EVENTS
Venture Out Project - Monday Night Hike Leland
Monday Night Hikes are all about finding community and relaxing in nature with other queer folks! They are a low-stakes, low-stress way to meet new people while enjoying summer outside. We hike at the pace of the slowest person, and we don’t leave anyone behind.
Hikes range from 1.5 to 3.3 miles and are generally within a 30- to 40-minute radius of the Traverse City area. All hikes start at 5:30pm and may go as late as 8:00pm. Hikes generally run rain or shine, but we will cancel for heavy rain, thunderstorms, or extreme heat.
Space is limited - Register here to reserve your spot for the hike!
Traverse City Dance Project Summer Tour Performance: Frankfort
The Traverse City Dance Project's first stop on its 2025 summer performance tour across Northern Michigan featuring beautiful new works performed by our incredible professional dancers! The program boasts an impressive lineup of professional dancers from around the country and showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott and recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. The second half of the program will spotlight choreography by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, set to the iconic music of Queen. The performance will be held from 7-8:30pm. Before the main event, guests can enjoy pre-show tunes by DJ Eric P starting at 6pm, setting the perfect mood for the evening ahead. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with the dancers, musicians, choreographers, and crew, offering insight into the creative process and behind-the-scenes experiences.
6pm---pre show music
7pm--performance followed by Q&A
Event will end at 8:30pm
Free Event
UNP Book Club at The Folded Leaf
Join us and our friends at The Folded Leaf in Cedar for the Queer Book Club!
The book club will meet every other Thursday at 6pm.
Traverse City Dance Project Summer Tour Performance: Charlevoix
The second stop of Traverse City Dance Project’s 2025 summer season tour of FREE performances across Northern Michigan! The program boasts an impressive lineup of professional dancers from around the country and showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott and recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. The second half of the program will spotlight choreography by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, set to the iconic music of Queen. Before the main event, guests can enjoy pre-show tunes by DJ Eric P, setting the perfect mood for the evening ahead. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with the dancers, musicians, choreographers, and crew, offering insight into the creative process and behind-the-scenes experiences.
In addition to the performance, there will also be a FREE kids' dance class for all levels and abilities at 6:30 PM on the park lawn, taught by one of the TCDP dancers.
NOTE: This event is outdoors. Bring your own chair/blanket, as seating will not be provided. We strive to make these events as accessible as possible; please feel free to reach out if you have any specific needs.
6:30pm----free kids dance class and pre show music
7:30pm----performance followed by a Q&A
9pm----event ends
Free Event
Norte’s Ride With Friends
What started as Patrick Cotant riding 100 miles to raise awareness and critical financial support for Norte became Norte’s largest annual fundraiser! Patrick and his friends have raised over $60,000 to get more kids rolling and connected with their communities. Thank you, Patrick and friends! Your support has been life-changing for thousands of children across Northern Michigan.
Patrick’s Ride With Friends has evolved into Norte’s Ride With Friends, sponsored by J Merchant Builders!
Read on for more information on how to support this year’s ride and empower the next generation of riders.
Everyone can help support our mission of building community through cycling! Here’s how:
Register to ride! Find ride options, routes, and more information at the bottom of the page. All rides will start and end at the Norte Clubhouse at the Grand Traverse Civic Center.
Raise money for Norte by sharing this link with friends and family who’d like to join you for this annual fundraiser and donate to your ride.
Ride on August 2nd with cyclists of all ages and abilities!
Don’t want to ride? Volunteer! Your support makes our work possible.
Register to ride, get route information, and learn more at norteyouthcycling.org
Michael G Lee Book Signing & Reading at Horizon Books
Meet Michael G. Lee, auther of When the Band Played On: The Life of Randy Shilts, America’s Trailblazing Gay Journalist. A writer, researcher, and educator with more than twenty years’ experience in human services and HIV/AIDS, Michael is also a Michigan State alum. His interest in the life of Randy Shilts came about while he was researching the origins of 1970s-era gay and lesbian community services and their influence on AIDS organizations in the 1980s.
