Your guide to Charlotte Pride: What to wear, eat, drink and do
Charlotte bursts with color each August in celebration of Pride. This year is especially important, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York that helped spark the gay rights movement.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ culture throughout the month with parties, culinary delights and apparel from local shops.
Wear
Shop local and support Charlotte Pride with these fun finds:
(1) Feminist Goods Co.
1222 Central Ave. (Charlotte Collective)
Feminist Goods Co. is known for empowering women, but it also aims to inspire inclusivity with this year’s Pride shirt: love is for everyone.
Love is for Everyone Crop, $35
[Related: How one fashionista is facilitating the local feminist movement with her merchandise]
(2) Glory Days Apparel
1222 Central Ave. (Charlotte Collective)
This local brand designed this year’s Pride t-shirt in partnership with the nonprofit Charlotte Pride. Proceeds will benefit Charlotte Pride, including the annual festival and parade, as well as other programs throughout the year.
According to Glory Days’ website, the brand “looks to uplift, give back, and empower others in our community and [they’re] excited to be able to do that alongside Charlotte Pride.”
Official 2019 CLT Pride T-Shirt, $30
[Related: Chat with The Chief: Glory Days Apparel — A simple idea fueled by passion]
(3) Legion Brewing
1906 Commonwealth Ave., and 5610 Carnegie Blvd.
Visit Legion post-parade for a refreshing craft brew and grab its 2019 Pride shirt ($20) to celebrate.
(4) 704 Shop
1616 Camden Rd., STE 140
Rainbow “704” and “CLT” designs celebrate Pride at the 704 Shop this year. The collection includes t-shirts ($32), crop tees ($32) and hats ($28).
[Related: Show off your Charlotte pride with gear from these 6 local shops]
Eat & Drink
(5) Bulla Gastrobar
4310 Sharon Rd., Suite W01
Pair your tapas with a $5 Pride sangria on Aug. 17-18 during Pride weekend.
(6) YAFO Kitchen
1331 Central Ave. #101, and 1231A East Blvd.
Head to this popular Mediterranean street food eatery, which will offer blue spirulina hummus to encourage customers to build their own “g(rainbow)l.”
Do
(7) Charlotte Pride Dog Day
When: Aug. 9, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Freedom Park, 1900 East Blvd.
Details: Bring your four-legged friend to Freedom Park for a Doggie Fashion Show. Dogs can win prizes for “Best in Pride” (rainbow and Pride-themed wear) and Natural Beauty. There will be refreshments for humans and water for pups.
Admission: Free
(8) Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade 2019
When: Aug. 17, noon to Aug. 18, 6 p.m.
Where: Uptown Charlotte
Details: Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Weekend festivities include local and regional entertainers and bands, art exhibitors, retailers and food stands, culminating in a parade on Aug. 18 from 1-3 p.m.
Admission: Free
(9) Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service
When: Aug. 11, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Caldwell Presbyterian Church, 1609 E. 5th St.
Details: Dozens of clergy members from a diversity of faith organizations came together to encourage love and welcome as they assemble to kick off Pride Week.
Admission: Free
(10) Charlotte Pride Women’s Takeover
When: Aug. 16, 8 p.m. – midnight
Where: Taproom Social, 430 W. 4th St.
Details: Look for drink specials, raffle prizes, gift bags and more goodies at a party for all individuals identifying as women.
Admission: Free
(11) Charlotte Trans Pride Job Fair
When: Aug. 13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Goodwill Opportunity Campus, 5301 Wilkinson Blvd.
Details: Trans-affirming employers will discuss career opportunities for transgender community members. Other members of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome. Employers include Bank of America, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, FedEx, Goodwill, JetStream, Novant Health, Turner Construction Company, Year Up CPCC and others.
Admission: Free
(12) Charlotte Trans Pride Mixer & Social
When: Aug. 13, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Resident Culture Brewing Company, 2101 Central Ave.
Details: Join Charlotte Trans Pride for a social mixer after the Charlotte Trans Pride Job Fair.
Admission: Free
(13) Flourish: A Celebration of LGBTQ Arts and Culture
When: Aug. 17, 1-5 p.m.
Where: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.
Details: This mini-arts festival showcases the talents of LGBTQ+ artists, including musical groups, dancers, theatre, spoken word and visual art.
Admission: Free
(14) LYFT “Two is Too Few” Donation Party
When: Aug. 25, 2-6 p.m.
