Champaign-Urbana’s Pride month is here, and Uniting Pride of Champaign County has put together a schedule of events for the week of Sept. 15.
Uniting Pride was founded in 2009 with a mission to create “a community where all who hold historically and actively marginalized gender and sexual identities can live fulfilling, joyful, healthy, and vibrant lives,” according to their website.
Since its creation, the organization has been active in the community year-round by providing local resources, advocacy and educational events.
CU Pride Fest will feature daily events from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22. Below is a preview of each day’s itinerary and how students and community members can get involved this week.
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Sunday, Sept. 15
1-3 p.m. — Craft It UP – Pride Sign and Fan Making @ University YMCA (18+)
The first Pride Fest event will take place at the YMCA and is free to those ages 18 and over. Organizers will provide supplies to make custom Pride signs and posters, along with fans to keep cool for the parade on Sept. 21. The Craft it UP group meets twice a month, and more information can be found here about regular meetings.
6-10 p.m. — Queeraoke @ Anthem (19+)
Queeraoke is a collaboration between the UP Center, Anthem and Nowhere Karaoke, and it is free to ages 19 and over. Drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and music chosen by attendees will be featured at Champaign’s own LGBTQ+ bar.
Monday, Sept. 16
6-9 p.m. — Drag-vocacy: Boots on the Ground! @ Spurlock Museum of World Cultures
UP is teaming up with Planned Parenthood of Illinois Action to create an engaging night of education and advocacy. Drag-vocacy: Boots on the Ground! offers opportunities to learn about the political landscape for the LGBTQ+ community in Champaign-Urbana, along with how to engage locally in political action, all from drag kings, queens and other experts in the field. The night will end with complimentary refreshments and performances by local drag performers. Attendance is free, but RSVP is requested and can be found here.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Living History with LGBTQ+ Elders @ University YMCA
The University YMCA will offer free Thai food along with a night of community engagement at the second Living History event with LGBTQ+ elders. Speakers have been invited to sit at various stations and tell their stories, answer questions and connect with the community to preserve a generation of integral queer life.
Speakers confirmed so far are Julie Pryde, Jerry Carden, Tim Temple, Tim Hutchison, Michael Lambert, Kimberlie Kranich, Robert Michael Doyle, Danielle Chynoweth and Sophie Michaels.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
3 p.m. — Planning for Action Webinar: Aging & End-of-Life Plans for HIV+ People (virtual)
This virtual webinar has been put together by Compassion & Choices Action Network, UP and GCAP to advocate for the histories of the end-of-life options movement, along with care by and for HIV+ people. The webinar will offer engaging discussion to lift up intertwined histories and experiences. Registration can be found here.
6-7:30 p.m. — Maybe Baby: Basics of Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent @ Champaign Public Library Robeson Pavilion Rooms A/B
Featuring local panelists Ellen Bullock, Michael Foellmer, Carmen Owens and Anika Warner, this event will feature three queer parents who each took different routes to create their family. Attorney Ellen Bullock will also speak about her experience working with nearly every LGBTQ+ family in Champaign to serve their legal needs in this process. The event is free and co-sponsored by Urbana-Champaign Reproductive Justice.
Thursday, Sept. 19
5:30-7 p.m. — “Could you dim the lights?” Gallery Conversation with Jen Everett, Briona Simone Jones, madison moore and Blair Ebony Smith @ Krannert Art Museum
The Krannert Art Museum will feature a gallery on display, along with a conversation between the artist, exhibition curator and other invited guests to discuss multimedia artist Jen Everett’s practice. The conversation will “embrace Black life in the United States and vernacular photography, seeking Black lesbian presence in archives, and sonic resonances including nightlife and club spaces in the Midwest,” according to the event description. More information and full bios for the panelists can be found here.
7:30 p.m. — Queer Movie Night: “The Stonewall Uprising” @ Anthem (19+)
Presented in part by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Anthem will feature a showing of the film “The Stonewall Uprising,” a critical documentary in explaining the pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ civil rights history and its effects on queer activism. The event is free, and no registration is required.
Friday, Sept. 20
3:30-6 p.m. — Youth and Family Pride Party @ Phillips Recreation Center
UP and the Urbana Park District have partnered together to create a free Pride event directed towards families, teens and young children. The Park District will offer a Pride-themed hangout zone for teens, along with games, crafts, free Kona Ice, a bounce house and music designed for attendees of all ages.
6 p.m.-12 a.m. — Pride on Market Street honoring 2024 Pride Grand Marshal, DJ Silkee @ Downtown Champaign
The downtown Champaign Festival district offers an evening of community, celebration and Pride. The event will offer crafts, local vendors, music, community resources, food and drinks and a moment to honor DJ Silkee in her role as the 2024 CU Pride Fest Grand Marshal.
Feel free to stop by at any time; the schedule can be found below:
- 6-8 p.m.: Graduates of DJ Silkee’s She Spins Camp – DJ Ly’Jah and DJ Strange
- 8-9:30 p.m.: Live music on the Pour Bros Patio
- 9:45 p.m.: Tribute to the 2024 CU Pride Fest Grand Marshal — DJ Silkee
- 10 p.m.-12 a.m.: DJ Silkee Pride Dance Party
Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. — #QueerAllYear Carnival Debauche and Defy Gravity Pride Show @ Seven Saints (19+)
The #QueerAllYear Pride Show returns for another annual performance of burlesque, pole and fire performers. Tickets can be purchased here for $25 pre-sale or $30 at the door, and seats are on a first come first serve basis on the night of.
Saturday, Sept. 21
9:30 a.m. — Pride Nature Hike @ Busey Woods
UP offers a guided hike throughout Busey Woods as a way to kick off the final weekend of Pride Fest. Hikers of all ages are welcome, but those 14 years old and under should attend with a parent or guardian.
1-5 p.m. — CU Pride Fest Parade & Fair @ Downtown Urbana
Pride Fest’s signature Parade & Fair will take over downtown Urbana, featuring local businesses and artists, community resources, entertainment, games, crafts and food. The parade will step off at 1 p.m. The fair will feature two entertainment stages, featuring main stage performers Chris Chism, Yvie Oddly, Lucy Stoole and others. The lineup for the second stage consists of the parade’s emcees Diane Ducey of Q96.1 and Lucey Stoole, Amasong, Drag Storytime and others. More details on the parade and fair can be found here.
8 p.m. Meet & Greet, 9:30 p.m. show — Drag Extravaganza starring Yvie Oddly, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 Winner! @ The City Center
Molina Healthcare presents a Drag Extravaganza with an incredible cast of drag performers. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 Winner Yvie Oddly, Chicago drag icon Lucy Stoole and local favorites (Ceduxion Carrington, Karma Carrington, Spank Knightly and Daeshaun Frank Carrington) will take the stage on Saturday night. Hosted by Callie Luttman from Mix 94.5 and 97.9 The Vibe along with DJ Tukupi, the Drag Extravaganza promises an electric night of queer joy and performance. Ticket pricing and information can be found here. Anthem will host an official after-party until 2 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 22
10 a.m.-10 p.m. — Sunday Funday at Anthem! (19+)
The last day of the 2024 CU Pride Fest will feature a full day of festivities at Anthem. The schedule can be found below:
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: MYPRIDE365, Big Grove Tavern, and Anthem team up for an incredible Drag Brunch!
2 p.m.: Tea Dance to follow brunch
4-7 p.m.: Anthem Happy Hour
6-10 p.m.: Karaoke to close out the night
Ticket pricing and information for the brunch and/or show can be found here.