Traverse City Dance Project Summer Tour Performance: Kalkaska
The third stop of Traverse City Dance Project’s 2025 summer season tour of FREE performances across Northern Michigan! The program boasts an impressive lineup of professional dancers from around the country and showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott and recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. The second half of the program will spotlight choreography by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, set to the iconic music of Queen. Before the main event, guests can enjoy pre-show tunes by DJ Eric P, setting the perfect mood for the evening ahead. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with the dancers, musicians, choreographers, and crew, offering insight into the creative process and behind-the-scenes experiences.
In addition to the performance, there will also be a FREE kids' dance class for all levels and abilities at 3:00 PM on the park lawn, taught by one of the TCDP dancers.
NOTE: This event is outdoors. We strive to make these events as accessible as possible; please feel free to reach out if you have any specific needs.
3:00---free kids dance class and pre show tunes
4:00---performance followed by Q&A
5:30---event ends
Free Event
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Traverse City Dance Project Summer Tour Performance: Traverse City
The final stop of Traverse City Dance Project’s 2025 summer season tour of FREE performances across Northern Michigan! The program boasts an impressive lineup of professional dancers from around the country and showcases new dance works by Resident Choreographer Jennifer McQuiston Lott and recent Juilliard graduate Julia Ciesielska, in collaboration with live cellist Kyle Stachnik. The second half of the program will spotlight choreography by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, set to the iconic music of Queen. Before the main event, guests can enjoy pre-show tunes by DJ Eric P, setting the perfect mood for the evening ahead. Following the performance, attendees are invited to participate in a Q&A session with the dancers, musicians, choreographers, and crew, offering insight into the creative process and behind-the-scenes experiences.
NOTE: This event is outdoors. Bring your own chair/blanket, as seating will not be provided. We strive to make these events as accessible as possible; please feel free to reach out if you have any specific needs.
6:30pm--pre-show music
7:30pm---performance followed by Q&A
9pm---event ends
Free Event
Queer Fiber Arts Club
A casual meet up to work on fiber arts projects in community. Fiber arts include things like embroidery, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and more!
Meet at Hull Park at 5:30, do brief introductions of our names and pronouns, and then get to work! We'll hang around until 7 and then go our separate ways.
If raining, we will meet at the Up North Pride Community Center (314 E Eighth Street)
Queer Fiber Arts Club meets monthly on the first Monday - 4/7, 5/5, 6/2, 7/7, 8/4
The Library is Open: All Ages Drag Show
The Library is OPEN!
Come to the Friendship Community Center on National Book Lovers Day for a show that SLAYS with style and smarts! With Hell On Heels and Northern Michigan Dragwives!
All Ages Drag Show
Saturday, August 9th @ 7PM
The Friendship Community Center, Inc. – 201 W Broadway, Suttons Bay, MI
$20 in advance | $25 at the door
Ticket link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../the-library-is-open-all...
Come see your favorite queens and king bring the pages to life with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and TALENT!
Featuring:
Deija Vaton
Mercedes Benz-Over
Trixie Kastina Spellz (Tyler Young)
Manny Quinn
Dress in your best bookish lewk and prepare to be gagged by the glam!
Because honey... The Library Is Open and the reads will be legendary!
Art Meet Up at the UNP Community Center
Join us for an Art Meet Up at the Up North Pride Community Center! Bring your own art project and enjoy an artful evening with friends.
And if you don’t have an art project, just bring yourself and a smile!
UNP Book Club at The Folded Leaf
Join us and our friends at The Folded Leaf in Cedar for the Queer Book Club!
The book club will meet every other Thursday at 6pm.
Game Night!
Join us for a game night at the UNP Community Center! Try out a new game, play a classic favorite, or bring a game of your own!
All ages welcome.
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Transgender, NonBinary+ Support Group
Up North Pride and Head & Heart Therapeutic Solutions are proud to offer a monthly peer support group for Trans & Nonbinary+ adults. Group is the third Wednesday of the month.
