Gay pride weekend is always filled with lots of colorful events (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Multiple locations
June 25-26, free – $125
www.nycpride.org
With the battle over same-sex marriage once again coming to a head in New York, expect this year’s gay pride weekend to be as political as ever, with plenty of people dressed in traditional — and nontraditional — wedding garb. Saturday night’s Rapture on the River: A Women’s Dance ($25-$75) at Pier 54 in Hudson River Park features comedians, a wet T-shirt concert, and music from DJs Susan Levine and Mary Mac. The VIP Rooftop Party at the newly renovated Hudson Terrace on West 48th St. is sold out, but there might be a few $50 tickets available at the door so you can party with Jessica & Hunter, DJs Dan DeLeon and Tracy Young, and hot dudes in sexy briefs. This year’s March takes place Sunday beginning at 36th St. & Fifth Ave. and continuing to Christopher & Greenwich, led by Grand Marshals Dan Savage & Terry Miller and Rev. Pat Bumgardner. Since 1970, the March has been an annual celebration of gay culture as well as an integral civil rights demonstration; this year’s theme is “Proud and Powerful.” Also on Sunday, the PrideFest street fair on Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West Fourteenth consists of vendors, live entertainment, and special activities; among those performing at StageFest 2011 will be Grace Garland, Kylie Edmond, Luthea Salom, Nhojj, Reina Williams, Sean 360X, Robin Cloud, Dawn Tallman, JFortino, and Melissa Li & the Barely Theirs, hosted by emcee Tyler Alyxander. As always, things conclude Sunday night with Dance on the Pier ($75-$125), which turns twenty-five this year with DJs Ana Paula, Lina, and Vito Fun and an early performance by Wynter Gordon in addition to fireworks; the official after-party (free admission) will be held at the Griffin on Gansevoort St., with DJ Corey Craig and guest hosts Ted Shields, Justin Russo, Quinton Payton, Kuntu Dequian, Sasha Seven, and Wilson Cruz.