Best Bets: Pride Fest, 'Aquaman,' Astronautalis on wheels

Duluth Superior Pride pops up a bit later on the calendar, but that’s by design: You can hit up the biggies in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, or Chicago, but still go to the one in your own backyard. This year’s more-than-a-weekend-long festival includes music, music, a musical and more. The theme: the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, which includes a screening of “From Selma to Stonewall” at 5 p.m. Friday at Teatro Zuccone. Another big draw is the annual Pride Fest at Bayfront Festival Park on Saturday, this year with music by South of Superior, Venus DeMars & All the Pretty Horses, Moon Thorn, Press Camp and Hot Pink Hangover. There is also a drag show.

Duluth Superior Pride is August 29-Sept. 1 at venues in Duluth and Superior.

Aug. 29

5 p.m.: Mayor’s opening reception, Duluth Depot

9 p.m.: Light Up with Pride. The Duluth YMCA will host speakers and light up the Y with rainbow lights.

Aug. 30

5 p.m.: Screening of “From Selma to Stonewall,” Teatro Zuccone

7 p.m.: DS Pride Art Exhibition closing reception

9 p.m.: Flashback: 50 Years of Music, The Main Club

11 p.m.: Party X, Duluth Flame

Aug. 31

9 a.m.: Hummingbird Family 5K, Western Waterfront Trail

11 a.m.: Pride Festival, Bayfront Festival Park

9 p.m.: Superior Block Party, Superior

Sept. 1

Noon: Pride parade, Tower Avenue, Superior

1 p.m.: Family picnic, Billings Park, Superior

2 p.m.: Foo Foo Choo Choo, Duluth Depot

8 p.m.: Annual drag show, The Main Club

Alice Schroeder returns in the annual production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” the story of an East German rock ‘n’ roller who has been through rough stuff — a botched gender confirmation surgery, music biz betrayals — and is here to sing about it. The musical, a local favorite, returns as part of Duluth Superior Pride. Hedwig’s band includes singer-songwriter Jacob Mahon, Owen Mahon, Adam Johnson and Nathan Olson.

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” plays at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29-31 at The Underground, 506 W. Superior St. Tickets: $20.

Minneapolis artist Astronautalis is testing a motorcycle tour with a handful of stops in the Midwest — including Spurs on First. The former battle rapper has a DIY hustle that includes big ideas done loudly. Take, for instance, a recent story in the City Pages about the 24 hours he spent with the Juggalos. His album “6666” is a mix of rap-industrial-electronic and features P.O.S.

Astronautalis plays at 9 p.m. Aug. 31 at 109 W. First St. Tickets: $14 at eventbrite.com .

Brandi Carlile has become a regular player at Big Top Chautauqua. She’s in the middle of another career blast-off, with the success of “By the Way I Forgive You,” released in early 2018, her best seller so far and the winner of three Grammy Awards. All the tent seats are taken at the outdoor venue near Bayfield, but there are spots available on the grounds.

Brandi Carlile plays at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 at Big Top Chautauqua, near Bayfield. Tickets: Available at bigtop.org .

Jason Momoa stars in “Aquaman,” the story of a half-human, half-Atlantean who has to face-off against his brother, who wants to attack the surface world, for the title of king. This take on the story by DC Comics plays during Friday’s edition of Movies in the Park . The New Yorker called it a “bloated and sludgy movie,” but it sort of has that made-for-cult-status vibe anyway, so.

“Aquaman” plays at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at Leif Erikson Park. Free, open to the public

Downtown Arts Walk celebrates its anniversary as a monthly draw to check out the studios, galleries, and work spaces of local creatives. Among the featured stops: Duluth Coffee Company, Joseph Nease Gallery and Blush (which is also celebrating its second birthday).

Downtown Arts Walk is at 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at downtown venues. Go to downtowndulutharts.org for a full list of participating artists.