pride houston 2022

Show your pride with these 12 vibrant Houston events, from parades to parties

The fun lasts all month.

Photo by F. Carter Smith

June means Pride is in full swing, meaning month-long celebrations, parties, activities, and more. Look for music, fashion shows, hot parties, art exhibits, an annual run, the annual parade, and even a hangover "cure" for the day after the city's official celebration (often much-needed).

Here's a quick roundup of some fierce and fab events to celebrate with pride.

Wednesday, June 15

The Moody Center for the Arts will have a special performance from the Pride Chorus Houston, bookended by happy hour tunes from DJ GNDRBNDR. From Elton John to Lady Gaga, the Pride Chorus Houston's song selections will highlight queer artists and Pride anthems old and new. 5 pm.

Thursday, June 16

Walking Stick Brewing Company, known as "a Texas brewery with Rocky Mountain roots," will be throwing a Pride night in their establishment. There will be a vendor market, music from DJ Raqqcity, food from Fusion Confusion Food Truck, a photo booth with props and — we love this— free Mom hugs. 6 pm.

AvantGarden will host the official Grand Marshal reception for the Houston LGBT+ Pride Celebration Festival and Parade. Each year, the Grand Marshals perform ceremonial duties, lead the parade and serve as Pride ambassadors year-round, advancing the causes they hold dear. 7 pm.

Saturday, June 18

Houston Eagle will be having its annual Pride Bike Ride Bike Parade. Come and support the LGBTQ community by going on a social bike ride around the Montrose neighborhood. All methods of non-motorized vehicles are welcome to join. We're talking bikes, roller blades, skates, skate boards, etc. 2 pm.

Hardy & Nance Studios will have a Pride Art Show, featuring artists who created pieces of art as a positive form of expression against discrimination & violence. The pieces will also promote dignity and equality within the community, and celebrate social change through art. 5 pm.

Thursday, June 23

RISE Rooftop will host the annual Rock the Runway 2022 fashion show. Some of the hottest models in Houston will be walking the catwalk in this summer’s latest styles in casual wear, ladies' evening wear, and more. 6 pm.

Friday, June 24

GreenStreet will have a Pride Market, supporting local LGBTQ artists and vendors. Come out, support the Houston LGBTQ community, and even enjoy a yoga session on the green. 5 pm.

Discovery Green will present Rainbow on the Green, its annual, citywide LGBTQ celebration with electrifying entertainment. This year, the event will honor the courageous families who have spoken out against legislation meant to deny medical treatment to transgender children. 7 pm.

Saturday, June 25

The Pride Run will be going down for all the fitness-friendly folk. Houston's inclusive synchronized 5k/10k walk and run is dedicated to bringing people together, having fun, being active, and supporting the diverse community. 7 am.

The 44th Annual Official Houston LGBT+ Pride Celebration will take place downtown at Houston City Hall. This is Houston's premiere event of the Pride season, featuring outdoor concerts, various entertainment, DJs, and a Family Fun Zone, as well as exhibition and vendor booths. Noon.

Star Sailor HTX will have a day-long Pride extravaganza, benefitting the Montrose Center. Snag Records, Team Jemini, TX Brew Hopper, Backseat Love and Constellation Coffee will be some of the vendors on hand. Mermaid Mystik Leah will also be around to sink in the dunk tank. Noon.

Sunday, June 26

Buddy's Houston will have a Pride Survivor Party, a hangover cure for the previous day's Pride Celebration. DJ Easton will be spinning the music, while drink specials will be served. 4 pm.

festivals charity event-planner nightlife

Movie Review

New movie Friendship pairs Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in a bizarre bromance

Photo courtesy of A24

Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in Friendship.

Comedian Tim Robinson has gained a cult following thanks to series like Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave, in which his brand of cringe comedy is on full display. The former Saturday Night Live writer/performer has had a few small movie roles over the years, but he’s now getting his first starring role in the off-kilter Friendship.

Robinson plays Craig, a mild-mannered suburbanite with a wife, Tami (Kate Mara), and son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Craig has a boring life that involves little more than going to his middle manager job while wearing the same clothes day after day, anticipating the next Marvel movie, and helping Tami out with her at-home floral business.

He gets a jolt of energy when Austin (Paul Rudd) moves into the neighborhood. The two men seem to hit it off, with Austin — a weatherman at a local TV channel — even taking Craig on a couple of impromptu adventures. But when Craig commits a couple of faux pas at a group gathering at Austin’s house, their bond starts to fracture.

Even though the film is written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, it’s clear that Robinson had a big influence on the style of comedy it features. There are no big set pieces with a slew of jokes coming one after another. Instead, the film forces the audience to try to vibe with the very particular type of wavelength it’s giving off, one that could almost be called anti-comedy for the way the laughs come out of left field.

The 100-minute film is full of random comedic moments, like Steven kissing Tami on the lips, Craig being obsessed with his plain brown clothes, a group sing-along, and more. More often than not, it’s the way Craig reacts to both normal and abnormal situations that gets the laughs. The character is needy and oblivious, two traits that combine to make many of his actions cringeworthy.

Perhaps most importantly for this type of movie, many things in the story go unexplained or don’t make sense. Seemingly crucial elements are brought up only to fade away just as quickly, while other parts that appeared to be throwaway sections get callbacks later in the film. DeYoung and Robinson are determined to keep the audience on their toes the entire time, never knowing what to expect next.

Robinson has the perfect face for a story like this, one that’s bland enough to blend into the background but memorable enough to sell the jokes. His demeanor is also excellent, never becoming too expressive, even when he gets angry. With long hair, a mustache, and a certain swagger, Rudd is a great complement to Robinson. Only in a film like this would an everyman like Rudd be considered the suave and cool one.

There will be some that will see Friendship and come away wondering what the hell they just watched. But anyone who goes in knowing that they’re about to witness a comedy that challenges their sensibilities will likely have a great time.

---

Friendship is now playing in select theaters.

movies film