LA Gay Pride :: Hooray for Hollywood!

Scott explains that LA continued to hold a hugely important national role for the community when it "was ground zero for HIV/AIDS, as the initial cases were detected here 30 years ago. With marriage equality on the horizon and Don't Ask Don't Tell in the process of being eliminated, LA PRIDE is a wonderful way to celebrate how far we've come as a community. But it's also incredibly poignant."

Though for many, Pride is a great occasion to put on a trampy outfit and dance the night away, Christopher Street West coordinates activities and enlists activists to ensure the celebration isn't all about glitter and glamour.

"This year's parade has 350 students marching as part of the Gay Straight Alliance Network-2011 LA PRIDE honorees," says Scott, "who are building bridges in the wake of the epidemic of LGBT-youth suicides. Our Community Grand Marshal is the LGBT Servicemember who is forced to serve in silence. We've got the annual Silent Celebration which honors those we've lost in the struggle for equality and in support of those around the world still struggling. We are very optimistical looking towards our future but deeply remember the numerous missing rungs on our ladder."

All That Glitters!

The hub of Pride activity in West Hollywood takes place inside the gates of Christopher Street West's Festival, which sprawls over the grounds of West Hollywood Park and on San Vicente from Santa Monica Boulevard to Melrose Avenue. Inside, a handful of dance tents spanning a variety of music genres are spread around the Festival grounds, connected by walkways lined with every vendor you'd expect at an outdoor concert or gay carnival, and thronged with every variation of the LGBT community and their friends.

One particularly entertaining and alluring section of the Festival is the 18 and older section, Erotic City, which hosts programs, panels, and competitions throughout the weekend, as well as the Mr. Christopher Street West Leather contest on Saturday. The man in charge of this portion of the Festival, Steve Ganzell, explains the area no longer has the "freak show aspect" it once had where someone would stand up on a stage and people would gather around to gawk at them. He insists the focus is now on demonstrations and those who enter "have a chance to interact with people who can answer their questions or direct them to somewhere to have them answered." This allows people unfamiliar with certain erotic activities to ask questions of experts, and creates what Ganzell believes is a "much more comfortable exchange."

Despite its great popularity, the Festival definitely isn't attended by everyone. Many balk at the admission price-$20 for a one day pass, $35 for a weekend pass-for what some believe should be a entrance fee-free affair. This outrage might be a bit more understandable if the Festival were presented by the non-profit Christopher Street West organization, or if the entertainment inside were sub-par or otherwise severely lacking.

However, an obvious investment is put into securing some of the city's most sought after DJs to spin in the various tents, including Josh Peace, Ray Rhodes, Derek Monteiro and The Perry Twins, and to lock in artists to perform on the Festival's MainStage.

On Saturday, performers include "Finally" singer CeCe Peniston, transgender musician Our Lady J, former "America's Got Talent" contestant Prince Poppycock, and R&B/dance singer Mya.

Some gays might have seen Mya performing earlier this year in West Hollywood at Tom Whitman's weekly Saturday night party Cherry Pop. The singer confesses she loves performing for gay audiences because "the love, energy, connection and acceptance are always magnified. To be honest, you can just be yourself and not be looked at cross-eyed or criticized for it. I call it "living" and I love to live and live to love!"

The singer claims she clearly remembers the first time she performed for a gay audience, "NYC, Halloween night, 1999, and boy did I have the time of my life." This year marks her first time performing at LA PRIDE, and the she'll also be joining the NOH8 Campaign in the Pride Parade on Sunday.

When asked which of her songs she thinks resonates most with a gay audience she says "one that my record company neverrrr quite understood" and laughs.

"It's called 'Whatever Bitch,' and addresses hate, and most recently, one of my newer anthems called 'Love Is the Answer' that represents universal love and togetherness."

On Sunday, Festival-goers are treated to sets from Sam Sparro, Margaret Cho, Estelle, and Kat Graham. Those who watch "The Vampire Diaries" on the CW or attended Jeffrey Sanker's White Party Palm Springs this past April and may have caught her poolside performance may recognize Graham, though few know her longstanding history with the community.

Graham explains that "the gays were the first community to accept me. I remember before "Vampire Diaries" had even aired, I would do gay club runs, everything from Micky's to Hamburger Mary's in Long Beach. I remember not even having a dressing room, so I'd change in the car and wait before I'd go on stage. I worship the gays. The music, the culture...and now I can be one of the many voices who scream for equal rights. My first club, I believe, was Fubar. It was there where I met my drag sister Megan Brooks who introduced me to my drag mother Phoenix Brooks in Atlanta. I never turned back."

