June 23 / Fri
The Ultimate Pride Kick-Off Party
Last year’s ladies-only blowout proved to be a hot ticket; this year aspires to be just as sizzling with D.J.’s Mary Mac, China and Fred Pierce getting added spice from dance music diva Ultra Nate’.
• Time: 9:30pm-5am
• Place: Roxy, 515 W 18th St., between Tenth and Eleventh Aves.; 212-645-5156
• Price: $25-$30
• Crowd: Women
NRG
Ric Sena’s periodic circuit party, Alegria, has gotten so popular that this weekend he’s throwing two bashes at two different venues. First up, tuntablists Roland Belmares and Tony Moran spin thumping beats sure to charm the T-shirts off the muscle boys.
• Time: 11pm
• Place: Pacha, 618 W. 46th St. between Eleventh Ave. and West Side Hwy.; 212-209-7500
• Price: $50-$60; $120 for two-day pass
• Crowd: Men
Area 10018
Misstress Formika’s weekly trashfest pulls out all the stops with Jonny “The Gay Pimp” McGovern, Queer Eye’s Jai Rodriguez, and drag acts Linda James and Davy Makeout.
• Time: 10pm-4am
• Place: 20 W. 39th St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves.
• Price: $10-$20
• Crowd: Men (and boys)
June 24 / Sat
Rapture on the River
Now in its third year, the lesbian answer to Pier Dance has become a marquee event in its own right, thanks in part to returning house D.J. Twisted Dee.
• Time: 5pm-10:30pm
• Place: Pier 54, Hudson River Park, 14th St. at West Side Hwy.
• Price: $25-$35
• Crowd: Women
Dyke-O-Rama
Nicco of *snapshot* and Brooke Webster of Cattyshack promise post-Dyke March debauchery with seven lesbian-fronted rock acts: Broadband, Triple Creme, and Mahogany, among them.
• Time: 8pm
• Place: Fontana’s, 105 Eldridge St., between Broome and Grand Sts.; 212-334-6740
• Price: $8-$15
• Crowd: Women and Trans
Wild Boys
Party promoter John Blair’s mega-party is likely to attract an international array of gays. No word yet on who the “very special guest” will be.
• Time: 11pm-9am
• Place: Roxy, 515 W 18th St., between Tenth and Eleventh Aves.; 212-645-5156
• Price: $40
• Crowd: Men (and boys)
Inner Freak
If you don’t own a gym membership or shop at Universal Gear, then Josh Wood wants you at his first annual anti-circuit party, which promises to skew more metal than Madonna.
• Time: 11pm
• Place: Element, 225 E. Houston St., at Essex St.; 212-254-2200
• Price: $10-$20
• Crowd: Mixed
June 25 / Sun
Evolve
The internationally-known Victor Calderone hosts his annual after-hours dance fest—likely to wrap up just around the time the parade begins.
• Time: 5am-11am
• Place: Crobar, 530 W. 28th St., between Tenth and Eleventh Aves.; 212-629-9000
• Price: $20-$40
• Crowd: Mixed
Dance on the Pier
At 20 years old, this Heritage of Pride benefit bash is still regarded by many as the destination of the week. This year, rumor has it that D.J.’s DeMarko! and Susan Marabito will be joined by eighties girl-group Bananarama.
• Time: 4pm-11pm
• Place: Pier 54, Hudson River Park, 14th St. at West Side Hwy.
• Price: $55-$125
• Crowd: Men
*snapshot*
The Pride edition of this art party for queer women and trannies features two floors of hip hop, rock, eighties, and reggaeton as well as a special performances by go-go dancer Maine on the newly-installed stripper pole.
• Time: 6pm
• Place: 13, 35 E. 13th St., at University Pl.; 212-979-6677
• Price: $7
• Crowd: Mixed
Alegria Pride 2006
Alegria’s second installment is pricier and cruisier with the post-Pride crowd flexing and flaunting to music by Rosabel and house D.J.’s Ralphi Rosario and Abel.
• Time: 11pm
• Place: Crobar, 530 W. 28th St., between Tenth and Eleventh Aves.; 212-629-9000
• Price: $85
• Crowd: Men
Gay Summer Camp
Bel Ami porn stars titillate a crowd further entertained by circuit-party-faves Dynamix and Jason Walker. The one-and-only Junior Vasquez closes out the weekend with a set beginning at sunrise.
• Time: 11pm
• Place: Spirit, 530 W. 27th St., between Tenth and Eleventh Aves.; 212-268-9477
• Price: $55-$65
• Crowd: Men (and boys)
See also: Our complete list of gay and lesbian bars and clubs.