This whole dance music thing wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for queer culture's early adoption of repetitive beats. With that in mind, it's only fitting that we take a second to celebrate that Gay Pride is kicking off. The month of revelry spans the globe and dance music will be tucked right in there amidst the recently betrothed couples, audacious parades, and leathermen doing absolutely obscene things in public. Here are some highlights of North America's finest beat selectors who feel the Pride all the way down to their CDJs.Check out a roundup of all the best parties around the country (in chronological order):Chicago - June 6 - 29Chicago's Pride festivities are already underway and will be until the end of the month. In addition to events like Windy City Gay Idol and a Pride and Produce farmer's market, Chicago Pridefest on June 21-22 will feature THUMP fav Alex Newell along with Mya and Jennifer Hudson.
Chicago Pride WebsiteLos Angeles - June 6 - 8L.A will kick things off on June 6-8. Their festival is headlined by Azealia Banks and Jennifer Hudson, but DJ performances from Marquee Las Vegas resident Lisa Pittman (affectionately referred to as 'The Lesbian Mayor of Las Vegas') and electribal proponent Hector Fonseca will bring the untz in droves. Also, a guy named DJ Pornstar who claims to be one of the 'Top 5 Sexiest DJs in America' is on the bill, so we're in.
Lapride.orgWashington D.C - June 6 - 8Rita Ora will headline Capital Pride Festival with a supporting set from DJ Cassidy, who is a favorite of both Barack Obama and Jay Z. The performance will be on Pennsylvania Ave, between 3rd and 7th streets on Saturday. The Monument Dance Stage will house exclusively dance music, but no lineup has been released as of yet.
Capitalpride.orgDetroit - June 7 - 8That same weekend, Detroit will host Motor City Pride. On Saturday night, Andy Bell of synth-pop pioneers Erasure is headlining. He'll be at the Pride main stage in Hart Plaza at 8pm. Saturday will also feature a stage for purely underground electronic music with DVJ Mark and DJ Jace closing out the evening. Make sure to catch Glee star and recent Sigma collaborator Alex Newell on Sunday evening.
Motorcitypride.orgToronto - June 20 - 29On June 28, Toronto will host AQUA at Yonge & Dundas square from 12-8pm with a headlining set from Spanish tech-house legends and Madonna collaborators Chus & Ceballlos. If you prefer your DJ's a little more shirtless, keep an eye on DJ Aron. Either way, make sure you're around for drag-queen-turned-DJ Kitty Glitter.
WorldPrideToronto.comNew York City - June 24 - 29NYC's celebrations will host David Audé, Escape, and Nacho Chapado all on the same night during their VIP rooftop party on June 28th. Their Dance on the Pier event features headline act Demi Lovato with support from DJs Pagano and Grind.
www.NYCpride.orgSeattle, June 1 - 31Seattle Pride is a season long program within itself with all the big events and the parade itself towards the end of the month. The Weekend of June 27, Nark Magazine will host Pride Festival, a whole weekend festival with Le1f, Riff Raff, and Cakes Da Killa performing. There's a boat part as well if you're feeling naughty-cal.
Seattlepride.orgSan Francisco - June 28 - 29In true inclusionary form, the SF Pride main stage features acts from all over the musical spectrum. The one purely electronic artist performing is Kid Alien, who you may know as Josh Bennett, editor of lessthan3.com. At the Sonic Reducer Stage on June 29, you'll be able to get gothy in the sunshine as industrial stalwarts DJ Donimo and Tomas Diablo will take things to a dark, but still prideful place.
SFpride.orgAfter June…Austin - September 20Cece Peniston of "Finally" fame will be headlining the Pridefest celebrations in Oz-tin on September 20th. Further announcements are to be made as the date approaches, but expect this one to get weird. It's Austin, after all.
Austinpride.orgOrlando, FL - October 1 - 12thOrlando will have auspicious honor of having John Waters speak all the way in October. A couple days later, 80s vixen Taylor Dayne will headline The Parliament House with support from DJ Randy Bettis and resident DJ Brianna
Comeoutwithpride.orgKeep THUMPing your Pride:Dance Pride: The Origins of Gay Dance Music How Dickslap Saved Seattle
A Club Called Rhonda is L.A's Pansexual Party Palace
Advertisement
Chicago Pride WebsiteLos Angeles - June 6 - 8L.A will kick things off on June 6-8. Their festival is headlined by Azealia Banks and Jennifer Hudson, but DJ performances from Marquee Las Vegas resident Lisa Pittman (affectionately referred to as 'The Lesbian Mayor of Las Vegas') and electribal proponent Hector Fonseca will bring the untz in droves. Also, a guy named DJ Pornstar who claims to be one of the 'Top 5 Sexiest DJs in America' is on the bill, so we're in.
Lapride.orgWashington D.C - June 6 - 8Rita Ora will headline Capital Pride Festival with a supporting set from DJ Cassidy, who is a favorite of both Barack Obama and Jay Z. The performance will be on Pennsylvania Ave, between 3rd and 7th streets on Saturday. The Monument Dance Stage will house exclusively dance music, but no lineup has been released as of yet.
Capitalpride.orgDetroit - June 7 - 8That same weekend, Detroit will host Motor City Pride. On Saturday night, Andy Bell of synth-pop pioneers Erasure is headlining. He'll be at the Pride main stage in Hart Plaza at 8pm. Saturday will also feature a stage for purely underground electronic music with DVJ Mark and DJ Jace closing out the evening. Make sure to catch Glee star and recent Sigma collaborator Alex Newell on Sunday evening.
Motorcitypride.org
Advertisement
WorldPrideToronto.comNew York City - June 24 - 29NYC's celebrations will host David Audé, Escape, and Nacho Chapado all on the same night during their VIP rooftop party on June 28th. Their Dance on the Pier event features headline act Demi Lovato with support from DJs Pagano and Grind.
www.NYCpride.orgSeattle, June 1 - 31Seattle Pride is a season long program within itself with all the big events and the parade itself towards the end of the month. The Weekend of June 27, Nark Magazine will host Pride Festival, a whole weekend festival with Le1f, Riff Raff, and Cakes Da Killa performing. There's a boat part as well if you're feeling naughty-cal.
Seattlepride.orgSan Francisco - June 28 - 29In true inclusionary form, the SF Pride main stage features acts from all over the musical spectrum. The one purely electronic artist performing is Kid Alien, who you may know as Josh Bennett, editor of lessthan3.com. At the Sonic Reducer Stage on June 29, you'll be able to get gothy in the sunshine as industrial stalwarts DJ Donimo and Tomas Diablo will take things to a dark, but still prideful place.
SFpride.org
Advertisement
Austinpride.orgOrlando, FL - October 1 - 12thOrlando will have auspicious honor of having John Waters speak all the way in October. A couple days later, 80s vixen Taylor Dayne will headline The Parliament House with support from DJ Randy Bettis and resident DJ Brianna
Comeoutwithpride.orgKeep THUMPing your Pride:Dance Pride: The Origins of Gay Dance Music How Dickslap Saved Seattle
A Club Called Rhonda is L.A's Pansexual Party Palace