Guests at Pride Marketplace 2021 (Photo credit by Morgan Sophia Photography)
The Adrienne Arsht Center's sixth annual Communitea Dance kicks off National Pride Month at the performing arts center. The Communitea Dance is the Arsht Center's free LGBTQ+ Pride celebration on Sunday, June 4.
From 1 to 3 p.m., everyone is invited to explore the Pride Marketplace. The marketplace spotlights local organizations, artisans, creatives and small businesses. There will also be family-friendly performances, interactive moments for children, storytelling, and sing-alongs.
Martha Wash is the headliner Sunday, June 4 at the pride event at the Arsht Center. (Photo courtesy of artist management)
After 3 p.m., the event transforms into an 18 and over tea dance celebration (identification will be required) featuring tunes by Deejay Smeejay (DJ at Sky Sundays at Esme Hotel, OUTShine Film Festival, Miami Beach Pride), performances by local artists and then the headlining act, Martha Wash, the original Weather Girl.
Wash, also known as “The Queen of Clubland” is known for her mega-watt hits such as “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” “It’s Raining Men,” “Strike It Up,” “Everybody Everybody” as well as C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now),” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Initially at the forefront of the disco movement of the late ’70s, performing powerful background vocals for the iconic, flamboyant star Sylvester of “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” fame, Wash went on to storm the ’80s as one half of The Weather Girls with their mega-hit “It’s Raining Men.”
Admission is free, but an RSVP is required.
Wash, who began her musical career at the age of 2 in her parents' church in San Francisco, is a two-time Grammy nominated performer.
She is still going strong with her own label Purple Rose Records, working closely with manager James Washington. In 2013, she released her album "Something Good." She recently released a new album, "Love & Conflict," an eclectic collection of blues-rock and adult contemporary songs. Beyond music, Martha’s popular entertainment/talk television show, “10 Minutes with Martha Wash,” is now entering its second season.
She’s also created a digital publication, FLOD Spotlight Magazine, and continues to support charitable organizations, such as “QSAC Inc”, a non-profit organization providing comprehensive services to individuals with autism and their families. She is also an advocate for those affected by HIV/AIDS in the United States.
Here's the schedule of events:
All-ages Celebration
- 1 p.m: Face painting and Pride Marketplace featuring Pérez Art Museum Miami and Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (until 3 p.m.)
- 1:15 p.m: Pioneer Winter Movement Session
- 1:30 p.m: Stiltwalkers (until 2:30 p.m.)
- 1:40 p.m: Storytelling with Dance-A-Story
- 2:05 p.m: Music with Mason
- 2:30 p.m: Performance by Skull Collection, 18+ Tea Dance | MC'd by 99JAMZ's She-J Hercules
- 3 p.m: Pride Marketplace and happy hour specials (until 6 p.m.)
- 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m: Welcome from the Arsht Center and MC She-J Hercules, Music by Deejay Smeejay, Performances by Sasha Lords and Kahtya Tehnsion
- 5:15 p.m: Performance by Martha Wash
The Arsht Center continues its Pride Month Celebration at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 18 with Pride Anthems.
Natalie Joy Johnson (Photo credit by Justin Patterson)
From Donna Summer to Queen, George Michael, Erasure, Madonna, Lady Gaga and many others, "Pride Anthems" stars Natalie Joy Johnson, Kevin Smith Kirkwood and Jon-Michael Reese, with musical director Brian J. Nash. Pride Anthems is a show for all ages to come together in song and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, according to the Arsht.
Pride Anthems is produced in partnership with Pride Live. A portion of the proceeds for Pride Anthems will be donated to Pride Live and the Stonewall National Monument Visitors Center, which will open in June 2024. To learn more about Pride Live, visit pridelive.org.
Miami’s Wynwood Pride kicks off on Saturday, June 3 and continues for its fifth year through June 10.
Events include: Wynwood Pride: Daytime Rendezvous + VIP Pool Party
The 2023 edition of Wynwood Pride kicks off on Saturday, June 3 as the sparkling new Arlo Hotel Wynwood hosts parties at its upstairs cocktail lounge and rooftop pool. The Wynwood Pride: Daytime Rendezvous + VIP Pool Party starts at Higher Ground, the tropical third-floor cocktail bar where DJs and drag queens will entertain guests. Those looking for an elevated experience can purchase VIP tickets to the ninth-floor pool, which will have similar entertainment as well as special bars. VIP tickets also grant access to the party at Higher Ground. The fun starts at 3 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. General admission is $20; VIP tickets are $35. Theevent is for guests ages 21 and up.
On Friday, June 9: Miss Toto’s FunDimension
The ever-popular Miss Toto’s Funhouse brings its drag spectacular into a new dimension, taking over Wynwood’s top video arcade and entertainment center beginning at 7 p.m. In addition to shows by Miss Toto and contestants from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” you’ll find lip sync competitions, dance parties and a fashion showcase. Between shows, explore FunDimension’s laser tag arena and VR spaces, or test your skills on one of the dozens of arcade games. Tickets are $15. This event is for guests ages 21 and up.
Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Photo credity by Matthew Simpkins)
On Saturday, June 10: Wynwood Pride: Tinashe, Ty Sunderland + More
Singer, songwriter and dancer Tinashe, as well as DJs and drag performers, will take the stage at Oasis Wynwood on Saturday, June 10. This exciting evening of entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Ticket prices start at $20. This event is for guests ages 18 and over.
PRIDE EVENT – COMMUNITEA DANCE
- Sunday, June 4, 2023
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – All ages celebration
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – 18 and over celebration
- Ziff Ballet Opera House
- Tickets: FREE with RSVP here
PRIDE ANTHEMS
- Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 7 pm
- Knight Concert Hall
- Tickets: $25-$65
For more info visit www.arshtcenter.org
For Wynwood Pride: https://wynwoodpride.com
