See a Horrifyingly Festive Holiday Show, Craft Your Heart Out, Enjoy the '12 Drags of Christmas,' Meet Poet Morgan Parker
Trouble recuperating from Thanksgiving? We all know the holiday season can be stressful, especially when loud-mouthed family members may feel emboldened to let uncomfortable conversations fly following the recent election outcome.
But you don’t have to let the lingering post-election hangover take over, friends. Pride Source has everything you need to have the most joyful and LGBTQ-friendly start to the season. You can go see a campy, queer holiday-themed play, attend a drag show, give back through an LGBTQ+ institution or learn more about expression through a poetry talk.
Instead of letting the tribulations of the season get you down, stand in defiance and enjoy your holiday season your way.
1. Attend 'The E(xmas)ist'
You can’t go wrong with holiday classics like “A Christmas Carol” or “The Nutcracker,” but this year The Ringwald Theatre is whipping up something a little naughty and off the beaten path. Spooky season may be over, but horrorfiles aren't yet done with all the campy goodness it has to offer. This holiday season, check out “The E(xmas)ist” — The Ringwald’s holiday spin on the classic “Exorcist.”
Director Brandy Joe Plambeck said that the show is unequivocally queer. “While the original story of a little girl possessed by a demon doesn't have many gay undertones, The Ringwald's production is soaked in queerness,” Plambeck said. “My college roommate used to say, ‘My goodness, that is queer as Christmas!’ and I have thought that exact phrase about our production so many times. There are queer characters, played by queer actors, written and directed by queer artists. It is truly queer as Christmas!”
Dec. 6-22, times vary, inside Affirmations (290 W. 9 Mile, Ferndale). Ticketing and further information at www.theringwald.com/productions/exmasist.
2. Spark Creativity with Queer Crafting
The gays love a good craft, and nothing is going to stop them from making one. When Ypsilanti’s Downtown Queer Crafting Group faced closure at the downtown library, the group persevered, creating a temporary new home at the Riverside Arts Center. If you’re looking to get out of the house to give yourself the space to create, look no further than this dedicated LGBTQ-inclusive community of crafters. The drop-in, bring-your-own-materials monthly meetups offer plenty of space to paint, work on fiber arts like sewing and knitting, dive into paper crafts, draw, write, or pursue many other artful creative pursuits in a welcoming environment.
Dec. 9 (and every first Monday of the month), 6-8 p.m., Riverside Arts Center (76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti). More details at bit.ly/3V4nyWR.
3. Celebrate with 'The 12 Drags of Christmas'
Folks always say that winter is the season of giving — well, thank goodness, because Sabin and the 12 Drags Players are truly giving this holiday. Five15’s “12 Drags of Christmas” is easily one of their most popular performances of the year, with lavish numbers, an all-star cast and, of course, holiday magic. The 7 p.m. show is already sold out, but there’s still hope! Due to its popularity, Five15 is considering an additional performance at 10 p.m. — to ensure your spot, get on the waitlist now.
Dec. 7, 10 p.m., Five15 (600 Washington Ave., Royal Oak). Secure your spot at bit.ly/3UYSOqc.
4. Learn From Poet Morgan Parker
Sex, gender and race are some of the themes in the poetry and writings of Morgan Parker (“Magical Negro,” “Other People’s Comfort Keeps Me Up at Night”). As a part of the Zell Visiting Writers Series, hosted by queer-owned Literati Bookstore, Parker will be stopping in Ann Arbor for a reading, Q&A and book signing on Dec. 5. Seats are first come, first serve, so get there early so you don’t miss the opportunity to hear from one of the strongest voices of a generation.
“The Zell Visiting Writers Series brings a variety of award-winning writers to Ann Arbor and invites not only students and faculty to attend but also the wider public,” Helen Zell Writers Program Manager Julie Cadman-Kim said. “The program is designed to be inclusive of all readers.”
Dec. 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Stern Auditorium (525 S. State Street, Ann Arbor). More information at bit.ly/3YRLgqg.
5. Have a Night Out Supporting Gigi’s Toys For Tots Event
Enjoy an evening out in a queer space while supporting a good cause.
Iconic gay club Gigi’s Cabaret is holding a holiday toy drive hosted by local drag legend Nickki Stevens to give back to the greater Detroit community. In addition, there will be a 50/50 charity raffle raising funds for local women’s abuse shelters in association with the Because It Matters Project. The event is set for Dec. 22, so there's plenty of time to fill up your Christmas sack with toys and gifts sure to delight local kids this holiday season.
Dec. 22, doors at 7 p.m., Gigi’s (16920 W. Warren, Detroit). Updates on the event at bit.ly/4i0v0ME.
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