Up North Pride Week Returns September 22 - 26th!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Traverse City, MI - Up North Pride is excited for the return of the annual Pride Week Celebrations, September 22nd - 26th throughout Traverse City. The week includes returning favorites as well as some new exciting elements. 

“While we celebrate Pride all year long, Pride Week is really special,” says Adrienne Brown-Reasner, Up North Pride Executive Director. “We are excited to welcome a very special guest this year, Silky Nutmeg Ganache! Silky will be performing during Saturday’s Drag show as well as leading our Pride Visibility March, and a special VIP Meet & Greet and photo event before the Drag Show at the Open Space.”

“We’re really excited about the new community elements in this year’s Pride Week,” says Erica Joy, Up North Pride Board President.  “Our comedy night will feature more local comedy groups to highlight your funniest neighbors, and our drag show has a segment just for new performers to get their chance on the big stage. We love the opportunity to continue hosting the annual Pride Week events you’ve come to love as well as finding new ways to highlight our local talent. And we have some TALENTED neighbors! We can’t wait to see you and your family at Pride Week events!”

The week-long series of events includes storytelling, a fashion show, comedy night, visibility rally and march through downtown Traverse City, dancing, music, and opportunities to connect with resources and service providers that support the LGBTQ+ community in northern Michigan. 

Pride Week Event Schedule: 

Queerstory
Tuesday, September 22nd
7 pm @ The Alluvion
Ticketed event | $15
Parental Discretion Advised
Event Partners: The Alluvion

Sponsored by Grocers Daughter Chocolate & 3 Owls Counseling

Queersory is a live storytelling and poetry event of heartfelt, humorous, insightful and sometimes horrifying stories that tell life’s many truths. The event will feature storytellers and poets from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Proceeds from this event will support Up North Pride programming.

Sign Making Party & Pride Happy Hour
Wednesday, September 23rd
6 pm @ The Little Fleet
Free | All Ages

Event Partners: Idea Farm and The Little Fleet

Join us at The Little Fleet for our annual Sign Making Party and Happy Hour. The Sign Making Party is your chance to make a statement and prepare for the Pride Visibility March on Saturday. Free admission, all ages are welcome, sign making materials provided. 

Comedy Night featuring Full Tilt Comedy
Thursday, September 24th
8 pm @ The State Theatre
Tickets $20 | Available now at upnorthpride.com
Event Sponsors: State Theatre & Michigan Pride Chamber of Commerce

Enjoy a night of laughs with performances from Full Tilt Comedy, and special guests Jeff Bouthiette & Liz Joynt Sandberg. Don't miss out on this fantastic night of comedy. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the show kicks off at 8:00 pm. Tickets available now at upnorthpride.com 

The Intimi Affair
Friday, September 25th
7:00 pm | @ Venue Blue at Discovery Pier

Tickets $75, $700 for VIP experience 

Must be 21 years of age or older to attend

This year, the Intimi Affair Lingerie Fashion Show for the Up North Pride community takes a daring turn…imagine the decadence of the late 18th century colliding with the electricity of modern performance. Corsetry and couture, seduction and spectacle, masculinity and femininity beautifully blurred. Featuring muses and models representing the communities served by Up North Pride, this experimental evening celebrates the wonderfully diverse bodies, identities, and expressions that make Northern Michigan so extraordinary. Enjoy tasting experience from Mawby  Winery along with treats from Sweet Tartlette and the Cheese Lady. Tickets on sale now!!

Visibility Rally and March
Saturday, September 26th
12:00 pm @ F&M Park
Free admission | All ages
Event Sponsors: Michigan Pride Chamber of Commerce

Join us for the largest participant-driven 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride March in Michigan beginning at F&M Park and proudly walking through downtown to The Open Space. The rally starts at noon with keynote speakers and our Grand Marshall! The march will follow the kickoff speeches and is free and open to everyone.

Insider Tips:

- The march ends at Open Space. If you're planning on staying for Drag Night and the Silent Disco, you may want to plan for transportation close to the bay.

- Wear your pride! This is the time to celebrate our individuality. Marchers often bring flags and signs to show their pride!

- We will line up for the march immediately after the Rally Speakers are finished, plan to be to F&M Park no later than 2:45 to be sure you are there for step off! !

- The Open Space will have a clear bag policy. Please visit our website for more details.

Resource Fair

Saturday, September 26th
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Free admission | All ages
Event Sponsors: Huntington Bank, Priority Health, 4Front Credit Union

The Open Space will be lined with area non-profits, service providers, and other organizations that provide resources, support, and inclusive programs and spaces for the Northern Michigan LGBTQ+ Community. There will also be food trucks and refreshments available for purchase. 

Please note, the Open Space will have a clear bag policy. Visit upnorthpride.com for more information.

Drag Night - featuring special guest Silky Nutmeg Ganache!     
Saturday, September 26th
Show Begins: 6:00 pm
Free admission | All ages, Parental discretion advised
Event Sponsors: The Begonia Charitable Foundation, Traverse City Tourism and ViiV Healthcare

Join us at the Open Space Saturday night for an evening full of musical entertainment!! Come and support local drag artists at Drag Night, hosted by local fan favorites, Ben Eaton and Deija Vaton. We are excited to have special guest performer Silky Nutmeg Ganache! Silky is best known for competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11, All Stars Seasons 6 and 11, and Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. the World, where she was runner-up. This is a night not to be missed! 

Refreshments and food will be available for purchase on-site. Come dressed in Pride gear, drag, or any gender expression you’re vibing with that night. Free admission. Parental guidance is advised.

Silent Disco
Saturday, September 26th
10 pm - Midnight @ The Open Space
Free admission | All ages, Parental discretion advised
Event Sponsors: Fox and Fern Events, ViiV Healthcare 

The party continues with the iconic Silent Disco under the stars. Attendees will be given headphones specially designed to keep the party going after hours. Our friends at 2Bays Productions will be hosting the tunes till midnight! 

For more information about Up North Pride, community events, volunteering, and sponsorship opportunities visit upnorthpride.com. 

Up North Pride’s mission is to foster inclusive spaces that provide education, inspire activism, and celebrate community through the production of 2SLGBTQ+ events in Northern Michigan. Up North Pride is the organizer of Up North Pride Week, Traverse City’s official 2SLGBTQIA+ annual Pride Celebration.

Up North Pride can be reached online at upnorthpride.com/events, on Facebook and Instagram at @upnorthpride, and by email at info@upnorthpride.com