2013 L.A. Pride Celebration to hit stages, streets this weekend

As sweet summer approaches with sunny days and soaring temperatures, so does the 2013 L.A. Pride Celebration in West Hollywood Park at San Vicente Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. The annual party, by and for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, presents a rainbow of choices for entertainment seekers of all stripes. Whether you want to dance your face off to electronic music, soak up a more serene vibe in a “sober oasis” at Bill’s Cafe or simply watch the joyful parade, here is your guide to gay pride this weekend.

FRIDAY

The weekend kicks off with the Purple Celebration, an admission-free event devoted to lesbian culture. Electro-rock duo Uh Huh Her will perform on the main stage, as will singer Luciana, who has collaborated with a hot list of musicians, including Deadmau5 and Kylie Minogue. DJs Milk, French Kiss and Nova Jade will keep the party going as well. Friday also plays host to the annual Dyke March, where thousands of women come together to show solidarity for their community.

The Transgender L.A. Pride Party also takes place Friday night with a variety of performances by talented transgender artists at Bill’s Café near the Robertson Gate entrance.

SATURDAY

The fun starts in the early afternoon Saturday with DJ Tony G and continues through the afternoon with an additional Latino Carnival Stage hosted by Club Papi. The stage operates Saturday and Sunday and features performances by Mao, Angel Lopez, Chico’s Angels and more. Meanwhile Saturday’s main stage will be headlined by the alternative hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang. Their act will be followed by pop songstress Ciara, who will perform her hits “Goodies,” “Ride It” and “Like a Boy.”

SUNDAY

If you can attend only one day of the festival then Sunday is the day. The annual parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and regularly draws more than 400,000 revelers and marchers. The elaborate, moving party begins at the intersection of Crescent Heights and Santa Monica Boulevard, shimmies its way down the boulevard and concludes at the entrance to the festival near Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards. The parade is scheduled to end around 4 p.m., which is when things really heat up on the main stage with performances by Judith Hill and the Pointer Sisters.

WEEKEND-LONG EXHIBITS

Erotic City (which you must be 18 or over to enter) and Install:WeHo will be open throughout the weekend. Erotic City’s main attraction is never-before-seen artwork by “Hellraiser” creator Clive Barker. At Install:WeHo you’ll find a variety of exhibits in an outdoor “pop-up village” hewing to this year’s theme of “Good Queer,” which explores what it means to be a productive and positive member of the LGBT community.

647 N. San Vicente Blvd., 5 p.m. Fri. (free admission); noon to midnight Sat.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun. $20. For tickets and information, go to https://www.lapride.org or call (323) 969-8302.

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L.A. Pride Celebration

Where: West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

When: 5 p.m. Fri. (free admission); noon to midnight Sat.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun.

Cost: $20

Info: https://www.lapride.org or (323) 969-8302