Providence Shines With LGBT Pride

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Founded by Roger Williams, whose visionary principles of tolerance, liberty and free will translated to a "baby you were born this way" attitude even back in 1636, Providence, RI, is a dynamic city known for its eclectic art, music and culinary offerings.

For gay and lesbian travelers seeking a last-minute getaway for Gay Pride Month, the Creative Capital is offering a variety of events, nightlife and more.
Below is a sampling of festivities and hotel packages being offered in Providence throughout the month of June:

� The 35th annual RI PrideFest is scheduled for Saturday, June 18, from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at South Water Street along the Providence River. The day-long celebration features an eclectic mix of entertainment with a headlining concert by Grammy Award-winning singer Thelma Houston. Guests can also enjoy the Illuminated Night Parade, the highlight of PrideFest, which begins at 8:30 p.m. Starting at Dorrance and Fountain Streets, the parade is a dazzling display of floats, performers and musicians winding through the streets of downtown Providence. For more information, visit www.prideri.com.

� A celebration of films made by, for, and about the GLBT community, Flickers: GLBT Film Festival Preview is scheduled for June 10-12, and will feature cutting-edge short films as well as previews of new feature films. Each ticket is $10 per person and for every ticket sold Flickers will donate $1 to Marriage Equality RI. For more information, visit www.film-festival.org.

� The Perishable Theatre's Hedwig and the Angry Inch is an award-winning rock musical about gender, identity and love. Hedwig is the story of a young man from East Germany named Hansel who undergoes a botched sex change before moving to the U.S., where the newly named Hedwig is on a mission to find fame, love and herself. The show runs from June 24 until July 31, and tickets are $25 per person. For more information, visit www.perishable.org.

� The Imperial Court of Rhode Island, a charitable organization raising money to benefit the GLBT community, is hosting The Empress' Birthday Party on Saturday, June 11. The birthday bash is a pajama party featuring a variety of entertainment, prizes for sexiest underwear, drag shows, raffles and much more. The party begins at 9 p.m. at Union. For more information, visit www.icriprov.org.

� For both singles and couples looking to experience the local nightlife, there are a variety of gay bars and clubs including The Stable, Union, Providence Eagle, Mirabar, Girl Spot at Club X, The Megaplex and Touch Providence. For more information, visit www.prideri.com.

Providence is a vibrant and energetic destination boasting some of the country's finest educational institutions paired with a pulsating artistic landscape. The city's history of innovation, dating back to its founding father Roger Williams, drives a strong sense of place and encourages residents and visitors alike to view Providence as a leading arts and cultural destination.

Providence seamlessly blends the urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town replete with internationally-acclaimed restaurants and a thriving arts scene.

To book a vacation in Providence, please visit www.goprovidence.com.