Before Pride month concludes, the local community has an opportunity to turn a regular Saturday into an LGBTQ+ celebration that lasts all day and runs throughout the entire city. On June 28, the inaugural “Out and About: A local Pride adventure” will encourage residents to shop local while raising funds for The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention, support and advocacy group for LGBTQ+ young people.
Long Beach locals Olivia Beaton, a 300-hour registered yoga teacher; Taryn Elise, of Obscura Art, Tattoo and Body Mod. Studio; and photographer Hannah Piazza Santilli have coordinated with more than 25 businesses around Long Beach to provide nearly 12 hours of entertainment and discounts.
“It all kind of started with just wanting to do yoga and flash tattoos, and get some local businesses involved,” said Beaton. “And it just snowballed from there. Every business we reached out to was super-excited to participate and be involved.”
Participants can register in advance to purchase a wristband that grants access to a slew of discounts at a range of businesses around Long Beach. The day begins with Beaton leading a Pride yoga class at Barrier Brewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. — although an alternative registration omits the yoga class.
From there, while wearing the wristband, travel the city at your leisure and “choose your own adventure” visiting any or all of the participating establishments. For example, enjoy one drink on the house at Barrier and happy hour pricing for the rest of the day; grab a free regular slice at Gino’s Pizza; head to Obscura Tattoo for a 10 percent discount on a flash tattoo or piercing; perk up with a coffee from Max Bialystock; stop by SOL’s LGBTQ+ happy hour; freshen up with a blowout at Samantha Nicole Beauty; push yourself with a day pass at Hollywood Health Club East valid for the weekend and more. The full day will wrap up at 8 p.m. with a tea dance afterparty at Mareya’s, where the wristband is good for a discounted specialty cocktail.
“We’re making a map that everyone will get when they come to the event. All the businesses participating are on the map.” Beaton explained. “You’re supposed to walk around town, almost like a scavenger hunt-type of adventure. You’re just kind of walking around all day getting discounts, building community, supporting local businesses.”
If PorchFest is for supporting live music around town, Out and About is a type of “PrideFest” supporting the LGBTQ+ community around town. Early registering for Saturday’s event has already collected more than $1,000 which will be donated to The Trevor Project. For more information about registering and purchasing a wristband, visit lnk.bio/obscuralbny.