JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Pride Month comes to a close, one organization is making sure it wraps up June with an experience including flavor, flair and fierce performances.
On June 28, Jax River City Pride is taking over Tulua Bistro, located in the historic Springfield area, to “blend delicious food, unforgettable drag entertainment, and joyful community vibes‚" at its Pride Brunch experience.
Joseph Brown, owner of Tallulah Bistro, created the space to be welcoming for everyone while also filling a need for drag show brunches that are popular in other cities.
“We offer wild brunch items that are like brunch boards, bottomless mimosas, wild cocktails. We just try to have a little bit more of a flare and fun with brunch, also being more of an angle towards the LGBTQ community,” Brown said.
This month’s drag show will take place on June 28, coinciding with the end of Pride Month. Brown explained that all ticket sales will go to River City Pride.
“The entire theme around the brunch will be Pride themed,” he added.
Jordyn Sinclair, the show director for the restaurant, will also perform this weekend alongside local drag queens Kelly Kelly, Kehlani, and also Kandy Ho from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Sinclair emphasized that Tallulah is one of the few spaces in Jacksonville dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.
“This is a great way to not only show that Tulua’s here and they’re in support of it, but it’s a great way to just bring awareness to the community as a whole,” Sinclair said. “We do a lot of events here with different organizations, but River City Pride is definitely one of the ones that’s on the top of the list.”
Travis Guthrie, president of River City Pride, expressed gratitude for the support from Tallulah Bistro. He noted that the funds raised will benefit Jacksonville’s Pride event in October.
“For us as an organization, we strive to just be a platform of connectivity,” Guthrie said. “It means everything to know that they’re doing all of this for your organization.”
Guthrie explained the significance of hosting events in October, which is LGBTQ History Month.
“For multiple reasons, it’s hot in Florida in June, so there are multiple other reasons as well. But this is one of the first years we’ve actually fully activated in June. We’ve done many events throughout June this year for our community, in partnership, of course, with strategic business owners that create those safe spaces,” he said.
Sinclair acknowledged the current political climate and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
“Yeah, I mean, the sad part is, the reality is, we’re kind of always under attack. It’s just a little bit more severe at this point with the political climate,” Sinclair said. “But it’s just a safe space. I think a lot of it’s not just a safe space for LGBTQ. I mean, it’s a safe space for everyone, you know, because even our allies are welcome here.”
General admission tickets begin at $15, while tickets for the VIP Experience are priced at $250.
“Whether you’re a drag brunch regular or a first-timer, this is your chance to celebrate Pride Month with flair, friends, and fabulous entertainment. Come hungry, come proud, come ready to live your truth—brunch style," the organization posted on its website.
The event begins at 1 p.m.
For more information about this weekend’s Pride events, you can head to River City Pride’s website.
