Pride Month Calendar Pt 2.

Pride Month Calendar Pt. 2

Pride Month is underway, and there is no shortage of events to celebrate for people of all ages, all over town!

Writing Queer Tour

American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave. All month, Thurs-Tues at 3 p.m.

In this unique tour of the American Writers Museum, you’ll discover how many great works of American writing were created by LGBTQIA+ writers, who used their sexuality and gender identity as inspiration for their work. Complimentary with museum admission.

‘Tango’

Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway. Wed-Thurs 7:30 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m. through June 11.

An elderly waitress at a Chinese restaurant in Singapore refuses to serve a same-sex couple and their adoptive son because of her religious beliefs. When a video of her actions is shared online, this erupts into vitriol, heated debates and a protest rally that rocks the country. $35 at pridearts.org/tango

Andersonville Midsommarfest

On Clark, Foster to Gregory. June 9-11, Fri 5-10 p.m., Sat & Sun, Noon-10 p.m. Now in its 57th year, Midsommarfest

On Clark, Foster to Gregory. June 9-11, Fri 5-10 p.m., Sat & Sun, Noon-10 p.m. Now in its 57th year, Midsommarfest celebrates the neighborhood’s Swedish origins with traditions like dancing around the maypole, as well as the international foods and sounds of today, kids’ pet parade and face painting. Lineup includes Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press, Chicago Soul Spectacular, Professor Pinkerton’s Irrelevant Orchestra, 16 Candles, Too Much Molly Band, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Mama Digdown’s Brass Band, and more. $10 donation to benefit Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. andersonville.org/events/midsommarfest/

Pride Bar Crawl

The North End, 3733 N. Halsted St. June 10, 4 p.m.

Tickets are $15-$20 (available at www. crawlwith.us/chicago/pride) with 20% of all event proceeds going to Center on Halsted. 1,000 people are expected at over 5 venues with exclusive drink specials.

Queer Prom: A Starry Night

Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. June 10, 7 p.m.

21+ event with great music, dancing, live performances, cash bar, 50/50 Prom Royalty Raffle and Silent Auction

with all proceeds going to support Center on Halsted’s Youth & Family Services. $50 on Eventbrite.

Pride Skate Party

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rollerskating and Bowling Center, 1219 W. 76th St. June 10, 10:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Presented by Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland. FREE, but reserve your spot on Eventbrite.

The Belmont Rocks: A Talk with Owen Keehnen

Chicago Public Library Merlo Branch, 644 W. Belmont Ave. (or attend virtually) June 12, 6 p.m.

LGBTQ author and historian Owen Keehnen will discuss the importance and evolution of the Belmont Rocks, a gathering place for LGBTQ+ Chicagoans from the early 1960s until their demolition in 2003. In 2022, the area once known as the Belmont Rocks became AIDS Garden Chicago. Participants attending online must register at chipublib.org to receive the Zoom link.

Get Lit: Pride Night

American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave.

June 13, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Slay a themed scavenger hunt for the chance to win prizes, experience a special drag storytime, and strut your stuff in the Pride Parade throughout the museum. Enjoy beer, wine, and a signature cocktail “This Drink Is Gay,” inspired by the book “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson. $25 at americanwritersmuseum.org

Chicago Cubs Pride Celebration

Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St.

June 13, 7:05 p.m.

Join the Chicago Cubs in honoring Pride Month and celebrating the local LGBTQ+ community on Tuesday, June 13 with a party at the ballpark, featuring special entertainment, festive fan activities, and other Pride recognitions. A portion of the proceeds from each Pride Day ticket will go to Cubs Charities to support LGBTQ+ community partners. Tickets with a special edition Pride Cubs jersey available at www. mlb.com/cubs/tickets/specials/pride

Chicago Pride Fest

Halsted St. from Addison to Grace.

June 17 & 18, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Celebrate LBGTQ+ life, culture and community with 150 food/merchandise vendors, Best of Chicago Drag, High

Heel Race, Proud Pet Parade, Youth Pride space. Music lineup includes Heather Small (pictured above), Slayyter, Meet Me @ the Altar, JORDY, Eureka O’Hara, BbyMutha, Cookiee Kawaii, Nick Osin, Shab, 16 Candles. $15 suggested donation. northalsted. com/pridefest

A Night Full of Stars: Windy City Performing Arts

2023 Pride Concert

DePaul Gannon Concert Hall, 2330 N. Halsted St. June 17, 7 p.m.

Featuring solo and group performances, this concert will spotlight many of WCPA's members and allow them to truly show what makes them Windy City Stars. “Pay what you can” (suggested donation $25) at windycitysings.org/upcoming-concerts

LGBTQIA+ Comic Creator Panel

Chicago Public Library Logan Square Branch, 3030 W. Fullerton Ave.

