L.A.
Big Name Talent Lines Up for Southern California Pride Celebrations
By Duane Wells

May 8, 2007

Jennifer Hudson

In just a few short weeks, Pride season will be in full swing across the US and indeed around the globe. That said, Long Beach and Los Angeles, two of the biggest and most anticipated Southern California Pride Celebrations, promise to offer unusually shimmering star power this year with Long Beach scoring a major coup by landing Dreamgirl Diva Jennifer Hudson and festival favorites, the Indigo Girls, and Christopher Street West (Los Angeles) welcoming headliner Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and return performers Terri Nunn of Berlin and Tiffany.  

Long Beach Gay Pride which will take place on the weekend of May 19 -20 has pulled out all the stops for entertainment this year. Not only will Arista recording star JHud be performing on the Long Beach Pride main stage but so will gay dance duo, Jason and Demarco, Sophie B. Hawkins, Logo’s famed twin gay singing sensations, Nemesis, and dance diva, Amber. Lighting up the dance floor at in Long Beach this pride season will be DJs including Casey Alva, Mark Bisson and Millenium. Finally, adding even more star power, comedienne Suzanne Westenhoeffer will serve as the Grand Marshall for the 2007 Long Beach Gay Pride Parade. For a complete roster of Long Beach Gay Pride events, go to www.longbeachpride.com.  

Offering a more eclectic and alternative entertainment roster this year will be the Christopher Street West celebration scheduled to held June 8 – 10 in Los Angeles which in addition to Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Tiffany, will also welcome American Idol and Rent star, Frenchie Davis, New Wave band, The Motels featuring Martha Davis, legendary dance music diva, Martha Wash, outrageously hyper comedian, Ant, openly gay rising star, Levi Kreis, and the truly brilliant new electronic/trip-hop duo, Bitter:Sweet. Also expect heated circuit sets from the likes of DJs Scotty K., Carey Stringfellow and Casey Alva, who will be doubled duty is Southern Cali spinning at both Long Beach Pride and Christopher Street West. For a complete roster of Christopher Street West events, go to www.LAPride.org.  

Looks like this year is going to offer a pride season to remember.