head

LA Pride: Parties, Performances, Roller Boogie

The parade at the big celebration is major, but there are plenty of social, song-filled to-dos, too.

Forty five years is a truly substantial amount of time, however you look at it. Not as old as a planet, not as young as a dandelion, but just the right amount of time required to make some lasting waves.

And, in the case of LA Pride, to become a groundbreaking, diversity-championing, community-fun pride festival, a festival many other festivals look to for inspiration and verve.

The 45-year-old celebratory stalwart stands as one of the best-known TLGB gatherings in all the land, and the lands beyond this one, too. That means "hundreds of thousands" of revelers from points all over head for West Hollywood over the second weekend in June, and many attendees add the Sunday parade, the longstanding centerpiece of the celebration, to their must-see list.

But the three-day party offers many diversions outside of the lively promenade down Santa Monica Boulevard, some affiliated with the weekend, some not. Whatever your pre-parade hopes are, in terms of staying busy and entertained, they'll be merrily and majory met. Head for...

Thunder Ground: The popular pop-up roller rink is back complete with live entertainment, "specialty bars and food vendors," roller skate rentals (though you can show with your own), and a family all-skate on June 13 from noon to 2 p.m. Will you show off your smooth moves, disco stylists? You best: People bring it, both in the swirls and dips and in the sartorial, vintage-roller looks, too.

Main Stage: DJs are plentiful over the weekend, as are big-name groups and solo artists. Wilson Phillips will croon and Kesha will have crowds jumping and The Fifth Harmony of "The X Factor" is at the mics on Sunday night. Are there other areas made for dancing, from the Country Pavilion to the Latino Carnivale? The choices for cutting a little loose and swaying to tuneage is abundant. 

Beyond the Festival: A number of venues in West Hollywood and close at hand'll be hosting their own pride-tastic shindigs over the weekend, from Wonderland Weekend at the AnDaz (which includes SpLAash, a mega pool party) and Pride Tea 2015. And a pool party at SKYBAR at Mondrian will raise funds for The Good Shephard Foundation.

The Scene

Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.

Inventors assemble: ‘City of STEM + LA Maker Faire' boasts oodles of free activities

Social Nature, a Descanso Gardens pop-up, will offer sips and snacks this spring and summer

As for the popular, much-attended, everyone's-going parade? Wake earlyish on Sunday: It starts at 11 a.m.

Due to Pride events, the following streets and facilities will be temporarily closed:

West Hollywood Park will be closed from 6 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2015 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2015;

West Hollywood Library will be closed from 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015 to 11 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2015;

West Hollywood Pool will be closed from 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2015;

San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015 through 10 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2015; 

 Santa Monica Boulevard from Fairfax Avenue to Doheny Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2015;

Streets one block north and south of Santa Monica Boulevard (Fairfax Avenue to La Peer Drive) will be closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2015; 

 Crescent Heights Boulevard from Romaine Street to Fountain Avenue will be closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2015; and

Norton Avenue (between Havenhurst Drive and Laurel Avenue) will be closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2015.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us