The Open
Memorial Day weekend is here, Harvey Milk Day is Friday, and we are 3 weeks out from Sacramento Pride.
This issue: the week’s queer Sac essentials, the Pride-month programming worth marking your calendar for, plus Person of the Week, a queer-owned spot you’ll like, and your shoutouts.
Long Weekend, Longer List
May 21–27.
Lavender Caucus Mixer: Thu May 21, 5 PM · Roscoe’s Bar & Burgers
Tonight. SEIU Local 1000’s Lavender Committee, the network for LGBTQ state employees, hosting an after-work mixer at Roscoe’s. Free pizza and salad from Marilyn’s. Open to everyone, the Facebook event is public. Read More
Third Thursday Karaoke at Radclyffe’s: Thu May 21, 9 PM · Radclyffe’s · 21+
Also tonight. Monthly karaoke at Sac’s queer cocktail bar, hosted by LKW. Third Thursday of every month, 9 PM start. 21+. Show up, sign up, sing badly. Radclyffe’s is at 1330 H Street, Suite 110. Follow @radclyffessac. Read More
Harvey Milk Day: Fri May 22 · statewide observance
California’s official day honoring Harvey Milk. Simplest move: tip a queer bartender extra, donate to a Sac queer org, or rewatch Milk and tell your closest queer person why they matter. Read More
Concerts in the Park: Fri May 22, 6–9:30 PM · Cesar Chavez Plaza · free
At 9th and J downtown. Free Friday-night concert series, every Friday May 1–June 26. Not queer-specific, but it’s the kind of overlap event where everyone’s downtown anyway and you’ll see your friends. Bring a chair (or not), food trucks on site. Follow @cipsacramento for the week’s lineup. Read More
Roscoe’s Drag Brunch: Sun May 24, 10:30 AM or 1:30 PM · Roscoe’s Bar & Burgers (upstairs)
At 2007 K Street, upstairs. The weekly Sunday drag brunch. $18 bottomless mimosas with an entrée. Online tickets close an hour before showtime. Tip your queens. Follow @roscoes916. Read More
Black Light Party at The Bolt: Sun May 24, 9 PM–2 AM · The Bolt · no cover, 21+
At 2560 Boxwood St. Memorial Day weekend black light party at Sac's leather, cowboy, and bear bar. Wear something that glows, or wear something that doesn't and find out. The Bolt never charges cover and runs late. Read More
Country Line Dancing at Faces: Sun May 24, 5–8 PM · Faces Nightclub · no cover
At 2000 K Street in Midtown. Country dancing makes its Sunday debut: two floors, two lessons, no cover, no partner needed. Line dancing on Floor 1 (5–9 PM), 2-Step / Waltz / Shuffle on Floor 2 (4–8 PM). Follow @faces_sacramento. Read More
Drag Queen Karaoke at Bear & Crown: Wed May 27, 7–10 PM · Bear & Crown · Old Sacramento
The first-ever Drag Queen Karaoke night at Bear & Crown (Old Sac’s queer-owned British pub, featured last issue). Hosted by Miss Lita Taylor. Live drag performances, crowd games, giveaways, door prizes, and karaoke for everyone: first-timers, full-blown karaoke warriors, and the emotionally cornered alike. Private event space plus outdoor patio for cornhole and questionable song choices. Food and drink specials all night. RSVP for door prize entry. Read More
Pre-Pride HIV Testing: Mon–Fri through June 13, 10 AM–5:30 PM · Sac LGBT Community Center (Midtown + South Sac)
Free HIV testing at the Sac LGBT Community Center this Pride season, and everyone who gets tested gets a free Sacramento Pride weekend pass. Midtown takes walk-ins or appointments. South Sac is appointment only. People living with HIV can opt in for an HCV test. Questions: [email protected]. Book Midtown · Book South Sac
LOOKING AHEAD
May 28 and beyond.
