Raising a community: Pridezilla brings together art, music to raise money for LGBTQ+ youth

May 30—It's June — which means it's time for Pridezilla.

The community event is designed to bring the community together to enjoy music, food and crafts.

This year's event takes place from 1-10 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Tractor Brewing Wells Park.

There will be two stages featuring Albuquerque talent.

A Band Named Sue is one of a handful of bands to take the stage during the event.

Adrien Lawyer is a member of the band and is looking forward to performing.

The band formed more than a decade ago.

"We've done a lot of gigs," Lawyer says. "We're a little bit older now, and we've stepped back from performing a lot because we've raised kids and all kinds of stuff. We're starting to kind of play out a little more. We've played about three shows a year in public, and we're trying to pick it up a little more this year."

Lawyer says the band enjoys practicing because they are together and having fun.

A Band Named Sue plays cover songs and features a guitar, bass, fiddle, mandolin and sometimes a banjo.

"We have a bunch of voices that like to do harmonies," he says. "I would say we are an Americana and Bluegrass type band."

Lawyer is looking forward to performing at Pridezilla because it raises money for Teen 'MPower.

The Albuquerque-based organization is a group of LGBTQ+ youth and allies who come together and make memories.

Organizers also talk about issues that affect LGBTQ+ teens in school, as well as HIV prevention and healthy relationships.

Lawyer says it's important for the community to get involved with events like Pridezilla because it's another source for LGBTQ+ teens.

"It's so important," he says. "What we know is that these kids are really vulnerable. We have data from sources around New Mexico that track youth risk and resiliency. We can see that trans and nonbinary kids, as well as lesbian, gay and bisexual kids, have an absolutely out of proportion bad outcomes than the kids who are not in those populations."

Nick Furioustylz will be the emcee for the entire night.

Bands such as Megababe, Twisted Mojo Trio, and Mint Green Elephants will perform on The Patio Stage.

On the Cabaret Stage, Amy Rosette, Clark Libbey, Lexie Jay with Sunshine Ray, Cult of Chaz, Qari Booth, Caroline Baker, Tony Travis, Dr. Doomsday, Manda Baca, Papa Fierce, Andrew Torn, and Blame It on Rebekkah will perform.