Miami Beach Gay Pride 2012

Can you say "divas"? Miami Beach Gay Pride will be diva-licious this year when an extraordinary line-up of musical guests take to the stage during the Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival, which takes place immediately following the colorful parade. Scheduled performers include Kristine W, Wynter Gordon, Jessica Sutta from the Pussy Cat Dolls, JoJo, Frenchie Davis and Inaya Day. Miami Beach Gay Pride takes place Sunday, April 15, from noon to 7 p.m. (dance stage 'til 9 p.m.), along Ocean Drive, and is presented by Stolichnaya� Premium vodka.

Coming into its fourth year, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown into the largest, single-day event of the entire year in Miami Beach. The hugely successful event in 2011 attracted more than 40,000 people from all walks of life, all parts of the country, and all age groups. Last year's Miami Beach Gay Pride featured a parade with 66 entries and 1,200 participants. In addition to musical performances, the post-parade Festival features, 125 LGBT-friendly vendors and businesses, a Food Truck court, refreshments and a family-friendly play area.

The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community by producing free, safe, quality mass-appeal events that are open to all, including the Parade, Festival and allied Miami Beach Pride sanctioned events.

LGBTQ rights activist, author, lecturer and transgender issues advocate Chaz Bono will headline the Fourth Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade as Grand Marshal.

Bono will lead the parade by riding in a vintage Rolls Royce convertible waving to an anticipated 60,000 fans and supporters who are expected at this year's parade and festival. The Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade kicks at noon on Sunday, April 15, along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th Streets.

"Chaz's courage, activism and contributions to the whole community stand as inspirations to us all," said Babak Movahedi, president of the Pride board of directors. "We are extremely proud to have Chaz, who is a true trailblazer, as our Grand Marshal this year."

The festival is going to have an amazing line-up of entertainers.

"This year's line-up of entertainers certainly has something for everyone," said Movahedi. "From dance to pop and from Broadway to gospel, the Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival will be a musical sensation."

With the release of her latest album, "Straight Up with a Twist," international dance club icon Kristine W (check out an exclusive interview with Kristine in this edition of Hotspots!) found new ways to share "The Power of Music" with her fans -- through contemporary jazz. She currently holds the world's record for most consecutive #1 Billboard Club Hits with nine; Madonna and Janet Jackson each had seven in a row.

Following a successful career as an international singer/songwriter, Wynter Gordon released her debut album, "With the Music I Die," last summer. The first single from the album, "Dirty Talk," topped the U.S. Dance Chart and was certified three-time Platinum. Her second single off the album, "Til Death," reached number three on the U.S. Dance Chart.

Since bursting on the global pop scene with the Pussycat Dolls in 2003, Miami native Jessica Sutta solo breakout, "Show Me," exploded with shuffle-fueled energy, reaffirming Sutta as the soulful vocalist she's always been. She has also worked to support marriage equality, and counts her gay fans among her favorites.

JoJo's new album "Jumping Trains" explores the ever-shifting middle ground between strength and vulnerability while still maintaining an uplifting vibe. The singer, now 20, released her platinum, self-titled debut album at the age of 13, and its follow-up, the gold-certified "The High Road," at age 15. Her hits include "Baby It's You," "Leave (Get Out)," and "Too Little Too Late."

Frenchie Davis wowed audiences with her take on "I Kissed A Girl," "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," "Like A Prayer" and "When Love Takes Over" on the NBC hit show, "The Voice." Ten years earlier "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell predicted she could win the hugely popular reality show competition. Before TV fame, Davis' chart-topping musical history includes several Billboard Dance Chart toppers.

Inaya Day's music fuels dance floors worldwide. Her fan favorites include, "Horny," "Hold Your Head Up High," "Nasty Girl," and "Keep Pushin'." In addition to house music, Day records and performs gospel, musical theater, jazz, R&B and hip-hop, collaborating with such icons as Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Missy Elliot, Sean Puffy Combs, and Big Daddy Cane.

All the Miami Beach Gay Pride headliners as well as a roster of international DJs - including Scotty Thomson -- will perform on the Main Stage off Ocean Drive between 13th and 14th Streets in Lummus Park. Additional entertainment will feature Latin music on the Palace Stage at 12th and Ocean Court and local community acts on the Community Stage off 11th and Ocean Drive in Lummus Park.

Below is the schedule of events

Thursday, April 12

"Fashion, Food & Fierceness"
7-10 p.m.
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
Tickets: $50 individual; $90 couple available at Unitycoalition.org/LLL

Friday, April 13

Leaders, Legend, & Lovelies Exhibit
Noon to 6 p.m.
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
Free

VIP Angel / Archangel "�ber Glam" Reception
8-10 p.m.
Townhouse Miami Roof Terrace, 150 20th Street, Miami Beach
VIP Tickets (ONLY 25 Available): $75 each, 100% tax-deductible donation to Miami Beach Gay Pride.

MOVA Block Party
8 p.m. - 2 a.m.
1625 Michigan, Lincoln Road
No cover.

Saturday, April 14

Leaders, Legend, & Lovelies Exhibit
Noon - 6 p.m.
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
Free

Splash @ the Pool
Noon - Sundown
Surfcomber Hotel Pool, 1717 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Tickets start at $25. VIP tickets available.

URGE / The Official Miami Beach Gay Pride Saturday Men's Event
10 p.m. - 8 a.m.
ICE Palace Studios West, 71 NW 14 Street, Miami
For VIP tables, please contact [email protected]
"Early-Bird" tickets are $35.
UrgeMiami.com

Sunday, April 15

Archangels & Angels VIP Parade Viewing Area
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Art Deco Welcome Center, Front Patio, 1001 Ocean Drive
A VIP All Day Wrist Band is required

Miami Beach Gay Pride - Parade and Festival Brunch
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
King & Grove Tides
1220 Ocean Drive
For reservations: 305-604-5070
Kingandgrove.com

Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and Festival
11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Dance Stage 'til 9 p.m.)
Ocean Dr 5th to 14th Street
Featuring Parade Grand Marshal Chaz Bono
Parade kicks off at noon along Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets.
Festival is on the sand in Lummus Park.

Leaders, Legend, & Lovelies Exhibit & Lectures
Noon - 6 p.m.
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
Free

Palace Presents: The Latin Stage
2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Palace, Ocean Drive at 12th Street
Free

UC/CU's Pridelines Youth Services Post-Pride Ball
6-10 p.m.
Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive
Limited to youth between 13 and 24.
Free

Miami Beach Gay Pride Closing Party
11 p.m.-5 a.m.
Cameo Theater, 1445 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
Tickets start at $25

INFO:

Miami Beach Pride
Sunday, April 15 from noon to 7 p.m. (dance stage 'til 9 p.m.)
Lummus Park
Ocean Drive between 10th and 14th Streets

MiamiBeachGayPride.com