What’s good in the LBC: Pride weekend, a backyard hangout and more

Long Beach will celebrate Pride this weekend with the 41st Annual Pride Festival, so grab some water, sunscreen and a friend to enjoy the festivities.

Here’s what’s good in Long Beach this weekend:

Long Beach Pride (Saturday and Sunday)

Festivities will begin Friday night at 6 p.m. with Dyke March Long Beach at the bandshell in Bixby Park. Teen Pride will also be Friday night, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Marina Green Park near Gaucho Grill. There will be performances, games, a talent show and more.

Hamburger Mary’s will also host a Pride kick-off party Friday night at 8 p.m. to benefit the LGBTQ Center Long Beach and a toiletries drive will be held for the AFS Aids Food Store. Suggested donation is $20.

The general Pride festival will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday and will run through Sunday evening at the Marina Green. This year’s theme is “Rhythm of the Rainbow.” The main stage will have DJs and live performances throughout the day and the ball will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. General admission is $40, while VIP packages range from $125 to $225. Information and tickets can be found here.

If you’re not exhausted from all the festivities, on Sunday, a 5K/10K walk or run will begin at 8 a.m. on Junipero and Ocean Boulevard.

The annual Pride parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday on East Ocean Blvd between Lindero Avenue and Alamitos Avenue. Admission is free.

A full account of Pride events can be found here.

Pride party at Harvelle’s (Sunday)

Harvelle’s in Downtown will have a Pride party following the parade on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Corday and the Dirty Little Secret Burlesque Girls will perform, and tacos, beer, and craft cocktails will be available. Everyone will receive a free lipstick. Tickets range from $20 to $35 and can be purchased here.

Pride party at The Hideout (Saturday and Sunday)

Morgan McMichaels of RuPaul's Drag Race fame will perform this weekend at The Hideout. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and drink specials will be available all day. The event will be free until 7 p.m., but there will be a $10 cover charge starting at 7 p.m. McMichaels will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

Taimi party at Agaves Kitchen + Tequila (Saturday)

LGBTQ+ Dating App Taimi and Eden Beach will host a Pride party at Agaves Kitchen + Tequila on Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. DJs Cristy Lawrence, Bri Giger, and DJ Lancia will be featured and there will be a live performance from Mariah Counts. General admission is priced at $20 before fees. Those who download the Taimi app ahead of time can get a free shot upon arrival.

Singles party at Long Beach Beer Lab (Friday)

Looking for someone to go to Pride with? Maybe you’ll find them at the Long Beach Beer Lab singles party on Friday night. The event will be held at their Wrigley location starting at 7 p.m. Early bird tickets are $10 and general admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased here. Food and beer will also be available at the event.

Art of Flamenco Dinner Show (Saturday)

Every Saturday night, Cafe Sevilla hosts a three-course paella dinner with a two-part Flamenco Dance performance and intermission featuring a belly dancer or other special guest performer. Tickets are $79 per person (this does not include tax, 20% tip and 5% surcharge that will be added to check at the end of the show). Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is communal style. Tickets for Saturday’s show, or future events, can be found here.

Got Your Back (Sunday)

Got Your Back returns with its first event of the summer this Sunday starting at 1 p.m. The backyard hangout brings together artists, food vendors and drinks (including non-alcoholic craft cocktails) for a fun, family-friendly event to celebrate the start of summer. Admission is $5 and vendors keep food prices low and portion sizes small so people can sample multiple bites. DJ Desirable D will also soundtrack the event. More information can be found here.