EVENTS
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
“To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything” Viewing Party
Grab your friends, your glitter, and your best pride looks because we are bringing camp, comedy, drag, and community together for a very special screening party of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar at the iconic State Theatre
Join us on Thursday, June 4th for a night filled with:
Drag performances
A cult classic film screening
Pride month celebration vibes
Community, laughter, and love
Featuring special appearances from the incredible:
Deija Vaton & Mercedes Benz-Over
Doors Open: 5PM
Event Starts: 6PM
$10 Ticket
Proceeds benefit The Trevor Project
Ticket Link
There is truly no better way to celebrate Pride Month than by coming together to support LGBTQ+ youth while honoring one of the most iconic queer films of all time. Whether you come dressed in full glam, rainbow sparkle, or just ready to have a good time, EVERYONE is welcome.
Northern Michigan, let’s pack the house with love, pride, and community spirit!
🌈Tarot Workshop
Not a lecture nor review of meanings, but a collaborative exploration of tarot for self-care and inspiration. Decks and books by queer creators available to interact with. Bring pen and paper and your curiosity!
🌈🤝The Open Page: A Queer Writers Circle
The Open Page: A Queer Writers Circle is a monthly writing group hosted in collaboration with Up North Pride and The Folded Leaf. This circle is designed for LGBTQ+ writers, questioning creatives, and allies who are looking for a soft, supportive place to write, explore, and connect.
Each gathering begins with a short prompt inspired by queer literature, memory, identity, place, imagination, or joy. From there, participants will have quiet writing time followed by optional sharing. You do not need to be an experienced writer to attend, and you never have to read aloud. Poems, fiction, essays, memoir, journaling, letters, fragments, and unfinished thoughts are all welcome here.
🌈Art Meet Up
Join us for an Art Meet Up! Bring your own art project and enjoy a creative evening with friends.
And if you don’t have an art project, just bring yourself and a smile!
🌈Youth Group Ice Cream Social at Leone’s
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
This week, we’ll be celebrating the end of school and kick off to summer with ice cream at Leone’s on 14th Street!
🫶Pride Extravaganza
TRAVERSE CITY… ARE YOU READY?!
Pride Month is about to get EXTRA fabulous at the historic State Theatre with the one and only PRIDE EXTRAVAGANZA on Thursday, June 11th!
Get ready for a night packed with:
Jaw-dropping drag
Kings & Queens serving LOOKS
Comedy, glamour, music, and pure PRIDE magic
A cast of incredible entertainers from all over the state of Michigan, lighting up the stage all night long
Featuring:
Ben Eaton
Mercedes Benz-Over
Kelly Ann Jefferies
Manny Quinn
Trixie Kastina Spellz
Mia Cole
Deija Vaton
Dymond Denae
Tickets: $25
Proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project
18+ Event
Doors Open: 5PM
Showtime: 6PM
Ticket Link:
https://secure.traversecityfilmfest.org/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=872656~462fdd21-873c-4827-b227-8a36b913e449&epguid=f9385ae5-a20d-40bd-8812-c04853a2e0fb&mdy=6/11/2026&
This is more than a show, it’s a celebration of love, authenticity, community, and unapologetically being YOU. Whether you come dressed in glitter, rainbow, sequins, or just your beautiful self, this is the PRIDE party you do NOT want to miss!
Bring your friends, bring your energy, and let’s pack the State Theatre with love, laughter, and fierce performances all night long!
🤝Elev8 Climbing Meetup: Queer Night
A climbing meetup for our LGBTQIA+ community.
Details:
Friday 5pm-7pm
$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!
🌈Partners of Trans Peer-to-Peer Meetup
Come for conversation and support at this relaxed peer-to-peer meetup for people dating, partnered with, or married to trans and gender-diverse individuals. Share, listen, and build community with others who get it.
This month’s meeting will be in the Crow’s Nest meeting room (3rd floor) at Commongrounds.
🌈🤝 Drag Queen Story Time at Dennos Musuem
Enjoy a special story time with Deija Vaton at Dennos Museum during this month’s Second Sunday Art Project program!
🤝The Folded Leaf Queer Joy Story Hour - For Grown Ups!
An evening of readings and reflection honoring the LGBTQ+ stories that have shaped us, steadied us, and helped us feel less alone. Guests are invited to bring a short passage from a queer book that mattered to them, or simply come listen, gather, and celebrate the stories some people tried to silence — and the people who found themselves in the pages anyway.
