June is Pride Month in the United States, which promotes equality for and increased visibility of the LGBTQ community. If you’ve seen a lot of rainbow colored flags on cars, houses and windows this month, this is the reason why.
It’s also a time to celebrate humanity’s diversity, how love is love regardless of gender, and the importance of inclusion and empathy in today’s society.
As part of a bunch of Pride-related events happening in downtown Providence this weekend, PVD United Fest will be happening in block party fashion at Askew, located at 150 Chestnut St., starting at 6 p.m. on June 19. It’s a 21-plus event featuring a variety of live performers and vendors, with bar areas both indoors and outdoors.
“I feel extremely blessed and privileged to work with so many wonderful and successful businesses to make this happen,” Askew owner and founder Windsong Hadley says about the festival. “Anthony Santurri and Lizzie Araujo were the ones who organized everyone and initiated the event. This community and industry is extremely fortunate to have these two amazing people in our corner. PVD United Fest is all the representatives of the LGBTQ friendly venues and organizations working together to organize a day where us in Providence can not only celebrate their pride, equality and freedom, but to recoup even a small amount of the massive loss we took during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the full Pride event and parade has been postponed to September, it is really great that we can still work together to celebrate and generate business during Pride month. I am beyond appreciative and honored to have been included amongst these tremendous people.”
Everything kicks off with Alijah and Ostin taking the stage, followed by a comedy hour hosted by Karen O’Donnell and Brieanna Woodward.
Randy Andy’s Drag Kings will be performing twice during the festival, and alternative rock trio Heather Rose In Clover, who are part of the Cranston-based record label Pitch & Prose, will be supplying the riffs, beats and rhythms.
Closing out the evening will be DJ Evil Liz and company spinning music all night long.
“The last year has been a challenge for each of us, including in our ability to connect with one another,” Heather Rose In Clover bassist Lisa Middleton says. “Pride comes in so many different forms but it all starts internally within ourselves. This is a time to celebrate, to highlight and embrace the beautiful diversity in our community. It’s a time to remember the history and the struggle of those who came before us. This year, it’s also a chance to reconnect with each other and feel the electricity of Pride month and this amazing city and community. We can’t wait to be a part of this year’s PVD United Fest.”
“Saturday is going to be a major highlight of the summer for the LGBTQ community as well as the city of Providence,” Heather Rose adds. “We’re honored to be featured at the PVD United Fest. As a musician, with all the conflict this country is still experiencing, it’s more important than ever to perform at events that embrace diversity and celebrate positivity.”
Dapper Customs T-Shirts, Felted Grove, To Dye For T-Shirts, Artist Sector and Bling Face Jewelry are just a few of the vendors that will be selling cool things.
To get the full experience of PVD United Fest, the best thing you can do is show up and have a good time. Make sure to stop by and make it the highlight of your weekend.
For more information, check out the event’s page on Facebook.
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