IN THE NAME OF LOVE Up North Pride Celebration coming Oct. 13
By Harper Haase In the past, the month of June was a beacon for queer people everywhere as shops, streets and social media pages fill up with rainbows for Pride month … but in 2020 everything paused. This year, Traverse City’s beloved Up North Pride celebration has been moved to October to keep queers and allies healthy and safe, with plenty of time for COVID vaccinations. The event will be a festive, fun-packed week starting Wednesday, Oct. 13 and wrapping up with the Big Gay Brunch on Oct. 17. Up North Pride organizers have been working hard to celebrate Traverse City’s queer community with a beautiful celebration of love that no pandemic could squash. Here’s a quick look at our three must-do events of the week. Visibility March Whether you’re watching from your window or parading down the street, the Visibility March at 5:30pm on Saturday, Oct. 16 will be impossible to miss. Vibrant colors of the rainbow queer flag will soar down Front Street from F&M Park to the Open Space as the Traverse City Symphony
Orchestra plays music. People of all ages and identities are encouraged to join the love parade on bikes, wheelchairs, skateboards, scooters or on foot. For allies, closeted queers and open members alike, this event will be an inclusive celebration of the diverse LGBTQ+ community in Traverse City. Bring yourself, your kindness and all the rainbows you can find! Pride Picnic Fuel up for the parade at the Pride Picnic at F&M Park from 1-4pm on Saturday, Oct. 16! This is a BYOB (bring your own blanket) event with food and drink for purchase. With live music and various activities for families, this picnic will be a calm precursor to the parade and other events. Gather with members and allies of the Traverse City LGBTQ+ community to share love, pride and delicious food in celebration of our diverse community. The march will start at the same park shortly after, making it easy to participate in the parade! Comedy Show Some of the funniest comedians are borne from the LGBTQ+ experience, so the three nationally recognized queer comedians Kristin Key, Arlo Weierhauser and Brooklyn Jones will be performing at Short’s Brewing Co. in Elk Rapids at 8pm on Friday, Oct. 15
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will be a 90-minute event you can’t miss. About the performers: Kristin Key is a musical comedian, combining crossover talents to give creatively hilarious comedy shows. On top of hosting her own podcast and starring
in various shows and specials, Key tours regularly across the United States. Her show will be cheery, upbeat and funny. Arlo Weierhauser brings a different type of comedy show with truth-bombs-turnedjokes. Their history lies in acting, most recently starring in the 2020 movie “Timmy
