Support Pride, Commune With LGBT Seniors, Take A Classy Roadtrip, Uplift Your Spirits
Feet sore from marching? Thumbs aching from texting your elected representatives? Throat raw from screaming into the void? Maybe it's time to make space in your calendar for a cabaret night chock full of drag kings, an LGBTQ+ elder-focused evening of great food and interesting conversation, or an array of dazzling entertainment options at Ann Arbor's most recent addition to the gay bar scene.
Queers don't live by protest alone; here are five ways you can celebrate the community we're fighting for.
1. Support Ferndale Pride at a Cabaret Night
If you hear the admonition "get ready to stay up past 10 p.m." as practically a dare, it's time to pull those disco nap pajamas out of their glitter-covered mothballs and prepare to spend the evening at a cabaret night in support of Ferndale Pride. Michael Christian and The King Teddy will bring the spirit, the joy and undoubtedly some meticulously crafted spirit gum-affixed facial hair to Gigi's Gay Bar on March 7.
Julia Music, event director for Ferndale Pride, tells Pride Source, "We are thrilled to have the support of Motor City Drag Kings. MDK is known for bringing a diverse group of performers who honor the craft at a high level. I am excited to work with them."
March 7, 10 p.m., Gigi’s Gay Bar (6920 W. Warren Ave., Detroit). Learn more at ferndalepride.com.
2. Attend a Detroit Elders Event
Aging is inevitable (and so much better than the alternative), but aging alone doesn't have to be. The Detroit Elders Project, held on the third Thursday of every month, is a safe and welcoming space for older LGBTQ+ folks to gather, share a meal and build connection.
"Detroit Elders Project is an important group, now more than ever, because it provides a safe and regular space for folks to build community together," explains Kat Hutton, program director for MiGen. "This group not only provides a space to break bread and build friendships but also to discuss challenging topics and learn about community resources."
The get-togethers are hosted at the Hannan Center in Detroit and supported by MiGen. Whether you’re looking for camaraderie, support or an introduction to your next fling (oh, just me?), the Detroit Elders Project offers the glorious possibility of all this.
Third Thursday of each month, 5 p.m., Hannan Center (4750 Woodward Ave., Detroit). Learn more at bit.ly/lgbtelderMI.
3. Road Trip to Kalamazoo to Support Queer Composers
If you haven't been to Kalamazoo since a fifth-grade tour of the Kellogg's factory to watch Frosted Flakes be made, it's time for a much queerer field trip. Pack your friends into whichever car doesn't have the bumper hanging on by a vintage (but, unfortunately, still relevant) "hate is not a family value" sticker and head to the Queer Crescendo concert.
Part of Kalamazoo's Queer Theater offerings and produced by Sydney West, Queer Crescendo is a night of music and revelry in the form of a classical concert featuring original music by seven local LGBTQ+ composers. The cast includes not only the Kalamazoo Queer Chorus (say that five times fast) but also a host of other performers making their parents proud and pleased (say that five times fast) about the money they spent on instrument and voice lessons.
Producer Sydney West is passionate about creating more opportunities for audiences to experience work by LGBTQ+ composers. "Expect to hear beautiful classical music and connect to the community," said West. "It will be an unforgettable experience…that I am sure will be impactful for everyone that attends."
March 7-8, March 8 ASL interpreted, 7:30 p.m., Stetson Chapel (1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo). bit.ly/queercrescendo
4. Enjoy Uplift’s Weekly Theme Nights
When it opened last year, Uplift burst onto Ann Arbor’s queer nightlife scene with the heartwarming promise of "something for everyone." While I'm waiting patiently for my 5 a.m. nonbinary queer humor writer/nurse/comedian co-working breakfast, they've scheduled out so much to enjoy that you won't even miss that obvious vacancy in their programming. Trivia takes place on Tuesdays. Karaoke carries on Wednesdays. And their Friday “Drag Race” viewing event party and live drag shows start at 8 p.m. and end in the wee hours, so don't throw your disco nap pajamas into the wash just yet.
If meeting up to chat is more your style than getting up to dance, Uplift hasn't forgotten you! Check out their thrice weekly themed conversational get-togethers in the earlier evening hours.
Weekly events vary, Uplift (210 S. First St., Ann Arbor). See the full calendar at upliftannarbor.com.
5. Support Artists Who Are Staying In
Our community's in-person events are amazing, beautiful and fabulous, but many folks can't participate IRL due to accessibility limitations. Research barriers at the events you attend and bring your cash and your ass extra hard for inclusive venues!
You can also consider supporting creators doing fantastic work from home. A few I love include JD Davids (writing about chronic illness, disability justice and strategies for survival), Taipei (a drag queen raising awareness about long covid), Nyss (a Brooklyn-based ground-breaking young writer with long Covid) and Themme Fatale (self-described Long Covid Bimbo Laureate).
Because community isn’t just who can show up in person — it’s who we uplift, listen to and make space for every day.
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