T&NB+ Support Group is free, although space is limited, so please register through QR code below or at this link: https://forms.gle/xo3rw8fSJTGGBNys6
Pride Meet Up at Five Shores Brewing
Join Up North Pride and Benzie Pride Network for an evening surrounded by friends at Five Shores Brewing!
Teen Meet-Up: Tie-Dye!
Join TADL's Teen Services at Up North Pride's community center on Eighth Street for a vibrant tie dying event for teens. Just bring white fabric, we'll supply the color!
From soft pastels to bright primaries, anything goes. So go wild!
Try to arrive by 5:00 to give yourself enough time to dye your item. Don’t have something to bring to tie-dye? That’s OK! We’ll have a limited supply of white t-shirts available!
(Ages 13-18)
UNP Book Club at The Folded Leaf
Join us and our friends at The Folded Leaf in Cedar for the Queer Book Club!
The book club will meet every other Thursday at 6pm.
Drag! on the NautiCat
Set sail for a special night on the bay with NautiCat’s Drag Cruise!
Tickets $35. Ages 21+
Drag! on the NautiCat
Set sail for a special night on the bay with NautiCat’s Drag Cruise!
Tickets $35. Ages 21+
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Teen Meet Up: Make Your Own Stress Ball
Come join the library and Up North Pride for a stress busting evening! We will be creating stress balls and other stress busting contraptions while we hang out together in a supportive welcoming environment!
All teens are welcome.
We’ll be meeting at the Teen Services area of the TADL
UNP Book Club at The Folded Leaf
Join us and our friends at The Folded Leaf in Cedar for the Queer Book Club!
The book club will meet every other Thursday at 6pm.
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Transgender, NonBinary+ Support Group
Up North Pride and Head & Heart Therapeutic Solutions are proud to offer a monthly peer support group for Trans & Nonbinary+ adults. Group is the third Wednesday of the month.
T&NB+ Support Group is free, although space is limited, so please register through QR code below or at this link: https://forms.gle/xo3rw8fSJTGGBNys6
QUEER:SAY Storytelling
QUEER:SAY Storytelling
Queer:Say is a live storytelling show where we can reconnect through the hilarious, heartfelt, and sometimes horrifying stories that tell life’s many truths. This special edition, paired with Up North Pride, will feature storytellers from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
House opens at 6:30pm. Event starts at 7pm.
This is a ticketed event
Parental guidance is advised
Pride Week: Sign Making Party
Join us at The Little Fleet for our annual Sign Making Party!
The Sign Making Party is your chance to make a statement and prepare for the Pride Visibility March on Saturday.
Visibility Rally & March, Resource Fair, Drag Show & Silent Disco!
Pride Week festivities wrap up with the biggest Pride Celebration in Northern Michigan!
The excitement starts at F&M Park at the Visibility Rally starting at 1pm.
We’ll then take to the streets for the Pride March through downtown along Front Street to the Open Space Park immediately followed by the Resource Fair where local non-profits will be on-hand to share info about the services and support they provide for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The fun continues with the Drag Show starting at 6pm featuring our favorite queens and kings from around the state!
Dance with us under the stars at the Silent Disco beginning at 10pm!
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Transgender, NonBinary+ Support Group
Up North Pride and Head & Heart Therapeutic Solutions are proud to offer a monthly peer support group for Trans & Nonbinary+ adults. Group is the third Wednesday of the month.
T&NB+ Support Group is free, although space is limited, so please register through QR code below or at this link: https://forms.gle/xo3rw8fSJTGGBNys6
Pride Meet Up at TC Whiskey Co
Let’s get together to enjoy a nice summer evening on the patio at Traverse City Whiskey!
Ride with Pride! Slow Roll
We had so much fun at this year’s Pride Ride that we’re doing it again this month 🧡
Join us at the Norte Clubhouse (map link) for a leisurely, slow roll-style ride, followed by a light, meditative yoga session on Tuesday, July 22nd.
We will roll out around 6:00 pm; yoga will start around 6:30 pm!
