The popular Drag Me Downtown series is back for Pride Month in June, with free weekly drag shows and new venues. The program is produced by the Downtown SF Partnership, a community benefit district that oversees 43 blocks across the Financial District and Jackson Square Historic District.
The third annual installment of Drag Me Downtown will take place each Friday in June from 5 to 7 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30. The series will culminate in a high energy block party, “Drag Me to Front Street,” headlined by Peaches Christ.
New venues this year include the Institute of Contemporary Art SF, which is celebrating queer history through its “stay, take your time, my love” exhibition by David Antonia Cruz, featuring visual artwork in response to San Francisco’s queer history, a news release stated.
Drag Me Downtown is free to attend; however, attendees are encouraged to pre-register to guarantee exclusive 2025 drag swag. The $10 registration fee will directly support the Transgender District, the release stated.
“San Francisco has a loud and proud history, and our third annual Drag Me Downtown series is a vibrant reminder of everything you can experience in the heart of the city,” stated Robbie Silver, a bi man who is president and CEO of Downtown SF partnership. “This marquee event champions the LGBTQIA+ community while supporting downtown businesses through inclusive, high-impact programming that reflects our district’s unwavering values.”
Bobby Friday, a local drag entertainer who has participated in Drag Me Downtown since the beginning, added, “The Downtown SF Partnership and the City of San Francisco give us a platform to express ourselves, live authentically, and spread more joy and love.”
This year’s schedule is: June 6, One Market Restaurant, 1 Market Street, which recently announced it is closing June 11; June 13 at 101 California Plaza, in partnership with Pabu Izakaya; June 20 at the aforementioned Institute of Contemporary Art SF, 345 Montgomery Street; and the June 27 Drag Me To Front Street, on Front Street between California and Sacramento streets.
The Front Street program, on the Friday of Pride weekend, takes place within an entertainment zone, which began operation last year, the release stated. It will feature a drag show from 5 to 7 p.m. and a dance party from 7 to 8.
To pre-register for the June 6, 13, and 20 events, click here.
For the June 27 block party, click here.
Leather district holds safety workshop
The Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District will hold a safety workshop Thursday, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street in San Francisco.
In a news release, district officials noted that issues will be addressed that have “recently become critical to our communities in these uncertain times.”
Members of the drag nun philanthropic group the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will talk about their Safety First, Sexy Second campaign they launched earlier this year. The cheeky and essential initiative is designed to help people navigate hookups safely – whether they meet at a bar, a party, cruising, or on dating apps like Grindr, Scruff, or Recon, according to a news release from the Sisters.
Former Bay Area Reporter leather columnist Race Bannon and Brent Heinze will facilitate a discussion on how to best advocate for a person’s community, including actions people can take to move their community’s interest forward and how to maintain safety.
Ms. SF Leather 2025 Madam Folly will entertain with her rendition of “Flagging Narcan, Topping Overdose!” In the training, attendees will learn how to respond to an overdose and how to watch out for the most toxic “top” of all, fentanyl, the release stated.
The meeting is free and open to interested members of the public. For more information, go to the leather district’s website at sfleatherdistrict.org.
SF center’s Pride House Party
The San Francisco LGBT Community Center will hold its second annual Building the Block event Saturday, May 31, from noon to 6 p.m. at 1800 Market Street. The party is free and open to all ages.
Following last year’s Purple Pride Party that took place inside the center and on Waller Street, this year’s event has a block party theme. Each floor of the center will be activated to create an engaging space where the LGBTQIA+ community can connect with essential resources, deepen connections with one another, and celebrate Pride, an email announcement stated.
There will be live entertainment, queer programming, a free clothes closet, and swag giveaways.
People can sign up in advance, register on the day of the event, or drop by. To register, click here.
Alameda public defenders hold block party
The Alameda County Public Defender's office will hold a block party Saturday, May 31, from noon to 4 p.m. at DeFremery Park, 1651 Adeline Street in West Oakland. The event is free and open to everyone.
According to a news release, the afternoon will feature food, live music, kids’ activities, clean sheet criminal record repair services, an immigrant teach-in for immigrants and their allies, flu and COVID vaccine clinics (pre-registration is recommended), and much more.
For more information, and to RSVP, click here.