Julie Walker
While Worcester’s annual Pride Festival is still a month away, the city’s LGBTQ+ community is beginning to set the stage for an unforgettable celebration.
Worcester Draglesque Festival kicks off the excitement with a three-part drag intensive led by King of Kings Darren Tashine. Hosted at the queer-welcoming Worcester Dance studio, the workshop guides participants through every step of creating a drag persona—from makeup techniques and character development to building a debut mini-act. The experience culminates with participants joining Tashine in a group performance during the Worcester Draglesque Festival showcase September 19 at Mechanics Hall.
Worcester welcomes the first-ever Kite Festival August 22 along with No Evil Project. The free, family-friendly event will feature the unveiling of a 15-foot kite inspired by Guatemala’s traditional barriletes, along with food trucks live music, synchronized kite flying, and more!
No Evil Project, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down stereotypes through art, humor, and conversation, will invite visitors to become part of its interactive exhibit. Participants can be photographed posing as the Three Wise Monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Speak No Evil; choosing three labels such as race, religion, politics, sexuality, mental and physical health, or hobbies; and share a positive action they’ve taken to demonstrate they’re “Not Evil.” Learn more about the project at www.noevilproject.org.
From the stage to the sky, these events celebrate the inclusive spirit that defines Worcester all year long.