Arvada Center marks Pride with trio of June events

Country cabaret, a record-seeking drag storytime and a Denver Gay Men’s Chorus concert fill out the June lineup.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with three events this June, ranging from a country cabaret to a drag queen storytime to a choral concert.

The lineup kicks off June 11 with ‘Pride In Place: Detective Convention,’ a comedic country cabaret presented in partnership with Jefferson County Public Library. EmmyJean Jenkins’ show fuses Dolly Parton-inspired numbers with a true story of murder, intrigue and romance, mixing classical with country-pop for what organizers describe as a lively experience with a satirical edge. The event is free with an RSVP and begins at 7 p.m. in the Main Stage Theatre.

On June 13, the center hosts a ‘Pride Drag Queen Storytime with Miss Shirley,’ an all-ages event featuring interactive readings, a Q&A segment and rainbow photo opportunities, with complimentary snacks and refreshments. The center is aiming to break the world record for attendance at a drag queen storytime — currently 263 people, set in 2024. The storytime, also presented with Jefferson County Public Library, is free with an RSVP and starts at 10 a.m. in Ballroom B-D.

“Each event creates a sense of belonging and understanding, and learning through the arts has such a special ability to connect and entertain us,” said Marketing and Communications Director Sarah Kolb.

The series closes June 14 with the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus performing Madam Hair, a program celebrating hair as an element of gender expression, identity and culture. The concert centers on the legacy of hair entrepreneur A’Lelia Walker — daughter of Madame C.J. Walker and an advocate for Denver’s LGBTQIA+ community — and honors Colorado and LGBTQIA+ history as the state marks its 150th anniversary. Tickets start at $27.