Celebrate Black Artists, Sketch Nude Models With Queers, Watch 'Drag Race' with Queens
They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Doesn't that make you want to punch whoever "they" is right in the head? And not they as in the pronoun of many people we love, of course — but the anonymous, smug “they” who insists we need more resilience.
So if February has you wanting to hide under your bed rather than come out swinging, grab a bingo card, a paintbrush or a video game controller and rediscover your inner warrior. Whether you’re screaming at a "Drag Race" watch party, sketching with queer artists or celebrating a decade of trans joy, there’s no shortage of ways to connect, laugh and maybe even win a fabulous prize or two.
And let’s be real — what doesn’t kill might just make you more fabulous.
1. Play Drag Queen Bingo at North Star Lounge
Bingo? Fun. Bingo hosted by fabulous drag queens? Iconic. Drag Bingo at North Star Lounge is your chance to win prizes, make friends and bask in the glow of queer joy. Hosted by Zooey Gaychanel, Ursula Rising and Sophia Von Stardust, this event is less about "B-12" and more about "Be yourself."
As Gaychanel tells Pride Source: “Supporting drag shows right now is critically important for keeping our community spaces alive. Drag Bingo has always been a magical escape from the political mess outside — and we are eternally grateful to North Star Lounge for being our version of Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club.”
Bring your good vibes, a lucky dauber (or maybe a fabulous one) and make sure to check out North Star Lounge's other queer Thursday offerings as well.
Feb. 20, 7 p.m., North Star Lounge (301 North 5th Ave., Ann Arbor).
2. Share the Love with Stand with Trans
Do your love languages include words of affirmation, acts of service and playing video games with your favorite trans pals? Stand with Trans is celebrating 10 years of building community with Share the Love, an event full of joy, connection and activities ranging from face painting to a nail polish station to music by DJ CleoTheeDoll. Plus, organizers haven't forgotten the introverts and the exhausted: there will be nooks for quiet reading and journaling!
If you’re looking for a space to be yourself (and maybe show off your Mario Kart skills), this is it.
March 1, 5-8 p.m., Orchard United Methodist Church (30450 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills). Registration and more information at bit.ly/STLOVE2025
3. Go to a 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Watch Party
The only thing better than watching "RuPaul’s Drag Race"? Watching it in a room full of people who will also scream when a queen pulls off an impossible reveal.
Five15 in Royal Oak is throwing a watch party where you can catch the drama, the looks and Onya Nurve’s live appearance on March 7. Over at Arcenciel in Detroit, weekly "Drag Race" nights mean you can sip, gossip and dissect who’s serving and who’s sashaying away.
Onya Nurve appearance: March 7, 8 p.m., Five15 (600 S Washington Ave., Royal Oak). Reservations and more information at bit.ly/dragraceonyalive
"Drag Race" watch parties: Fridays, 7 p.m., Arcenciel (5001 Grand River Ave., Detroit). More information and reservations Arcencieldetroit.com/events
4. Sketch with Other Queer Artists
Detroit Queer Sketch Series (DQSS) isn’t just a place to doodle — it’s a place to create, connect and maybe even discover your inner Bob Ross. Led by James Staycation, this event happens twice a month and welcomes everyone, from experienced artists to folks who haven’t picked up a pencil since high school. The twice-monthly artistic gatherings have grown and evolved since DQSS started in 2023.
“The biggest update,” Staycation told Pride Source, “is that we’re adding more instructional elements. We’ve always been open to all skill levels, but now we’re guiding beginners who feel intimidated by a blank page — and giving experienced artists new ways to freshen up their skills.”
Grab a sketchbook (or just show up — no pressure) and be part of something colorful.
First Mondays and third Thursdays every month, 6:30 p.m., Detroit GT Studio (2301 Wolcott, Ferndale). More information bit.ly/DetroitQSS.
5. Support Black Queer Artists
Search for Black queer artists to follow, listen to and support during Black History Month in February, yes, and all year 'round!
Some of my favorites include:
Just Snazz: a brilliant Black queer hip-hop artist from Detroit whose song "Black Corrolla" has a playlist all its own on my music feed and is an antidote to influencers shaming the rest of us for having non-aspirational lives.
Calvin Cato: a comedian and writer who is both hilarious and nerdy – one of my favorite combinations. Calvin writes new material so quickly you may never run out of Calvin to watch!
Mav Magick: a nonbinary content creator randomly suggested to me by the YouTube algorithm gods who has now become one of my favorite places to turn for political and emotional commentary.
Finally, I grew up on a farm and therefore only look at plants and think “ugh, work.” But if anyone is going to save the planet, it'll be folks like Christopher Griffin, aka Plant Kween, a Black queer non-binary femme plant influencer with more than 200 healthy plants in their apartment. Their apartment was even recently featured on HGTV. Check out their feed for the growing advice, but stay for the hopeful commentary.
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