But, if the COVID pandemic taught us anything, it’s how to adapt to change. Tampa Bay’s LGBTQIA community isn’t cowering in a corner with its tail between its legs. It’s marching on Washington. It’s making great art. It’s throwing a weeklong, 13-event Pride extravaganza in DeSantis’ hometown of Dunedin. It’s sure to be a great time… for everyone but Ron. Here’s our rundown of events—more information on almost all of these is available via dunedinpride.com.
Blur’s Annual Pride Show & Dance PartyThe party begins with a Friday night Pride show and dance party at Dunedin’s 16-year-old gay nightclub Blur. Friday, June 16, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Show at 11 p.m. Blur Night Club, 325 Main St. blurdunedin.com
Gay-Lah Head to the Dunedin Pride Gala Saturday night for a classic dinner and a show experience catered by Amici. The five-star catering company put together an exciting menu for the event that includes Florentine mushroom caps, mini BLT tartlets, pear and brie quesadillas, sun-dried tomato arancini, mixed greens, chicken fricassee, grilled cobia, penne marinara, fresh vegetables, and bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes for dessert. The entertainment is a live concert paying tribute to LGBTQ+ artists George Michael and Lady Gaga and “a spectacular drag show.” This year’s gala raises money for Dunedin-based nonprofit Caregivers Wellness Collective, which supports the health and wellness of LGBTQ Caregivers. 21 & Up. Saturday June 17, 6-10 p.m. $200. Achieva Credit Union Corporate Headquarters, 1659 Achieva Way. dunedinpride.com
Fenway Hotel pool party Rainbow unicorn rafts return to Fenway Hotel Sunday afternoon for the annual Dunedin Pride Party. This year’s ticket includes a welcome cocktail, passed hors d’oeuvres, and poolside DJ entertainment. Brunch is available for an additional charge. Sunday, June 18, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $45. Fenway Hotel, 453 Edgewater Dr. fenwayhotel.com
Honu Women’s Luau Party Start your weekend early with a luau at Hawaiian restaurant and tiki bar Honu next Wednesday night. Due to the event’s popularity last year, this year’s event is ticketed, with proceeds going to Dunedin Chamber Pride and LGBTQ community partners. Ticket price includes a hula dancing show and one draft beer, bottle beer, or rainbow cocktail. They sold out last year, so book early by calling 727-333-7777 or stopping by to reserve your seat. Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $20 plus tax. The Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar, 516 Grant St. thehonurestaurant.com
Honu dinner Thursday promises nine hours of Pride, starting with dinner and a movie and ending with cosmic bowling and a midnight drag show at Dunedin Lanes. First, head to Honu for a rainbow dinner that’s every color of the rainbow. There’s Huli chicken (red), roasted sweet potatoes (orange), yellow squash, green salad, blueberry orange dressing (blue), and ube sour cream cake (purple). While supplies last. Thursday, June 22, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. $20.23. The Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar, 516 Grant St. thehonurestaurant.com
DIFF-sponsored free film screening The Dunedin International Film Festival joins Pride Week with an evening of Pride-themed films. The evening begins with a screening of the 2010 film “Gen Silent”—a documentary about aging within the LGBTQ community. A 45-minute long block of short films follows, including Eric Casaccio’s 2010 no-budget award-winning short film, “Freak.” Casaccio sums the plot up in a sentence, “Randall, a hard-working yet fragile soul, faces his inner demons buried behind a drag queen persona while pursuing the dream of a lifetime.” Thursday, June 22, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Scottish American Society of Dunedin, 917 Louden Ave. dunedinfilmfestival.org
Dunedin Lanes pride bowling Tired of regular old bowling? Try cosmic bowling with an open bar and a midnight drag show featuring Jocelyn Summers, Melanie Minyon, and Jade Embers. Thursday, June 22, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $10 unlimited cosmic bowling. Dunedin Lanes, 405 Patricia Ave. dunedinlanes.com
Golf cart parade Friday marries Pride to everything Dunedin holds dear: cruising around town in golf carts, baseball, and craft beer. Last year, 87 carts participated in Dunedin Goes Carting’s Pride parade, driving down Main Street while “We are family” blared from the speakers of Michael Reed’s tricked-out golf cart. Let’s Go Carting sponsors this year’s parade as the golf cart rental company celebrates its one-year anniversary. The parade starts near Mease Hospital, travels west down Main Street, then south down Douglas Avenue to TD BallPark. Friday, June 23, 4 p.m.-5 p.m. $10 per cart to participate. Downtown. eventbrite.com
Follow the golf carts to TD BallPark for Pride at TD BallPark The Dunedin Blue Jays take on the Clearwater Threshers. The evening features BOGO margaritas/frozen drinks at Eddie’s Bar (near the left field bleachers) and post-game fireworks. Friday, June 23, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. $8-11. TD BallPark, 373 Douglas Ave. tickets-center.com
HOB silent disco Drink some craft beer and dance the night away while not making a sound at HOB Brewing Company’s silent disco. Friday, June 23, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. $10 ticket includes headphones. 931 Huntley Ave. hob.beer/upcoming-events
Pisces glow party Pisces hosts a glow in the dark pride cocktail and tasting party with food and beverage stations, DJ, a swag bag, and two specialty beverage tickets. Bites include charcuterie, sushi, empanadas, and dessert. At the beverage stations, you’ll find Tito’s, Don Q, Angels Envy, PRP Wine, and Ilegal Mezcal. Monday, June 26, 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. $55. Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro, 799 Highland Ave. eventbrite.com
All the Colors of the Rainbow Art Exhibit Feet in the Sand Pottery studio sponsors the first annual Dunedin Pride Art Show. Tuesday, June 27, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Blur Night Club, 325 Main St. blurdunedin.com
Crown & Bull Pride Summer Send-Off Head to Crown & Bull’s back patio to close out Pride with live music, raffles, and giveaways. Thursday, June 29, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Crown & Bull, 319 Main St. crownandbull.com
This article appears in Jun 8-14, 2023.