Lifestyle

Baltimore Pride kicks off with party at Soundstage

Soundstage sets the vibes for the start of Pride Month with performances by Adore Delano, DJ Lemz and DJs from Sweet Spot Baltimore

Kaitlin Newman

Published 6/3/2023 11:11 a.m. EDT, Updated 6/3/2023 6:00 p.m. EDT

Local artist Justjesi dances on stage alongside Sweet Spot DJs Andre Cawley and Chris Uhl at Baltimore Soundstage in Baltimore, MD on June 2, 2023
Local artist Justjesi dances onstage alongside Sweet Spot DJs Andre Cawley and Chris Uhl at Baltimore Soundstage on Friday. (Keylimehi/The Baltimore Banner)

Baltimore Pride kicked off Friday night with a party at Baltimore Soundstage. The event featured singer-songwriter Adore Delano, DJ Lemz and DJs from Sweet Spot Baltimore, a Baltimore-based dance party celebrating queer icons and pop culture.

Queer photographer Kyle, better known as Keylimehi, has documented LGBTQ nightlife in their own personal style for the past few years from Baltimore to D.C. by using bold colors, high contrast, prisms and other experimental techniques to create dynamic photos that translate the emotion and feeling of being onstage.

The young crowd was energetic, dancing to a medley of Kim Petras, Katy Perry, Slayyyter, Azealia Banks from Sweet Spot DJs and local artist Justjesi. DJ Lemz followed with a mix of house music.

Delano took the stage at the end of the show and said: “We are stronger together than apart, so be nice to each other. We need to be louder, queerer and weirder than ever.”

Here are shots of the party from Keylimehi:

Adore Delano waves a Pride flag at mid-performance at Baltimore Soundstage during the kickoff party for Baltimore Pride. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano performs at Baltimore Soundstage on Friday to kick off Baltimore Pride. This is a photo illustration using multiple editing techniques. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Local artist Justjesi dances onstage during the Sweet Spot DJ set at Baltimore Soundstage. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

A person onstage holds a promo card for the Sweet Spot Pride event at Baltimore Soundstage. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano performs in the crowd at Baltimore Soundstage on June 2, 2023.(Keylimehi for The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano performs in the crowd at Baltimore Soundstage on June 2, 2023. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano performs onstage wrapped in a Pride flag at Baltimore Soundstage. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano peforms at Baltimore Soundstage in Baltimore, MD on June 2, 2023

Adore Delano peforms at Baltimore Soundstage to kick off Baltimore Pride. This is a photo illustration using multiple editing techniques. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner) (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano performing in the crowd at Baltimore Soundstage. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Adore Delano performs at Baltimore Soundstage on Friday. This is a photo illustration using multiple editing techniques. (Keylimehi/For The Baltimore Banner)

Continue the Pride celebrations with events such as Baltimore Trans Pride, Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., Annapolis Pride, also Saturday from noon-5 p.m., The Baltimore 5K Run or Walk, June 15 and 16 at 9 a.m., Baltimore Pride Parade on June 24 at noon and Pride in the Park on June 25 at noon. Find more events during June here.