June Nightlife: Rio Grande Valley, TX

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Shannon's June picks for Rio Grande Valley, TX

by Shannon Simpson
gay.com Buckeye1972

Bars/Clubs

PBD's

Woof! If you're looking for the more masculine gay men (I know it's an oxymoron), dress casual and head to our local gay neighborhood-style bar in McAllen. PBD's (2908 N. Ware Rd, McAllen) is large enough to incorporate drag shows featuring queens like Valley-famous Betty Crocker and Miss Laura yet small enough to allow you the opportunity to strike up easy conversation in a close encounter on your way to the bar for that next round. Don't forget to go out back where PBD's features a seated patio, permitting you to chat it up with friends or get to know that new guy you met on the dance floor. Cover is $5, dress is casual to ballcaps and unshaven faces. Parking can overflow to the safe and well-lit street however if you want rock-star parking I suggest you hit the door by 10:30.

http://www.pbds-mcallentx.com/

June Nightlife: Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Andrew's June picks for Ann Arbor and Detroit

by Andrew
gay.com a2andy

 June is for Pride

Motor City pride is the place to be Sunday June 7th. In the alternative mecca that is Ferndale 9 mile will be filled with music, booths, food and entertainment (not to mention gays of all types.) This year the festival will be extended further down 9 mile as well as inside the Affirmations gay and lesbian center (http://www.goaffirmations.org). Want to do something different get your shoes (boots) shined by Trooper (bootblack inside the affirmation center.) Entry is a voluntary donation to the local charity (http://www.tri.org/) Triangle foundation. Highlights include performances by Natalie Cole and Joan Stevenson. There's a beer garden and a local dance club (9 on 9) for those interested in partying.

http://www.motorcitypride.org/about.html

June Nightlife: Denver, CO

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Jim's June picks for Denver, Colorado.

by Jim Guttau
gay.com Xavier_Jagger
www.guttaupr.com

Mountain Excursion

Vail Farmers Market

Sundays in June
Now that the snow has melted, Vail becomes an equally as fun playground in the summer. Located in the Heart of Vail Village, the Vail Farmers Market is the largest in Colorado and showcases more than 100 tents each week, tempting curious visitors with its fresh Colorado produce, crepes, wines, artwork, and more. While there, make sure to peruse the city's European streetscapes, including the $250 million Arrabelle at Vail Square.

www.vailfarmersmarket.com

Celeb City Guide: Amanda Palmer

Name: Amanda Fucking Palmer
Age: 33
Profession: Artist, Musician, Freak
City: Boston
Relationship Status: Swingin'
Sexuality: Bi

What is the best date you ever had in this town?

Driving to Cafe Pamplona the night I ditched my senior prom and chain-smoking while we hoped people would notice our victorian costumes.
Why? Because it was awesome.

Karl's Guide To Las Vegas, Nevada

Name: Karl
Screen name: kklefty
Age: 28
Profession: Bottle Runner at Pure Night Club
City/Town: Las Vegas, Nevada
Relationship Status: Single and mingling
Sexuality: Bisexual

Celebrity City Guide: Carol Leifer's Los Angeles

Presented by Las Vegas

The openly gay Stand-up Comedian, Author and Comedy Writer chats about a few of her favorite places, events and things to do in Los Angeles.  Her hilarious new book, "When You Lie About Your Age, Terrorists Win" is in stores now.

Name: Carol Leifer
Age: 52
Profession: Author, Stand-up Comedian, Sitcom and Comedy Writer
City: Los Angeles, Ca.
Relationship Status: committed relationship with Lori Wolf. 13 yr. anniversary in November!
Sexuality: Gay

Rainbow Rooms: Great Pride Hotels

Get cool digs in five hot cities this Pride season. We've taken the guesswork out of finding a hotel and lined up a trio of great base camps.

One option is located close to the festivities, requiring little more than stumbling out the door to find the revelry. One spot caters to the budget-minded Pride traveler, and one choice is a little further afield, close enough to attend the Pride events, but removed enough -- in location or attitude -- to allow a break from the rainbow flag-waving.

2009 Boston Pride Guide

For over 39 years Boston Pride has organized a week of amazing events, including the week-topping Parade and Festival -- and Boston has plenty to be proud of. Not only does the city host the largest Pride celebration in New England (over 1 million participants), but the community also celebrates in the first state to allow same-sex couples the legal right to marry.

More Hot Deals on Hotels

With occupancy rates down, hotels and booking sites have come up with new promotions to get visitors in the door. Check out this week's bargains, including 'pay your age' deals and free phones.

Chicago's Talbott Hotel is letting past guests pay their age on their birthday this year for a deluxe king bedded room. The offer is good for anyone who was a registered guest at the luxury boutique hotel in 2008. For example, if you stayed at the hotel last year and you're turning 40 this year, you can get a room on your 2009 birthday for $40 plus tax. Additionally, any guest who stays at the hotel in 2009 will have the same offer to "Pay your age" on their birthday in 2010. Of course, it's a better deal if you're 30 than if you're 80.

Green Travel Advice

A scientists' group has put together a guide to green travel to help you determine which modes of transportation have the smallest carbon footprint, and the group, the Union of Concerned Scientists, says some of the greenest choices can also save money.