Kansas City Gay Pride - June 2-6, 2010
By: Joe Thompson
6.2.2010
“Toto… I get the feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
A reference to The Wizard of Oz seems obvious, but we are gay, and it does fit, because Kansas City’s “Show Me Pride” celebration feels like a trip to the magical Emerald City itself. These guys have a party that rival cities like Los Angeles or Chicago, with numerous events taking place all week long and major entertainers like… wait for it… La Roux and En Vogue.
Sadly, the Show Me Pride parade has been canceled, but the festival, parties, and club events will still be rocking. Find out more about the week after the jump.
Be featured on Gay.com! Send us your Gay Pride photos! Be sure to include your name, email address, and city in the subject line.
Know before you go: Camp KC is the local mag with all your Pride info.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010
Interfaith Service
7:00 PM
MCC Church
3801 Wyandottte St.
Kansas City, MO 64111
Religion and spirituality have been both a help and a hindrance to the LGBTQ community, but at Show Me Pride it’s all about unity. Join dozens of faith traditions in one glorious ceremony, with numerous leaders (civic and religious), musical performers, and others. It will be followed by a spaghetti dinner.
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010
The Quilt Dinner
6:00PM - 9:00PM
Penn Valley Park/Liberty Memorial
Kessler and Memorial Drive
$50 per person
The Quilt Dinner and the Quilt Tent Display have become staples of the Show Me Pride festival. On June 3rd, the Kansas City Quilt will be presented to The Names Project for submission into The AIDS Memorial Quilt Project. The Quilt Dinner is an evening of remembrance as well as a celebration of hope for the future— a future with a cure. The evening offers speakers, dinner and drinks, and features a special performance by Out Music Award Winning R&B stylist, Nhojj.
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010
Power the Light with Pride
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
KC Live! at The Power & Light District
Downtown Kansas City
Map and directions
Tickets are $5
The weekend party starts here with DJ Jerry Griffith, The Transients, Kristie Stremeland, and the fabulous La Roux. You may not recognize the 20-year-old newcomer (Elly Jackson is her real name), but if you’ve been to a club you’ve heard La Roux’s hot pop music. Check out the video at the end of this post.
Power the Light with Pride will also incorporate messages from other cities, wishing the Kansas City LGBT community "Happy Pride Week" on the KC Live! Video Screen. There will also be a guest appearance by Gilbert Baker, creator of the universal symbol for the LGBT community, the rainbow flag.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 5-6, 2010
Show Me Pride Festival
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park
Two days of parties in the park feature DJs, live performances from bands and local organizations, all culminating in a Sunday night performance by En Vogue!
HOTELS
Holiday Inn
One East 45th Street
Kansas City, MO 6411
The official host hotel for Show Me Pride is right downtown and offers great rates for tourists.
Hotel Phillips
106 w 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-221-7000
Gay friendly hotel offers top amenities and a delicious Art Deco design.
Ken’s Place
18 West 38th Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-753-0533
This grand old house in the middle of mid-town is gay owned, offers free breakfast, a pool and hot tub, themed rooms and it's within walking distance of two gay bars. And if that wasn't enough to sell you, there's a leather sling in Room #6. I'm just sayin'...
Raphael Kansas City
325 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
816-756-3800
800-821-5343
Gorgeous boutique hotel with a European sensibility and style.
BARS
Most bars in Kansas City are in the Midtown / Westport area but getting around town is easy so feel free to explore; that said, always remember to bring a local cab company's number with you before hitting the bars.
Bistro 303
Midtown - Westport
303 Westport Rd.
Kansas City, MO
816-753-2303
Super cute little spot for food, cocktails, and meeting the locals. Come
here to find out what's hot on a particular evening.
Buddies
Midtown - Westport
3715 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-561-2600
Local bar, mixed crowd, with pool tables.
Flo's Cabaret
Downtown
1911 Main St.
Kansas City, MO
816-283-FLOS
The hot spot for drag shows, nice crowds, and any kind of live entertainment. The staff is also friendly and help create a festive atmosphere.
Hamburger Mary's
Midtown - Westport
101 Southwest Blvd.,
Kansas City, MO
816-842-4437
Like Hamburger Mary's in other cities, this space offers great burgers and cocktails, and ends up being a major hub for pre-party activity. Always a good place to start your night... or just keep the party going.
Missie B's
Midtown - Westport
805 W. 39th St.
Kansas City, MO
816-561-0625
Missie B's offers a little bit of everything: drag shows, go go boys, fun music, happy hour cocktails, and a drunk bus for those of you traveling to and from Pride. Free entry if you show your Pride wristband at the door.
Outabounds
Midtown - Westport
3601 Broadway
Kansas City, MO
816-756-2577
Described as a queer "Cheers," with friendly locals and cheap drinks.
Sidekick's Saloon
Midtown - Westport
3707 Main St.
Kansas City, MO
816-931-1430
Country music destination with drag shows, karaoke and other fun happenings.
Sidestreet Bar & Grill
Midtown - Westport
413 East 33rd Street
Kansas City, MO
816-531-1775
We're told it's got a dirty, dark side to it.
Starlet Lounge at Cafe Trio
Plaza
4558 Main Street
Kansas City, MO
816-756-3227
A mixed restaurant with a great menu offers a lounge that often invites in a happy gay clientele.
Midtown - Westport
3611 Broadway
Kansas City, MO
816-569-1878
Large space, parking in back, fun, local spirit.
Don’t forget to send us your Gay Pride photos! Be sure to include your name, email address, and city in the subject line.
And now, La Roux's video.
La Roux - Bullet Proof from serkan söğüt on Vimeo.
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