Dance, read and revel at Brooklyn Museum’s Pride Month kickoff

See music, art and more this Saturday for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

May 31, 2019 Mary Frost

Brooklyn Museum kicks off Pride Month at its First Saturdays event on June 1. Shown: A First Saturday dance party in 2017. Photo by Kolin Mendez

A previous First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum. Photo: Kolin Mendez

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If you want to party, come early.

That’s the word from the Brooklyn Museum as it prepares to kick off Pride Month — on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising — at its First Saturdays event on June 1 starting at 5 p.m.

The museum is going all out with an evening of live music, art-making and performances.

The event is offered in conjunction with the exhibition “Nobody Promised You Tomorrow: Art 50 Years After Stonewall.” The Stonewall Uprising was a six-day clash between police and civilians in 1969, set off when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan. During the event, the museum is offering a curated tour of the exhibition.

Highlights include a performance by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus; a book club with author Jodie Patterson; poetry by artist Linda LaBeija; electronic music by artist and activist Madame Gandhi; and dancing set to Amber Valentine’s high-energy set. Valentine is known as a staple of NYC’s queer nightlife community.

Noted artists will celebrate the new release of “The Faggots & Their Friends Between Revolutions,” the 1977 fable-manifesto by Lavender Hill commune members Larry Mitchell (the author) and Ned Asta (the illustrator).

You can see a full list of performances and events here.

Some programs require reservations and are ticketed on a first-come, first-served basis. First Saturdays programs are free.

To get to the museum by subway, take the 2 or 3 to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum; the 4 or 5 to Franklin Avenue; the B or Q to Prospect Park; or the S to Botanic Garden. By bus: B41, B69, B48, B45. On-site parking will be available.

For more information, visit www.brooklynmuseum.org.