The Project of the Quad Cities first created the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing in 2021, to help fill the void of Pride events that had emerged because of coronavirus-related cancellations. Now in its fourth year, this eight-hour mini-fest and evening drag show has become a staple of the Quad Cities Pride season, offering a free, family-friendly way to honor the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.
This year’s celebration is happening from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Bass Street Landing, 1701 River Dr., Moline. It’s also merging with another hallmark of the Quad Cities’ Pride season: the Pride 5K Walk, Run & Roll. Happening this Saturday morning at 8 a.m., this exercise in movement and philanthropy helps raise money for The Project’s many projects, which include but are not limited to:
• testing and treatment for sexually-transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS • mental health counseling • support groups for people in gender transition, recovering from trauma, or living with HIV • harm reduction services and supplies • gender transition care for adults • gender transition care for minors • community event planning • support for other community groups and initiatives
In addition to serving the Quad Cities, TPQC also reaches into 20 additional counties all along the Iowa/Illinois border with its services.Â
This weekend’s events are just part of what is still to come this Pride season from The Project of the Quad Cities — and also Clock Inc., the QC pride nonprofit that coordinates the area’s annual Pride Parade, and many more businesses and groups. Here’s a full rundown:
The Chicago Spirit Brigade will entertain Saturday at the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing.
Tonight: Pride Night with the Quad Cities River Bandits, 6:30 p.m. This annual tradition is a chance to enjoy the Quad Cities’ waterfront amateur baseball stadium, while also earning some Pride Month swag courtesy of TPQC. No pre-registration necessary, although you can grab your tickets anytime at the River Bandits website.
Also tonight, Taylor Swift Trivia with Clock Inc. is another chance to help raise money for Clock Inc. by having fun. Teams of up to eight can play, at $10 per person. Email info@clockinc.org to register.
June 14: Adults Arts & Crafts with Rainbow Decor, Silvis. This public library in the eastern part of the Quad Cities offers a chance for adults to celebrate Pride by creating rainbow window decor. Space is limited; sign up here.
In the evening, for adults, check out Smoking Pride Night, at Rock Island’s Smoking Dog Pub, a night of drag and burlesque from the Haus of Sin.
The Project of the Quad Cities has been hosting the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing for four years.
June 15: Pride 5K Run, Walk and Roll. Participate any way you’d like: walking, running, rolling on an assistive device, or by bike. Sign up for a mile instead of the full 5K. However you participate, you’ll help raise money for the TPQC services listed above. Registration is $25 for the mile, and $40 for the 5K; register here as late as Friday.
A few hours later The Project will continue its celebration of Pride with the music festival/resource fair/drag show known as the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing. From 3 to 10 p.m., this free family-friendly music festival offers a chance to learn more about the community, about TPQC, and about local performers. Slated to perform:
Howie Felon-Luv will perform at the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing Saturday.
• BTDT • bands from the QC Rock Academy • the LGBTQ affirming Chicago Spirit Brigade • Dominique Alexis Zaire • Michael Jackson impersonator Izzy A. Mess • Oshi Devil
Sinclaire Snaps is among the performers Saturday at the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing.
• Howie Felon-Luv • Logan Flynn Monroe • Sinclaire Snaps • Carmen Love Monroe • Bentley Balenciaga
June 16: “Ammonite” at Figge Art Museum. This 2020 tale loosely-based on the life of paleontologist Mary Anning is the second in Figge’s film series this year. The showing starts at 4 p.m.
June 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. LGBTQ+ Basics. Viminda Shafer of The Project offers tips on understanding LGBTQ+ culture in this workshop Admission is $25 and includes lunch at TPQC’s new headquarters, 4101 John Deere Rd. Sign up at tpqc.org/events.
June 21: Teen Pride Party, For high schoolers. East Moline Public Library, 4-8 p.m. Register here.
Ebony Extravaganza performersJune 22 at Rooster’s in Rock Island
June 22: The Ebony Extravaganza. QC Pride is offering this special event in downtown Rock Island, celebrating four Black performers. The fun starts at 7 p.m. at Rooster’s 2130 3rd Ave., and features Princess Doma, Nikki Turner, Gemini, and Milange Cavalli. and QC Pride board members Tee LeShoure and Mona Ritemon as emcees.
June 23: “The Way He Looks” at Figge Art Museum. This third in Figge’s Pride film series this year is a 2014 film about a blind Brazilian teen who discovers feelings for a classmate.
Clock Inc., holds one of its fundraisers June 24, when Candi Stratton calls Bingo at Davenport’s Raccoon Motel.
June 24: Pride Bingo with Candi Stratton. This former Miss Trans USA and renowned Cher impersonator will call the night for this fundraiser for Clock Inc., in downtown Davenport’s Raccoon Motel. Join in for $7 a card; register or get more info at info@clockinc.org.
June 26: Here’s another chance to get some education from Shafer of The Project of the Quad Cities. Shafer will lead a panel featured in Nurturing Queer Joy , an evening gathering over a gourmet meal at The Current in Davenport, covering topics such as gender-affirming care, legislative and legal updates, and allyship. Admission is $35; register here by RSVPing with meetings@thecurrentiowa.com.
June 29: Pride at the Atlas Collective. Moline’s new indie bookstore, The Atlas Collective Books & Brews, holds its own Pride celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a book club, the Pride Tide drink, a stained glass display, and more.
Also, in Silvis, the Tipsy Tease bar holds its second annual Gay Pride Party starting at 4 p.m. You’ll find signature drinks, and DJ NoBuddy in the evening.
June 30: Pride Family Picnic, 1 p.m. Six Quad Cities nonprofits join efforts for this second annual family-friendly gathering at West Lake Park in Davenport.
Out in the Dark, Figge Art Museum: the final film of Figge’s Pride series is from 2012 and tells of the love affair between a lawyer from Tel Aviv, Israel, and a Palestinian student.
(cover photo courtesy of The Project of the Quad Cities, by Wezz De La Rosa Photography)
