The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Each year Twin Cities Pride seems to get bigger, better and more fabulous! Our cities' vibrant GLBT community pulls out all the stops once again to make certain that you can be loud and proud in style -- no matter your orientation. Use our guide as your personal Pride itinerary planner for the epic weekend ahead. Featuring numerous listings for dance parties, performances, art shows, film screenings, live music experiences, block parties, comedy shows, and tons more. Put on a sequined head-dress and/or cod piece and wave that rainbow flag like you mean it!

GLBT Pride Concert

Featuring lesbian folk singer Ellis, and a display showcasing Twin Cities Pride: History of the Parade and Festival 1969 - 2009. In the case of rain, concert will be moved to the Public Service Level of the Government Center.

Thursday, Noon to 1 p.m., Hennepin County Government Center's North Plaza, 300 S. 6th Street, Downtown Mpls, Free

Movies in the Park(ing) Lot: Milk

Enjoy this special Pride edition of "Movies in the Park(ing) Lot" at Patrick's Cabaret. Featuring art, music and food followed by a dusk screening of Milk, starring Sean Penn as the first openly gay elected politician and activist, Harvey Milk.

Thursday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Patrick's Cabaret Parking Lot, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, Free

Queer Takes: Standing Out

Now in its fourth edition at the Walker, Queer Takes is back with a group of films diverse in style and genre exploring LGBT issues that range from homophobia in sports to AIDS activism to gay parenting.

Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Walker Art Center Cinema, 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, $8 ($6 WAC Members)

Queertopia

Kick off Pride Weekend the right way -- with lots of LOVE! Tonight's Queertopia Cabaret is a delightfully raunchy romp that will probably make you blush and will definitely get you in the mood...for this weekend's fantastically gay festivities! Queertopia is a can't-miss concoction of love, grace, artistry, pizzazz, dramatics, and of course, whole-hearted pride.

Thursday & Friday, 7:30 p.m., Bedlam Theater, 1501 S. 6th Street, West Bank Minneapolis, $8-$10 (pay what you can)

Romiette & Juleo

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet provides the backdrop for the modern day story of Romiette and Juleo. Ballet of the Dolls transforms the traditional story of love and lovers from feuding families into a reflection of social judgment and discrimination against same sex couples.

Thursday through Sunday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. (Sunday, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.), Ritz Theater, 375 13th Avenue NE, Northeast Minneapolis, $20 (Students, Seniors and NE Residents $15)

8th Annual Girl Flight Pride Kickoff Party

Join DJ Sheik and DJs Double Trouble for a girl-friendly Pride kick off extravaganza at Jetset. Dancing and drink specials all night long! Early happy hour with DJ Sheik at 6 p.m., Double Trouble and Sheik at 10 p.m.

Thursday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Jetset, 115 First Street N., Minneapolis, Free

Lavender's Pride Thursday

Lavender Magazine kicks off pride the right way, at the swanky W Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Join your fellow revelers for drink specials, complimentary appetizers and prize drawings galore!

Thursday, 6 p.m., W Hotel, 821 Marquette Avenue, Downtown Minneapolis, Free

Lure Pride Party

Not to be disuaded by their original venue's sudden and unexplained closing earlier this week, the party peeps behine Lure will move their shebang from Trocoderos to Rumours/Innuendo in St. Paul. Featuring DJ Agent Orange flippin' wax from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. plus $1 off drinks all night long.

Thursday, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Rumours/Innuendo, 213 East 4th Street, St. Paul, $5, 21+

Boys & Toys

Many people have heard of Denny Kemp as a hairstylist but few know him as an artist. Most recently, Kemp has started experimenting with the art of photography. See his new work at Hang It/Gallery 122 through August 10th.

Friday, Opening Reception, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Gallery 122 at Hang It, 122 8th Street SE, Minneapolis, Free

Fruit Bowl

Fruit Bowl is the annual alcohol, tobacco and other drug free event where community members of all ages can come out with their family and friends and bowl, karaoke, eat great food, and spend the evening before pride celebrating in a completely sober environment.

Friday, 6:30 p.m. to Midnight, Elsie's Bowling Center, 729 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis, Free admission (standard bowling rates may apply)

Quorum Village Pride Kickoff

Head to Women's Club of Minneapolis to network with GLBTA business leaders and celebrate the many achievements in the 40 years since Stonewall. Guests do not need to be Quorum members. Complimentary apps and a cash bar will be available.

Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Women's Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, Free

Big Gay Pride Party

Epic's annual Pride party welcomes over 1000 party-goers each year! Enjoy happy hour drink pricing, entertainment including local entertainers Soul 2 Sole Dance Conversion and killer dance music from superstar DJ Joe Gauthreaux.

Friday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Epic Night Club, 110 N. 5th Street, Downtown Minneapolis, $15

Pride Twilight

Head to Karma nightclub this evening for an estrogen-charged dance rager featuring sexy lady DJs Sheik and Agent Orange. Skyy and "X-Rated" drink specials throughout the night make things that much more alluring. Dress to impress!

