Community Celebration
Join us for a huge MAPSO Community Celebration to kick-off Pride month. There will be lots to do including a community art installation, entertainment, food, face painting, and fun for all ages. We will stand against bigotry and hatred, show support for LGBTQ+ issues and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the members of the LGBTQ+ community.
All are welcome.
Friday, June 2 @ 5:30PM
Maplewood Town Hall
North Jersey Pride Run 5K
Show your Pride colors! This USATF-certified 5K begins and ends in Grove Park, South Orange. Runners and walkers of all ages, speeds, and styles are welcome to participate and show their support for LGBTQ+ equality! Sign up to run!
Grove Road & S. Orange Ave., South Orange
SUNDAY, JUNE 4 AT 9AM
Grove Road & S. Orange Ave., South Orange
MAPSO Equality March
Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 12PM
Skate Park @ Maplecrest Park
237 Oakland Road
Maplewood, NJ
Free Event
Sponsored by Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture & Springfield Avenue Partnership
This event will be immediately followed by the Youth Pride Picnic
Youth Pride Picnic
Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 12:30PM
Gazebo @ Springfield Avenue
1688 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
Free Event
Sponsored by Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture & Springfield Avenue Partnership
G(r)ay Matter Book Group Presents Fine: A Comic about Gender by Rhea Ewing
June 6 @ 7PM
Virtual
Jessica Kirson
Stand-up comedian and South Orange native Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage! Winning the coveted Nightlight Award for “Best Stand Up Comedian” in New York City, she’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. Don’t miss your chance to laugh the night away with Kirson as part of SOPAC’s first ever LGBTQIA+ Pride weekend!
FRIDAY, JUNE 9 AT 8PM
Learn More
Interact Theater Productions Presents Eternal Flamer
The Ballad of Jessie Blade
by Tommy Jamerson and James Tison
Directed by Nicholas J. Clarey
Choreographed by Tasha R. Williams
In this neon-coated, campy tribute to the 80s, pretty-boy Jessie Blade leaves his small Minnesota home for the bright lights of the city that never sleeps (…with the same person twice) only to get mixed-up in a labyrinth of plot twists, drag queens, sex, drugs, and open dance calls!
Burgdorff Theater
10 Durand Road
Maplewood, New Jersey
Performance dates:
June 9 & 10
Fri, Sat - 7:30pm
Purchase Tickets
Live With Pride Not Prejudice
Come celebrate Pride with South Orange Elks and SOMA Families Meetup!FOOD TRUCKS! GAMES! CRAFTS!
Drag story hour with Harmonica Sunbeam
MMS Choir performance
Book reading and signing with Love in the Wild author/illustrator Katy Tanis
Performance by Crystal Pepsi and the Zimas
$15 suggested donation for people ages 13 and up
Proceeds to benefit LGBT Rain Foundation of Essex County
Sponsored by South Orange Elks & SOMA Families Meetup
Open Mic Student Night
June 10 @ 6PM
Maplewood Village
Sponsored by Maplewood Village Alliance and Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture
Bring your lawn chairs and friends, grab some takeout, and enjoy entertainment on Maplewood Ave!
Music, spoken word, and more from CHS, MMS, and SOMS students. Featuring members of the Spectrum Club and organized by Family Connections.
New Voices, New Visions
AKENYA
"Far ranging sonic nomad" AKENYA makes her SOPAC and NJ debut at our first ever LGBTQIA+ Pride weekend! In her decade-plus career, AKENYA has emerged as a songwriter and singer deftly moving among Jazz, Hip-Hop, and R&B influences. Following the concert, dance the night away with AKENYA at The Night Before Pride Party in the Loft at SOPAC. With tunes provided by DJ Ryan The Person, ring in the start of North Jersey Pride’s Festival in style! If you purchase tickets to both AKENYA’s concert and the Night Before Pride Party, you will receive a 25% discount off the total ticket price (to redeem this, use code PrideNight25 at time of purchase).
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 AT 8PM
Learn More
The Night Before Pride Party with DJ Ryan The Person
Grab your friends, throw on your rainbow gear, and dance the night away at The Night Before Pride Party in the Loft at SOPAC! Celebrate the vibrant and passionate LGBTQIA+ community with a fabulous night of great music provided by DJ Ryan The Person. And don't miss your chance to mingle with up-and-coming R&B powerhouse AKENYA, who will attend the Party immediately following her performance on the SOPAC Mainstage. If you purchase tickets to both AKENYA’s concert and the Night Before Pride Party, you will receive a 25% discount off the total ticket price (to redeem this offer, use code PrideNight25 at time of purchase).
