Virginia’s Pride month is coming to an end, but not before going out on a high note. VA Pridefest, Virginia’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ community, is set to commence this Saturday, September 23. There are a ton of things happening both at the Pridefest itself, as well as events and parties before and after the festival. Here’s a rundown of what is happening both in and around VA Pridefest this weekend.
This year’s edition of the long-running festival will take place on Saturday at Brown’s Island. The main event will be free of charge and will feature family friendly activities, as well as a variety of performances and events. Musical performances will occur throughout the day on the event’s main stage, featuring artists such as CeCe Peniston, No One Hero, Red Light Romeo, and TSoul from The Voice. There will also be a drag show featuring Aja from RuPaul’s Drag Race starting at 2:15pm, and a dance party featuring Dollz Entertainment at 7:30pm.
For younger attendees, there will be a youth-friendly performances at the Youth Pride Village, featuring performances by the Soul Aerial Hula Hoopers, Disney Drag, and rapper Black Liquid. There will also be a dance class with TURN Cardio Jam Studio, and lip sync karaoke hosted by Side By Side and Mary Jane French. The vendors set to be at the Youth Pride Village include RVA Balloons, Richmond Young Writers, and occasiongenius.
12pm – 8pm; Brown’s Island, 500 Tredegar St, Richmond, Virginia 23219
Friday, September 22
Loud and Proud PRIDE Party (21+)
Kabana Rooftop will be holding a Pridefest pre-party benefitting OutRVA and VA Pride. The event will feature performances from Bobby LaBeat and Amy Alderman. The event is also encouraging attendees to dress up to show their pride; however, clothing must abide by Kabana Rooftop’s dress code. Tickets are $5 online and $10 at the door.
10pm – 2am; Kabana Rooftop, 700 E Main St, Floor 20th, Richmond, VA 23219
Pre-Pride Dance Party and Fundraiser (21+)
Flora will be hosting a dance party on Friday night, with DJ sets from Jafar Flowers, Ease, and DJ Cortes. Admission is a recommended $5 donation, and proceeds will benefit Side By Side, an organization focused on supporting Central Virginia’s LGBTQ youth.
10:30pm – 1:30am; Flora, 203 N Lombardy Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220
Saturday, September 21
VA Pride After Party at Yaki (21+)
Yaki will be hosting a PrideFest after party. Yakitori will be served, along with various drinks such as frozé, pineapple daiquiris, and toki highball. Proceeds will go to Side By Side.
6pm – 2am; Yaki, 506 W Broad St, Richmond, Virginia 23220
ANIMAL Presents HOWL at the Hofheimer Bldg (21+)
The creative collective Animal will be hosting an afterparty at Hofheimer Bldg, a rooftop bar located on West Broad Street. Admission into the event will be free, and will feature performances from Dirt Thurston, David Riley & Mirror Mirror, and Cell Saga. There will also be dance performances from Creatrix and Femmecee from PurpleLife RVA, and Deanna Danger.
9pm – 2am; 2818 W Broad St, Richmond, Virginia 23230
You can learn more about VA Pridefest on their website and find more information on the festival’s events on their Facebook page.
