It’s finally here!  Boston Pride Week kicked off this Friday, June 4th at noon, when the Pride Committee came together to raise the rainbow flag over Boston’s City Hall Plaza!

Boston Pride - Riots to RightsFrom there, our 10-day celebration of this year’s theme, Riots to Rights, charges ahead!  We have a lot planned, so we hope you can keep up!

GQBFriday, June 4 at 9:00 pm, it’s Guerrilla Queer Bar – PRIDE Edition!  Join the Pride Committee and the guys behind GQB for a gay takeover of the Hard Rock Cafe (22-24 Clinton Street, Boston) at 9pm!  For more information on future gay takeovers, visit GQB’s website: http://www.bostonguerrilla.com/

Pride Day @ Faneuil HallSaturday, June 5, bright and early at 10 am, come on out for Pride Day at Faneuil Hall, a family-friendly day of entertainment, shopping, and tourism at one of Boston’s oldest landmarks.  We’ll be hosting entertainers, Elizabeth Lorrey, Mary Callanan, Telle Thomas, Girl Gang Band, Darion Skye and The College Fund Band.  And don’t forget to check out tables like our friends at ArtsBoston and our very own Boston Pride Merchandise.

In the spirit of celebrating the history of the LGBT community, Sunday will be The LGBT Aging Project’s Annual Pride Tea-Dance for LGBT Seniors & Friends held at the Holiday Inn (1200 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA) from 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm.  While the Tea Dance is not an official Boston Pride event, it sure is a good time for our older [but still fabulous!] crowd!

What a busy first weekend!  But we’re not done yet!  By the time you hear from us again, it’ll be time for the following events:

Pageant CrownMonday, June 7th: 2nd Annual King & Queen of Boston Pride Pageant - Hosted by Ms Kris Kanievel, some of our most fabulous, glittery, gorgeous contestants compete for the titles of King and Queen!  Our star-studded lineup of judges include: Johnny Blazes, Max Buccini, The Boston Herald Track Girls, Papi Chulo, Miss Boston 2010 Ashley Rizzo, Ambar Valentino, and Heywood Wakefield.  Doors open at 7pm at Machine Night Club (1254 Boylston Street, Boston), and admission is $12. This is a 21+ event, and is sure to be a good time!

MicrophoneWednesday, June 9th: Pride Idol Finale - At Club Cafe (209 Columbus Ave, Boston), we continue the talent showcase as our Pride Idol contestants sing their hearts out to win.  Hosted by Fresh Fruit and Fast Freddy, Pride Idol features Tyra Sanchez, Raven & Jujubee, with DJ Mark Pichiotti and guest Bartender Justin Winters!  Doors open at 6 pm for VIP access, and while there will be tickets at the door, supplies will be very limited – so it’s best to purchase tickets online by visiting Club Cafe’s website!

Boston Pride - Riots to RightsThursday, June 10th: Riots to Rights Rally – For the first time in years, we will come together as a community to rally in celebration, rememberance, and reverence of this year’s theme: Riots to Rights.  Speakers from the local community and beyond will grace the stage, including Cleve Jones and Stuart Milk.  We’ll also be screening the film “Beyond Gay: the Politics of Pride” recently featured at the Museum of Fine Arts LGBT Film Festival.

More news and events to come! Not sure you can make it to every single event?  (We totally understand!  But you should still try!   ;-) )  Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter feeds for information, live updates, and more!