Pride Month Out & About with Matt Burlingame

Sacramento Pride 2023 is now a part of our community’s legacy. Regardless of growls and grumbles it was an event that made thousands of attendees swell with emotion as they saw the abundance of love and support from community and allies. And what an amazing parade with perfectly chosen grand marshals! But Pride month continues and it’s up to each of us to keep the rainbows shining brightly until they blind those still out spewing hate.

Before getting into some of this month’s amazing events it’s important we take a moment to pay tribute to a Lavender Heights institution that is also sadly fading into history. For 17 years the Kennedy Gallery has been a leader of the Sacramento art community having been named the Jewel of Midtown and repeatedly winning the title of Best Gallery in Sacramento. Please take a moment to stop in closing weekend June 22 - 25 and bid adieu to this amazing queer institution. Kennedygallery.net

National HIV Testing Day was first observed on June 27, 1995 encouraging people to get tested and know their status. This year we are being reminded that knowing our status is part of self-care, and with newer and better HIV treatments and care being discovered it’s important that regular testing is part of our care routine.

Join the fabulous DoMe Moore July 6 at 7 p.m. at Mango’s Sacramento, 1930 K St. for Drag Queen Bingo. Proceeds will benefit Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation. Remember admission is first come, first served so come early. RainbowChamber.com

Can’t get enough Drag Queen Bingo? Who can? The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 3317 Forty Mile Rd. in Wheatland welcomes the Rainbow Chamber’s Drag Queen crew July 8 and 9 from 7-9 p.m. For a ruckus good time! Grab your tickets in advance on eventbrite.com

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 Takeover of FACES Nightclub, 2000 K St., continues on July 2 with RPDR runner-up Anetra. Faces.net.

Oh, Rocky! The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Amber’s Sweets Shadowcast invades the Historic Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Blvd. on Saturday, June 24 at 8:30 p.m. 18+ only. Lovehorrorevents.com

It’s a night of queer dance Friday, June 30 at 9 p.m as DJ Lady Char takes over Harlow’s for Juicebox: Queer Dance Night. This is a 21+ event. Harlows.com

Featuring the beloved songs “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago” Rodgers and

Hammerstein’s Tony Award-winning musical Cinderella is a contemporary take on the classic tale. This stunning production runs June 27 - July 2 at the UC Davis Health Pavilion, 1419 H St. Broadwaysacramento.com

Each year, El Dorado Dance Academy offers its dancers the opportunity to showcase their performance skills on the main stage at the Harris Center, 10 College Pkwy. in Folsom. “Metamorphosis” plays Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Harriscenter.net

On Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. Jazz Night at the Crocker, 216 O St., showcases series favorite Vivian Lee as she graces the stage with classic standards from George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, and others, solidifying her perch as Sacramento’s very own jazz diva. Crockerart.org

LGBTQ+ and allied students pursuing an educational degree or vocational certificate are encouraged to apply for the Rainbow Chamber Foundation scholarship award. Scholarships range from $1,500-$2,500, and there are specific awards for students pursuing education in the fields of the culinary arts and healthcare. Apply online by June 30. Rainbowchamber.com

San Francisco’s award-winning, renowned poet clown Sara Toby Moore has created an autobiographical “human cartoon fantasia” about facing troubling times with humor and resilience. Atomic Comic: A Human Cartoon Fantasia runs June 30–July 8 at Z Space, 450 Florida St. in San Francisco. Saratobymoore.com

Secret Minorities is a comedy show starring Nick Larson and Danielle Arce, two Latinx comedians that most people assume are white, which they utilize for hilarious material. The show gets underway Wednesday, July 5 at 8 p.m. at Punch Line Sacramento, 2100 Arden Way. Punchlinesac.com

Events, birthdays, announcements? Send them to matthew@hengemedia.com.