This year's Cincinnati Pride Week was surrounded by some controversy as it coincided with Fourth of July and many of the festivities moved Downtown. This Saturday, Aug. 7, Northside reclaims Pride Fest with tons of live music, drag shows, comedy and partying. The celegaytion starts at noon in Hoffner Park.—-
While most Northside businesses will be celebrating (rainbow sliders at White Castle?), four main bars host the day's events:
Northside Tavern (4163 Hamilton Ave.) kicks it off at 12:30 p.m. with a fashion show featuring local clothing, styling, makeup and music. The lovely ladies and lads from Cin City Burlesque bring their hotness to stage at 3:30 p.m. and alt-punk rockers Pike (who wrote the Cincinnati Rollergirls' theme song) start playing at 5 p.m. As it is conveniently the first Saturday of the month, DANCE_MF takes over the back of the Tavern at 9 p.m. If you've never been to the monthly art/music/dance extravaganza, this is the night to pop that cherry! This month's theme will bring you back to your days of emoticons and AOL chats. LOL JK but seriously, it's OMG_MF.
Club Bronz (4029 Hamilton Ave.) always presents the hottest drag shows and they're pulling out the big guns for Pride Fest. Along with DJs and karaoke, there will be a Drag Queen and King contest during the day. Hostesses with the mostest Monica St. James, Shafreaka, Krystal LaMour and (personal fave) Jessica Dimon will judge the queens while Maxx Lixgood and Seymore Cox judge the kings based on themes like hipster, punk rock and pageant. Be sure to grab a famous Bronz LIT. Or four.
Mayday (4231 Spring Grove Ave.) has a line-up of entertainment as varied as colors of the rainbow. At 3 p.m., Drag Queen B hosts an array of area stand-up comedians. Don't miss the Lixgood Family Show, a hip hop drag troupe, tearing up the stage at 5 p.m. Da muttss will keep the beats coming 'til 7 p.m. when DJ Ska Boss takes the reins. Wrapping up the night is First Wave: a synth-pop dance party brought to you by DJs Brian and Kevin. After all those calories you burn dancing your buns off, you can afford to indulge in a delicious Mayday hot dog. And that isn't a double entrendre (unless you want it to be) — they've got a full menu all night.
Club 360 (formerly Club Nonta) (4023 Hamilton Ave.) recognizes no modern day Pride celebration would be complete without including all you "little monsters." Will Corson's karaoke starts at 2 p.m. followed by "Lady Gaga-palooza." So roll your hair with pop cans and leave your pants at home for this dance party and Gaga Drag Show. The party rounds off with the popular DJ Gerald spinning through the night.
Northside has successfully crammed a Pride Week's worth of glittery gay goodness into one day that should not be missed. You don't want to deal with the regret at work on Monday as you page through Saturday night's outrageous photos on Facebook. Still need convincing? Visit NorthsidePrideFest.com for details.
Admission bracelets are $3 at The Whole Nine Yards' newest location in Northside, at 4040 Hamilton Ave. With this rainbow bracelet, you'll be able to get in on the action at every venue. Get 'em while you're hot.