Friday, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Karma Nightclub, 315 1st Avenue North, Downtown Minneapolis, $10

Fireball X

The Bolt Underground/Minneapolis Eagle knows how to rock Pride the right way. Party all weekend long at the staple downtown gay bar, which will feature tons of entertainment and a tented party in the parking lot. Including a "flogging party," drink specials, a Bear party, Colt Man Ricky Parks, and Boogie Wonderland.

Friday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to close, Bolt Underground/Mpls Eagle, 515 Washington Avenue South, Downtown Minneapolis, cost varies per event

Minneapolis Queens of Comedy

A comedy spectacular at the Music Box Theater featuring gay and gay-friendly comedians Rox Tarrant, Todd Jay, Maggie Faris, Jason Schoomer and Jodie Maruska.

Friday, 8 p.m., The Music Box Theater, 1407 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, $20 VIP/$15 General

Uptown Pride Block Party

The annual Pride Block Party is always an epic extravaganza! Emceed by Foxy Tann and featuring live performances from Tina Schlieske, Dykes do Drag, Black Blondie, Lil' Miss Sweettooth and the Daisy Dukes, and Sick of Sarah.

Friday, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Corner of Lake & Bryant, Uptown Minneapolis, Free

Saloon Pride Party featuring DJ Corey Craig

NYC's favorite GLBT DJ gives the Twin Cities a sneak-listen to his 2009 NYC Pride headliner set two days before it actually happens! This is a one-night-only engagement will be THE place to be Friday night if you want to DANCE!

Friday, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., The Saloon, 830 Hennepin Avenue, Downtown Minneapolis, $5 for 21+/$10 for 18+

2009 Pride Festival

One of the crown jewels of TC Pride Weekend, the Pride Festival features multiple entertainment stages, hundreds of exhibitors and vendors, food courts and oodles more. Musical acts Exposé, Kat DeLuna, Kristine W, Tori Fixx, Mara Levi and DJ Red Richard will rock this year's Pride in Concert on Saturday evening, followed by a Fireworks display. For a full lineup of activities, click HERE.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Loring Park, Minneapolis, Free (headline concert tickets $15)

Tickles Pig Roast

New Northeast Minneapolis gay bar, Tickles, (yes, really) is pullin' out all the stops for Pride! Start things out with a pig roast on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., then hop on the Tickles shuttle bus for a free lift to Loring Park. Shuttle rides starting at 9 a.m. and run every half hour through 6 p.m. Also, enter to win a vacation package for a week-long vaca in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

Saturday & Sunday (pig roast only on Saturday), Tickles, 1032 3rd Avenue NE, Minneapolis, Free

Pride Booby Trap

The sassy girl-lovers from Booby Trap Minneapolis have definitely gone all out to make sure your Saturday night is sexy as hell! Taking over the sprawling Soap Factory art gallery for an evening of fe-mayhem, The BT crew presents a triple-trouble party featuring the hottest lesbian DJs in town: DJ Daniela, DJ Sheik and Agent Orange. Also featuring a fashion show, go go girls, and some special surprises.

Saturday, 8 p.m., Soap Factory, 518 2nd Street SE, Minneapolis, $10, 21+

Dirty Queer Show

With the tag line "fisting corporate Pride since 2009," we're pretty sure tonight's "Dirty Queer Show" is a force to be reckoned with. Featuring an art opening curated by Kelly Brazil starting at 5 p.m., a cabaret hosted by GoGoPimp Tif at 8 p.m. followed by a raging dance party with the always kick-ass DJ Shannon Blowtorch.

Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Bedlam Theater, 1501 S. 6th Street, West Bank Minneapolis, $5

2009 Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade

One of the major highlights of TC Pride, the annual parade regularly draws over 125,000 spectators each year. Running along Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis, the Pride Parade is probably the most visually marvelous parades you'll ever lay eyes on. A Pre-Parade show starts at 9am at the Grandstand on the corner of 9th & Hennepin.  The show will feature entertainment as well as a brief ceremony to unveil the brand-new giant Leather Flag!

Sunday, Pre-party 9 a.m., parade 11 a.m., Starts at 3rd & Hennepin and travels down Hennepin to Loring Park, Minneapolis, Free

Saloon Block Party

The Saloon really knows how to cater to the most festive of gays, and the lineup at this year's Block Party definitely drives that point home. Party all day and night at 9th & Hennepin with live music from the likes of Jody Watley, Tiffany (OMG!), Robin S, and Jonny McGovern - The Gay Pimp, as well as DJ Red Richard, Far From Falling, and Orange Whip. Not to mention, there's karaoke -- and of course, an over-abundance of alcohol.

Sunday, 2 p.m. to 3 a.m., The Saloon, 9th & Hennepin, Downtown Minneapolis, $10 adv at www.saloonmn.com or $15 at the door.

Love Makes a Family

Check out this touring photography exhibition created by the award-winning Family Diversity Projects of Amherst, Massachusetts. Featuring portraits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and their Families. Sunday's all-day reception will include music from DJ Joe Gauthreaux, a performance by Soul to Sole Dance Collective and more.

Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Art Institutes International Minnesota, First Floor Gallery, 15 Ninth Street South, Downtown Minneapolis, Free