As national Pride Month approaches, the local area will be offering plenty of events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community this June.
Pride of Woodstock, June 5-8
During the weekend of June 5-8, Pride of Woodstock will host its annual Pride celebration. Seton Mcllroy, co-founder and co-chair of Pride of Woodstock said, “We want to offer something for everyone this weekend. Our goal for both Woodstock Pride and Pride 365 is to come together, to celebrate individuality, and to offer support to those who need it most right now.”
The weekend begins with a screening of the film “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” at Pentangle’s Woodstock Town Hall Theatre on Thursday, June 5, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their best Priscilla outfits for a chance to win exclusive prizes. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for drinks and food.
The Woodstock Inn will host a cocktail hour on its front lawn on Friday, June 6, from 5-7:30 p.m. Afterwards, attendees can head to the Woolen Mill Comedy Club in Bridgewater at 8 p.m. to see comedian Kendall Farrell perform, followed by a piano bar/lounge evening.
For those looking to move and groove, the Little Theater will be hosting a DJ Dance Party at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
The next morning, Saturday, June 7 at 9:30 a.m., Pride of Woodstock will host a high heel race down Elm Street. Costumes, wigs, make-up and sparkles are highly recommended, and prizes will be awarded.
At 11:30 a.m., participants can then attend a Drag Brunch at the Woodstock Inn, where six drag performers will be entertaining in the Woodstock Inn & Resort Ballroom. Executive chef Matthew McClure will be creating a buffet of brunch options to accompany the show.
On The Green, local vendors will be featured in a colorful and inclusive event that aims to showcase the talent and unique perspectives of the LGBTQ+ and allied community.
Following the craft fair, community members of all ages can head down to the banks of the Ottauquechee River, behind North Chapel, to dance to the tunes of DJ Bugie. Later in the evening, Pentangle will host a comedy show at 7:30 p.m., featuring LGBTQIA comedians Shawn Hollanback, Vicki Ferentinos, Kendall Farrell, and Will Purpura.
To finish off the weekend, the St. James Episcopal Church will hold a choral evensong featuring the works of queer composer David Conte at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. Directly following this, Pentangle will host a special screening of “Outliers & Outlaws — A Story of Lesbian World-Builders.”
Plus…
McIlroy and DeLeon’s related organization, Pride 365, will also host several events later in the month. Beginning on Thursday, June 5 the President of Carnegie Science, John Muchaey, will speak to local students at Prosper Valley School and Woodstock Union High School and Middle School about the importance of science, his experience as a scientific researcher, and his journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This event is not open to the public.
On Wednesday, June 11, Artistree will host Olive Klug, a non-binary singer-songwriter who recently dedicated their life pursuing a non-traditional, van-dwelling, artistic existence.
Finally, on June 26, Pentangle Arts will screen the documentary “Remarkable: Voices from the Trans Community,” followed by a panel discussion with the film’s creator and their family.
Windsor, June 1
The town of Windsor will host an event on June 1 at the Municipal Building, located on Union Street. A progressive Pride flag will be raised, followed by a march down Main Street to the Pride Tree at the Constitution House. Upon arrival, Windsor will host a picnic, coupled with entertainment and community celebrations. This event will be open to all and will run from 1-4 p.m. this Sunday.
Lebanon Opera House, June 13
On Friday, June 13, the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, N.H., will host a few different activities in Colburn Park, beginning with “Party in the Park” — a craft fair and picnic where attendees can shop local goods made by LGBTQ+ vendors. Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, through rain or shine, this artisan fair will be open to all ages. Following this, the Lebanon Opera House will host a “Pride After Dark” event, also in Colburn Park, where participants can dance under the stars in a “silent disco” to LGBTQ+ anthems curated by various local DJs. Space for this event is limited; headsets can be reserved in advance for $20.
More information can be found at lebanonoperahouse.org/pride.
Bethel Pride, June 26-28
At the end of the month, Bethel Pride Fest will commence. “This is a space for silence, for contemplation, and for understanding,” Leonard Meek, head organizer for Bethel Pride Fest, told the Standard. “We wanted to create a space where every member of our community could come together and simply listen to each other. The Saturday [Trans Storytelling] Circle is an opportunity for queer people to sit together in an inner circle, and for others to gather around them, in an outer circle. The outer circle is just there to listen and learn and to see the different faces of queer people in our community — to hear their stories, and to see what makes them unique and deserving of love and understanding.”
“In a world so overrun by fear, we hope that Bethel Pride helps to bridge the gap, so that our community can grow towards each other, towards the creation of a safer, more understanding place.”
On Thursday, June 26, the festivities will begin at Babes Bar with gay trivia, beginning at 7 p.m. On Friday, the Bethel White Church will host a “Pride Forever Drag Show” with Drag Queen Emoji Nightmare. This show is rated 18+.
On Saturday, June 28, at 12 p.m., the Parish House will host a closed recovery meeting for those who identify as LGBTQ+ and are sober or trying to seek sobriety. At 1 p.m., all are welcome to participate in Bethel’s outdoor Pride fair at the Bethel Bandshell, where free food, music, vendors, and performers will gather. Finally, at 6 p.m., the Bethel Arts Center will host the “Trans Storytelling Circle and Community Dinner,” where every member of the community is welcome to attend and listen to different experiences and realities that local LGBTQ+ people navigate every day.
White River Junction, July 19-25
In July, White River Junction will host a comprehensive week-long Pride event from July 19-25, with a march and festival on July 26. While events are still being finalized, local residents in the meantime can enjoy the “Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park” event this Saturday, May 31, from 10-11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
