Entertainment

Pride Month in Phoenix 2022: Here are 10 ways to celebrate in June – The Arizona Republic

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, and there are all kinds of ways to do just that with special events throughout metro Phoenix. 

To avoid partying during the hottest time of year, many Arizonans wait a little longer to celebrate, with the the Tucson Pride Festival held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 and the Phoenix Pride Festival running from Oct. 15 to 16, but there are still several unique ways to celebrate Pride Month in the Valley in June. 

Some businesses are organizing local pride nights, like Elevate Yoga’s “Yoga with a Cause,” some annual events like Scottsdale Pride Bar Crawl return, local sports teams like the Phoenix Mercury’s and the Arizona Diamondbacks are celebrating pride on specific game dates and the Phoenix Public Library is hosting a Pride Flag exhibit throughout the summer. 

This is your guide to Pride events happening around the Valley in June. 

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Phoenix Pride Awards Reception and Pageant

Tempe Center for the Arts will host the Phoenix Pride Award Reception, which will honor recipients of the Phoenix Pride Community Spirit Awards, Scholarship Awards, Community Grant Awards and Parade Pride awards.

A welcome cocktail and complimentary appetizers begin at 4 p.m., with the award presentation beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Special guests will include Miss Phoenix Pride 2011 Olivia Gardens, Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride 2022 Desiree DeMornay and Roman Holiday and Miss Junior Phoenix Pride 2022 Selena Luna Shane.

Guests can stay to attend this year’s “You Glow: show your true colors” Mx. Pride Pageant, which starts at 6 p.m.

Mx., a neutral term for those who do not identify with a particular gender, will showcase 10 contestants who will compete in several categories including fundraising, parade of contestants, red carpet fashion, on-stage question and answer and talent. 

Details for Phoenix Pride Award Reception: 4-6 p.m., June 12. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Tickets start at $20. tempecenterforthearts.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/72720/5071.

Details for Mx. Pride Pageant: 6 p.m., June 12. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Tickets start at $20. tempecenterforthearts.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/72722/5071.

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Miss Gay Arizona America 2022 ‘Drag of Ages’ 

This year’s Miss Gay Arizona America 2022 is Arizona’s state’s preliminary to Miss Gay America — and guests are invited to watch preliminary winners compete in the categories like evening gown, talent and on-stage questions. The event will also honor Miss Gay Arizona America 2021 Sicarya Seville. The winner and alternate will receive tickets to compete at the national level for Miss Gay America. 

Details: Saturday, June 25 from 5-8 p.m. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Tickets start at $25. missgayarizonaamerica.com.

‘D.O you remember?’ by the Desert Overture

Support Desert Overture, Phoenix’s LGBT wind ensemble, with a concert that celebrates their history and impact in the Valley. The show, titled “D.O You Remember,” will commemorate the Desert Overture’s 10-year history — two years late due to the pandemic. Tickets start at $15 for seniors and students. 

Details: Sunday, June 26 at 3:00 p.m., Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. $20 general admission; $15 for seniors and students with ID; free for any child under 12. desertoverture.org/performances.

Phoenix Mercury Pride Night 

Phoenix Mercury — in partnership with Hornitos Tequila — is celebrating Pride for  their game against the Atlanta Dream. Tickets start at $20 — and the first 5,000 fans who arrive to the game will receive a gay pride flag towel. 

Details: Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. mercury.wnba.com/themenights.

Arizona Diamondbacks Pride Night 

The Arizona Diamondbacks are up against the Detroit Tigers for their fifth annual Pride night on Saturday, June 25. Tickets start at $25. The first 15,000 fans will receive a free Diamondbacks pride tee.  

Details: Saturday, June 25 at 7:10 p.m. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. mlb.com/dbacks/tickets.

Scottsdale Pride Bar Crawl 

Make your way to the Boondocks Patio and Grill in Scottsdale for the Pride Bar Crawl on June 18. Crawlers will go to Casa Amigos, El Hefe Mexican restaurant, Giligin’s, Riot House, The Hot Chick among other local joins in Old Town Scottsdale as they celebrate an evening of pride. Tickets start at $20 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project. 

Party-goers can attend the event’s after-party from 10 p.m. to midnight. 

Details: Saturday, June 18 at 4 p.m. The Boondocks Patio and Grill, 4341 N. 75th St., Scottsdale. eventbrite.com/e/pride-bar-crawl-scottsdale-saturday-june-18th-2022-tickets-307463881747.

June Disco Drag Brunch ‘Pride Edition’ at Khavi

Kahvi Cofee and Cafe’s Disco Drag Brunches are a regular occurrence at the downtown coffee and cocktail bar. In June, the event’s Pride Edition includes a bottomless brunch buffet with Champagne, a DJ and a show. Guest performers include Pyra Addiction, Rosie Cheeks Savage, Lucy Purr and K. Yass. 

Details: Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. Kahvi Coffee and Cafe, 214 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. drinkkahvi.com/events-1/june-drag-disco-brunch-pride-edition.

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Pride Flag exhibit at Burton Barr Central Library 

Throughout the month of June, The City of Phoenix LGBTQ Employee Alliance has partnered with the Phoenix Public Library to showcase 22 pride flags. The exhibit details each flag’s story and its significance to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Details: through July 1. Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/9023016.

‘ImPRIDEmania’ Night at ImprovMANIA Comedy Club

Head to ImprovMANIA comedy club in Chandler for a comedy night celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $20.

Details: Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m., ImprovMANIA Comedy Club, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. eventbrite.com/e/impridemania-improvmania-celebrates-pride-tickets-335913254587, 480-699-4598.

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‘Flow for Pride: Yoga for a Cause’ at Rott n’ Grapes 

Dress in your colorful, vibrant rainbow pride attire for “Yoga with a cause” hosted by Rott N Grapes, Elevate Yoga and One N Ten, a local nonprofit which supports LGBTQIA youth. Registration includes a 60-minute yoga flow, five raffle tickets, a motivational wristband and one glass of bubbly (or soda). Attendees are welcome to stay for the afterparty at 11 a.m. and raffle prizes will be drawn at 12:30 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit One N Ten. 

Details: Sunday, June 26 at 10 a.m. Rott n’ Grapes, 4750 N. Central Ave., Ste 140, Phoenix. eventbrite.com/e/flow-for-pride-yoga-for-a-cause-tickets-351223227127.

Reach the reporter at sofia.krusmark@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram @sofia.krusmark.

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