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 AT 10:00PM
Learn More
11th Annual North Jersey Pride Festival
Fabulous live stage showcasing incredible national and local talent, 100+ merchant vendors, and fab food court, plus a huge Rainbow Kids Zone with inflatables, games and a live interaction kids stage! FREE
SUNDAY, JUNE 11 | 12 - 6PM
Memorial Park, Dunnell Rd. & Oakview Ave., Maplewood
Tony Awards Viewing Party
Celebrate Broadway's biggest night with your friends and neighbors at SOPAC! Get your crew together, wear your red carpet best, and view the 76th Annual Tony Awards on the big screen. Supporters and followers of North Jersey Pride have exclusive early access to tickets; please subscribe to their emailing list to access this exclusive offer. Act fast to secure the best seats for you and your friends!
SUNDAY, JUNE 11 AT 7PM
Learn More
Pride Pup Parade
Tuesday, June 14 | 4 - 5PM
South Orange Downtown Farmers Market (Sloan St Lot)
Sponsored by South Orange Downtown Featuring Pet Wants
MAPSO Lavender Graduation
Thursday, June 15 at 5:30PM
Columbia High School Auditorium
Click Here To Fill Out The Mapso Lavender Graduation Form
Big Queer Prom
A Teen Event
Thursday, June 15 from 7 - 10PM
The Woodland Great Hall
60 Woodland Road
Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
Maplewood Arts and Culture, in partnership with Rainbow Youth Alliance and North Jersey Pride, present Big Queer Prom, a free, public party for LGBTQ+ teens and allies. An evening of food, music, and community.
Come show your pride and dress to impress.
We’re here, we’re queer, and we are dancing the night away!
Free Event
RSVP
Books Now & Then Book Group: Girl, Woman, Other
June 15 @ 6:30PM
Hilton Branch Library
Pride Under the Stars
We're taking Pride to the streets! Join us in Spiotta Park in South Orange for a 21-and-over dance with DJ, cash bar and featuring the Pride stylings of Harmonica Sunbeam!
SATURDAY, JUNE 17 @ 8PM
No advance ticket purchase necessary; suggested donation at the door with I.D.
ArtBender
Sunday, June 18, 2023
11AM - 3PM
133 Fairview & Carter Park (located at College Pl and Irvington Ave) South Orange
The QR Code in the flyer lists all of the locations and activities at each location.
ArtB has pride and LGBTQ family friendly book reading at the Library (details from QR code are there).
Click Here For More Info
North Jersey Pride and Family Connections Present: Trans Youth Speak!
All-youth panel, led by trans and nonbinary teens who will share their experience, challenges and joys.
All supportive adults and youth welcome.
Burgdorff Center Community Room
10 Durand Road
Tuesday, June 20
6 - 8PM
Black/Brown & Trans: Listening to Unheard Voices
June 21, 7-9PM
Register Here
Location will be provided upon registration
A critical dialogue as Black and Brown trans men and women share their personal narratives
Sponsored by SOMA ACTION
Drag Queen Bingo
In celebration of maplewood pride, the incredible harmonica sunbeam will be hosting six rounds of hilarious and charismatic bingo.
Saturday, June 24, 2023
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Maplewood Village
Maplewood, NJ
Prizes will be awarded at each round to the lucky winners.
We’ll be at the corner of Maplewood Ave and Highland Place so bring a chair or blanket, order some take out, and head on over with your friends to enjoy this free all-ages event!
We encourage you to show your LGBTQ+ or ally pride!
Maplewood Village Alliance
Cabaret in the Loft
Join us for our first-ever Drag show in SOPAC’s 16-year history! This show is filled with over-the-top entertainment from some of the top Drag Performers from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey—featuring all new performances.
Whether it’s your first Drag Show or your 100th, this show is a guaranteed great time for everyone!
Buy Tickets
Project Your Pride - A series of films playing at The Village at SOPAC
May 31, June 14, June 18 & June 25
1 SOPAC Way
South Orange, New Jersey
Sponsored by Rainbow Youth Alliance
Pride Series (cinemalab.com)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Wednesday, May 31 @ 7PM
On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.
Pariah
Wednesday, June 14
A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.
My Beautiful Launderette
Sunday, June 18 @ 3PM
An ambitious Pakistani Briton and his boyfriend strive for success and hope when they open a glamorous laundromat.
The Kids are Alright
Sunday, June 25 @ 3PM
A year ago Ricardo and Felipe, in charge of taking the children to a camp, stayed outside the train leaving the children inside. Clara no longer trusts them and this year she decides to take the children personally with the help of her friend Susana. However, now they will be the ones who, as a result of an accident, are separated from the children.
South Orange & Maplewood Community Health Fair
Health is a Human Right!
September 9 & 20
Meadowland Park & Maplecrest Park
Sponsored by SO Health Department & Maplewood & Pride+ Family Connections
ACLU Drag Defense Benefit Group Art Show
Beer and Wine Opening Reception
Friday, Septmber 15
6 - 9PM
1978 Maplewood Arts Center
1978 Springfield Avenue
Maplewood, NJ
Featuring regional artists.
All proceeds are donated to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund.
SOPAC Homecoming
Thursday, September 22 & Friday September 23 | All Day
Across the campus at SOPAC
Sponsored by SOPAC