Category: News and Features

Packed Pride weekend for the Quad Cities, including parade and Pride Party at Bass Street Landing

This weekend is one of the busiest Pride weekends of the season for the Quad Cities.

Whether it’s the annual Pride Parade, the 3rd Annual Pride Party at Bass Street Landing, or painting and storytelling with Clock Inc., there’s a Pride event for almost every interest.

Check out The Real Mainstream’s rundown on what’s still to come for Pride season in the Quad Cities.

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Almost two dozen Pride events coming in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids area including Iowa City Pride Fest Saturday

Pride season is still going strong throughout the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area, including this weekend’s big Iowa City Pride Unity March and Fest.

Check out this round-up of almost two dozen events happening in not only Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, but also Hiawatha and Marion.

The events serve all ages including children, families and adults. They also cover many interests, ranging from sports and exercise, to drag and live music, to arts and crafts, and more.

Check out Tori Trembath’s round-up of Pride for the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area in The Real Mainstream

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“Jesus Christ Superstar” role inspires focus on empathy for “America’s Got Talent” star Brian Justin Crum

Brian Justin Crum rocked the music world when he provided a moving cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” in 2016.

He went on to finish fourth in “America’s Got Talent” and has since become a role model for the LGBTQ+ community. And he’ll perform in Carbondale, Ill., tonight as part of Pride in Action-Southern Il and its three-day Pride celebration.

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Capital City Pride in Iowa, plus six Illinois Pride fests from Galena to Carbondale, for second weekend of Pride Month

The second big weekend of Pride Season 2023 includes almost two dozen events, including big festivals in Des Moines, Ia., and at least seven Illinois communities.

Carbondale, Elk Grove, Galena, Geneva, Kewanee and Mount Carmel are all holding their big Pride events.

And you can find another dozen Pride-related things to do all across both states, ranging from film, to picnics, to concerts, crafts and more. Plus, take a look ahead at what’s coming next week and weekend.

Check out The Real Mainstream’s round-up of Weekend 2 for Pride Season 2023 in Illinois and Iowa.

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Three benefits start tonight for Davenport couple displaced, injured by building collapse

DAVENPORT — If you’re looking to help out Lexus and Peach Berry, the couple that survived the Davenport Hotel collapse May 28, you have three benefits and two direct fundraisers to choose from.

The benefit shows start tonight at Mary’s on 2nd with a diverse show featuring drag, comedy, rap and live music. They continue next weekend at Newman’s Nightclub & Lounge with another drag show and a day-long EDM mini-festival.

You can also purchase T-shirts to benefit the couple directly, or donate to their GoFundMe account. Find all the links here.

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Pride Season 2023 kicks off in Iowa, Illinois with seven festivals, 15 related events, two film series

It can be overwhelming, with almost 100 Pride season events happening this year throughout Illinois and Iowa alone.

We can help. This is the first of our weekly Pride season updates through June, summarizing the big Pride Fests coming up, the smaller Pride events also happening soon, and info on how to register for even more Pride stuff.

We’re starting with this weekend’s Pride Month kick-off, starting with Pride Fests in Dubuque, Ottumwa and Sioux City in Iowa; Elgin, Niles and Rockford in Illinois; and the Quad Cities in both states.

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Mount Vernon strives for unity with first-ever official LGBTQ Pride event Saturday

MOUNT VERNON, IL — Alexia Stallons and her colleagues have been working to strengthen a sense of LGBTQ+ pride in Mount Vernon for two years. Saturday, they’ll invite the community to join them in a family-friendly picnic and celebration.

It’s the first official Pride gathering for this southern Illinois town of about 15,000. You’ll find about 50 vendors, games galore, music and more.

The event is coordinated by OUT Mt Vernon, which Stallons says is focused on creating more “outreach, understanding and togetherness.”

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Free NOH8 photos for first 200 people at June 1 event in Davenport

DAVENPORT, IA — Iowa’s only chance to join a NOH8 photo shoot this year also offers a chance to do it for free.

That’s what One Human Family QCA is offering June 1 in Davenport. The first 200 people to show up for the photo shoot will receive their digital print free, a gesture that usually costs $25 to $40.

Since 2010, almost 67,000 people have participated in the NOH8 campaign, which started to stand up for marriage equality and now stands up against policies and laws worldwide that are built on one group oppressing another.

Read about the June 1 photo shoot, plus two more chances to join the NOH8 campaign in Illinois.

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Quad Cities Pride Month features 23 events in Davenport, Moline, Rock Island and keeps growing

QUAD CITIES — All throughout the Quad Cities, it’s a Pride season like never before, with 20 events currently scheduled and more coming almost daily.

Quad Citians can go to two annual festivals, four different meal events, and night of games, sports, movement, education, art and more.

You’ll find all the info you need here to participate — including dates, links, deadlines, links to sign up or register, and some fun background even. Check it out!

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