By Tricia Smar, Special to Southpoint Access
June commemorates National Pride Month in honor of the Stonewall Riots of 1969; Durham’s large annual Pride event takes place in the fall (see Pride History here). However, there are still oodles of events in June to celebrate across South Durham and the surrounding communities. So sport your rainbow attire and show your support of our LGBTQ+ neighbors.
All month long: All You Mead is Love at Ment Beverage Co (312 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27713)
- One dollar from every flight purchased from Ment Bev Co will be donated to the LGBTQ Center of Durham.
June 1, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Manifest RCC at Falls Lake (14600 Creedmoor Rd., Wake Forest, NC 27587)
- Kick off Pride Month by celebrating the third birthday of Rainbow Collective for Change, an organization building affirming and equitable spaces for LGBTQIA+ families and youth. This family-friendly event features drag story hour, crafts, free food, and kayaking. Be sure to register for free and buy your raffle tickets.
June 1, 4 to 6 p.m.: Drag Bingo with Miss B Haven at DSSOLVR Durham (630 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, NC 27701)
- Start your Pride off with DSSOLVR’s monthly drag bingo, hosted by Durham’s own Miss B Haven. Parking and admission are free and despite the early time, this event is 21+.
June 1, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Rainbow Flower Arranging at West End Wine Bar (601 W. Main St., Ste. E, Durham, NC 27701)
- Craft a lovely, rainbow-colored floral arrangement just in time for Pride Month. A portion of each ticket will be donated to The Trevor Project by the floral artist, Sweet Serendipity Flowers.
June 1, 12 to 4 p.m.: Rainbows & Rescues at The Velvet Hippo (19 Orange St., 3rd Floor, Durham, NC 27701)
- At the intersection of Pride Month and Foster a Pet Month lies The Velvet Hippo, Durham’s own LGBTQ-owned bar with a soft spot for rescue pups. Ten percent of proceeds will go to Hope Animal Rescue, so drink up and celebrate for a great cause.
June 1, 5 to 7 p.m.: Summertime Pride Book Fair for Grown-ups at Dingo Dog Taproom (410 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro, NC 27510)
- Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill hosts an adult-centered, Pride-themed book fair at Dingo Dog Brewing in Carrboro. Take a trip down memory lane by shopping for beach books and merch celebrating our LGBTQ friends, all with a beer in hand.
June 3, 8 p.m.: Queer Cosmic Country Night at The Pinhook (117 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701)
- Every first Tuesday of the Month, Pinhook hosts a queer karaoke and line dancing night in the heart of downtown Durham. Check out this recurring, inclusive experience for a $5-10 sliding scale cover at the door.
June 6, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: Music in the Park Celebrates Pride at Indian Creek Trailhead (101 Town Hall Dr., Morrisville, NC 27560)
- Music, bingo, snacks, and a local artisan market are all features at Morrisville’s Pride Edition of Music in the Park.
June 7, 10 to 11 a.m.: Drag Story Hour at Boxyard RTP (900 Park Offices Dr., RTP, NC 27709)
- Help kids imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves when they hear stories read by drag performers.
June 7, 12 to 7 p.m.: Pride Market at Glass Jug RTP (5410 NC Hwy. 55, Ste. V, Durham, NC 27713)
- The Creatives Club curate this market full of LGBTQ arts and craft vendors. Come early for food truck eats and stay late for live music at this lively, inclusive event.
June 7, 4 p.m.: 21st Annual Beaver Queen Pageant at Duke Park (1544 Acadia St., Durham, NC 27701)
- Though not explicitly a Pride event, Beaver Queen truly leans into folly and pageantry, supporting environmental causes, like this year’s beneficiary Keep Durham Beautiful. Arrive early to get a good seat at this hilariously entertaining family-friendly event and vote for who will be crowned this year’s Beaver Queen.
June 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Rainbow Flower Arranging Class at DSSOLVR Durham (630 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, NC 27701)
- This is your second chance to build a rainbow bouquet with Sweet Serendipity Flowers, this time at DSSOLVR. A portion of each ticket will be donated to The Trevor Project in honor of Pride and supporting the LGBTQ community.
June 12, 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Rollin’ with Pride at Wheels Durham (715 N. Hoover Rd., Durham, NC 27703)
- Check out the new Wheels Durham roller rink and support the LGBTQ+ Center of Durham. Tickets are $35 but include admission, skate rental, slice of pizza, and a small drink.
June 12, 7 to 9 p.m.: Pride Pop Up Chorus at The Cary Theater (122 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511)
- Feel the warm embrace that fills a room full of strangers singing a song together. This Pride edition features songs by two LGBTQ+ performers, Elton John and Chappell Roan, that are taught to the whole group for a community sing-along.
June 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Apex Pride Festival at Town Hall Campus (73 Hunter St., Apex, NC 27502)
- Experience Pride in Apex through a full day of inclusion, featuring live music, food trucks, local vendors, inflatables, and more. The theme is “In Remembrance of Harvey Milk” and will feature Gay Country singer Brian Falduto from School of Rock fame.
June 14, 4 to 9 p.m.: Auroraflow’s 3rd Annual Pride Party at Auroraflow (607 William Vickers Ave., Durham, NC 27701)
- In the words of the event organizers, celebrate “the kind of queer community magic that makes Durham shine” at this free party. Enjoy live performances, local food trucks, and vendors to flow in the vibe of Pride.