Despite her many appearances at gay clubs and events, this is Graham's first LA Pride performance and she'll perform her songs "Sassy" and "I Want It All," two of her songs that she thinks particularly resonate with a gay audience. "All of my songs are about self acceptance," she says, "and that's why Pride is so damn important."

For a detailed schedule of the Festival's MainStage performances, visit Festival MainStage Schedule.

A Parade of Parties...

While promoters in Los Angeles try positioning parties as "Pride kick-off" events as early as Monday, things don't typically start gaining that Pride momentum in this city until Thursday night. This year Tom Whitman hosted his Thursday night "Sanctuary" party at The Abbey, featuring a battle between DJs Manny Lehman and Scotty K. Just across the street, from the team that presents Hype at Ultra Suede on Fridays, was "What a Feeling!" a special Pride event featuring DJ sets from Derek Monteiro and Josh Peace, and a performance by R&B/dance singer Kelly Rowland.

While the patios of the bars that are always bustling, like The Abbey and Fiesta Cantina, will be busy and packed to capacity throughout the weekend, there are several notable event highlights for the boys and those that love them that will take place across the city this year.

On Friday night, outside of West Hollywood at Three Clubs, Mario Diaz and Cody Bayne will throw Fuzzy, "an adorable f***ing dance party" frequented by guys who aren't afraid of mustaches, furry chests and fuzzy butts (yum!). The shindig will feature a performance by comedic duo Jessica and Hunter, who will surely perform their new wickedly hilarious song "What's Your Favorite Drink".

Nestled safely within the city limits of West Hollywood will be two of the more popular parties on Rebecca Black's favorite night of the week: "Hype" at Ultra Suede and "Fresh" at Eleven Nightclub. The Hype promoters, who have already hosted Robyn, Nicki Minaj, and Kelly Rowland (multiple times) this year are teaming up with Popstarz at the Factory to present performances from Christina Milian and "I Like That" singer Luciana. Factory Night Club Link The ladies' performances, along with music spun from DJs Morningstar, Drew G, and Chi Chi LaRue will keep the crowd and the Randy Blue go go boys, movin' and shakin' until 3 AM.

One of the party's promoters, Woody Woodbeck says he loves LA's Pride celebration because it's "like partying in your own backyard. Everything is close together and there is an energy in the air that you can feel in the weeks leading up to the actual pride week in LA. And then it's finally Pride weekend, and it's like BOOM! The love, the energy, the people...it's indescribable and the people come to party!"

This year Woodbeck will have participated in LA's Pride for the fifth time, though it's the first year he and the "Hype" team will be throwing their Friday night party at Ultra Suede during Pride weekend. "Hype is packed with a little bit of everything and the best and funnest people in town. What more could you ask for?"

But who can really satisfy every gay? So for those who don't find what they're looking for at the Hype/Popstarz party, just down the street at Eleven, promoters Jeffrey Sanker and Steve Machuca will entertain their guests with a performance by singer Eva and beats spun by DJ Kimberly S.

Tomorrow is Saturday...

Get those weekend errands done in the morning and pick out that Pride outfit by the early afternoon on Saturday because all those planning to fully partake in Saturday night's Pride offerings should leave time for a little pre-booze snooze.

Should the Christopher Street West Festival's musical performers not pique your interest, there are plenty of other events to pop into in West Hollywood and on the East Side.

For the younger set, there's Tigerheat's "Monster" party at Eleven Nightclub, and though the party will certainly skew younger, it still is a 21+ event. For RuPaul's Drag Race fans and participants in the AIDS/LifeCycle, The Office link here will be hosting an event raising money for the AIDS/LifeCycle, featuring DJ sets by drag queens Juanita More and Phyllis Navidad, and an appearance from Drag Race winner Raja.

On the other side of town, beginning at 9 PM, The Eagle and BigMuscleBears.com will host a Meet & Greet with the hot n' hairy bears of the website. Rawr! Link Here!

Just a few streets away, promoters Mario Diaz and Chris Bowen will throw their monthly salty-sailor themed party "Brutus" at the other popular leather bar in Silver Lake, the recently re-opened Faultline bar. Faultline Bar Link Here

But the largest, most anticipated party of LA's Pride weekend is without a doubt Tom Whitman's Wonderland party, which takes place on the backlot of Paramount Studios and draws more than 3,000 attendees each year. This year is the sixth year Whitman has thrown the party, and with music spun by two major DJs-Manny Lehman and Tony Moran-ten aerialists, twelve bars, and one giant Ferris wheel, for many, it's the crowning event in the weekend.