Beer & Ballet at The SOFIA: Wed–Sat May 28–31 · The SOFIA (B Street Theatre)
At 2700 Capitol Ave. Sacramento Ballet’s 2025/26 season closer: new works by company dancers, complimentary drink from Bike Dog Brewing. Thu and Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Sun 2 PM. Also Rico Hipolito’s final bow before retiring from professional dance. The gays who do ballet are absolutely going. Read More
Sacramento Gay Men’s Brunch: Sat May 30, 10:30 AM · Marie Callender’s (covered patio out front)
A traveling brunch group that rotates Sacramento spots, 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 10:30 AM. This stop: Marie Callender’s, covered patio up front. Singles, couples, and guests welcome. Reservations already in, RSVP on Meetup. Show up hungry, leave with a few new people in your phone. Read More
Drink & Draw at The Bolt: Sat May 30, 3–6 PM · The Bolt · $10 suggested donation
Life drawing session at Sac’s leather bar, hosted by Lady Bones. Live models, supplies included, all skill levels welcome. Proceeds benefit a local charity. Come for the figure drawing, stay for the bar. Runs quarterly; next dates after May 30 are Aug 8 and Oct 10. Read More
The Business of Pride Networking Mixer: Thu June 4, 4:30–7:30 PM · Hyatt Regency Sacramento (Regency Ballroom)
At 1209 L Street downtown. The professional version of the Pride pre-game, co-presented by Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Sac Pride, and the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. Moderated panel on showing up authentically at work, then networking with light bites, drinks, and drag performances. Pride season kickoff for queer professionals and allies. RSVP on Eventbrite. Read More
Sacramento Pride 5K Run & Walk: Sat June 13, 8:40 AM · Old Sacramento (111 I St)
The annual Pride 5K kicks off Pride weekend with a morning run and walk through Old Sac. All paces welcome, walkers and runners both. Race your way to the rainbow finish line, then nap before festival doors open. Registration open. Read More
Sacramento Pride: Sat–Sun June 13–14 · Capitol Mall · March from Southside Park, Sun 11 AM
Sacramento’s main Pride weekend, three weeks out. Festival on Capitol Mall, March from Southside Park Sunday June 14, 11 AM. Full coverage in coming issues. Start your group chat now. Read More
Gay Skate at The Rink: Tue June 16, 6–9 PM · The Rink · $25, $15 students
At 2900 Bradshaw Rd. Pride on skates. DJ Pocket on the music, Roselia hosting. Proceeds benefit the Gender Health Center and the Mr. Bolt Travel Fund. Read More
Rainbow Chamber Networking Mixer, Pride Edition: Tue June 16, 6–7:30 PM · MOSAC · free for members, $10 non-members
Pride-edition mixer at the Museum of Science and Curiosity, paired with a Lady Gaga laser light show because of course. Hosted by @sacrainbowchamber. Register online. Read More
Rhinestone Cowboy: SGMC’s 2026 Pride Show: Fri June 19, 7 PM · The Sofia (B Street Theatre)
At 2700 Capitol Ave. The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus puts a queer rhinestone twist on country classics for Pride Month. Cowboys, cowgirls, cowtheys, all welcome. Also runs Sat June 20 (3 PM and 7 PM) and Sun June 21 (3 PM). Tickets via B Street Theatre. Follow @sacgaymenschorus. Read More
Person of the Week
John Bennett
If you’ve been to a queer Sacramento meetup in the last few years, there’s a strong chance John Bennett got you there. He’s a certified Meetup.com Super Organizer running the Sacramento Gay Men’s Events group, with deep history at Primetimers and the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
He picks venues, posts events, replies to RSVPs, and quietly makes sure anyone showing up to queer Sacramento for the first time has a room to walk into. The kind of work that holds a community together because someone is doing it on purpose.
He’s also a walking history of queer Sac: the resident, the venue, the moment, the person to ask. Ask John about anything in this scene and he’ll have a story. This week, he’s our Person of the Week. Next time you see him at a meetup, brunch, or anywhere else, say hi.
Queer-Owned This Week
Pucci’s Pharmacy
Sacramento’s independent pharmacy since 1930, owned since 2016 by husbands Dr. Clint Hopkins (PharmD) and Joel Hockman. After a two-year nationwide search, they bought Pucci’s from Tom Nelson, moved out from Texas, and have been running it ever since. The "we picked Sacramento on purpose" kind of love story.
Beyond standard pharmacy services, Pucci’s offers HIV PrEP and PEP, compounding, pet medications, travel medicine, immunizations, and a Pharmaself24 kiosk for after-hours pickup. They’re at 3257 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento. Open Mon–Fri 9 AM to 6 PM, Sat 9 AM to 1 PM. Visit puccirx.com or call 916-442-5891.
Community Shoutouts
From the inbox. Reader submissions, thank-yous, celebrations, or anything fun or noteworthy. Lightly edited for clarity, not for vibe. If you have a shoutout, just reply to this with your submission for next week’s newsletter!
Congratulations Jesus, Tim, Derec and Steven on making some most excellent wines! These medals awarded at the 2026 State Fair are truly well deserved!
Thank you, Michael Vargas, for focusing on bringing our community together. I love seeing fellow community members in leadership positions that host community events and educate people. Also, wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
The Close
Three things before we go:
Got something? Reply. We read every one. Person of the Week and Shoutouts both come from our inbox.
Loved this? Forward it to the gay you love most.
Happy Memorial Day weekend. Stay hydrated. Tip your servers.
See you next Thursday.
— Thomas & Tom