Where: Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo. 220 E. Trade St. Suite 2200
Details: Guests will enjoy a special Lyft “Rainbow Ride” cocktail, delicious appetizers, a drag show, carpool lip synching and spinning from DJ Little Betty.
Admission: Attendees must bring two items of new or gently-used clothing to enter the event. All donations will go to Transcend Charlotte’s TransCloset, a free clothing service available for trans-identified individuals and anyone struggling with issues related to gender expression near Charlotte.
(15) LGBTQ+ & Ally Cross Company Mixer
When: Aug. 15, 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: Bar Argon, 4544 South Blvd., Suite H
Details: Meet, mingle and connect with those who identify with and support the LGBTQ+ community from over 45 Charlotte organizations.
Admission: Free
(16) NoDa PRIDE Parade & Afterparty
When: Aug. 18, 1-8 p.m.
Where: NoDa Company Store, 3221 Yadkin Ave.
Details: The NoDa Company Store will join the parade with its own float and host an after party. Stay tuned to its Facebook page for details.
(17) Pride Fest Friday Night
When: Aug. 16, 9-11:55 p.m.
Where: Ink N Ivy. 222 S. Church St.
Details: The first day of this three-day drag festival will boast fabulous entertainment, signature cocktails and a cast including RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Nina West, Hostess Candis Cox, The Vanity House’s Erica Chanel and more.
Admission: $25+
(18) Pride Fest Saturday Night
When: Aug. 17, 9-11:55 p.m.
Where: Ink N Ivy, 222 S. Church St.
Details: Day two of this three-day festival will include entertainment, signature cocktails, and a cast including Roxxxy Andrews & The Haus Of Andrews Cara Cavalli, and Axel Andrews, Miss Gay USofA Kennedy Davenport, Rupaul’s Drag Race’s Jaidynn Dior Fierce and more.
Admission: $25+
(19) Pride Parade Pregame Brunch
When: Aug. 18
Where: Brewers at 4001 Yancey. 4001 A Yancey Rd.
Details: The popular brewery will be opening early to debut their new Sunday Brunch Buffet.
(20) PRIDE in the Sky 2019
When: Aug. 15, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Ascent Uptown, 225 S. Poplar St.
Details: Enjoy free drinks and appetizers at this exclusive party if you can get on the guest list. Look for the RSVP link on its Facebook page.
(21) “Queens Who Brunch” Pride Fest Drag Brunch
When: Aug. 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Ink N Ivy, 222 S. Church St.
Details: Hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Jaidynn Dior Fierce, this brunch will include a chef-driven menu and a signature cocktail. Showtime begins at noon.
Admission: $35+
(22) Rainbowtopia (Pride Party)
When: Aug. 17, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Bassment Charlotte, 911 E. Morehead St.
Details: This yearly girl party will feature two sound stages, go go dancers, party favors giveaways, bars, photo booths and more.
Admission: $15+
(23) Stonewall Birthday Pride Dance Party
When: Aug. 16, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Visulite Theater, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Details: Celebrate the 5th birthday of Stonewall Sports, Charlotte’s LGBT+ and Ally not-for-profit league, and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising at this dance party with Atlanta DJ Neon the GlowGoBear.
Admission: $15+
(24) TRANSforming Local News
When: Aug. 10, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte, 234 N. Sharon Amity Rd.
Details: The Charlotte Observer published a five-part story called #TeamPregnantDad, highlighting Liam Johnson’s experience as a Transgender man in Charlotte. Join an interactive gathering as the mini-documentary that follows Johnson’s story is screened, then talk about the future of Charlotte’s news.
Admission: Free
(25) Youth Celebration of Pride 2019
When: Aug. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 18, noon-6 p.m.
Where: Time Out Youth, 3800 Monroe Rd.
Details: Driven by a theme to encourage youth to be OUTspoken and OUT-loud in the face of oppression, Time Out Youth will celebrate Pride with a series of events including OUT with Talent, OUT with Melanin, OUT with Dance and OUT with it All.
Admission: Free
(26) ZŪTOPIA Just Twirl PRIDE Party
When: Aug.17, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: World Nightclub, 900 NC Music Factory Blvd.
Details: This annual party invites you to take a “twirl” on the wild side. This year’s celebration is zoo-themed, so wear your favorite prints. A portion of the proceeds benefit Charlotte Pride and the Twirl to the World Foundation.
Admission: $25+
This story was originally published August 7, 2019 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Your guide to Charlotte Pride: What to wear, eat, drink and do."