June 20, 6:30 p.m.

Comic books can have some of the best LGBTQ+ representation, but what is it like creating them? Join local LGBTQ+ comics creators Kat Leyh (“Lumberjanes”), Pamela Nuñez-Trejo (“The Witch of Luminoza”), and Whitney Wasson (“Sober Rabbit”) as they discuss their creative processes and

tell some history of representation from moderator Devin Whitlock (“Devin’s Chicago Comics Book Club Digest”)! FREE.

Pride Flannel Friday

Whiskey Girl Tavern, 6318 N. Clark St.

June 23, 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Queer Pop Events popular monthly celebrates with a special PRIDE edition. $10 at Eventbrite.

Pride in the Park Chicago

Butler Field, South Lake Shore Drive & East Monroe St., Grant Park.

June 23 & 24, Fri 3-10 p.m., Sat 2-10 p.m.

National and local LGBTQ+ performers will inspire you to dance. Enjoy artists, DJs, food and merch. A portion of proceeds benefits the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s most comprehensive LGBTQ gathering place. General admission $45+ at prideparkchi.com

Pride Bowl

Montrose Harbor, 600 W. Montrose Ave. June 23 & 24, 8 a.m.

Pride Bowl is an annual flag football tournament, featuring both Open and Women’s divisions, with champions crowned across multiple tiers. Tournament Pool Play June 23, Tournament Playoffs June 24.

Navy Pier Pride

Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.

June 24, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Navy Pier Pride is an annual free event that consists of a full day of familyfriendly festivities in honor of the LGBTQ+ community. This event includes Storytime with Drag Queens, live performances, special film presentations, and a "Queer the Pier" fashion and music show. FREE.

Back Lot Bash

5238 N. Clark St.

June 24, Noon-11 p.m.

One-day-only event this year, where the girls come out to play – and to showcase female artists and community organizations – during Pride Weekend. Tickets $20 on Eventbrite.

Sounds of Pride

The Wagner & Zeng Residence, 1312 N. Leavitt St.

June 24, 6 p.m.

Returning for a third year, Chicago Fringe Opera will celebrate the immeasurable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the world of performing arts with a pride party featuring a brief, intimate musical program composed and performed by members of the LGBTQ+ community, featuring new music by composer Lucas Van Linden. Tickets start at $15 at Eventbrite.

Pride North Chicago

Morse CTA Red Line stop.

June 23-25, Fri 3-10 p.m.; Sat & Sun Noon -10 p.m.

Chicago's largest North Side neighborhood Pride party. Features live entertainment and DJs: DJ Riley York, DJ Laura B, DJ Wolfy, and more. FREE.

Proud to Run 5K/10K/Half Marathon

Kickoff at 601 W. Montrose Ave.

June 25, 8 a.m.

Race along the lakefront for a great cause at the Proud to Run 5K/10K/ Half Marathon! Celebrating its 40th annual event, the run has raised more than $600,000 for the local LGBTQ+ community. Register at proudtorunchcicago.org

Chicago Pride Parade

Montrose Ave. & Broadway to Diversey Pkwy. & Sheridan Road

June 25, Kickoff at Noon

Pride Weekend is always the last in June, to commemorate the uprising outside NYC’s Stonewall Inn in 1969 that started the Gay Pride movement. Chicago’s parade started the next year and is the 2nd largest in the U.S., with 200 entries and one million attendees. Thinner crowds farther north. FREE. chicagopride.gopride.com/info.cfm

Drag Story Time

Chicago Public Libraries, FREE Register online at chipublib.org

Celebrate love–especially being able to love whomever we choose. We are all special in some way, and our differences make our world more colorful. Queens will share songs, rhymes and stories related to Pride Month. For families with children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

June 12 West Lawn Branch, 4020 W. 63rd St., 6 p.m.

June 13 Beverly Branch, 1962 W. 95th St., 10:30 a.m.

June 13 Austin-Irving Branch, 6100 W. Irving Park Rd., 1 p.m.

June 14 Lozano Branch, 1805 S. Loomis St., 10:30 a.m.

June 16 Merlo Branch, 644 W. Belmont Ave., 10:30 a.m.

June 17 Kelly Branch, 6151 S. Normal Boulevard, 1 p.m.

Pride South Side: Present and Beyond

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Pl.

July 1, Noon-7 p.m.

5th annual festival of Chicago Black Pride. Embark on a journey to a #fearless future of LGBTQI+ folks on the South Side of Chicago. More info and FREE RSVP at pridesouthside.org

-compiled by Dave Hamilton