Michigan’s largest white attire event.

June 16
Bears in Speedos Car Wash
Presenting Organization: Motor City Bears
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Level One Bank, 22635 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
Contact: 248-470-4449, MotorCityBears.com
Motor City Bears’ popular speedo car wash. Fundraiser for the Affirmations community center and Ruth Ellis Center. Suggested Donation: $5.

Commitment Ceremony
Presenting Organization: Michigan Pride
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Capitol steps, Lansing
Contact: Michiganpride.org
Annual commitment ceremony at the steps of Lansing’s capitol building.

Michigan Pride
Presenting Organization: Michigan Pride
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Burchard Park, Old Town, Lansing
Contact: MichiganPride.org
Vendors and performances from God-des & She and Chris Willis.

SlutWalk Detroit 2012
Presenting Organization: SlutWalk Detroit
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Grand Circus Park, Detroit
Contact:SlutWalkDetroit.org
The first SlutWalk took place in Toronto in early 2011, after a police officer there stated that women should “stop dressing like sluts” to avoid being raped. The purpose of SlutWalk is to take a stand and say “enough is enough.”

State Pride March
Presenting Organization: Michigan Pride
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Adado Riverfront Park, Lansing to State Capitol
Contact: Michiganpride.org
Staging at 10 a.m. and kickoff at 11 a.m.

Third Annual Southeast Michigan Dyke March
Presenting Organization: Southeast Michigan Dyke March
Time: 2 p.m.
Contact:SEMIDykeMarch.org
Location: Withington Lot Alley and marching along Nine Mile Road
Marching to promote visibility, inclusion and equality for lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. Rally at Geary Park at 2:30 p.m.

Tupperware Party with Dixie Longate
Presenting Organization: Equality for A Cause, Inc. and Five 15
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Above Five15, 215 W. Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak
Contact:Five15.net/Dixie
America’s #1 tupperware Lady Dixie Longate for a limited engagement. All proceeds will benefit Affirmations. VIP Tickets: $100. General Admission: $25.

West Michigan Pride Festival
Presenting Organization: West Michigan Pride
Time: 1-9 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park, Grand Rapids
Contact: WestMIPride.org
Vendors, food, refreshments, games and entertainment.

XXX Cabaret
Presenting Organization: Detroit Together Men’s Chorus
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lamphere High School, 610 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights
Contact: 248-544-3872
30th annual Spring Concert featuring songs celebrating the chorus’ 30 years of bringing music to metro Detroit along with some special guests. Tickets sold at Just 4 Us and Five 15 Royal Oak.

June 17
Ferndale Pride
Presenting Organization: Ferndale Pride
Time: 12-7 p.m.
Location: Along W. Troy St., Ferndale
Booths and entertainment. Ferndale Pride strives to recognize and promote pride for the LGBT and ally communities, working with residents, businesses, community groups, and all segments of the community to welcome and promote the celebration of diversity.

The Rainbow Run 5k
Presenting Organization: Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Along W. Troy St., Ferndale
The Rainbow Run is a 5k run/walk for acceptance and diversity. Spearheaded by the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Comerica Bank, the run will weave through the streets of downtown Ferndale the morning of the Ferndale Pride Market Days as one of the many events taking place throughout the Ferndale Pride weekend.

Tupperware Party with Dixie Longate
Presenting Organization: Equality for A Cause, Inc. and Five 15
Time: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Location: Above Five15, 215 W. Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak
Contact:Five15.net/Dixie
America’s #1 tupperware Lady Dixie Longate for a limited engagement. All proceeds will benefit Affirmations. VIP Tickets: $100. General Admission: $25.

June 21
26th Annual Pride Banquet & Awards Ceremony
Time: 6:30
Location: Ukrainian Cultural Center, 26601 Ryan Road, Warren
Contact: GoAffirmations.org
On its 26th anniversary the banquet will honor people who have made outstanding contributions of time and talent to the LGBT community. Nominations are solicited from all over Michigan, but only a select will be chosen to receive awards.

LGBT Midwest Job Expo
Presenting Organization: Affirmations Community Center
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Contactin: 248-398-7105, GoAffirmations.org
The first of its kind in Michigan, Affirmations will host over 20 companies from all over the Midwest region. Affirmations hopes to provide a welcoming, open environment for job seekers to feel safe in expressing themselves while pursing employment. This will also be the first opportunity for companies and organizations to improve its diversity, while also recruiting from one of the best talent pools in the Midwest region, including the diverse Metro Detroit area.

Monsters, Madmen & The Whimsically Twisted
Presenting Organization: aut Bar
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: 315 Braun Court, Ann Arbor
Contact: AutBar.com
Hear tenors Jay Kaplan, Jeffrey Willets, Soprano Carla Margolis and accompanist Elisabeth Wagner as they serenade you down the musical path of the Monsterous, Mad and Whimsically twisted Broadway characters through song.

June 23
2nd Annual Washtenaw Pride Picnic
Presenting Organization: Jim Toy Community Center
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Southeast Area Park, 1351 Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor
Contact: JimToyCenter.org
Music provided by DJ Scott Bradley and performances by Tracy Mack, Out Loud Chorus and the House of Chanel featuring Maxi Chanel and Jennifer Holiday Chanel. Special appearance by Katy Butley. Lawn games, face painting, relay races and more. Picnic is bring your own beverage (City parks do not allow hard liquor on Park Grounds).

5th Annual Detroit River Cruise

Presenting Organization: AIDS Walk Detroit and Mowtown Invitational Classic
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Diamond Jack’s River Tours, Detroit
Contact: 248-399-9255, AIDSWalkDetroit.org
Afternoon of cruising the Detroit River with Diamond Jacks Cruises. Three levels of fun, music, cash bar. Proceeds benefit AIDS Walk Detroit and Motown Invitational Classic. Tickets: $25.

Pride on the Riverfront – Flint Gay Pride
Presenting Location: Wellness AIDS Services and Flint Gay Pride Society
Location: UM-Flint Riverfront Pavilion, 1 Riverfront Center West, Flint
Contact: DJackson@WellnessAIDS.org
Wellness AIDS Services has teamed up with University of Michigan – Flint, Our Safe Space and ID Lube for a river front picnic. Vendors and live entertainment including drag performers and R&B artist Carl Furillostar. Evening candle vigil.

Tri-City LGBT Pride

Presenting Organization: Divine Light Interfaith Ministry
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Ojibway Island, Saginaw
Contact: Tricitylgbtpride.com
Drag show hosted by Alicia Moore, Missy MiCock, Ace DeVille, Asio Aviance and Sandy Beach. Musical performances from Tana Michaels, Drag King Rebellion, The Fundamentalists, James Taylor Jr. and The Banana Convention. Guest speakers: Alicia Skillman, Saginaw Mayor Greg Branch and Democratic Candidate for Congress Dan Kildee. Food, vendors, games and entertainment.