Week in Review: Pride Month and More Billboards Coming to the Strip

Wednesday not only marked the first day of June, but also the beginning of . The Comedy Store kicked off LA Pride 2011 with three days of standup comedy, sketches, short comedy films, and improv comedy workshops, known as , Thursday.

On Saturday, marched into West Hollywood. The peaceful demonstration sponsored by a number of organizations and activists took place in West Hollywood Park. And hundreds gathered Sunday evening in Weho for a on the 30th anniversary of the first official AIDS diagnosis.

Here is a recap of what happened in West Hollywood, as well as some announcements and upcoming events to look forward to. 

Editor's Picks:

West Hollywood with two receptions Wednesday night. The One City/One Pride reception kicked off a month of arts-related activities recognizing LGBT pride and history. Later, a mayor’s reception launched the start of the Christopher Street West pride festivities.

The as the Planning Commission approved three of four proposals to add billboards or alter existing billboards at its Thursday meeting. In granting these petitions, the city will receive huge monthly fees thanks to development agreements with each property owner, reports James Mills. 

Best in Columns:

Spike, a 6-year-old terrier mix, was this week's . He wiggled his way into Planning Commissioner Lauren Meister's heart and has been part of the community ever since.

Joel Sinensky reviewed Outlaugh 2011 for this week's . It was a solid opening night, with an eager crowd and some inventive stand-up comedy on display—from a pitch-perfect recreation of a standard Black Eyed Peas song to an on-stage striptease for one blindfolded member of the audience, Sinensky said. 

profiled Savannah Phillips. The bubbly 16-year-old has jammed with a Twilight saga cast member, is sharing the same producer as Miley Cyrus, and is all set to perform an all-ages show at the Whisky A Go-Go next month. 

Mark Your Calendar:

A regular City Council meeting will take place at West Hollywood Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. On the agenda is the adoption of a proposed ordinance governing medical marijuana collectives by authorizing adoption of operational guidelines and the consideration of an amendment to the contract with the City of Beverly Hills for parking meter collection and verification services.

In honor of Pride Month, a number of arts and entertainment programs are coming to Weho next week—Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center on Monday, a reading, signing and book discussion with Lisa Napoli, author of Radio Shangri-La, at Plummer Park on Tuesday, Shepard Fairey’s Love Unites, customized by celebrity supporters of same-sex marriage at The Advocate & Gochis Galleries – Village at Ed Gould Plaza on Wednesday, and Out There, the 4th annual all-media art exhibition at Gallery 825 on Friday.

The L.A. Pride Festival will take place over Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, in the heart of West Hollywood at West Hollywood Park. Friday night kicks off with a Purple Party, celebrating women. The LA PRIDE Parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, and travels westbound along Santa Monica Blvd., from Crescent Heights Blvd., to the main entrance of the LA PRIDE Festival at San Vicente Blvd.

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