AIDEN JAMES
The Greater Palm Springs Pride Celebration marks its 28th Anniversary, November 7–9, 2014, with block parties, musical performances, a free two-day festival and parade.
BY VICTOR MELAMED
“I am Pride: Stonewall 45” will be the theme for the annual Palm Springs Pride Celebration scheduled for next month, November 7-9.
The two-prong theme was selected to observe the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and reflect on the impact the fight for equality is having on the LGBT community around the world.
The Stonewall Riots in New York’s Greenwich Village on June 28, 1969 set off the LGBT civil rights movement. “I am Pride,” state the event organizers, is an affirmation of an individual’s stance against discrimination and support of equal rights, sexual diversity and gender variance.
NEW LOCATION
This year’s the annual Palm Springs Pride celebration takes place at a new downtown location. The Festival is held on Palm Canyon Dr. between Amado and Baristo Rd and on Arenas Rd from S. Calle Encilia to Balardo.
Palm Canyon Dr. will be closed to traffic and transformed into a vibrant, pedestrian friendly Pride Festival, unique to Southern California. Enjoy a diverse array of artists, entertainers, multiple beverage gardens and purveyors of all sorts including, jewelry, snacks and sweets. Add all that to great shopping restaurants, clubs and entertainment venues located along world-famous Palm Canyon Dr. and the result is like no place else—Palm Springs Pride.
STONEWALL EQUALITY CONCERT
Pride weekend starts with Stonewall Equality Concert on Friday, November 7, 6:30pm-10pm. The outdoor concert, free to the public, takes place at the US Bank Stage, on Arenas between Indian Canyon Dr. and S. Calle Encilia.
The free concert, featuring Jeremiah Clark and Story of the Running Wolf, is an opportunity to honor those who work to preserve gains and meet equal rights challenges facing the LGBT community.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
The two-day festival lineup—Saturday, November 8—Sunday, November 9—includes live performances by pop sensation Amanda Lepore, hip hop lesbian Irawniq, Icelandic musical group Steed Lord, out singer-songwriter Aiden James, and New Jersey’s out rock musician Josh Zuckerman. Special appearances include pop artist Lisa D’Amato, who won the all-star cycle of America’s Next Top Model in 2011, and Quatrele Da’an, X Factor season 2’s gender bending revolutionary pop stand out.
Festival Emcees include Fiona St. James from New York, LA’s Pauly and Monks and the desert’s very own hostess, social ambassador and Walk of Stars recipient Bella da Ball.
THE PARADE
The most scenic pride parade in the world takes place on Sunday November 9 at 10am.
The new parade route travels south along Palm Canyon Drive from uptown to downtown Palm Springs. Step off is at 10am at Tachevah and Palm Canyon Dr.
The parade ends around 12:30pm. The parade route travels directly to the opening gates of the Pride Festival.
For more info please visit: www.pspride.org.
