A+E

Ditch your gloomy black threads, people, and throw on some color for the glitter-bomb that is the 21st Humboldt Pride Parade & Festival. It's been a big year, what with Prop 8 and DoMA taking a dirt nap, and organizers are giving a shout-out to family, friends and supporters with this year's theme: "The Year of the Ally."

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The parade starts at 11:45 a.m. Saturday in Old Town, with Grand Marshal Mark Lovelace presiding. Then it's all kinds of party with people coming out and getting down at Halvorsen Park from noon to 5 p.m. There's a bounce house for the kids and Pride cocktails in the Rainbow Garden for grown-ups and music from Asha Nan, Lost Luvs and DJs Pressure Anya for everybody. Ya Habibi Dance Company is set to do some hip shaking, too.

The after-party is at Nocturnum at 9 p.m., with GLAAD award-winning San Francisco comedienne Marga Gomez and dancing until 2 a.m. with DJ Razorburns ($8, 21 and over).

Can't wait to start the celebration? Don't! Arcata PFLAG (hey, allies!) is showing the feel-good PG film Kinky Boots over at the United Church of Christ social hall on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. (suggested donation $5). Mingle at the ice cream social and step up for the kinky boot contest afterward. Everyone's welcome.