🌈Parent Support Group Info Night
We are excited to announce the start of a new Parent Support Group, open to parents of any LGBTQ+ identifying children of any age. To help us plan what this group looks like, including how often and best times to meet, we are hosting a Parent Group info night to hear directly from you about what you want this group to be! Join us for a picnic in the park on Tuesday, June 16th.
Thanks to support from Rotary Charities, we are able to offer childcare during these group meetups so you are welcome to bring the kiddos along with you and not worry about a babysitter!
🌈🤝Teen Art Meet-Up: Pride Beading at the TADL!
Come join the library and Up North Pride to bead in a supportive welcoming environment! We will have beads in all the colors of the rainbow as well as findings for necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings. Want to create your own color combo that celebrates your identity? Go for it!
All teens are welcome here.
🫶Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine - Film Screening & Community Discussion
Free film screening of "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine," open to the public, part of NMC's Global Cinema Series. After the film, there will be community discussion with a featured speaker.
🫶Broken Glass & Friends Community Mosaic Project!
Attention all: she, he, they, thems, queers, queens, allies, kids, elders, and pets!
Pride is all about visibility, community and spreading queer joy! And for that I’d like to invite Y’ALL (yes, everyone) to come create a piece of art with me and others! I’ll be putting together a larger scale mosaic at Little Fleet on Thursday, June 18th at Noon. My talented friend Ampersand Creative Lab will also be there!! That piece will later be permanently installed at Motel Bear Lake for (once again) ALL to see!
I will also be running a sale on glass at our friends and neighbors at Penny Lane with a little table of NEW stuff and maybe even some little gay kewpie prints!
So please bring your friends and come at the best little outdoor hangout and make some beautiful art together and celebrate our authentic selves! The only thing required is your beautiful faces and pure joy!
🌈LGBTQ+ Senior Coffee Morning
Start the morning off with a cup of Higher Grounds coffee with our monthly LGBTQ+ Seniors Coffee Morning!
This month’s coffee hour will be held at The Crows Nest Meeting Room, 3rd floor of Commongrounds (414 E Eighth Street)
🌈Game Night!
Join us for our monthly game night! Try out a new game, play a classic favorite, or bring a game of your own!
All ages welcome.
🫶Juneteenth Celebration Open Skate
Join us at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center on Friday, June 19th, for a Juneteenth Celebration Open Skate! 🎉
Traverse City Roller Derby is partnering with Northern Michigan E3 to put on this fun skating event at the end of a full evening of Juneteenth Activities by Northern Michigan E3! ❤️💛💚🖤
$5 Admission, $5 Skate Rental 🛼
Helmets strongly encouraged, but not required.
One session from 7-9:30pm
Music by DJ Stone! 🎶
See you there! 🥳
Rainbow Run🌈🤝
We are thrilled to announce our third annual collaboration between Up North Pride and TART Trails for the Rainbow Run on June 20, 2026. 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.
🌈Sip, Snap & Slam: Pride Month Poetry Event
Enjoy performances from poets and spoken word artists at TC Whiskey Co., featuring local poets and special guests Derek & Gleason!
Derek Welch is what happens when a poet, a reverend, a queer, a daydreamer, an herbalist, a storyteller, and a human all try to incarnate at the same time. Growing up in a religious community as a queer youth, Derek was prompted to delve into his imagination for the sake of safety, understanding, and to preserve a sense of wonder. Using metaphoric imagery, Derek has documented his internal experience for years; honing the magic of the written and spoken word in a way that translates and imparts the piece of him that the world couldn't touch - in hopes that somehow it reminds you of yours.
Gleason is a Michigan poet, songwriter, and performer with a compelling story and powerful voice. Raised in a fundamentalist evangelical cult where their faith was often at odds with their spirit; Gleason’s art is a reclamation of the divinity of queerness, an adventure in alchemy that seeks to find god in unexpected places. Their poetry has been featured by Curbside Splendor, Michigan Radio, Curve Magazine, and Diva Mag UK; and they have spoken and performed at TEDX events, Pride festivals, universities, corporate events, and poetry venues across the country.
