Photo: Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune
Antwan Richmond danced during the Chicago Pride Fest on Halsted Street this past Saturday. The mood in the community was already pretty festive before the Supreme Court's historic ruling for gay rights today.
With today's Supreme Court rulings declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and dismissing the case defending California's same-sex marriage ban, Chicago's LGBTQ scene is in full party mode.
Good thing this weekend was already scheduled full of Pride Month events! There's plenty to do, eat, drink, and watch, including the annual parade and its accompanying festivities.
Show your rainbow pride (and celebrate the big wins) at these events around the city starting Friday.
Friday, 6/28: Head to the roof of Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted St.) for its Pride & Joy Kickoff event. Cyon Flare is hosting, DJ Marc "Moose" Moder is running music, and everybody is dancing. A $20 ticket gets four drinks at the full-service bar once doors open at 4:30.
Friday, 6/28: Catch 30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes, a special Pride week event from The Neo-Futurists benefitting housing services for LGBTQ youth—although you may not want to bring children to the uncensored show, known for inappropriate shenanigans. Advance tickets for the 11:30 p.m. show are $20.
Saturday, 6/29: Two courses, two drinks, plus champagne, all for $25? Pride Brunch at Taverna 750 (750 W. Cornelia Ave.), an extension of the restaurant's popular sunday Martini Brunch series, sounds like a gay time. Make reservations early for the 11 a.m. brunch.
Saturday, 6/29: June's Randolph Street Market is a two-day festival combining four antique, vintage, and designer markets in Plumber's Hall at 1340 W. Washington St. Saturday's schedule includes rainbow-themed food and drink, entertainment, a beer garden, and carnival games. General admission is $10, but advance tickets are available for $8. Kids 12 and under are free.
Saturday, 6/29: Join the thousands of people expected to participate in this year's Proud to Run, an annual 10k run and 5k run/walk for charity. Register online and start at Simmonds Drive north of Montrose Avenue at 8 a.m., or set up shop anywhere along the courses to show your support for runners.
Sunday, 6/30: If you don't want to fight the crowds at the parade, get brunch at Scot's (1829 W Montrose Avenue), the closest bar to the parade's starting line, and watch the procession while you nibble on French Market beignets and fresh fruit. After the parade, build your own burger from 3 to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 6/30: Glitter, costumes, floats, and near-nudity—all the necessary parts of the best occasions—will be on display at the 44th annual Pride Parade. The procession starts at noon at the corner of Montrose Avenue and North Broadway and runs south along Broadway and Halsted. Bring sunscreen and bottled water, as well as all the rainbow gear you can work into your outfit.
Sunday 6/30: After the parade, head to the last day of Back Lot Bash (5238 N. Clark Ave.) and see the last round of performers at the lady-centric festival. Uh Huh Her, Gina Glocksen Band, DJ All The Way Kay, and J. Worra are all performing after the doors open at 3 p.m. Cover is $10 at the door, weekend passes are $30.