EDITOR’S NOTE: “Today” refers to Friday, July 12; Saturday is July 13; Sunday is July 14.
PORT ANGELES — Seattle had its Pride Parade on June 24, Victoria had Pride Week culminating in the July 7 festival, and today, the Port Angeles Pride celebration begins.
There was a time when such happenings were called “gay pride” events. In 2013, it’s simply pride — in one’s own identity and in communitywide acceptance.
And so Port Angeles Pride is open to everyone: the gay and transgender community as well as allies and people who want to “have a colorful, glittery time,” said Angie Huckstep River, one of the organizers of the three-part party and a member of the Rebels on Stage performance artists.
First comes a family-friendly potluck and hangout at 6 p.m. today at the Dream Playground, across from Civic Field at Race and Third streets. Face painting, tarot readings and, of course, free play on the playground will complement the potluck.
So you know what to do: “Bring a dish to share,” River said.
Saturday brings the big bash: the True Colors Cabaret and dance party. Beginning at 8 p.m., burlesque, drag and spoken-word artists — and then some — will leap onto the Allé Stage at Studio Bob, the event space upstairs at 118½ E. Front St.
Performers will include Seattle burlesque artists Paige Rustles and Queenie O’Hart; local seasoned performers including River, Sarah Tucker, Tana (aka Noxious Oxalis), and actor Sean Peck-Collier. Cabaret-goers will also see faces new to Port Angeles stages, such as CayAnne Pepper (aka Dayna Stark).
Tucker, for her part, plans a mock burlesque piece, while River will deliver two spoken-word performances.
“And if audience members watch closely,” she added, “they may notice my alter-ego doing two acts under another stage name.”
River promised too that drawings for “fun, glittery things,” as in prizes, will be held during the True Colors party.
And that’s just the early part of the evening.
“Immediately following the cabaret — around 10 p.m. — is the Glitter Ball dance party, to be DJ’d by local DJ Shmeejay as well as DJ Sappho from Portland [Ore.],” said River.
Admission is $10 to cover both the True Colors Cabaret and the Glitter Ball; the party will go till
1 a.m.
“Festivity-goers are encouraged to dress in their most colorful gear,” River said, “and there will be a glitter station for those who want to get sparkly but don’t have their own glitter supply at home.
“I’m superexcited,” she said. “This is going to be a really fun event, and I hope to see lots of people there.”
For more information about the Port Angeles Pride events, email rebel_on_stage@yahoo.com and find the Allé Stage at Studio Bob on Facebook.