🤝The Folded Leaf Drag Me to the Bookstore
A literary drag event celebrating big stories, bold self-expression, humor, performance, and queer joy in true bookish fashion. We’ll share poems, essays, picture books, short fiction, and joyful queer excerpts in a warm, low-pressure space. Come to listen, read, laugh, maybe cry a little, and remember that queer stories are not only about survival — they are also about delight.
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
This week we will be meeting up at F&M Park before the Pride Ride with Norte - those that would like to participate in the ride are welcome to! Just bring your bike!
🌈Pride Ride
Join us at F&M Park in your bike and pride gear for a spirited ride through downtown led by Norte!
The ride will begin at 6 pm so please join us at the park at 5:30 to rally up! Free admission, all ages are welcome.
*If you want to join but do not have a bike, Brick Wheels is offering 30% of rentals for the evening! Use code PRIDE2026 at checkout!
The Pride Ride is sponsored by:
🌈Queer Adult Prom!
Save the Date! Queer Adult Prom is back!
Come dance the night away in the Ballroom at Hotel Indigo at the 2026 Adult Pride Prom!
Adult Prom is Sponsored by: Lume Cannabis
🤝Pride & Pages Bookfair
A full-day queer bookfair to close out the month, featuring LGBTQ+ books across genres, staff picks, local/community highlights, and a celebration of queer stories all year long.
🫶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’s Fiber Arts Club will be meeting at Artemis Books
🌈Art Meet Up
Join us for an Art Meet Up! Bring your own art project and enjoy a creative evening with friends.
And if you don’t have an art project, just bring yourself and a smile!
🤝Elev8 Climbing Meetup: Queer Night
A climbing meetup for our LGBTQIA+ community.
Details:
Friday 5pm-7pm
$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!
🌈Tarot Workshop
Not a lecture nor review of meanings, but a collaborative exploration of tarot for self-care and inspiration. Decks and books by queer creators available to interact with. Bring pen and paper and your curiosity!
🌈🤝The Open Page: A Queer Writers Circle
The Open Page: A Queer Writers Circle is a monthly writing group hosted in collaboration with Up North Pride and The Folded Leaf. This circle is designed for LGBTQ+ writers, questioning creatives, and allies who are looking for a soft, supportive place to write, explore, and connect.
Each gathering begins with a short prompt inspired by queer literature, memory, identity, place, imagination, or joy. From there, participants will have quiet writing time followed by optional sharing. You do not need to be an experienced writer to attend, and you never have to read aloud. Poems, fiction, essays, memoir, journaling, letters, fragments, and unfinished thoughts are all welcome here.
🌈LGBTQ+ Senior Coffee Morning
Start the morning off with a cup of Higher Grounds coffee with our monthly LGBTQ+ Seniors Coffee Morning!
This month’s coffee hour will be held at The Crows Nest Meeting Room, 3rd floor of Commongrounds (414 E Eighth Street)
🌈Game Night!
Join us for our monthly game night! Try out a new game, play a classic favorite, or bring a game of your own!
All ages welcome.
🤝TC Roller Derby Cherry Rumble Royale Day
Join us for our annual Cherry Rumble Royale day of Roller Derby Mixed Scrimmages!
Spectator tickets will be available day-of. We accept cash, card, and tap to pay.
$12 at the door, kids 12 and under get in FREE with an adult.
3pm - Juniors Mixed Scrimmage
5pm - All Gender Scrimmage
7pm - Rookie Scrimmage
Hangry’s concessions, Right Brain beer, and Amoritas cider available.
🫶TCDP Summer Tour: Kalkaska
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six stop summer tour celebrating dance and live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance work by Jennifer Lott, with music composed by Charlie Millard and performed live by the Charlie Millard Band; NYC-based tap artist Madison Hilligoss; and a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Join us for this FREE performance, featuring a guest appearance by Fitch’s School of Dance and a free kids’ dance class at 3:00 PM before the show. Live music begins at 3:00 PM with the Charlie Millard Band, and the performance starts at 4:00 PM. Arrive early to secure a seat under the pavilion! We’re committed to accessibility—please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations.
Visit tcdanceproject.org for more
*Rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, updates will be provided three hours prior to start of performance.
🫶TCDP Summer Tour: Bellaire
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six stop summer tour celebrating dance and live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance work by Jennifer Lott, with music composed by Charlie Millard and performed live by the Charlie Millard Band; NYC-based tap artist Madison Hilligoss; and a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Join us at Short’s Brewing Company Beer Garden in Bellaire, MI, for this FREE event. Live music begins at 6:30 PM with the Charlie Millard Band, and the performance starts at 7:30 PM. We’re committed to accessibility—please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations.
