Attend Ann Arbor and Royal Oak Pride, Get Tickets for Miss Gay Michigan America, Watch a New Bay City Madonna Documentary, Go Climb a Rock
As the humidity of mid-summer days glues you to your seat, if you can find a way to scrape yourself free, there are plenty of queer things to see and do throughout Michigan. Cool off at the Delta College Planetarium while enjoying a video tour of historically significant Madonna-related Bay City spots. Or, if you aren’t sweating enough already, check out LGBTQ+ rock climbing at DYNO. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, The Detroit Black LGBTQ+ Pride 2024, Ann Arbor Pride and the Miss Gay Michigan America pageant are sure to get you out and celebrating.
1. Celebrate at The Detroit Black LGBTQ+ Pride 2024
The Detroit Black LGBTQ+ Pride 2024 aims to pair meaningful discussion with celebration through a series of events running from July 25-29. From a call-to-action dinner, where community leaders and advocates will discuss disproportionate health inequities that affect Black LGBTQ+ community members to The Color of Pride Ball II and Closeout Cookout — and much more in between — these events will “support the visibility of Black LGBTQ+ people and provide safe spaces for communities of color to celebrate one another," according to their website. Come out and live it up while joining an important dialogue.
July 25-29, with locations varying for each event. Ticketing and reservation information can be found at bit.ly/3W85A5D.
2. Snag Tickets for Miss Gay Michigan America
While the Miss Gay Michigan America pageant may not be until Aug. 10, it’s never too early to grab your tickets to a night that promises to take you back to the excitement and glamor of the roaring ‘20s. Taking place at the Garden Theater in Detroit, this event is a part of the overarching Miss Gay America pageants that have been running since 1972. For more than 50 years, these events have supported and promoted excellence in the art of female impersonation.
Aug. 10, Garden Theater (3929 Woodward Ave., Detroit). Purchase tickets at bit.ly/3zPxX0W.
3. Attend Pride in Ann Arbor and Royal Oak
Even as the summer rolls along into August, there are still Pride festivals happening here in Michigan!
Royal Oak’s annual Pride event runs from July 26-27 in downtown Royal Oak and boasts an incredible lineup of nationally acclaimed drag talent, including “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” Season 9 finalist Roxxxy Andrews, who will headline on Friday, and Bianca Del Rio, Saturday's headliner. Andrews and fellow finalist Angeria Paris VanMichaels will appear at Five15 in Royal Oak, where the finale will air on Friday night. The event features over 100 vendors, a kids zone and a mass community wedding. July 26, 3-11 p.m. and July 27, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Learn more at prideroyaloak.com.
Ann Arbor Pride will take place on Aug. 3 and feature both a main stage and a space for acts from community members. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner Sasha Colby will make an appearance and visitors can enjoy over 100 vendors, shops, drag story time and all sorts of entertainment. Aug. 3, 12-9 p.m., downtown Ann Arbor (Main and Liberty). Learn more at annarborpride.com.
4. Dig Into Madonna’s Bay City History
Delta College in Bay City will present “Great Affection: A Video Tour of Bay City Sites Related to Madonna” on July 26 at its planetarium. Audiences will learn about Madonna’s birth and childhood in Bay City and how the city has considered her legacy during her meteoric rise to the top of the pop charts. Not only is the documentary itself star-studded, but for this showing, Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame curator Gary Johnson will introduce the film, and director and co-producer Malcolm Cottle will host a Q&A after the show.
July 26, 5:30 p.m and 7 p.m., Delta College Planetarium (100 Center Ave., Bay City). Reserve tickets and learn more at bit.ly/3y7hlkK.
5. Go Rock Climbing in a Queer-Friendly Space
Climbing gym DYNO Detroit hosts an LGBTQ+ meetup and climb every second Tuesday of the month. Aug. 13 will be the next opportunity to try out climbing while engaging with other local LGBTQ+ climbing enthusiasts. All skill levels are welcome, and the entry fee includes rental equipment. DYNO Detroit members can bring a guest for free. Come ready to share your favorite tunes — the gym invites participants to “pass around the aux cord to whoever wants to play DJ” on its Instagram (@dynodetroit).
Aug. 13, 6-8 p.m., DYNO Detroit (3500 Orleans St., Detroit). Sign up at bit.ly/4cNnamn.
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