Long Beach Kicks Off Pride Season
Gays and lesbians from all over the country and the world will come to Long Beach May 16-17 to kick off the 2009 Pride season. The Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride festival and parade is an event not to be missed.
Visit the Pride Festival on Saturday and Sunday May 16-17 at Rainbow Lagoon by Shoreline Village. Admission is $20 each day, and there are three entrances into the festival: Main Gate, on Shoreline Drive south of Ocean, Pine Gate, on Shoreline Drive at Shoreline Village, and Linden Gate, at the Convention Center parking lot.
Over the past several years, the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration has become one of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants over two days. The Festival Celebration includes seven large dance areas including a main stage which has featured musical artist such as Gammy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, Maya, and India.Arie. This year is expected to be bigger than ever so get your tickets online now.
This year’s entertainment schedule is hotter than ever, featuring headline act Smash Mouth. Other acts include Sara Bareilles, Kat DeLuna, Jazmine Sullivan, Guy B and Ari Gold.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and travels down Ocean Boulevard from Cherry to Pine Ave. Robin Tyler and Dianne Olson, leaders in the fight for same-sex marriage, have been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshals. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, also well known from the fight for same-sex marriage, is the Political Grand Marshal. John Morris is the Bridge Builder Grand Marshal, the Rev. Sunshine Daye is Female Community Grand Marshal and Todd Turley is Male Community Grand Marshal.
More than 200 marching groups and floats have comprised the parade entries since 1995, representing various religious, human services, governmental and social organizations. This year, early arrivers who show their pride could receive free admission to the 2009 Long Beach Pride Festival, exclusive Long Beach Pride merchandise and more by visiting ParadeCentral! This year’s theme – Your Rights, Our Rights, Equal Rights – gives even more meaning to the Long Beach Pride Parade tradition and celebration!
This Year, the pride celebration will start even earlier at Parade Central, the parade hot spot on Cherry Ave. and Ocean Blvd. Entertainment, giveaways and other fun will begin at 9:30 a.m., an hour before the parade kicks off.
There are also many other events going on during the week before Pride, like the Q Film Festival. See our story on Page 8. Also, you can enjoy “Laugh Till You Tinkle,” on May 14, at 7:45p.m. at the Laugh Factory, 151 S. Pine Ave. Laugh out loud with some of your favorite comedians at the Laugh Factory of Long Beach. Staring Christine O’ Leary, Carlease, Jason Stuart, Lynda Montgomery, and your Host for the evening Sandy Seacrest.
Enjoy free music in the park on May 15, at 6 p.m. with “A Concert of Faiths.” Bring your chairs and a picnic basket to enjoy this family friendly evening of inspirational music held at Bixby Park. Performing live: Marvin Matthews, Shawn Thomas, Praising Hands, Kim Yarbrough, South Coast Chorale. This will be an evening to remember and inspire.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
It’s time for the 4th Annual Q Film Festival Fundraiser, benefitting The Center Long Beach! Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans and Queer films brought right into our home town.
Tickets available online with package deals for saving money. Online ticket sales will be handled via will-call, after you’ve purchased them through PayPal’s secure server, print your receipt and bring it with you to the films you’re attending.
“All Film Access Pass”
Includes one admission to all 10 screenings, plus Pink Flamingos at The Art Theatre
$80 (Reg. $112)
“All Festival Access Pass”
Includes one admission to all 10 screenings, 3 Parties plus Pink Flamingos at The Art Theatre
$110 (Reg. $157)
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $8-12
depending on show and time.
DISCOUNT TICKETS $5
(Students & Adults over 60, must provide ID at will-call for discount. Workshop not included in packages. No discount on Parties/Workshop.)
FRIDAY, MAY 8
6:30 p.m.
DON’T GO – Feature
preceded by world premier, short film LET IT REIGN
Q & A with directors and cast members – facilitated Marie Cartier
Emcee: Carlease Burke
7:45 p.m.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
at THE CENTER
Entertainment, drinks, hors d’ouevres
9 p.m.
TRU LOVED – Feature
Q & A with director and cast members – facilitated by Robert Cano
11:30 p.m.
PINK FLAMINGOS –
at the Art Theatre
FREE when you buy an All Films Pass or a Weekend Pass! Enjoy the brand new, fully restored 35MM print!
SATURDAY, MAY 9
1 p.m.
WORKSHOP: How to Make Your First Short Film with Camrin Pitts at The Center. Films will be screened on the final night of the festival.
2 p.m.
BI THE WAY – Documentary
Panel discussion with Denise Penn
4 p.m.
FUN IN WOMEN’S SHORTS - Women’s Short Films
Q & A with director and cast members – facilitated by Marie Cartier
Emcee: Sandy Seacrest
5:30 p.m.
SHORTS PARTY at THE CENTER
Mixer with the filmmakers plus entertainment, drinks, hors d’oeuvres.
SATURDAY, MAY 9, cont.
6:30 p.m.
FUN IN MEN’S BRIEFS - Men’s Short Films
Q & A with director and cast – facilitated by Robert Cano & Camrin Pitts
Emcee: Sandy Seacrest
9 p.m.
WERE THE WORLD MINE – Feature, Emcee: Sandy Seacrest
SUNDAY, MAY 10
1:30 p.m.
A PLACE TO LIVE: THE STORY OF TRIANGLE SQUARE – Documentary
3:30 p.m.
FOR MY WIFE – Documentary
Preceded by short film
THE CONSTANT PROCESS
Q & A with directors and cast members – facilitated by Marie Cartier
6 p.m.
I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT – Feature
Emcee: Lynda Montgomery
7 p.m.
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
at THE CENTER
Entertainment, drinks, hors d’ouevres
8 p.m.
NIKKI COLDWATER and
SHOWGIRLS, PROVINCETOWN, MA. – Documentary
Emcee: Lynda Montgomery
MONDAY–THURSDAY MAY 11-14
ELEVEN MINUTES –
Directed by Michael Selditch & Robert Tate, R-rated for language.
go to www.arttheatrelongbeach.com for screening times
Documentary about Jay McCarroll, winner of season one of Bravo’s Project Runway.