Visit tcdanceproject.orgfor more
🫶TCDP Summer Tour: Frankfort
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six stop summer tour celebrating dance and live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance work by Jennifer Lott, with music composed by Charlie Millard and performed live by the Charlie Millard Band; NYC-based tap artist Madison Hilligoss; and a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Join us at The Garden Theater in Frankfort, MI, for this FREE performance. Live music begins at 7:00 PM with the Charlie Millard Band, and the performance starts at 7:30 PM. First-come, first-served seating—no advance tickets required; arrive early! We’re committed to accessibility—please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations.
🫶TCDP Summer Tour: Charlevoix
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six stop summer tour celebrating dance and live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance work by Jennifer Lott, with music composed by Charlie Millard and performed live by the Charlie Millard Band; NYC-based tap artist Madison Hilligoss; and a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Join us at the Odmark Performance Pavilion in Charlevoix, MI, for this FREE performance. Live music begins at 6:30 PM with the Charlie Millard Band, and the performance starts at 7:30 PM. A free kids’ dance class will take place on the lawn at 6:30. Bring your own blankets and chairs, and arrive early to secure your spot. We’re committed to accessibility—please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations.
🤝TC Roller Derby Triple-Header!
On August 1st, Traverse City’s Civic Center will play host to Traverse City Roller Derby’s action-packed triple-header!
Tickets to this event will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door. We accept cash and card. Kids 12 and under get in FREE with an adult.
3pm - Juniors Mixed Scrimmage
5pm - TCRD A vs Windy City C
7pm - TCRD B vs Windy City D
🫶TCDP Summer Tour: Traverse City
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six stop summer tour celebrating dance and live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance work by Jennifer Lott, with music composed by Charlie Millard and performed live by the Charlie Millard Band; NYC-based tap artist Madison Hilligoss; and a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Join us at the Traverse City Open Space for this FREE performance. Live music begins at 6:30 PM with the Charlie Millard Band, and the performance starts at 7:30 PM. Bring your own blankets and chairs, and arrive early to secure your spot. We’re committed to accessibility—please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations.
🫶TCDP Summer Tour: Petoskey
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project returns with a vibrant six stop summer tour celebrating dance and live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Highlights include a new dance work by Jennifer Lott, with music composed by Charlie Millard and performed live by the Charlie Millard Band; NYC-based tap artist Madison Hilligoss; and a premiere by Artistic Director Brent Whitney, followed by a Q&A with the artists. Join us at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts rooftop terrace as the sun sets and the music and dance come alive. Enjoy cocktails from the bar as live music begins at 6:30 PM with the Charlie Millard Band, and the performance starts at 7:30 PM. We’re committed to accessibility—please let us know in advance if you need any accommodations. Limited number of tickets available, so don't delay!
Pride Week: QUEERStory Storytelling
QUEERStory Storytelling
Queerstory 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.
Pride Week: Sign Making Party & Pride Happy Hour
Join Up North Pride at The Little Fleet for our annual Sign Making Party and Pride Happy Hour!
The Sign Making Party is your chance to make a statement and prepare for the Pride Visibility March on Saturday.
The Intimi Affair
Get ready for a night you won’t forget at the Intimi Affair, anunapologetically inclusive lingerie fashion show — where the only thing more scandalous than the outfits might be the faces you see on the runway!
Details and ticket information coming soon!
Pride Week: Visibility Rally & March, Resource Fair, Drag Show & Silent Disco!
Pride Week wraps up with the biggest Pride Celebration in Northern Michigan!
The excitement starts at the Visibility Rally starting at 12pm before we take to the streets for the Pride March through downtown along Front Street to the Open Space Park.
Immediately following the Rally and March, the Resource Fair will take place at the Open Space Park, where local non-profits and area service providers 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!
Queer Business Owner Roundtable
We’re bringing together a group of ~10–12 Queer business owners, founders, and a few values-aligned allies for a candid, relationship-focused conversation about what it’s like to build and lead a business in our region right now.
What this is (and isn’t):
This isn’t a networking event in the traditional sense. It’s a space for honest conversation, shared challenges, and real connection--something a bit more meaningful and productive.
