Queer Things to Do: Attend an LGBTQ+ Art Show, Go to a Black Queer Variety Show, Sip Wine at a Ben Sharkey Show
Though we’re closing in on the latter half of the month, the Pride flame burns bright and strong. Could there be a better time to burn that candle at both ends, though? There are still several Pride fests scattered throughout Michigan over the next two weeks alongside smaller (but just as queer-affirming) events like an LGBTQ+ art show, a Black queer Juneteenth variety show, a wine tasting accompanied by smooth jazz vocalist Ben Sharkey and a queer prom alternative in an unlikely Michigan small town.
1. Celebrate at Pride
If it’s June, it’s still prime Pride festival season. Several events are scheduled for the next two weeks across the state. On
June 17, check out fests in Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe, Lansing and Livonia. On
June 24, several festivals are on the schedule: Bay City, Benton Harbor, Flint, Holland, Monroe County, Owosso, Rochester, Three Rivers.
June 25th festivals include Berkley, Big Rapids, Macomb County, Port Huron and Saint Clair Shores.
For more details, view the 2023 Pride Source Pride Festival Calendar at pridesource.com/article/2023pridecalendar.
2. Visit an LGBTQ+ Art Exhibit
Head to Pontiac June 17 for the opening of Kaleidoscope: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Artists and Designers. The installation, hosted by the Pontiac Creative Arts Center, will feature wide-ranging art pieces created by LGBTQ+ community members in acknowledgement of Pride Month. Several local queer artists will be represented in the show, including Kelz (@kelz.creates on Instagram).
June 17-July 23, Pontiac Creative Arts Center (47 Williams St., Pontiac). Opening wine and cheese reception June 17 , 6-9 p.m.
3. See a Black Queer Variety Show
Step outside the Pride Month norm and into Juneteenth Jamz, a Black queer variety festival featuring drag, burlesque and more in honor of Juneteenth, the June 19th holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. The event, set for June 17 at The Congregation in Detroit, features several standout local and national performers, including Ypsilanti drag king Burnie Mac, Dahlia Desire, Adira Elphram, burlesque performer and twerking teacher Lottie Ellington, drag queens Miss Thang and Valentina Rose’, burlesque performer Josephine Shaker, Flint Pride performer Baddie Brooks and burlesque and go-go dancer Oshun Hathor.
June 17, 6 p.m., The Congregation (9321 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit). Advance tickets at bit.ly/43WRvdh.
4. Enjoy Gay Performer Ben Sharkey Over Wine
Mix it up this weekend with the vintage old-school cool vibes of musician Ben Sharkey, a Michigan native (and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School grad). Sharkey fuses classic jazz and soul with pop energy and a velvety voice that draws on the spirits of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin with a little Michael Bubléand Harry Connick Jr. sprinkled on top. The singer is set to perform June 16 at a cabaret winemaker dinner at the Vegas-style Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren. Tickets include a five-course dinner with wine pairings featuring Adobe Road Winery winemaker Garrett Martin, the concert and dancing.
“I'm really excited about this event! I'm performing with an eight-piece band of stellar musicians including the Woodward Horns,” Sharkey tells Pride Source. “We will be taking the audience on a musical journey with sounds from the roaring 20s, mid-century rat pack swing, Latin, Motown and disco. I will be peppering in some of my original songs that have been inspired by these musical eras.”
June 16, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom (7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren). Tickets at shop.vicarirestaurants.com/product-category/andiamo
4. Attend a Queer Teen Prom Alternative
Prom can be a time for making wonderful memories, but for queer teens, it’s not always the magical evening it could be. That’s why Queer Families of Livingston decided to throw a queer prom for teens 14-19. “We want teens in Livingston County to feel connected and supported,” board member Sara Steinhauser tells Pride Source. “This is a great opportunity for them to connect with other teens from surrounding communities and just be themselves.” The event, set for June 23 at the historical Howell Opera House, will feature dancing, crafts, prizes and more. Ticket holders are invited to a pre-party at 4 p.m. with snacks, games and assistance with getting ready in a safe space.
June 23, 7-10 p.m., Howell Opera House (123 W. Grand River Ave., Howell). Ticket link and more information at qflivco.org.
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