En Vogue to Draw Crowd at Oakland Pride

The legendary all-female R&B group En Vogue is making a trip home this weekend to headline at Oakland's fourth annual LGBT Pride celebration Sunday, September 1.

"The big girls are coming home," said John Eric Henry, 50, Oakland Pride's director of entertainment and an African American bisexual man. "Oakland Pride appeals to their sense of community. They're originally from here and things will have come full-circle when they perform on our stage."

Oakland Pride is northern California's second largest pride and, unlike it's boisterous San Francisco counterpart, has grown a reputation of being a family-oriented, kid-friendly event. In 2010, the celebration's debut year after a years-long hiatus, between 25,000 and 30,000 people attended, which remained the approximate number until last year when the event saw an increase of 2,000 to 3,000 people. Additionally, almost 600 more kids' tickets were sold last year than in 2011.

Sunday's festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Uptown district.

"Most Prides see kids but not as many as us," said Oakland Pride board President Amber Todd, 32. "The fact that families feel safe enough in Oakland to bring their families out and share time with us, is amazing. This year, I'm hoping we get 40,000 people in the gate."

Fun activities offered for children and their parents and/or caregivers at the Family and Children's Garden include face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, arts and crafts, tours of law enforcement vehicles, a jumpy tent, and more.

But Oakland Pride isn't just for the kids, said Todd, a multiracial-identified lesbian.

"There's plenty of things for adults to enjoy, and since the Bay Bridge will be closed, BART will be running all night. You can party with us from sundown to sunrise if you want to," she said.

(The Bay Bridge closed Wednesday in order to open the new east span. BART is running 24 hours to select stations throughout the closure, which ends at 5 a.m. Tuesday, September 3.)

Four entertainment stages featuring various artists and deejays will line the perimeter of the event. The stylish English singer-songwriter Luciana will headline the White Horse stage preceded by a secondary headliner, the Rebel Kings of Oakland, a local drag troupe.

Headlining the Latin stage is Montez de Durango, a Chicago-based duranguense band grounded in traditional Mexican music. Oakland Pride's beloved Womyn's stage will feature Bay Area-native R&B singer and actress LaToya London, fourth-place finalist on the third season of TV series American Idol.

Actor and singer from the popular TV series Glee, J.C. Jones, will perform with his dance crew on the main stage followed by local artist Sheria Johnson, who last month sang at Yoshi's in San Francisco. En Vogue will round out the day's talents.

Aside from the many activities and forms of entertainment offered, Todd wants people to know that Oakland Pride is also a place to get educated. A number of community organizations will be at the Community Health Pavilion to address the various issues affecting Oakland's LGBTQ community.

"Oakland Pride is not just one day where people can be entertained," Todd said, "but it also acts as a satellite center for information. If you're an LGBTQ parent raising kids, you can find resources offered to your my family, schools open to your children, daycare providers accepting of your family dynamic. You can get AIDS testing here, go to transgender booths, or go to LGBTQ elder health booths. Basically, you can find out about organizations here to support your needs."

Tunisia Elliott, 36, is a returning Oakland Pride volunteer and the mother of a gay-identified son. She said her experience with Pride had been particularly enriching.

"Pride is educational and fun," she said. "You get to learn so much as an attendee and also, as a volunteer, educate other people. It's been important for me as a parent and ally to give back to the community. Pride really brings everyone together."

Also offered this year, Todd emphasized, is a wedding pavilion where couples can get married. Couples should have already secured their wedding license from a county clerk's office.

Oakland Pride, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has an estimated budget of $227,000 this year. That figure has increased from the $193,000 budgeted for the first event in 2010. Corporate sponsors account for 37 percent of funds, foundation donations are 5 percent, individual gifts are 2 percent, and revenue generated covers 56 percent of total costs. There are $32,000 in contractor costs, but the organizing board members are volunteers, according to a budget breakdown provided by Todd.

Todd said she expects a profit of about $8,000 based on projected gate revenue. That figure could change once final numbers are in after the event, she noted.

Just over 200 yellow-shirted volunteers are expected to staff the event. The main entrance will be at 20th and Broadway, another will be located at Webster and 21st streets. The official Oakland Pride block party-style after-party will be at Bench and Bar (17th and Telegraph Avenue), a short walk from the 19th Street BART station.

General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-12. Senior and disabled seating, and a bike park will be provided. For more information, visit http://www.oaklandpride.org. For transportation alternatives, visit http://www.bart.gov