What we’re hoping to explore together:
What’s working well for you right now
Where you’re feeling stuck or unsupported
Opportunities to better connect and support one another locally
Whether there’s interest in something ongoing (peer group, gatherings, etc.)
If you are interested in joining, please email director@upnorthpride.com to RSVP.
🫶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’s Fiber Arts Club will be meeting at Artemis Books
🌈Up North Pride Volunteer Mix & Mingle
Up North Pride would not exist without the support of our amazing volunteers, and we want to celebrate you! Join us Sunday, May 31st, for a Volunteer Mix and Mingle at Tank Space. Drop in any time between 2 and 5pm. We'll have snacks and games, and if you've volunteered with us in the past year, your first drink is on us.
As we continue to expand our year round programming, we are looking to build our volunteer base. Our board members and staff will be present to share more about our upcoming events and committees and how you can get involved. If you have friends who might be interested in volunteering, please bring them along.
RSVP link: https://forms.gle/SKj1kKvjczvHRB4f8
LGBTQ+ Health Fair
Learn about the resources and services available to the community at Up North Pride’s first LGBTQ+ Health Fair, presented by Traverse Bay Internal Medicine, with special thanks to our wellness partner Thomas Judd Care Center, and Traverse Area District Library.
The event will be held at TADL the McGuire Community Room Saturday, May 30th, 10:00am-2:00pm.
Participating services and medical offices include:
Traverse Bay Internal Medicine
Thomas Judd Care Center
Priority Health
MIGen
Planned Parenthood
Higgins Hearing
Traverse Health Clinic
Britt Wildfong, SEP, LMT, RYT
Emerald & Oak Wellness
Northbound Physical Therapy
Grand Traverse County Health Dept.
🌈Boot - Scootin' Line Dance Night
***Please note that this month’s event will take place at Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
🌈Game Night!
Join us for our monthly game night! Try out a new game, play a classic favorite, or bring a game of your own!
All ages welcome.
This month’s game night will be held at the The Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay.
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
🌈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
🤝Parenting with Pride
Join our friends from Equality Michigan for a gathering of parents of transgender kids (of all ages).
This month’s Parenting with Pride, a gathering of parents of trans kids of any age, will take place in the Crow’s Nest Meeting Room at Commongrounds on Monday, May 18th.
🌈🤝PWHL Finals Watch Party at Stone Hound Brewing
Come watch Game 3 of PWHL Walter Cup finals! Whether you’re rooting for Montréal Victoire or Ottawa Charge, join us at Stone Hound to raise a glass, cheer on your team, and celebrate women’s sports!
🤝Open Skate at Howe Arena
Come roller skate with us! Bring your own skates or rent from us and get ready to have fun!
Two sessions: 12-2pm, 3-5pm
$5 Admission/ $5 skate rental
If you need rental skates, make sure to arrive early; popular sizes rent-out quickly. Helmets are recommended, but not required. Hangry’s concession will be available throughout the event.
🌈LGBTQ+ Senior Coffee Morning
Start the morning off with a cup of Higher Grounds coffee with our monthly LGBTQ+ Seniors Coffee Morning!
This month’s coffee hour will be held at the social hall at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse
🌈Fundraising Gala
Up North Pride’s annual fundraiser for 2026 will be a Masquerade, held on May 14th from 6-9pm at Kirkbride Hall.
Buy tickets, find more info at the Gala Fundraiser page or learn more about Sponsoring this event. Check back soon for volunteer opportunities
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
This week, we are meeting at Leone’s Frosty Treat on 14th Street for an ice cream social!
🌈Art Meet Up at Artemis Books
Join us for an Art Meet Up at Artemis Books! 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!
🤝TC Roller Derby Triple-Header!
On May 9th, Traverse City’s Civic Center will play host to Traverse City Roller Derby’s home opener triple-header!
Tickets to this event will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door. We accept cash and card. Kids 12 and under get in FREE with an adult.
3pm - Juniors Mixed Scrimmage
5pm - TCRD A vs Downriver RD A
7pm - TCRD B vs TBD
🌈Partners of Trans Peer-to-Peer Meetup
Come for conversation and support at this relaxed peer-to-peer meetup for people dating, partnered with, or married to trans and gender-diverse individuals. Share, listen, and build community with others who get it.
