Celebrate Pontiac Pride, Cruise Detroit with CHAG, Explore a Queer Art Exhibit, Eat Tacos at a Sapphic Brunch
August is showing off. This week's lineup includes a little history, a little art, a little brunch, a little drag and, somehow, a yacht. Whether you're in the mood to celebrate an organization that's spent four decades caring for Detroit, lose yourself in an exhibit about queer connection, make new friends over tacos and mimosas, or spend an evening with glamorous drag vampires (as one does), we promise there's something worth leaving the AC for. Summer won't last forever, but perhaps you'll make some memories that will!
1. Celebrate Pride Close to Home
Pontiac Celebrates Its First-Ever Pride Still Here, Still Proud brings an all-ages festival and evening drag show to the city
Pontiac's first-ever Pride celebration isn't starting small. The full-day, all-ages event, Still Here, Still Proud, includes vendors, community organizations and health resources, with an 18-plus evening headlined by Monica Devereaux, Stela Vulva and the Unorthodox Drag Show cast. "People here have been driving to Ferndale or Detroit for years to feel celebrated. The whole point of this is that they should not have to leave home to do that," said co-producer Cody McKenzie.
Sometimes making history looks surprisingly like throwing a really good party.
State Rep. Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, will be in attendance to present a legislative tribute, with representatives from Pontiac's city council and the mayor's office also expected to attend. "Pontiac Pride marks an important step forward for our community. I was proud to secure a legislative tribute to recognize this historic event and the people who have worked so hard to make it happen," Carter said. "I hope this is the beginning of a tradition that brings people together and reflects the welcoming spirit of Pontiac for years to come."
Aug. 14. 12-7 p.m.; after-party, 7 p.m.-2 a.m., The Crofoot (1 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac). PrideInPontiac.com.
2. Cruise Into Four Decades of Community Care
Since 1986, Community Health Awareness Group (CHAG) has been on the front lines of HIV prevention, harm reduction, testing, education and community health in Detroit, always centering dignity and equity. Now the organization is celebrating that legacy in style with a cruise along the Detroit River. The evening promises music, skyline views and a chance to celebrate an organization whose work has quietly made life better for countless mittenfolx. But make sure to arrive on time, otherwise you'll (quite literally) miss the boat.
Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m., Ovation Yacht, Detroit Port Authority (130 E. Atwater St., Detroit). chagdetroit.org.
3. Explore What Holds Us Together
What exactly bonds people? Love? Trust? Shared Google calendars and a fervent dedication to being the largest intact polycule in any given neighborhood? Quinn Faylor's exhibit How We Hold, on display now at Ann Arbor Art Center, explores that question through vibrant abstract paintings, prints and sculptural works inspired by queer embodiment, care and collective evolution. The pieces encourage viewers to look closely not just at the artwork itself, but at the ways we rely on one another and the environments that also support us.
Through Aug. 26, Ann Arbor Art Center (117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor). annarborartcenter.org.
4. Eat, Drink and Be Sapphic
In an era when disconnection seems often the default, here's a reminder that community can still be built the old-fashioned way: around a table with a hands-behind-your back fruit roll-up eating contest. And a finger wrestling competition. And then there’s the taco eating competition. The Midwest Sapphic Society is hosting this Sunday gathering designed exclusively for making new friends and catching up with old ones. Also on the menu? A mingle bingo to help facilitate these conversations, more Gaymes (with no pressure to participate) and plenty of mimosas.
Aug. 23, 11 a.m., Whiskey Taco Foxtrot (28 S. Main St., Clawson). tinyurl.com/sapphicbrunch.
5. Support Your Local Vampire
It's entirely possible the average vampire doesn't actually need support from mere mortals like us. Nevertheless, when Michigan's own "vampire hostex" Eros Lee du Revenant throws an evening where drag meets the undead, the least we can do is buy a ticket. Inspired by Anne Rice's "The Vampire Chronicles" (and the subsequent AMC series) the show stars du Revenant as the deliciously dramatic Lestat de Lioncourt alongside a cast of creatures of the night. Expect dark glamour, theatrical performances and enough dramatic eyeliner to blot out the sun. Which is ideal, because, you know, vampires.
Aug. 7. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 9 p.m., The High Dive (11474 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck). tinyurl.com/vampiredrag.
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