The Complete Guide to 2011 Pride

LA PRIDE, Christopher Street West's annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender celebration, is taking place this weekend in West Hollywood. For three days, the city will see more than 75 performers and DJs, 125 exhibitor tents, and 400,000 people marching down Santa Monica Boulevard.

From the Weho Dyke March on Friday to the Pride Parade on Sunday, there is plenty to do. But if you are feeling overwhelmed by the options, never fear — we've created a handy guide for you, including dates and times, street closures, parking information and more.

FRIDAY 6.10 | PURPLE PARTY

| 5 - 7:30 p.m. | Free

The inaugural Pride event, "paying homage to the 'L' of LGBT," as Christopher Street West puts it, features a Happy Hour with specially priced Bacardi beverages, live music and food trucks. Participating eateries include the Sweets Truck, Border Grill, Kogi, Grilled Cheese and Nom Nom. The cast of Showtime's The Real L Word will be making a special appearance around 8 p.m. and Grammy-winner Macy Gray is set to perform from 11-12 p.m.

Parking: There will be validated parking available at the new City Garage. Enter off Robertson, north of Melrose, at El Tovar Place.

FRIDAY 6.10 | WEHO DYKE MARCH

Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards | 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Free

All are invited to attend the community celebration to honor lesbian history following the Dyke March. The rally, produced by the city's Lesbian Visibility Committee with support from Christopher Street West, begins at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards, and will recognize a woman or group within the lesbian community who has made an impact over the past year with the annual Etheridge Award.

SATURDAY 6.11 | PRIDE FESTIVAL - DAY 1

| 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. | $20 at entrance or online

Head to San Vicente Boulevard, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, Saturday for day one of LA PRIDE. Last year's America's Got Talent winner Prince Poppycock takes the Mainstage Dance Pavilion at 6:30 p.m., followed by dance music artist CeCe Peniston at 7 p.m. and Grammy Award-winning artist Mya at 9 p.m. Partygoers can also get to know community groups, theatre companies and local artisans, or swing by the popular fetish show Erotic City, crowning the next Mr. CSW Leather. 

Parking: Two options are Kings Road Parking Structure at 8383 Santa Monica Blvd. or Hancock Parking Structure at 901 Hancock Ave. Both cost $7.50.

SUNDAY 6.12 | PRIDE FESTIVAL - DAY 2

 | 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. | $20 at entrance or online

CSW has an exciting entertainment lineup for Sunday. This year's LA PRIDE Morris Kight Lifetime Achievement Award winner Margaret Cho is featuring her stand-up and comedy songs at 3:45 p.m. Estelle will make her LA PRIDE debut at 7:30 p.m. on the Mainstage. And don't miss the Silent Celebration at exactly noon. All are invited to remember those lost for one full minute.

Parking: Special event parking will be available at the Kings Road and Hancock parking structure for $15, as well as the La Jolla / Havenhurst Lot at 1043 La Jolla Ave., La Peer Lot at 623 La Peer Dr., Orange Grove Lot at 1114 N. Orange Grove Ave., and for $20 at the  at Melrose and San Vicente.

SUNDAY 6.12 | PRIDE RUN

| 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. | $30 for 5K or 10K

Los Angeles Frontrunners, a running/walking club for LGBT people and supporters, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Run/Walk for LGBT Pride this year. The 2011 event will feature a traditional 5K and 10K Run, as well as a 5K Race Walk, annual Kids’ Race and the Ultra Pride Run. Proceeds will benefit a local non-profit organization. Prospective participants can register in person race morning. For more information, click here.

SUNDAY 6.12 | LA PRIDE PARADE

Santa Monica Boulevard | 12 - 4 p.m. | Free

The highlight of the three-day festival is without a doubt the Pride Parade, with three-time US champion, two-time Olympian and World medalist as Grand Marshal. Kicking off at 11 a.m., an anticipated 400,000 revelers will travel westbound along Santa Monica Boulevard from Crescent Heights Boulevard to the main entrance of the LA PRIDE Festival at San Vicente Boulevard. If you are unable to make it out, tune into West Hollywood Channel 10 or LAPRIDE.org/webcast at 10:30 a.m. for live coverage.

Parking: Suggested parking areas include the Sunset Strip, the Beverly Center, parking lots east of Crescent Heights Boulevard, the Kings Road Lot, and . Parking permits in the city of West Hollywood will be waived through 7 a.m. on Monday, but all parking meters will be enforced.

FACILITIES & STREET CLOSURES

: Closed through 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 15.

: Closed Friday, June 10 through Monday, June 13.

San Vicente Boulevard: Closed between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue through Monday, June 13 at 7 a.m.

Santa Monica Boulevard: Closed Sunday from North Fairfax Avenue to North Doheny Drive, 5 a.m. - 5 p.m. Streets one block north and south of Santa Monica (North Fairfax Avenue to North La Peer Drive) will also be closed during that time.

Crescent Heights Boulevard: The north end of the street will be closed between West Romaine Street and Fountain Avenue from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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