DOWNTOWN — Chaka Khan, Tiësto and Betty Who are set to perform at Pride in the Park, an LGBTQ-friendly music festival returning to Grant Park next month after being canceled last year by the pandemic.
The two-day festival will be held June 26-27 at Grant Park’s Butler Field, 100 S. Lake Shore Drive, and feature a diverse lineup of musicians, DJs and drag performers.
Chaka Khan will headline Pride in the Park with producer Gryffin and EDM artist Tiësto.
Other musicians include Australian American singer Betty Who, local queer DJ Derrick Carter and Tracy Young, an LGBTQ community member who’s the first woman to receive a Grammy for “best-remixed recording.”
Tickets start at $80 and are on sale now.
Pride in the Park will also feature a variety of drag performances, including from local “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Denali Foxx, The Vixen and Naysha Lopez. Other local drag performers include Tenderoni, Miss Toto, CircuitMOM and Jo MaMa.
“We have legendary artists, diverse allies and queer icons that are going to simply bring the house down,” said Dusty Carpenter, lead organizer and president of Pride in the Park Chicago. “What better way to celebrate our Pride than with amazing music in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere?”
With Chicago’s Pride Parade and Pride Festival likely to be held later in the summer, Pride in the Park will be among the largest LGBTQ events happening this June. June is Pride Month and marks 52 years since the Stonewall Uprising, which is widely considered a catalyst for the gay liberation movement.
“We continue to celebrate Pride to remind us of our achievements and to also remind us of our history, struggles and work that is yet to be done,” Carpenter said.
Pride in the Park is sponsored by Truly Hard Seltzer, and a portion of its ticket sales will go toward the Center on Halsted, an LGBTQ community center at 3656 N. Halsted St.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.
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