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Feeling PrideAF
The new Pride Arts Festival takes over Philly this June
Mina Reinckens
Diverse, experimental, and sprawling, the Philadelphia Pride Arts Festival (or PrideAF) is a Fringe-style performing arts festival that, in their own words, celebrates “LGBTQIA+ artists, stories, and community” during Pride month. The brainchild of five local organizations coming together: the Cross Keys Theatre Collective, the East Passyunk Opera Project (EPOP), Liberty City Arts, Prismatic Arts Ensemble, and Wear Yellow Proudly, PrideAF invites audiences to attend both free and paid events from June 6th-26th, hosted in venues across the city.
All rise
Each performance explores a unique facet of identity and queer artistic expression. For example, Memoirs of a Gaysian explores the intersection and tension between being Queer and Asian, Opera is a Drag focuses on the relationship between the two dramatic arts, and Fear & Self-Loathing in Philadelphia examines how queer communities navigate and respond to intolerance.
In the words of EPOP general and artistic director Katrina Thurman Hawkey, the festival is, “an opportunity to celebrate with people, to feel through the oppression and the struggle queer people have experienced, but at the same time there’s celebration in coming together, feeling through, and lifting up those who are helping.”
In pursuit of that mission, each performance will also spotlight and fundraise for local mutual aid organizations that support the community. Attendees can learn more about the organizations featured at each performance and participate in fundraising efforts via direct donation, raffles, and more, while enjoying and celebrating queer art and artists.
What, When, Where
Events take place at multiple venues and events throughout the city. More information, including event times, venues, and links for ticket purchases can be found here.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies by venue; we recommend contacting each venue for more specific information.
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