All are welcome and encouraged to attend 🌈
UNP Teen Art Night
Make your own zine, help us decorate the Up North Pride Community Center by adding to our Window Mural - we’ll provide the window paint, you bring your design ideas! Or bring a project of your own to work on!
Ages 14 - 18 welcome.
Benzie Area Pride Network Annual Fundraiser Concert with Blake Elliott & Aaron Dye!
Fundraising concert for the Benzie Area Pride Network! Featuring musician Blake Elliott and special guest Aaron Dye. Fingers foods provided by Suz McLaughlin. Suggested donation $25/person but pay what you can!
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
UNP Hike at Maple Bay Natural Area
Come explore the trails at Maple Bay Natural Area! We’ll meet at the parking lot of the Maple Bay Farm at 10:00 before hitting the trails that wind through forests, fields, dunes, and beach areas
Click to learn more about Maple Bay Farm and the Maple Bay Natural Area
Game Night!
Join us for a game night at the UNP Community Center! Try out a new game, play a classic favorite, or bring a game of your own!
All ages welcome.
UNP Book Club at The Folded Leaf
Join us and our friends at The Folded Leaf in Cedar for the Queer Book Club!
The book club will meet every other Thursday at 6pm.
Transgender, NonBinary+ Support Group
Up North Pride and Head & Heart Therapeutic Solutions are proud to offer a monthly peer support group for Trans & Nonbinary+ adults. Group is the third Wednesday of the month.
T&NB+ Support Group is free, although space is limited, so please register through QR code below or at this link: https://forms.gle/xo3rw8fSJTGGBNys6
Venture Out Project - Monday Night Hike Traverse City
Monday Night Hikes are all about finding community and relaxing in nature with other queer folks! They are a low-stakes, low-stress way to meet new people while enjoying summer outside. We hike at the pace of the slowest person, and we don’t leave anyone behind.
Hikes range from 1.5 to 3.3 miles and are generally within a 30- to 40-minute radius of the Traverse City area. All hikes start at 5:30pm and may go as late as 8:00pm. Hikes generally run rain or shine, but we will cancel for heavy rain, thunderstorms, or extreme heat.
Space is limited - Register here to reserve your spot for the hike!
Elev8 Climbing Meetup: Queer Night
A climbing meetup for our LGBTQIA+ community.
Details:
Friday 6pm-8pm
$15 in advance / $20 day of event
Rentals are included!
Free for members
The meetup kicks off with some light instruction and challenges/goals, and is followed by a couple hours of climbing, socializing and having fun while building relationships and expanding your comfort zone!
**Purchase our "Climb Together" shirt to wear at these meetups. Wear the shirt to Rare Bird after climbing to receive 15% off your tab!
Queer Jam Night at Sidetraxx
This is an open Jam night to bring together other musicians in our LGBTQ+ community and their allies in order to meet other musicians and make music and new friends.
Queer Jam Night will be held every Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 at Sidetraxx
Art Meet Up at the UNP Community Center
Join us for an Art Meet Up at the new Up North Pride Community Center! Bring your own art project and enjoy an artful evening with friends.
And if you don’t have an art project, just bring yourself and a smile!
Queer Fiber Arts Club
A casual meet up to work on fiber arts projects in community. Fiber arts include things like embroidery, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and more!
This month we will be at Hull Park behind the library. We’ll meet at 5:30, do brief introductions of our names and pronouns, and then get to work! We'll hang around until 7 and then go our separate ways.
Queer Fiber Arts Club meets monthly on the first Monday - 4/7, 5/5, 6/2, 7/7, 8/4
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
LGBTQ Meet & Greet at MiddleCoast Brewing
Join us every Friday from 6-10pm for a casual meet up in a safe space for drinks and conversation!
UNP Book Club at The Folded Leaf
Join us and our friends at The Folded Leaf in Cedar for the Queer Book Club!
The book club will meet every other Thursday at 6pm.
Queer Jam Night at Sidetraxx
This is an open Jam night to bring together other musicians in our LGBTQ+ community and their allies in order to meet other musicians and make music and new friends.
