THU JUNE 28
Stonewall Commemorative Reception Sponsored by Carlton Fields, this special event is St. Pete Pride’s sponsor and friends’ reception. Una Voce will provide entertainment along with Pride Weekend’s Mistress of Ceremonies Christine O’Leary in the Museum of Fine Arts’ Marly Room. This year, all galleries of the museum will be open to attendees and food will be catered by Olympia Catering & Events with open full-service bar. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Proceeds benefit St. Pete Pride’s Community Grant Program. 7 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg.
FRI JUNE 29
Pride in Fashion TV host and Broadway singer/performer Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye) and award-winning actor, comedian, playwright and journalist Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty) headline. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and champagne from Georgi’s Alibi will be served, and Macy’s will return admission donations for a $10 gift card. Proceeds go to St. Pete Pride. $10, donation appreciated. 6 p.m., Tyrone Square Mall, Tyrone Boulevard and 22nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg. 727-279-5428.
Rock 4 Pride A triple bill of prominent Bay area rock/indie bands — Someday Souvenir, Rise of Saturn and Bedroom Set — play the Local 662 on Central Avenue, considered by many to be the best live music venue in St. Pete after the State and Jannus. Full liquor bar, DJ and nice-looking hipster regulars. $20 at the door, 8 p.m., 662 Central Ave., St. Pete. facebook.com/TwirlGirlPromotions.
Jagermeister Pre-Party As locals know, Georgie’s Alibi is one of the most fun and welcoming progressive bars in the St. Petersburg area. For this special event, entertainment, drink specials and Pridefest giveaways will be highlighted. Full menu and liquor. 9 p.m., 3100 Third Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-321-2112, georgiesalibi.com.
SAT JUNE 30
Una-Voce Pride Pancake Breakfast A special event for your most important meal of the day, the annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast comes courtesy of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale and costs $6 with a portion donated back to St. Pete Pride. Pancakes, coffee and juice are among the selections at the annual breakfast. For details, visit Una-Voce.org.
Gay-Straight Alliance Beach Party High school and college GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) students are invited to enjoy the swimming, lounging, beach games, live music, volleyball and a cookout celebrating St. Pete Pride. $5 donation is requested and daily parking fees may be required. 4-7p.m., Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde. For more information, visit StPetePride.com and GSAUSFSP.org.
An Evening with Christine O’Leary Join St. Pete Pride for an intimate evening with this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies, Christine O’Leary. O’Leary has been called “brash, bold and a delicious delight” and has been called one of America’s 50 Funniest Lesbians. She is an activist and comedienne who believes deeply in social justice and can make a party out of anything. $10 cover. Cash bar. Proceeds go to Metro Wellness & Community Center. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Metro Wellness & Community Center, 3251 Third Ave. N, St. Petersburg. stpetepride.com.
SUNDAY JULY 1
Miss Gay Florida America Pageant This state preliminary to the 2013 Miss Gay America Pageant brings together new talent and Miss Gay America titleholders for a female impersonation extravaganza. Miss Gay Florida America 2010 Monica Moore will host the three-hour pageant event as the emcee. Slated to perform are 2011 Miss Gay Florida Zhane’ Kennedy, Miss Gay Florida 2009 Crystle Chambers, and 2012 Miss Gay America Kirby Kolby. Established in 1972, Miss Gay America remains the United States’ most established and respected female impersonation pageantry system. 7:30 p.m., $28-$35, The Studio Theatre of the freeFall Theatre Company, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-498-5205, freefalltheatre.com.
Prelude to Pride: A Wizard of Oz Skip along the yellow brick road again in a comic and irreverent adaptation of the classic by L. Frank Baum. It stars Matt McGee as The Wicked Witch Of The West; Joey Panek as Tin Man; Betty Jane Parks as Dorothy; Drew Decaro as Cowardly Lion; Joel Gennari as Scarecrow; Sara Delbeato as Glinda The Good Witch; Joe Parra as The Wizard; Meliss Kenworthy as Auntie Em; Katie Castonquay as The Munchkins; and Scott Daniel As Uncle Henry. Michael Raabe provides accompaniment. Presented by the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project, proceeds from the performance go to local charities. 7:30 p.m. Pay what you can. American Stage, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529. americanstage.org.
PepsiCo Tropical T-Dance Dance the afternoon — and night — away at St. Pete Pride’s official closing party. Party around the pool with drink specials, drag queens, live entertainment, male strippers, giveaways and special celebrity guests. 2 p.m.-3 a.m., Flamingo Resort, 4601 34th St. S, St. Petersburg, flamingofla.com.
MON JULY 2
Drag Queen Bingo Hosted by Melanie Minyon, this popular weekly event entertains, offers some chuckles and awards fabulous prizes. Be sure to arrive early. $10 cash donation at the door to play. 7:30-10:30 p.m., Hamburger Mary’s, 1600 Seventh Ave., 2nd Floor, Ybor City. Reservations recommended; call 813-241-MARY (6279).
LATER THIS SUMMER
Hedda Lettuce The beloved “Queen of Green” is coming from New York to share her now-infamous talkback presentation of Mommie Dearest, an alternative take on Joan Crawford, Faye Dunaway and “No wire hangers, ever!” The audience is encouraged to talk back, shouting lines along with the characters and dressing up like Joan, Faye-as-Joan, or maybe even little Christina. Bring wire hangers to be recycled; if you do, you’ll get a free raffle ticket. The event, hosted by Todd Richardson, is a fundraiser for the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. VIP tickets are $25 and allow you to get up close with Lettuce after the show. Otherwise, tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. 8 p.m. Wed., July 18, at the Palladium in St. Petersburg. A dinner special at St. Pete Brasserie day of show, 5-6:30 p.m., includes free cocktail. Email larry@tiglff.com for more information.
Electile Dysfunction: The Kinsey Sicks for President The “dragapella divas” say “Hail, no!” to the political status quo. In time for the Republican National Convention, the Sicks muse on education, immigration, unemployment, scandal, sex, corruption, airport security, drilling and social networking — in four-part harmony — via original and cover tunes such as “Sell the Poor,” “Eliminate the Schools,” and their campaign anthem, “Vote for Me (I’m Not From Kenya).” Fri., Aug. 24, 8 p.m. Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. $25-$75; $75 VIP ticket includes premium seating and private reception with the Kinsey Sicks following the show at The Metro Restaurant & Lounge two blocks from Tampa Theatre, with one free drink and light hors d’oeuvres. tiglff.com.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 4, 2012.