Pride March 2017
photo by Amanda Hatfield

NYC Pride Weekend is here; Cupcakke added to LadyLand + more to do

Pride March 2017
2017 Pride March (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Pride Week is underway in NYC and things really ramp up starting tonight for Pride Weekend, which culminates with The March on Sunday followed by the Pride Island party with Kylie Minogue. There is a whole lot more going on as part of Pride Weekend, of course, including LadyLand, the NYC Dyke March, a cosplay cruise, concerts and more. Here’s a roundup of events, parties and concerts where you can show your colors.

PAT Pride @ Union Pool (THURSDAY)
JD Samson’s monthly PAT  party at Union Pool holds its Pride edition, promising “No Sponsors. No Corporations. Just Us. As Usual.” and will feature DJ sets from DJ Lina, Rimarkable, Amber Valentine, Tyler Jensen, Adair Greene, Caitlin Frame, and Beppe Savoni.

LadyLand @ Brooklyn Mirage (FRIDAY)
NYC Nightlife staple Ladyfag is throwing an “outdoor queer music festival/Pride party/rave/intimate concert” at Brooklyn Mirage, with sets from Eve, Sophie, King Princess, Tommy Genesis, Kim Petras, SSION, Ian Isiah, 070 Shake, Kembra Pfahler and the Girls of Karen Black, Mike Servito, DJ Minx, Total Freedom, Michael Magnan, JD Samson, Dicap and Oscar Nn. There will also be local art and a special edition of Ladyfag’s Pop Souk marketplace made up of local designers. Since the festival was announced, raunchy rapper CupcakKe has been added to the lineup, too.

The Rally (FRIDAY)
One month after the first Stonewall Riots in June of 1969, 500 people gathered for a peaceful demonstration of “Gay Power” in Washington Square Park. The tradition continues as the official opening to Pride Weekend, and this year happens outside Stonewall National Monument with a variety of speakers and entertainers.

Azealia Banks @ Sony Hall (FRIDAY)
Azealia Banks has played several Pride events over the past few years, and this year is no different. On Friday, she hosts and performs at The Rainbow Ball at Sony Hall. Earlier this year, she released her addictive new single “Anna Wintour.”

The Drag March (FRIDAY)
An unofficial opener to Pride Weekend, the annual march starts at Thompkins Square Park and heads for the Stonewall Inn.

Justin Vivian Bond and friends celebrate Pride @ Le Poisson Rouge (FRIDAY AND SATURDAY)
To quote LPR’s website, “In celebration of the Summer Solstice, Queer Spirit, and Trans Magic, Justin Vivian Bond will be drawing a circle, raising the cone of power and BRINGING YOU LIFE at LPR for Pride 2018!”

Big Freedia’s Pride Kick-Off Karaoke Party (FRIDAY)
This free-with-RSVP party, hosted by Asylum Records and Genius, features a performance from the Queen Diva herself, Big Freedia, as well as karaoke, an open bar from Jägermeister and Ramona, and a pride-themed nail bar.

Cosplay & Pride Cruise (FRIDAY)
Created in partnership with the creators of FlameCon, LGBTQ non-profit Geeks OUT, this sunset cruise, which departs from Pier 40 Hudson River Park, is NYC Pride’s first official cosplay event, and sounds like a lot of fun. They’re promising “queer-positive graphic art and entertainment,” including Phi Phi O’Hara and DJ Cameron Cole.

Fischerspooner, Xeno & Oaklander, Juliana Huxtable @ BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival (SATURDAY)
Fischerspooner’s over-the-top new live show perfectly suits the spirit of Pride Weekend, making their free BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival show in Prospect Park with Xeno & Oaklander and Juliana Huxtable on Saturday night perfectly timed.

Tove Lo, Lizzo, Big Freedia & more @ Pride Island (SATURDAY)
Pride Island moves to Pier 97 Hudson River Park this year, and its first day will be a party with sets from Tove Lo, Lizzo, Big Freedia, Sasha Velour and Dawson.

Wrecked / The Carry Nation Pride @ Elsewhere (SATURDAY)
Elsewhere hosts a 15-hour Pride event on Saturday from Wrecked and The Carry Nation, starting on the roof at 3 PM with a tea dance. Midland, Octo Octa, Honcho, Ariel Zetina, Geoffrey Larue, Hannah Holland, Juliana Huxtable, and Keenan Orr are all scheduled to perform.

NYC Dyke March (SATURDAY)
The 26th annual Dyke March kicks off at Bryant Park at 5 PM, and heads down 5th Avenue to Washington Square Park. Unlike the Pride March on Sunday with its spectacle and high profile corporate sponsorships, the Dyke March remains close to its roots as a protest event, and is open to “dykes and/or self-identified women” to participate.

The March (SUNDAY)
The annual Manhattan Pride March draws thousands of revelers, activists and allies each year, and starting with its 49th edition in 2018, it’s getting a new route. The March commences at noon at 16th St and 7th Avenue, heads south to Christopher St, then east along 8th St before heading north on 5th Ave and dispersing at 29th St. Billie Jean King, Lambda Legal, Tyler Ford, and Kenita Placide lead the charge as Grand Marshals.
UPDATE: Like in 2017, when the March was broadcast on TV for the first time, ABC will air live coverage on air and online from 11 AM-3 PM.

Giorgio Moroder, Holy Ghost! (DJ Set) & JD Samson @ Le Poisson Rouge (SUNDAY)
Part of Le Poisson Rouge’s LPR X series of tenth anniversary shows, electronic pop pioneer Giorgio Moroder hosts “I Feel Pride” along with JD Samson and a DJ set from Holy Ghost!

Kylie Minogue @ Pride Island (SUNDAY)
Kylie Minogue headlines the second day of Pride Island, which also includes DJ sets from DJ Grind, DJ Ralphi Rosario, and DJ Corey Craig.

KUNST Pride @ Elsewhere (SUNDAY)
KUNST parties celebrate “the diverse artistry of night life as an immersive visual experience,” and for Pride KUNST will take over Elsewhere’s Hall, Rooftop, and Zone One from 3 PM on, with music, drag shows, and more.

PrideFest (SUNDAY)
Now in its 25th year, the annual street fair runs from 11 AM until 6 PM at University Place between 13th Street & Waverly Place, and features performers and over 250 vendors and exhibitors.