Queer Jam Night will be held every Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 at Sidetraxx
Venture Out Project - Monday Night Hike Empire
Monday Night Hikes are all about finding community and relaxing in nature with other queer folks! They are a low-stakes, low-stress way to meet new people while enjoying summer outside. We hike at the pace of the slowest person, and we don’t leave anyone behind.
Hikes range from 1.5 to 3.3 miles and are generally within a 30- to 40-minute radius of the Traverse City area. All hikes start at 5:30pm and may go as late as 8:00pm. Hikes generally run rain or shine, but we will cancel for heavy rain, thunderstorms, or extreme heat.
Space is limited - Register here to reserve your spot for the hike!
Interlochen Shakespeare Festival: "Measure for Measure"
The Interlochen Shakespeare Festival was recently named one of the Best Outdoor Theater Performances in the U.S. by the Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards.
What is the true meaning of justice? That question propels the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival’s riveting and relevant production of Measure for Measure. Left to rule Vienna in Duke Vincentio’s absence, the puritanical Angelo prosecutes Claudio for the crime of fornication—prompting the accused’s sister, Isabella, to confront Angelo’s merciless interpretation of the law.
Reimagined by director Bill Church as a 1970s-inspired urban thriller, Shakespeare’s final comedy plumbs enduring themes of justice, power, and forgiveness through both edge-of-your-seat action and moments of levity. Join an exceptional cast of professional and emerging actors beneath the starry skies of Upton-Morley Pavilion for a taut and gritty tale that’s as timely today as it was in 1604.
LGBTQ Meet & Greet at MiddleCoast Brewing
Join us every Friday from 6-10pm for a casual meet up in a safe space for drinks and conversation!
Paddle with Pride!
Sleeping Bear Surf is kicking off their first community paddle of the season, Thursday, June 26th, with pride!
What to know:
Date: Thursday, June 26th
Location: North Bar Lake
Time: Be ready to hit the water at 6:30pm!
There will be a quick orientation and safety briefing at 6:20pm before we enter the water.
Weather: TBD
What to bring:
Non-motorized watercraft of choice
Board / Boat
Paddle
Life jacket (per Coast Guard regulation, PFDs must be on the bodies of all kayak & canoe paddlers, and either worn or strapped to all SUPs)
Leash (for all SUPs)
Drinking water
Swimwear *if you plan to get wet*
Fleece and/or neoprene to stay warm (bring an extra cozy fleece for post-paddle)
A buddy!
A snack or beverage to pass if you wish to hang around at North Bar Lake to cheers at the conclusion of our paddle.
If you are in need of watercraft, Paddleboard rentals are available for $40 at Sleeping Bear Surf – just give us a call to reserve at least 12 hours prior to the event and we’ll take care of the rest!
Community Movie Night: Paris is Burning!
Oryana & Up North Pride Present: PARIS IS BURNING! Wednesday, June 25th, 7pm at the State Theatre!
Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.
Belles & Chimes Pinball Tournament
Belles and Chimes is an international network of inclusive women's pinball leagues. We host bi-weekly tournaments at the Coin slot for women, femmes, and thems to play together in a casual and supportive environment.
No entry fee for tournament, coin drop applies (5 games, $5. but bring $8 in case you make it to finals!)
Tournaments are every other Sunday- 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Rainbow Run
We are thrilled to announce our third annual collaboration between Up North Pride and TART Trails for the Rainbow Run on June 21, 2025. This fun color run will take place around the Boardman Loop and promises to be a meaningful and impactful event that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the beautiful northern Michigan community.
This event is much more than just a run or walk. It is a celebration of love, acceptance, and belonging, and an opportunity for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies to come together and show their pride. It is a chance to raise awareness and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and to promote equality and inclusion in northern Michigan.
Run registration is now open! Click here to sign up to participate!
Want to help make this event happen? Sign up here to volunteer!!
The 2025 Rainbow Run is presented by JenTees Custom Logo Gear and Molina Healthcare.