Each year Whitman delights his guest with a musical performance from a beloved musical artist, in the past hosting Kim English, Kelis and Lady Gaga on the Wonderland stage. However, the promoter insists on keeping the identity of the star performer under wraps until he or she hits stage, choosing instead to amplify the element of surprise for his guests.

Whitman would only tell us that this year there would be two featured musical performers at Wonderland. "One is an up-and-coming artist with a song on every DJ's top ten playlist right now, including Manny Lehman's." The other diva, Whitman says, "sings my favorite dance anthem of all time. Seriously." Um...thanks for the clues Tom?

If you're like us, you're a procrastinator, and will be relieved to know you can still purchase advance tickets online at presale prices-$95-by visiting Whitman's website Tom Whitman's website. Be warned, however, because online ticket sales end Saturday morning at 8 AM, and you likely won't even be awake at that hour after Friday night's festivities. Tickets will be available again when doors open to the party.

After the Wonderland party, for those who want to keep on dancing at the "official" afterhours of the party, Masterbeat will throw "Ignite" featuring DJ Paulo at Arena Nightclub from 2 until 10 AM. Ending just in time for a pre-Parade brunch, eh?

Back across town at The Factory, promoters Mike Nava and David present "Scandal," another 2 to 10 AM dance party, but one featuring music spun by DJ Alexander and DJ Luis Perez, and a performance by Power Infiniti. Mike Nava and David present website

Sunday’s Grand Finale Arrives...

The finale! The denouement! The last hurrah of hedonism! It's the final day of LA's Pride celebration, but likely the hardest to soldier through. People are tired, their legs are sore, their wallets are thinner, and yet it's probably the most action-packed. And if the human liver could scream, and if that scream were audible, our eardrums would be in serious trouble on Sunday.

But what would Pride be without the annual Parade, the annual event that Christopher Street West estimates draws 250,000 onlookers? The Parade starts at 11 AM and runs along Santa Monica Boulevard from Crescent Heights to Robertson Boulevard, featuring this year's Celebrity Grand Marshal, ice skater Johnny Weir.

Of course not everyone wants to line the Boulevard to watch the event and almost any gay knows that the cure for Saturday night's hangover is another cocktail. Thus there are a number of venues hosting viewing parties that offer attendees a safe distance from the masses, access to an open bar, and a glimpse of the Parade route.

Chad Hudson's annual viewing party has moved from the Palihouse Holloway's roof, across the street to Caf� La Boheme's restaurant, courtyard and parking lot. This year's event, thrown in association with promoters Paul Nicholls and Woody Woodbeck, with music spun by DJ Kimberly S, will help raise funds for The Trevor Project's NextGen Prom and tickets, $20 in advance and $30 at the door, are available here Chad Hudson Events. The Palihouse will continue to host a rooftop party, this year with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefitting AIDS Project Los Angeles, with tickets priced at $50.

A bit further down the street on the rooftop of LASC will be another viewing party, this one thrown from 2 to 6 PM in association with Steve Machuca. General admission tickets are $50 and available HERE. Guests will be treated to four hours of open bar, music from DJs Ryan Kenney and Manny Patel, and a performance by Kat Graham.

Looking for something outside of the Festival grounds? If you can't stand another minute swimming through the LGBT seas flooding West Hollywood but still want to be surrounded by cute boys, skip over to Silver Lake for "Bears in Space" starting at 7 PM at Akbar, for dangerously cheap drinks and music from Chris Bowen, Nitedog, and guest DJs Gant Johnson and Mr Chinn.

Or if you'd rather stick around the action and stay in Weho, check out the "Meat Rack" party, which is usually thrown at The Eagle on Saturday nights, but is returning for the evening to The Factory. It's a deliciously hunky, "meaty" event.

Tom Whitman's "Size U" beer bust at Here Lounge opens earlier than usual at noon and continues late into the night as well. The Perry Twins are slated to DJ the party along with Michael Paul and Morningstar.

But if you're looking for something really "late into the night" and haven't gotten enough dancing in-though we don't really see how that's possible-there's always Reflex ENCORE at Ultra Suede, billed as LA Pride's Closing Party, featuring DJs Hector Fonseca and Dan De Leon.

If none of this pops out or sounds appealing, well, sorry, but we can't help you. At least, not this year.