It’s time for the Four Corners Alliance for Diversity’s Durango Pride celebration, and starting Wednesday, there will be plenty of events to keep you busy.
Jake Riggs, a new main organizer, said there are a couple of new events to check out, including Drag Brunch and the Variety Show. Also this year, he said, is an improved Pride Festival, which will be held Saturday at Buckley Park.
“Personally, I’m really looking forward to the festival,” he said. “We really are just putting a lot into it, and I really think the festival is going to be a highlight this year.”
Riggs said the festival – this year, themed “That 70’s Pride” – will be broken into different spaces, including an area for those 21 and older and a family fun center that will feature crafts and DIY activities to make and take home.
Along with all the fun and parties, there will also be an educational component to Pride, Riggs said. It’s also the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, so at the cocktail reception Thursday, there will be a history lesson. There will be a speaker who was at Stonewall, different people in the community who will be talking about different parts of the LBGTQ+ community that need to be talked about more – there will be a trans speaker and indigenous speakers, too, “because there are communities that aren’t really touched on as much in the LBGTQ+ community, so we really want to give them their time to shine and give them their avenue as well,” he said.
And everyone is welcome to all the events, Riggs said.
“We love our allies. ... I would love it if everyone in Durango – gay, straight, bi, whatever – visits Durango Pride. Pride is all about being you and being proud of who you are as a person. You can be an ally and be proud,” he said. “Obviously, pride is about celebrating your LBGTQ+-ness, but it’s also about celebrating the allies and the great people we have in this town that support us.”
Here’s what’s happening starting Wednesday:
Wednesday, June 195-7 p.m.: Durango Pride Art Show Reception, free, Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave. All ages. Durango Pride week will start with the Durango Pride Art Show Reception. Located in the DAC Entrada Gallery, check out works of art by the rainbow community and supporters in the area. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. This art show will be judged by local artist Tirzah Camacho. Winners will be announced at the end of the event.8-10 p.m.: Variety Show, $10, Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave.; 18 years and older. Hosted by Scarlett Ultra, this event is going to have comedy, drag, music and more. Last year sold out, so get your tickets early at shorturl.at/BCGX5.Thursday, June 205-7:30 p.m.: Cocktail Reception, $15, Rochester Secret Garden, 726 East Second Ave. All ages. Join in for another celebration of community. There will be live music, appetizers, Pride merchandise tables and a friendly community to connect with. The Rochester will have drink specials in the Secret Garden. This year to honor the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ+ history will be showcased.Friday, June 217 p.m.-7 a.m.: Queer Prom Lock-In, free, Rainbow Youth Center, 13 to 18 years old. You must be at least 13 to attend this event and will have to bring a permission slip. The theme is Queer Wedding. The dance will be held from 7-10 p.m. After the dance is a lock-in that will begin at 10 p.m. and will end at 7 a.m. Saturday. If you only want to stay for the dance, you must be picked up by 10 p.m. People will not be allowed to come and go between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. for safety purposes. Everyone who stays must be picked up by 7 a.m. Saturday. For more information, visit shorturl.at/juF56.8 p.m.-1 a.m.: Drag Show & Dance, $20, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive. The annual Drag Show and Dance to celebrate Summer Pride will be Studio 54-themed. Hosted by Scarlett Ultra, this show will feature Saints Ball drag troupe from Albuquerque and Denver queens. Stick around after the show to boogie the night away. Last year’s show hit capacity and had a line around the block, so make sure to get your tickets early. Keep in mind that costumes should be culturally appropriate and remember that costume does not equal consent; 18 years and older. For tickets, visit shorturl.at/deCN7.Saturday, June 222:30 p.m. (line up)-3 p.m. (start): Pride March. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Station, 479 Main Ave., to Buckley Park, 1200 Main Ave. All ages. Everyone who supports the LGBTQ+ community, equality or anyone who just loves rainbows is encouraged to get their friends, co-workers or groups to come and show support. Line up will start at 2:30 p.m. near the train station. With the theme for this year being “That 70s Pride,” people are encouraged to dress in costumes that are family friendly and culturally appropriate. To notify of a group, business or organization walking group, visit bit.ly/durangopridemarch. NOTE: Both lanes of Main will be closed down and there will not be parking on Main.3-8 p.m.: Pride Festival, free, Buckley Park, 1200 Main Ave. All ages. The Durango Pride Festival is the largest Pride event in the area. Local businesses, organizations and nonprofits that support diversity and celebrate equality will have booths at the event along with food, drinks and alcoholic beverage options. There will also be the Pride Stage with a series of entertainment: music, speakers, drag performances and more. To have a booth at Pride, visit bit.ly/pridebooth and fill out the form. Any GSAs in the area are allowed a booth free of charge. 9 p.m.-close: Pride After Party, free, Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.; 21 and older9 p.m.-close: Pride Social, free, Down the Rabbit Hole, 640 Main Ave.; 21 years and older 9 p.m.-close: Pride Karaoke, 8th Ave Tavern, 509 East Eighth Ave.Sunday, June 2310 a.m.-2 p.m.: Drag Brunch, $25, Down the Rabbit Hole, 640 Main Ave. All ages. Brunch is a Pride must, so join the community at Down the Rabbit Hole for the first Durango Pride Drag Brunch. Come for some tasty food, drinks and a fierce drag show hosted by Scarlett Ultra! Brunch ticket comes with meal and juice/coffee. Get your ticket at shorturl.at/bcpwK.3 p.m.: Pride River Float, $25, Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours, 50 Animas View Drive. All ages. Experience this truly unique Durango Pride event and celebrate with Mild to Wild. An afternoon raft parade down the Lower Animas River through the heart of Durango. Visit shorturl.at/lCDLM.katie@durangoherald.com