Austin ATX Pride 2018 Guide: Events, Special Baked Goods And More

AUSTIN, TX — With ATX Pride Week in full swing until Sunday, there are plenty of events and limited-time rainbow goods to be had throughout the city. Kicked off on Aug. 3, the 20th annual local observance is a time of celebrating gay pride self-affirmation while promoting the tactics of dignity and equality.

Following are some the events, venues and offerings celebrating gay pride:

THURSDAY, AUG. 9

Queer Comedy Showcase kicks off at 8 p.m. with two shows, featuring "Austin's favorite funny homo," Colton Dowling, organizers wrote on the Facebook's events page. Enjoy local and national touring comedians while supporting queer comedy. The venue is The North Door, 501 Brushy St. This is a free event, but tickets are expected to go fast. To get yours, click here.

I AM LIKE YOU SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

In the spirit of Pride week, the Austin Police Department and Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers’ Association will launch the I AM LIKE YOU social media campaign on Thursday. The goal of the campaign is to help build bridges, acceptance and understanding between Austin’s LGBTQ community and the officers who serve them, according to the APD. I AM LIKE YOU was created by news reporter Paulo Alvarado and photographer Andres Gonzalez. Look for I AM LIKE YOU on the APD, LGPOA, and Austin Police Association (APA) Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, as well as various other platforms.

FRIDAY, AUG. 10

YEAR OF THE WOMXN OFFICIAL PARTY

4th Street and Congress Avenue

Hosted by Lesbutante and the Boss, this Austin Pride official woman's party has taken place for the last five years. But this year, it's 2.0: A Womxn's Party, organizers described on the Facebook event page. The theme: Revolution. "This celebration of WOMXN will show that we are here to stay," organizers wrote. "2018 has been a prevailing year for womxn all over the world. From political seats being filled by a slew of LGBTQIA+, to WOMXN’S Marches, to the #MeToo movement, and ground-breaking change at the Royal Wedding. Huge racial & social barriers were broken that were centuries old, and we want to continue being that voice for WOMXN all over the world, specifically in the LGBTQIA+ community."

To that end, organizers have rented the parking lot on the corner of 4th Street and Congress Avenue (next to the Speak Easy and across from Capital Grille) to stage this event. The entire space will be fenced off, with a stage in the middle for entertainment. Among those in the lineup will be Chulita Vinyl Club, headlining international DJ CITIZEN JANE, DJ GiiQ (Gina DJgiiq Laughland), professional dancers, Angel Hamilton (SUPASTUD) as the Celebrity Host, and more.

This party will have a maximum just over 1,000, necessitating the need to rent out the entire parking lot, according to organizers. Gay venues across the city would not have sufficed to stage this celebration, officials added. VIP tickets allow access to all-inclusive tented VIP lounge sponsored by Tito's Vodka, Deep Eddy Vodka, Lonestar beer, water, and sodas. The VIP section will be in close proximity to the performance stage, and ticket-holders also get a swag bag filled with sponsors' products. VIP ticket holders will have access to the only section with a designated lounge with seating. General admission tickets ensure entry into the party, and will feature cash bars offering beer, liquor, sodas and water. Tickets are $18 to $21, going up to $86.73 for the VIP ones. To purchase tickets, click here.

PRIDE MEN'S PARTY

Sellers Underground

213 W 4th St.

"The Boy Party is HERE!" organizers write on the Facebook event page with palpable excitement. Austin Pride, with Sellers Underground and Rain on 4th Street, will present a night of glow paint, dancers, "and who knows what else," organizers wrote. "Meet us at Sellers and Rain and let’s GLOW!" Paint and glow sticks will be provided, and attendees should fully expect to get painted. Party will be at both Sellers Underground and Rain, a pair of connected clubs. Event starts at 10 p.m.

DRIP DROP 2: OFFICIAL AUSTIN PRIDE URBAN TURN UP

Scratchouse

617 E 7th St.

Billed as the "hottest LGBTQ hip hop bounce and trap party in the city," this event promises a "dope venue, strong drinks, hot boys and bhad gyals." There are a limited number of pre-sale tickets available. So what do you get for the price of admission? You get signature drinks; male and female dancers; indoor and outdoor social spaces; the twerk contest of the year. All this while the DJs spin the best in hip hop, bounce and trap music. For ticket information and other details, click on the hyperlink above.

SATURDAY, AUG. 11

AUSTIN PRIDE 2018 CELEBRATION

Fiesta Gardens

2101 Jesse Segovia St.

This is the big kahuna of pride events. with organizers beckoning would-be attendees to join the #rEVOLution as the Austin PRIDE Festival and Parade take over the city with more than 400,000 projected attendees. The daylong party staged from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. will be replete with activities and robust lineup of entertainers. Tickets at the festival gates are $20 for adults, $10 for youth between the ages of 7 and 17 and free for children under the age of 6. Those wanting to attend for free are welcome to volunteer at this link: https://www.austinpride.org/home. Click above to see the lineup of artists listed, too long to list here. And don't miss the Austin Pride Parade from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. along 4th Street and Congress Avenue.

SUNDAY, AUG. 12

HOTEL VANDT DRAG BRUNCH

605 Davis St.

Drag Brunch on Sunday Aug. 12th will be presented by Kimpton Off The Record and benefiting The Trevor Project. This all-inclusive Hotel Van Zandt drag brunch celebration is titled “Don't Be a Drag, Just Be a Queen,” starts at noon, and will feature Ginger Minj as the Drag Queen host, music by DJ Jen Dm of Hi Fashion with performances by Kelly Kline, Ka’aliyah McKim Diamond, and Jorgeous. Featured brunch items include a QUEEN glitter donut rainbow wall, Pancake Skewers, Mini Pork Belly BLTs, Popsicle Mimosas, Bloody Mary Bar and more. Link to purchase tickets.

Courtesy image used with permission

Other ATX Pride Week offerings on tap include:

DULCE VIDA TEQUILA

Sip on Dulce Vida all week long while celebrating Pride at the Year of The WomXn event hosted by Lesbutante & The Boss, in the VIP area at the Pride Festival, as well as later that night in the VIP area at the Pride Parade.

Courtesy image used with permission

WHEATSVILLE FOOD CO-OP

Rainbow cake, cookies and cupcakes will be on hand to help get in the Pride spirit. Rainbow cakes and cupcakes made with vanilla butter cake frosted and filled with Italian meringue buttercream in every color of the rainbow can be purchased. Rainbow cookies too. Keep an eye out for Wheatsville’s float at the parade on Aug. 11. Just take a look at one of these fabulous pastries:

Courtesy photo by Kristen Torrez, used with permission

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>>> Courtesy uppermost photo by Kristen Torrez, used with permission, depicts the Wheatsville Co-Op float at a past ATX Pride Week