WATERVILLE — Join Waterville Creates and other businesses in downtown Waterville for First Friday in celebration of Pride month on June 7. First Fridays celebrate the vibrant creativity in Waterville through a wide array of arts experiences. On the first Friday of every month, visit downtown Waterville to meet artists, see performances, listen to live music, eat delicious food, shop at local businesses, enjoy the arts, and come together as a community.
In collaboration with community partners, organizations, and businesses, Waterville Creates celebrates the month of June to honor LGBTQIA+ experiences and history. Waterville Creates participates in First Friday every month of the year, but June has become a cornerstone event. The Waterville Public Library, Greene Block + Studios, Colby College Museum of Art, and many more will also be participating Friday evening.
Other organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community have been invited to table inside the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main Street, on the night of June 7. Similarly, LGBTQIA+ vendors and artists have also been invited to sell their work in Castonguay Square.
“Our goal for this year’s Pride events was to build upon the wonderful success of last summer,” said Jackie Ferlito, a member of the Waterville Creates Pride committee. “Being able to facilitate a market space for local queer and transgender artists, and organizing it with such an amazing Pride committee, has been an absolute dream come true. Especially in a time where the trans community, in particular, is facing such intense prejudice, it speaks volumes to have a visible and genuine celebration right here in the heart of Waterville.”
Pride First Friday will take place from 5–7 p.m in downtown Waterville. For more information on Waterville Creates’ June Pride events, visit watervillecreates.org/pride.
Maine Film Center Presents June Pride Series
Building upon the First Friday events, the Maine Film Center will be hosting a series of Pride films throughout June. The diverse lineup touches upon a wide range of LGBTQIA+ experiences.
Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. — “Break the Game” Facing an abrupt collapse of her fanbase after coming out as trans, Twitch streamer and video game speedrunner Narcissa Wright attempts to win back her audience by setting a new speedrun record in “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”.
Saturday, June 15 at 12 p.m. — “Queer Futures”: This series of short films centers joy and connection to radically imagine future visions of queer life, exploring gender-affirming
healthcare, fat beauty and liberation, nonbinary ballroom culture, and the anonymous connections of a decades-old LGBTQ hotline.
Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m. — “Big Boys”: On a camping trip to the northern California woods, awkward 14-year-old Jamie finds himself taking the first steps toward figuring out who he is as he begins to question if he may be gay.
Sunday, June 23 at 3 p.m. — “The Birdcage”: This beloved, laugh-out-loud comedy follows the hilariously deceit-filled meeting between two sets of future in-laws: one couple played by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, the other by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest.
Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. — “The Persian Version”: The youngest of nine siblings and the only daughter in the family, openly queer filmmaker Leila feels as though she couldn’t be further alienated from her family of Iranian immigrants — that is, until she gets pregnant from a one-night stand after recently separating from her wife.
For tickets and more information, visit mainefilmcenter.org/pride.
The mission of Waterville Creates is arts experiences for all. Offering diverse programming for all ages, Waterville Creates is building a thriving, connected, and equitable community through shared experiences in the arts. For more information about Waterville Creates, visit watervillecreates.org.
