QUAD CITIES — As we enter the second half of Pride Month in the Quad Cities, watch for lots of fun, music, food, arts and crafts and more from three key LGBTQ affirming nonprofits: Clock Inc., QC Pride, and The Project of the Quad Cities (TPQC).
Coming up this Saturday, QC Pride and TPQC join together for two pivotal community traditions happening in Moline: the QC Unity Pride Parade, and the Quad Cities’ second big annual Pride event, Pride Party at Bass Street Landing. Also coming up this week and in the next few months: crafts, film, games and sports, food, and drag galore.
Tee LaShoure, president of QC Pride, and Nathan Leidig, parade coordinator (photo The Real Mainstream)
Parade organizers, in particular, are seeking to draw more parade participants, and more folks to cheer on the procession, by encouraging members of the community to join the parade at the end for free. “There is just something so wonderfully energetic and uniting about seeing folks joining in a mass of walkers at the end of the parade that brings me tears of joy,” says Rich Hendricks a co-founder of the parade who will walk with his church, MCC of the Quad Cities.
You can still sign up your business or group, officially, here; organizers encourage parade entries even if they’re not about floats or elaborate set-ups. QC Pride President Tee LeShoure says all are welcome and registrations will be taken as late as possible.
Otherwise, be sure and bring lawn chairs to line the parade route, which starts at Vibrant Arena at 1201 River Dr., Moline, and continues east on River Drive, right on 17th Street, right on 5th Avenue, then right on 12th Street.
BTDT will perform late Saturday afternoon as part of Pride Party at Bass Street Landin. (photo courtesy BTDT)
Pride Party at Bass Street Landing Saturday features vendors, bands, drag
The Pride Party at Bass Street Landing has become the Quad Cities’ second big Pride fest since 2021, when The Project of the Quad Cities started the event to help fill a void of Pride events in the area as the COVID pandemic was winding down.
The event typically packs the courtyard across the street from The Project’s headquarters at 1701 River Dr. The event has grown annually and features scores of vendors, and a variety of food trucks. Members of the QC Rock Academy, which mentors youth to perform in rock bands, will kick off the music at 3:30.
Next up will be BTDT, a four-piece band that is an annual feature of the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing. Drag starts at 8 p.m. and features Anjila Cavalier, Dizmuh Stratton, Dominique Alexis Zaire, Izzy A. Mess, Lyrica Simone, Oshi Devil, and Sinclair Snaps as host.
Also coming up:Â two Pride events from Clock Inc., educational dinner Thursday, film at the Figge Sunday, and more
This Thursday, you can also enjoy “Nurturing Community: A Village Project Dinner,” presented by the TPQC’s Viminda Shafer at The Creent in Davenport. Shafer, The Project’s engagement coordinator, will offer tips on how to be supportive of LGBTQ+ people in any atmosphere, while you enjoy a three-course meal. Check the event page for a kids’ rate!
Adam Peters, operations director at Clock Inc. LGBT+ Community Center, is pictured reading at a Banned Book Storytime earlier this year. He’ll narrate again at events Wednesday and Saturday. (photo courtesy Clock Inc.)
On Friday, Clock Inc. LGBTQ Community offers a Pride Paint Night where you can enjoy art and and supportive company. Clock Inc. also offers its third Banned Book Story Hour in collaboration with RAYGUN, at 11 a.m. before the parade and festival.
And on Sunday, Figge Art Museum presents the third of four film events this Pride Month. This week’s showing: “Tomboy,” about a young French girl and her experience braving her classmates and fellow young people with her androgynous appearance.
See what else is still to come for Pride season in the Quad Cities
See the list below for a rundown of remaining Pride events in the Quad Cities:
- Wednesday: Pride Month Storytelling Night, 6 p.m., Davenport Public Library. Featuring Clock Inc. operations director Adam Peters.
- Thursday: Nurturing Community: A Village Project Dinner. 6 p.m., The Current, Davenport. $35 to benefit The Village Project for LGBTQ+ education.
- Friday: Pride Paint Night. 6:30 p.m., Clock Inc., Rock Island. $40 includes supplies and benefits Clock Inc.’s support, education and social work on behalf of LGBTQ+ adults and youth.
- Saturday:
- Banned Book Story Hour, 11 a.m., RAYGUN. Davenport, FREE.
- Unity Pride Parade, 2:30 p.m., Moline. $50 to register to walk in the parade. Free to line the streets and watch. Sign up as a parade participant here by June 1.
- Pride Party at Bass Street Landing, 3:30 p.m., Moline. FREE.
- Sunday: QC Unity Pride Movies at the Figge: “Tomboy” 4 p.m., Figge Art Museum, Davenport. FREE.
- Monday: Pride Bingo, 6:30 p.m., Raccoon Motel, Davenport. $5 a card to benefit Clock Inc.
- June 25, Sun: Pride 5K Walk Run and Roll, $25-$40 to benefit TPQC health and mental health programs.
- June 25, Sun: QC Unity Pride Movies at the Figge: “Joyland,” 4 p.m., Figge Art Museum, FREE.
- June 27, Tues.: Pride Potluck, 6 p.m., Rock Island. FREE
- June 29, Thurs.: Pride Night with the River City Bandits, 6 p.m., Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport. $15, with free rainbow koozie and pint glass while supplies last.
Cover image features logo for Pride Party at Bass Street Landing, Pride Paint Party image with Clock Inc., and a photo of last year’s Pride Prade. For a complete listing of upcoming Pride events throughout Iowa, head to TRM’s statewide calendars: this one for Iowa, and this one for Illinois. If you know of an event that should be included in this list, email reachus@therealmainstream.com.
