Is BACK for the biggest bar night of the year! Yes, we know that might sound strange given that New Year’s Eve is right around the corner but trust us on this, you’re going to want to attend an IBTs Thanksgiving. Get your glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark body paint ready because it’s about to be a black light fiesta.
This isn’t your typical Thanksgiving party, it’s an IBT’s Thanksgiving sure to be filled with fabulousness. Expect dancing in the dark, drag shows, gorgeous go-go boys, and lots of whiskeys!
Glow from 9 pm to 2 is in the moonlight and blacklight. The party is going to start on the patio at 9, full DJ inside starting at 11. Drag performances by Viva La Diva at 9 pm with special guests – Piper M’Shay, Luna Love St. James, and Miley Mitchells.
Not enough? Let’s throw in a night of gyrating gents as Gogo boys tickle your fancy from 9-11. Still not enough? Drink specials, we got them,
Whiskey Breath Drink Specials from 12-close!
$2 Well
$3 You Call It’s / *$4 Top Shelf
*Select Whiskey / Bourbon / Scotch
You can read the full details about this spectacular party on the post we just wrote and other gay Thanksgiving holiday events on our gay event calendar!
Now that we’ve had a few days to recover, I wanted to take some time and recap the incredible 2016 Gay Pride Weekend! First of all, thanks needs to go out to the Tucson Pride Planning Board for serving up a fantastic slate of fun and meaningful events for this years celebration. Let’s set them up for next year by donating today! Be sure to head back here after you’re done 🙂 Fun Photos below.
Now that we have the business out of the way, we can get to the fun! Lets start at the top:
Pride Friday Night
We have long held the Tucson Gay Pride Parade on the Friday before Tucson Pride, but that and a possible Block Party was the extent of the festivities for the night. This year was completely flipped on its head! Not only did we have the Tucson staple, Pride on Parade, but we were also treated to a host of events geared around the Gay Pride theme. The night went like this:
G3Pride Party During Tucson’s Gay Pride Weekend
G3Pride
Between the hours of 5 – 7, the Hut hosted Pete Kings infamous G3Pride Party! With great drink specials, pulse-pounding music and delicious dinner options, it was a fantastic way to start Pride Friday Night!
Pride On Parade
The Hut was also the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail and cheer on the Tucson Pride on Parade as it proceeded down 4th Avenue. With more floats and participants than ever, this year’s parade was truly a celebration of our amazing spirit and diversity. I didn’t get any photos, but send us your pics today and I’ll post them on this page!
Rainbow Block Party
After the Parade, everyone headed over to RBAR for the Rainbow Block Party. If you’ve never been to RBAR, it’s a decadent little hole in the wall next to the Rialto Theatre with some of the best drinks in Tucson. The Rainbow Block Party featured a killer DJ spinning some great dance tunes, perfect for setting the stage for what came next.
Pride at the Rialto
The entire night built up to this moment, and Pride at the Rialto surely didn’t disappoint. Meticulously planned and flawlessly executed, Pride at the Rialto had something for everyone. We were entertained by the stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, as hilarious as they were gorgeous, who came all the way from Hollywood to share their own unique brand of Pride. The drinks were delightful, the food was delicious, and the show was divine; a wonderful capstone for a wonderful night!
Pride in the Park
With the stage set, it was time for Tucson’s Gay Pride flagship, Pride in the Park, to step into the spotlight. It was better than I had even expected!
I’d like to begin with a shout out to our amazing community! We were fun and rowdy but always respectful and everyone, every single person that I’ve spoken with had an excellent time. How many events can you say that about?
A Huge Crowd In Front of the Gay Pride Stage at Pride in the Park
And did I mention the size of the crowd? By the time I was there, they had already admitted over 4,000 Tucsonans and the line was growing by the second. This was the most well-frequented Tucson Gay Pride I have been to in many years and I love Tucson for being so supportive and kind.
The event itself was a marvel of crowd and performer synergy as it seemed every act built upon the previous and the entire presentation wove a tapestry of precious moments that I will never forget. Everyone, from the excellent DJ’s to the talented singers and presenters was in top form and the crowd repeatedly roared its approval.
Me and Tempest DuJour Loving Tucson Pride in the Park 2016
Now, I might be a little biased, but the pinnacle of the event, atleast for me, had to be Tempest DuJour. Tempest is a world renowned performer whom hails from Tucson, so the event had to be extra special. We were given a small sample of his many talents and he left the audience starving for more. Be sure to get your Tempest DuJour fix by checking out Retro Game Night!
The Wrap-Up
If you didn’t have a chance to join us for Tucson Pride this year, you owe yourself to mark it on your calendar and come out next year. This was the largest and most well-planned Tucson Pride event I have been to in a long time, and I used to plan them back in the day 😉 The Tucson Pride Board of Directors has set a high bar for themselves and I am excited to see what they have in store for us next year! Thanks for reading!
Tony Ray
What: Pride On Parade
When: Saturday, October 11 2014 6:00 PM.
Where: Starts at Catalina Park on 2nd St. and Goes Down 4th Ave. to 8th St.
Admission: All we ask is that you participate!
Official Website:Tucson Pride Parade
Over the past 14 years the Tucson Pride Parade has grown to become a central part of the Tucson Gay Pride celebration. 2014 promises to take the event to the next level! Pride on Parade will begin at Catalina Park on 2nd St. at 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 11th. We will proceed to 4th ave. and take a right, leading to our destination on 4th and 8th St.
The most important thing is to get involved. The focus of Pride on Parade is to allow everyone to be themselves, some come have a blast with us at the block party at the end of the parade!
Thats right, this year the Tucson Pride Parade has joined with Sky Bar to provide a Block Party from 7pm to 9pm. It’ll be the best place to grab a drink after the long parade march ; )
What:Tucson Pride In The Desert
When: Saturday, October 18th 2014
Where:Kino Sports Complex.
Admission: $10.00 at the door. VIP Tickets available online at http://tucsonpride.org/.
Tucson Pride presents it’s 37th Annual LGBTQ Pride Festival . $50. VIP. Advance tickets can be bought on-line at http://tucsonpride.org/ Advance purchase tickets can be picked up at the will-call table at the entrance on the day of the event.
Details to come shortly, book the date and plan on a great time!
