Festivities

Pride and protest

by Myke Weiskopf

Whatever your opinions about the meaning of Pride (see "Fruits of Our Labor"), the least you can do is get out there and explore your options. Here's our handy, opinionated Pride-at-a-glance guide.

Thursday, June 8

The Theater Offensive presents three shows this week: Immaculate Infection, which asks, "How can a spicy Latina housewife and a cranky diva cure AIDS?"; Five Bottles in a Six Pack, which suggests new ways to cope with prejudice; and Bel Canto. Pay what you can for admission tonight. Call (617) 426-2787.

If you thought the Hatch Shell was reserved for grandiose orchestral fare and numbing collegiate alt rock, you're in for a surprise. "Pulsation" rounds up five acclaimed Boston DJs and pits them in a sudden-death match for Best of 2000. Savor the chance to unleash your inner club kid in the great outdoors, and don't forget the glow sticks. The free beats begin at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 10

Somerville hosts its first-ever flag-raising ceremony in Davis Square today at 9 a.m. Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay and g/l/b/t liaison Dorie Clark preside over the festivities, which are followed by a pre-Pride brunch at the College Avenue United Methodist Church (14 Chapel Street, 617-776-4172).

The Cambridge Lavender Alliance brings it home for the 10th annual Cambridge Pride Breakfast (9:30 a.m. at Cambridge City Hall). This year's honorees are Denise Simmons, the only African-American lesbian elected official in the United States, and the junior-high humanities class of the Graham and Parks School, which organized a teach-out, "Ride Against Hate," on the Red Line in February. The Lavender Alliance will provide busing to Copley Square for the march at noon. It's all free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Call (617) 492-6393.

After the Pride march there are plenty of block parties and tea dances. But what is there for an underage gay kid to do? Well, there's always having dinner with actor Wilson Cruz. Known for his sympathetic portrayals of gay characters on My So-Called Life and Party of Five, Cruz is the guest of honor at a youth event at Botucatu (57 West Dedham Street). Dinner is at 6 p.m., but please reserve a seat in advance by calling the Pride Line (617-520-3350).

Sunday, June 11

Fans of diminutive Glaswegian firebrands, rejoice. If Edge of Seventeen didn't make you nostalgic for the bygone days of Bronski Beat, along comes Jimmy Somerville himself to fill that triangle-shaped hole in your heart. The former "Smalltown Boy" breezes through as part of "The Last Dance," a Pride-ending gala set to raise the roof tonight at Avalon (15 Lansdowne Street, Boston; 617-262-2424).