June 14, 10 p.m.: Drag Show at The Pinhook (117 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701)
- Durham’s House of Coxx sisters Stormie Daie and Naomi Dix host this rainbow-on-rainbow-on-rainbow bonanza. Your $5 ticket grants you access to several drag performances, including special guest Jazmine Brooks.
June 15, 1 to 3 p.m.: FREE Pride Drag Show at Hi-Wire Brewing (800 Taylor St., Ste. 9-150, Durham, NC 27701)
- One of the few free drag shows during Pride Month, visit Hi-Wire for $6 Bloody Mary and mimosa specials while you’re wowed with performances by Chloe Cassidy, Dana St. James, Emory Starr, and Kiara Mel.
June 15, 2 p.m.: Pride Drag Brunch at Raleigh Improv (1224 Parkside Main St., Cary, NC 27519)
- Witness death drops by Morphine Love Dion of RuPaul’s Drag Race at this Pride-themed drag brunch. Don’t let the name fool you: Raleigh Improv is in Cary, just past the Durham border. Tickets start at $39/person.
June 20, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Rainbow Storytime with Spray J at North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd., Durham, NC 27712)
- Durham County Libraries host local Drag King Spray J to read a story and promote inclusivity for all ages. Registration is required for his free event.
June 21, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Rainbow Storytime with Stormie Daie at Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701)
- Durham Library Foundation and Durham County Libraries present storytime with local drag legend Stormie Daie. Registration is required for this free event.
June 21, 4 to 5 p.m.: Pride Candy Mosaics at Southwest Regional Library (3605 Shannon Rd., Durham, NC 27707)
- Create a simple summer craft to commemorate Pride. Use graham crackers, frosting, and colorful candy to make edible mosaics. Registration is required for this free event and you can pick up your Summer Reading tracker while you’re there.
June 22, 12 to 2 p.m.: Pink Rodeo Drag Brunch at RBF Champagne Bar (210 E. Chatham St., Ste. 10, Cary, NC 27511)
- Just a smidge beyond our typical 15-mile radius, RBF Champagne Bar brings Durham Darling, Naomi Dix, to host their fabulous drag brunch. Your $55 ticket includes a full brunch buffet, fantastic drag show, desserts, drink specials, and giveaways throughout the show.
June 24, 6:15 p.m.: Pink Pony Pride Run at Ponysaurus (219 Hood St., Durham, NC 27701)
- In addition to their weekly Thursday evening Pony Run, Ponysaurus is holding a Pride-themed run with 1.5-mile or 3-mile walking/running routes. Fleet Feet will have the latest Saucony running shoes to check out after the run, along with beer and pizza for purchase and an environment of glittery celebration.
June 25, 6 to 7 p.m.: Rainbow in the Dark: Exploring Queer Horror at Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701)
- The Horror Writers Association invites you to a conversation about queer folk horror with local authors Michael G. Williams and Jes Malitoris. Registration is required for this free event on the 4th floor outdoor terrace of Durham’s Main Library.
June 27, 4 to 5pm: Science with Stormie at North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd., Durham, NC 27712)
- Local drag queen Stormie Daie teaches kids how to color their world using found objects and homemade pigments. Registration is required for this free event.
June 27, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.: Pride Silent Disco at Hi-Wire Brewing (800 Taylor St., Ste. 9-150, Durham, NC 27701)
- The most fun silent disco returns to Hi-Wire in celebration of love, identity, and self-expression. A portion of proceeds will benefit The Campaign for Southern Equality and the music will feature dance jams and queer anthems all night long. Get your ticket starting at $9.50 today.
June 28, 9 to 10 a.m.: Storytime with Stormie Daie at South Durham Farmer’s Market (500 Park Offices Dr., Durham, NC 27709)
- No registration required for this free morning of books, music, and fun with local drag performer Stormie Daie. Hosted by Durham County Libraries’ Bookmobile, celebrate imagination and gender fluidity by seeing role models who defy rigid gender restrictions, all while shopping for this week’s produce.
June 28, 10 to 11 a.m.: Drag Story Hour at Boxyard RTP (900 Park Offices Dr., RTP, NC 27709)
- Help kids imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves when they hear stories read by drag performers.
June 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Prism: A Celebration of Pride in STEM at Museum of Life and Science (433 W. Murray Ave., Durham, NC 27704)
- Discover rainbows from a variety of sources and celebrate diversity across the natural world at MLS’s Pride Month event. Included with museum admission, check out storytimes, crafts, and science explorations with Rainbow Collective for Change and Stormie Daie.
June 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Drag Me 2 DCo at Durham County Public Health Dept (414 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701)
- Durham County Dept of Public Health and Fast Track Cities Durham present this inaugural Pride event. Explore local resources and vendors while enjoying local food trucks at this indoor/outdoor event.
June 28, 12 to 4 p.m.: Pride Month Vendor Market at Boxcar Bar + Arcade (621 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701)
- Boxcar’s local vendor market features LGBTQ+ sellers and Saturday drink specials, along with their menu of pizza, pasta, and pretzels. Explore this free market on their outdoor patio.
June 29, 4 to 8 p.m.: The Pink Triangle Pride Celebration at Kotuku Surf Club (703 Rigsbee Ave., Durham, NC 27701)
- The Pink Triangle is a queer dance party, inclusive of all ages, races, genders, sizes, and sexualities. This free event features music and performances, along with donation-based prizes should you feel so inclined to give.
Spread the word by sharing this Southpoint Access newsletter with friends and neighbors. Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy? Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news. Call 919-695-9813, ext. 800.
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