This month’s meeting will be in the Crow’s Nest meeting room (3rd floor) at Commongrounds.
🤝Elev8 Climbing Meetup: Queer Night
A climbing meetup for our LGBTQIA+ community.
Details:
Friday 5pm-7pm
$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!
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
🫶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’s Fiber Arts Club will be meeting at Artemis Books
Fresh Coast Film Festival: "Mary Oliver -Saved by the Beauty of the World"
Saturday Night Gala - May 2, 2026 at 7pm
“Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” / Special Screening and Q&A
Special Guests: Journalist Beth Milligan in conversation with Filmmaker Sasha Waters
$20 General Admission
All Fees Included
Bar Service and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Available
Ticket Code: COH02
6:00 pm Doors Open - Cash Bar Available
7:00 pm Program and Screening Begins
8:45 pm Q&A with Special Guests
9:15 pm Estimated End
“Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” is the first documentary portrait of the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and explores how Oliver overcame a dysfunctional childhood by finding solace in nature and poetry, ultimately becoming a celebrated, private queer icon. The film runs 91 mins and was produced with support from PBS American Masters.
Passing away in 2019 at the age of 83, Oliver redefined American poetry by blending meticulous observation with profound spiritual accessibility. Her work invites readers to find wonder, stillness, and healing in the natural world, transforming simple moments into enduring, meditative wisdom. National Writers Series and Up North Pride will have outreach at the event, and The Folded Leaf bookstore will provide select book sales of Oliver’s works.
Please arrive early as General Admission seating is first-come, first-served with main floor and balcony seats available.
If you have any questions, or need any special assistance, email: traversecity+boxoffice@freshcoastfilm.com
NOH8 Photo Shoot
The NOH8 Campaign makes its way to Traverse City, MI on Saturday, May 2nd for an open photo shoot!
Single/Solo Photos: $40, Couple/Group Photos: $25 per person
Stop by Hotel Indigo between 2pm-4pm to pose for an official NOH8 photo by photographer Adam Bouska. No reservations needed!
Photos are first-come, first-served - and we move fast! Please arrive camera-ready with a plain white shirt to match the signature style of the NOH8 photos.
(NOH8 accepts cash and credit cards only. Fees paid to participate cover services and costs for one edited digital print only, made available via noh8campaign.com, and do not include physical prints.)
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to the UNP Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
**Please note location for this week’s Youth Group meeting has changed to the UUCGT.
🤝Open Skate at Howe Arena
Come roller skate with us! Bring your own skates or rent from us and get ready to have fun!
Two sessions: 12-2pm, 3-5pm
$5 Admission/ $5 skate rental
If you need rental skates, make sure to arrive early; popular sizes rent-out quickly. Helmets are recommended, but not required. Hangry’s concession will be available throughout the event.
🫶 Mashup's Queer Cabaret!
Join Mashup as we celebrate our birthday and enjoy all the weirdness you come to expect plus more. We'll have games, prizes, tons of queer musical numbers, and even a chance for YOU to sing LIVE KARAOKE with the Mashup band.
Doors open at 6:30
Show begins at 7:30
VIP Tickets get you a reserved seat front and center PLUS free drinks and snack box.
General Admission tickets also available and you'll still have an opportunity to purchase drinks and snacks. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
What exactly can you expect? We'll present a variety of songs from imagined future Mashups - some of the weirdest ones we've thought of - and you can even have a chance to bid on picking which number we do next from our top secret list.
Can't make it to this one night only event? You can still help us out by donating to our fundraiser to meet our 25% match for our MACC and NEA grants.
🤝Mobile Library
Benzie Pride’s Little Queer Library will be available at Bella’s (it’s there the last Saturday of every month). We have many books by queer authors or featuring queer characters (or both), fiction and non-fiction, available for you to take, including some new titles. You can also hang out, have coffee or tea, and meet new or old Benzie Pride friends! I just finished Christian Cooper’s Better Living Through Birding and loved it – it will be available at Bella’s on April 25.
🌈Youth Group
Welcome to the UNP Youth Group — a time and space just for teens!
Ages 13-17 are welcome - Thursdays 4:15-5:45
A special thanks to our friends at 3 Owls who will be facilitating the group, and be available to provide free, confidential support for any teens that may need it.
**Please note location for this week’s Youth Group meeting has changed to the UUCGT.