The651.com

Gay Pride Week kicks off this weekend, and though many of the festivities take place across the river, St. Paul still has plenty of GLBT-celebrating events throughout the coming week at gay bars Rumours & Innuendo and Camp, as well as the official Gay Pride Picnic in Como Park and the official Pride Cruise at Harriet Island. There’s truly something for everyone.

FRIDAY, JUNE 18:

Shamika Dupri

St. Paul Soul Pride’s All White Party
Lowertown GLBT club Rumours & Innuendo kicks off pride right with its always-popular All White Party. Presented by local soul purveyor Tommboi Entertainment, the night features sassy hostess Shamika Dupree of the Guys and Dolls Drag Revue, a soul and R&B-infused soundtrack from DJ crews St. Paul Soul and Essence of Soul, and raffles for sparkly swag – including a 1ct diamond bracelet. And what would a soul party be without soul food? Get there early for the sure-to-be-scrumptious soul food buffet (only $5 more than the cost of entry!) And last but certainly not least, remember to dress the part.
9 p.m.-3 a.m., $5 entry or $10 including buffet, 21+. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-225-4528. www.rumours-innuendo.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 19:

Padelford Riverboat

Pride Boat Cruise
St. Paul hosts a ton of awesome boat parties throughout the summer aboard the Jonathan Padelford riverboats, but this one combines the celebratory spirit of Gay Pride with salsa dancing. That’s right – take a lesson from a seasoned instructor from 4 Seasons Dance Studio, or if you’re already a pro, show them how it’s done! The cruise sets off from Harriet Island and goes on a two-hour trip along the Mississippi River. Entry includes either a two-for-one margarita or one free drink and a taco bar. (A cash bar will also be on hand, featuring drink specials from Barefoot Wines.) While you’re there, shop for 2010 Pride merchandise, as well as accessories from Project Runway darling Christopher Straub! With door prizes and other goodies galore, it doesn’t get much better than this.
1:30-4 p.m. $40. 21+. Harriet Island, www.tcpride.org

Bruno (courtesy GQ)

Leather Pride Kickoff
Leather daddies – and the gays that love them – unite. Expect a tougher edge at this night, along with an industrial music feel, and plenty of spikes, studs and chains.
9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-225-4528, www.rumours-innuendo.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 20:

Pride Picnic

Twin Cities Gay Pride Picnic
Put on by the organizers of the Twin Cities biggest pride festival and parade, TC Pride, put on this annual Gay Pride Picnic in St. Paul’s own Como Park. The family-friendly, free event offers grilled eats and complimentary picnic fare, old-fashioned races, table games and softball.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Como Park’s East Picnic Pavilions, St. Paul, www.tcpride.com

MONDAY, JUNE 21 & TUESDAY, JUNE 22:

"Rocka Mortis"

“Rocka Mortis” at Camp Bar
Join the Twin Cities’ theater elite for a wild night of sex, drugs and rock and roll, only without the sex and drugs. For two nights, Camp Bar hosts two nights of a staged reading of “Rocka Mortis,” a locally-produced rock musical. The campy revue offers up scenarios of long-dead rockers kicking it in the afterlife.
8 p.m. Camp Bar, 490 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 651-292-1844, www.camp-bar.net.

THURSDAY, JUNE 24:

LURE Pride Weekend Kick-off
The monthly lady-centric dance night will feature Top 40 dance remixes by DJ Bob from Party Unit. Drink specials include $2 rails and domestic bottled beer.
10 p.m. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-225-4528, www.rumours-innuendo.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 25:

Floggapalooza

Floggapalooza
An S&M-themed night for the GLBT Ground Zero crowd.
8 p.m. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-225-4528, www.rumours-innuendo.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 26:

Twin Cities Black Pride Party
As a prelude to Twin Cities Black Gay Pride Weekend on September 9-12, St. Paul’s Rumours & Innuendo offers a party geared toward the GLBT African-American crowd.
9 p.m. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-225-4528, www.rumours-innuendo.com

DJ Kimberly S. headlines the Rumours & Innuendo Block Party on Saturday

For years, Twin Cities’ Gay Pride Week has been centered in Minneapolis – but this year, St. Paul has some Pride of its own. The recently expanded Rumours & Innuendo GLBT nightclub is kicking off Gay Pride Week on Saturday with a rockin’ block party with Rumours resident DJs Frayz and DJ Shiek, a former resident at the now-closed Pi lesbian bar as well as a producer and party promoter, known for her mix of deep house with retro electro and banging beats. Also: Beer truck and drink specials until 10 p.m. Then the party heads back indoors for a set from L.A. DJ Kimberly S., internationally-known in the GLBT circuit for her blend of soulful house, tribal beats, trance and vocal club anthems, with an opening set from DJ Frayz. There will also be drink specials, a drag show, and an opening set from (6 p.m.-3 a.m. Sat. $10-15. 21 and older. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-225-4528.)

Bonus: Vita.mn (for which I also happen to be a contributing writer) is giving away a $50 Rumours & Innuendo gift certificate via this link in honor of Gay Pride Week.

The massive grill used for the annual Pride Picnic

On Sunday, Twin Cities Pride has organized its Pride Picnic to take place at Como Park in the East Picnic Pavilions. The festivities include old-fashioned races, table games, and a softball game, plus free eats like burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and hot dogs, and salads. (11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. Como Park’s East Picnic Pavilion, Horton Av. & Midway Pkwy., St. Paul.)

Next week’s Gay Pride events include Pussy Control, a Pride party for the ladies next Wednesday night at Rumours & Innuendo. Expect cheap drinks (including $1 beer), no cover, hot ladies, and a set from DJ Shiek. (10 p.m.-3 a.m. Wed. Free. 21 and older.)

Though they haven’t announced anything Pride-specific going on this week, St. Paul has two other gay bars worth checking out:

Camp Bar opened in mid-2007 and have two bars plus a sidewalk patio in the summer. It regularly features drag shows and DJ and offers fancy cocktails. (490 Robert St., St. Paul. 651-292-1844.)

The Town House Bar is home to regular drag shows, dancing, karaoke and more. Check out its online calendar for more. (1415 University Ave W., St. Paul. 651-646-7087.)