Sophie B. Hawkins will close month of WeHo Pride celebrations

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins is set to mark the culmination of Pride Month in the city of West Hollywood with a unique event titled “Free Myself: A Conversation and Concert.” The event, which is the first-ever combined Lesbian Speakers Series and Summer Sounds event, will take place on June 25, 2023, at Plummer Park.

The afternoon will kick off at 4 p.m., with a discussion spotlighting the experiences and challenges of lesbian/queer women in the music industry. Hawkins, a music veteran with more than three decades in the business, will offer insights gleaned from her illustrious career. The event’s title, “Free Myself,” is shared with her sixth studio album, which was met with widespread acclaim upon its release in Spring 2023.

Following the conversation, Hawkins will take to the stage with her band at 5 p.m., performing an array of her most beloved hits alongside new tracks. This performance will also serve as the launch of the 2023 Summer Sounds Free Outdoor Concert Series.

Hawkins’ debut album, “Tongues and Tails,” released in 1992, garnered global success, including a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. She made significant strides for representation with her 1992 hit, “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover,” the first song from a major label to feature a same-sex pronoun in a romantic context.

Hawkins’ extensive career also includes roles in TV shows and films, and she notably portrayed Janis Joplin in the acclaimed musical “Room 105” in 2012.

The City of West Hollywood’s Lesbian Speakers Series and Summer Sounds Free Outdoor Concert Series are initiatives of the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division. Further information about the rest of the 2023 season is available on the Summer Sounds web page.

RSVP is requested via Eventbrite at https://summersoundsweho-2023jun25.eventbrite.com. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, low chairs, and snacks, as seating is not provided. For additional information about the Lesbian Speakers Series or Summer Sounds, please reach out to Dee Saunders or Joy Tribble, respectively, using the contact information provided. For the Deaf or hard of hearing, please use TTY (323) 848-6496.