Fab-u-lous! An eclectic roundup of Pride events in SoCal this June
And that includes the return of the comic book fair Q Con, a new edition of the comedy series “Don’t Tell My Mother” and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles in a salute to a trio of pop music divas
Welcome to TV or Not TV’s roundup of Pride events taking place all around Southern California this month. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times Calendar section. Let the celebrations begin!
‘A Strange Loop’ A young, gifted, Black and gay writer tries to create a show about a young, gifted, Black and gay writer creating a show about a young, gifted, Black and gay writer in the L.A. premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s fantastical Pulitzer and Tony–winning musical comedy. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, thru June 30. $35–$155 (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
‘Keith Haring: Radiant Vision’ Posters, drawings, silkscreens, etc. by the late, great Pop artist and LGBTQ icon are on view through Aug. 25. Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Closed Mondays-Wednesdays. $10, $12; ages 12 and under, free. (562) 439-2119. lbma.org
‘Pride Live: Pride Anthems’ Musical theater veteran Kevin Smith Kirkwood, cabaret artist Amy Jo Jackson and singer-actor Marty Thomas perform inspirational songs by Queen, Madonna, George Michael, et al. in this celebration of LGBTQ community. Segerstrom Center's Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 4-5. $69 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
54th Annual LA Pride Parade Oh, my! “Star Trek’s” George Takei serves as one of the grand marshals as the jam-packed procession returns with colorful floats, festive marchers, live performances, classic cars and more. Sunset Blvd. and Highland Ave. north to Hollywood Blvd., east to Cahuenga Blvd., south to Sunset Blvd. 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8. Free. lapride.org
2024 LA Pride Block Party This family-friendly event features performances by The LA Wranglers, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles and others, plus drag shows, DJ sets, vendor booths, food and drink and more. Hollywood Blvd. between Vine St. and Gower Ave., Hollywood. 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8. Free. lapride.org
LA Pride in the Park Ricky “Livin’ La Vida Loca” Martin headlines this year’s edition of the supersized outdoor bash, which also includes appearances by “Dance Moms’” JoJo Siwa, the drag-tastic cast of HBO’s “We’re Here,” and some of the fiercest ballroom houses our fair city has to offer. Plus, games and activities, vendor booths, food and drink and much, much more. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., Chinatown, downtown L.A. 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8. $99, $349. lapride.org
LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium There’ll be food and drink specials, commemorative jerseys, pre- and post-game festivities and in between, your Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Kansas City Royals. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Ave., L.A. Pre-game, 5:10 p.m. Friday June 14; game, 7:10 p.m. $53-$142. mlb.com
Pride Is Universal 2023 Show up early to ride the rides, then stay up late to move and groove as DJs spin tunes around the park at the return of this all-ages event. Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, June 15. $145; VIP, $295. lapride.org
Q Con This family-friendly celebration of LGBTQ+ comics, graphic novels and games returns for a third year. Creators will be on hand for autographs, sketches, etc. Also, there’s a costume contest, so cosplay is most enthusiastically encouraged. Plummer Park, Fiesta Hall, 1166 N. Vista St., West Hollywood. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Free. RSVP at qconprism.org
‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA presents a special Pride month screening of Jamie Babbit’s LGBTQ-themed 1999 rom-com starring “Russian Doll’s” Natasha Lyonne as a teen shipped off to a gay conversion therapy camp. Clea DuVall and RuPaul also star. For ages 18 and up only. 888 S. Olive St., 4th Floor, downtown L.A. Doors, 7:05 p.m. Thursday, June 20; film, 8:35 p.m. $35. rooftopcinemaclub.com
‘Third Annual Proud Out Loud’ Theatre West salutes Terrence McNally with an evening of selections from the Tony-winning playwright’s oeuvre (8 p.m. Saturday, June 22) and an afternoon screening of the “American Masters” documentary “Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life” followed by a talkback (2 p.m. Sunday, June 23). Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. Free; donations accepted. (323) 851-4839. theatrewest.org
‘D.E.B.S.’ A teenage crimefighter (Sara Foster) finds herself crushing hard on the criminal mastermind (Jordana Brewster) she is tasked with taking down in Angela Robinson’s fun-and-flirty 2004 action comedy. With Meagan Good, Jill Ritchie and Devon Aoki. Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Doors, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, June 22; screening, 9 p.m. $20. cinespia.org
‘Pride on the Promenade’ This block party is back for another year with musical performances, fun and games, a pop-up market, info booths staffed by local community organizations and more. 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica. 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free. downtownsm.com
‘Sounds of Santa Monica’ Meanwhile, over at Santa Monica Place, it’s the first-ever Pride edition of this family-friendly concert series featuring performances by singer-songwriter Kaycie Satterfield, indie rocker Claire Gohst a.k.a. Paper Citizen and R&B duo Mermaid. 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Free. santamonicaplace.com
‘Don’t Tell My Mother’ Vico Ortiz (“Our Flag Means Death”) and comics Jen Kober, Rachel Scanlon and Kristin Key are among the famous faces telling tales guaranteed to make your mama blush in a special Pride Month installment of host Nikki Levy’s long-lived LGBTQ-friendly storytelling series. Trans boy band The Pussyboys also perform. Dynasty Typewriter, 2511 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. June 25. $25, $45; livestream, $15. donttellmymother.com
‘The Place in Which I’ll Fit Will Not Exist Until I Make It’ Veteran L.A.-based theater artist Paul Outlaw gives voice to the works and the words of author/activist James Baldwin and other notable queer Black figures from the 1950s an onward in this encore presentation. Mercado La Paloma, 3655 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Free. RSVP at oneinstitute.org
‘Solid Gold: Aretha, Dionne & Whitney’ The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles is joined by drag artists Latrice Royale and Priyanka in this salute to legendary pop-music divas Ms. Franklin, Ms. Warwick and Ms. Houston. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 30. $38 and up. gmcla.org