This is a list of our Scene Picks during Minneapolis Pride Weekend. For a list of all Twin Cities Pride specific events including the Ashley Rukes Parade on Sunday, go to http://www.tcpride.org

THURSDAY JUNE 25

8th Annual Girl Flight Pride Kick Off Party – Chicago house DJ Shiek kicks off Happy Hour for the ladies until the sets get spinning at 10pm, joined by DJ Double Trouble. Drink specials. – Jetset Bar 116 North First Street / 6pm-2am / No cover 21+

QUEERTOPIA – The term Queer Expression usually means sophisticate art and literary focuses. This time it means raunchy cabaret. Performances by Maren Ward, Molly Van Avery, Karen Sherman, Jaime Carrera, The Wreck Family, Tish Jones, Xavier Rice, Empowered Expressions, 20% Theatre Company, and a film by Tyler Jensen – Bedlam Theatre 1501 South Sixth Street / 7:30pm-9:00pm / $5 ALL AGES

FRIDAY JUNE 26

Fireball X – The Eagle’s infamous 3 for 1 Happy Hour isn’t new, in fact its a Friday tradition for many in the gay community. Start here for your liquers and take a cab to Uptown festivities when ready. – The Eagle 515 Washington Ave S / 4pm-7pm only 21+

Uptown Pride Block Party – Always neighborhoody, packed, unpretentious and flexible. Why flexible? If you get bored, you can just take a stroll around the block or shop Lyn-Lake and return to see the next music act. Our music pick is girl pop band Sick of Sarah (with new fifth member) who should be headlining so come early. Hungry? Local deli Caffrey’s down the block beats Jimmy Johns anyday. – Bryant Ave and Lake Street / 6pm-10:30pm / Free – Park north of 28th St and walk south ALL AGES

SATURDAY JUNE 27

Anthem – Start the night at Jetset for gay anthem tunes decided by the community. – Jetset Bar 116 North First Street / 8pm-2am / No cover 21+

Pride 3-on-3 Unity Basketball Tourny – In the heart of the Pride Festival, the newly repaved Loring Park basketball courts host a tourny. 10am-5pm ALL AGES

Hip Hop Against Homophobia Volume 3 – The third event takes place in suburbia but aims to reach the youth of the Twin Cities. The Depot Coffee House is a teen center created by students from Hopkins High School. The abandoned rail depot on Excelsior Boulevard (that’s Lake Street as it moves west out of town) was converted in 1999. Acts include Phonetic One, Barton Stink, Ill Chemistry, and Guante & Big Cats! – The Depot at Excelsior Blvd and Highway 169 / 7pm Open Mic, 8pm Music / No cover ALL AGES

SUNDAY JUNE 28

Saloon Block Party – The Saloon Block Party has grown so large and popular that it would snuff Pride Saturday out of commission. Lots of DJs and artists are playing (Jody Watley, Tiffany, Robin S, and Jonny McGovern – The Gay Pimp) but it doesn’t matter who or why or what because dancetoxication takes over Saloon in any case. It’ll be so packed you probably should come early. It’s not quite a block party, its more like a club event that spills into Hennepin Avenue. – The Saloon 9th and Hennepin / Tickets $15 sold at VitalCulture / 18+