By John Eric Henry
At this year’s Oakland Pride, we have expanded our focus to bringing well-known headliner entertainment, while also highlighting Bay Area and Oakland-based local emerging talent on our stages. My entertainment collaborators Mickey Hall and Danielle Sherman have worked hard to help create a music platform and “vibe” that fit with our event and that change and remain dynamic.
I am very passionate about the international and local music scenes, and I am particularly proud to highlight the local talent from Oakland and the Bay Area. There are so many outstanding local and emerging artists whom we consider every year, and making the final selection takes a lot of time and effort. We wish that we could accommodate everyone who applies, however, in doing so our one-day festival would last at least a week!
The programming of our stages this year is led by several producers. Valentin Carrillo and Robert Munoz are the excellent producers of the Latin Stage. These two gentlemen produce Club 21’s show called “La Bota Loca” (The Crazy Boot). Both Val and Robert have sourced the very best talent for Oakland Pride, and are proven experts in programming the Latin Stage.
For the Womyn’s Stage, Christiana Remington of Butta Productions continues to be a powerhouse producer. This year, Christiana expanded her search of artists who appeal to the Bay Area’s large and diverse Lesbian community.
The Community Stage is produced by our longtime partners at the White Horse Bar. Every year, Chuck and Brandon of the White Horse provide talent from local community shows, and again this year will showcase their “Queer Idol” finalist. We are also honored to present on the Community Stage Miz Chris and Mona of fiveTEN productions. Miz Chris and Mona are noted for their success in producing such events as Fashion Queer Week and Oakland’s National Poetry Slam. Together, the White Horse and fiveTEN have put together an amazing lineup that’s nonstop.
We are very fortunate to have Joe Hawkins of Club Rim Shot participating as one of the producers of the Oakland Pride Main Stage. Joe was one of the original founders of Oakland Pride, and continues to actively participate in the event and the community. Joining Joe on the Main Stage is a newcomer: emerging producer Phillip of DJ Pac Mobile.
Phillip’s production company features everything from hip-hop to retro 80s.
International dance producer Corey Action of the New Style Motherload Dance Studio has also joined forces with us, and has one of the best dance studios in the Bay Area! Corey and members of other dance studios will be performing throughout the day. All performances will represent original choreography and programming.
This is my sixth year as the Director of Entertainment and Talent for Oakland Pride. Every year, our event grows and gets better and better. I am very fortunate to work in the company of other greats on the Oakland Pride Board: Amber Todd, Frank Ciglar, Kelvin Young, Juan Zamora and Carlos Urbie. They are my Oakland Pride family, and are fierce leaders in the LGBTQ community. Through our continued love and passion for this event and our community as a whole, we plan to bring you the best Oakland Pride ever.
Thank you for your support, and welcome to Oakland Pride 2015!
John Eric Henry is Director of Entertainment and Talent Acquisition at Oakland Pride.
There will be dancing in the streets of Oakland on Sunday, September 13! Here’s the lineup of performers:
Pride Main Stage
11:00am – DJ Wiley-E
11:30am – Space monkey Gangstas
12:30pm – Atomic Allure
1:00pm – DJ Wiley-E
2:00pm – Oakland East Bay Gay
Men’s Chorus
2:30pm – DJ Rum (Club Rimshot)
3:00pm–3:05pm – Atomic Rebels
3:05pm–3:10pm – Da-Real-Dmoney
3:10pm–3:30pm – DJ Rum & Twerk Competition
3:30pm–3:40pm – Remenesse
3:40pm–3:50pm – YSD
3:50pm–4:00pm – Priceless Da Roc
4:00pm–4:15pm – Netta Brielle
4:15pm–4:30pm – DJ Rum
4:30pm – Corey Action & the New Style Motherlode
4:45pm – Chastity Hinson
5:00pm – Jericho Rose
5:10pm – Ronita Wheatfall & Le Belle Moi
(Fashion Show)
5:20pm – Edna Brewer Middle School
5:30pm – Aniah LeShon
5:45pm – Corey Action & the New Style
Motherlode
6:00pm – Michel’le
Womyn’s Stage
12:15pm – Kayatta
12:40pm – Amy Meyers
1:15pm – Carrie
1:45pm – Ships Crew
2:15pm – Kofy Brown
2:50pm – Mamas Boyz
3:15pm – Karrienda
3:30pm – Lila Rose
4:15pm – Frenchie Davis
5:15pm – Nina Ross
5:35pm – SIYA
Latin Stage
To be announced!
Community Stage
11:00pm – Follies and Dollies
11:15pm – DJ Luna
12:00pm – Rebel Kings
12:30pm – DJ Deft
1:15pm – Debauchery
2:00pm – Queer Idol
2:45pm – DJ Lady Fingers
3:00pm – Femme Deadly Venoms
3:30pm – Lady Cultura
4:00pm – DJ DaveO
4:15pm – Double Douches
4:30pm – Swagger Like Us
5:00pm – Raquela
5:30pm – DJ Slim Beautiful
6:15pm – DJ John Miranda
Schedule subject to change.
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