West Hollywood is set to host the annual WeHo Pride Parade today. The event starts at 12:30 PM, with the parade beginning at North Crescent Heights Boulevard and proceeding west along Santa Monica Boulevard to North San Vicente Boulevard in the city’s Rainbow District. Thousands are expected to attend.
The parade will feature a variety of floats, dance troupes, and marching contingents from various organizations, all showcasing vibrant attire. Music and live performances will be a central part of the festivities.
This year, singer Cyndi Lauper, known for hits like “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” and “True Colors,” will be honored as the WeHo Pride Parade Lifetime Ally Icon.
Lauper burst onto the music scene in the early 1980s with a flamboyant style and distinctive voice that quickly made her an icon of the era. Her debut solo album, “She’s So Unusual,” released in 1983, was a groundbreaking success, fueled by hits like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” and “She Bop.” These tracks not only climbed the charts but also cemented Lauper’s reputation as a champion of inclusivity and a bold, eccentric personality in the music industry. Her approach blended punk’s rebellious spirit with pop’s mainstream appeal, creating a unique sound that resonated with a diverse audience.
Over the years, Lauper has demonstrated remarkable versatility, venturing beyond music into acting and activism. She has won awards across different platforms, including Grammy, Emmy, and Tony awards, showcasing her wide-ranging talents in the arts. Notably, her commitment to advocacy work, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community, has been a significant part of her legacy. Lauper co-founded the True Colors Fund, which works to end homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth, highlighting her dedication to using her platform for social change and support for marginalized communities.
For those unable to attend the parade in person, KTLA 5 and its digital platforms, KTLA + and KTLA.com, will broadcast the parade starting at 1 PM.
The OUTLOUD Music Festival, also on Sunday at West Hollywood Park, will feature headlining performances by Kylie Minogue and Diplo.
Australian pop sensation Minogue has captivated audiences worldwide since the late 1980s with her dynamic presence and memorable music. She initially gained fame as an actress on the popular soap opera “Neighbours,” but it was her music career that propelled her to international stardom. Her debut single, “Locomotion,” was released in 1987 and became a global hit, setting the stage for a successful transition from television to the music industry. Her follow-up album, “Kylie,” featured the smash hit “I Should Be So Lucky,” which topped the charts in several countries, including the UK and Australia.
Over the years, Minogue has demonstrated remarkable versatility and staying power in the competitive music industry. Her sound has evolved from the bubblegum pop of her early years to include a diverse range of genres, including dance, disco, and electropop. Albums like “Fever” (2001) and “X” (2007) showcased her ability to reinvent herself and stay relevant; “Fever,” in particular, included the infectious track “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” which became one of her most iconic songs and a dance-floor staple worldwide. Her influence extends beyond music, as she has become a style icon and a symbol of resilience, having battled and overcome breast cancer in 2005.
Born Thomas Wesley Pentz, Diplo is an influential figure in the world of electronic dance music, known for his genre-blending style and innovative production techniques. His journey into music began in the early 2000s, initially gaining recognition with his work on M.I.A.’s track “Paper Planes,” which showcased his ability to combine eclectic sounds with urban influences. Diplo’s distinct approach to music production quickly set him apart, leading to the establishment of his own record label, Mad Decent, in 2006. The label has been instrumental in promoting new musical genres and artists, further cementing Diplo’s role as a tastemaker in the music industry.
Throughout his career, Diplo has been involved in several collaborative projects that have significantly impacted the music scene. He is perhaps best known for being a founding member of the electronic dancehall music project, Major Lazer, alongside DJs Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. The group is celebrated for hits like “Lean On” and “Cold Water,” which fuse reggae and electronic elements to create catchy, global anthems. Diplo’s other notable collaborations include Jack Ü with Skrillex, with whom he won two Grammy Awards for the hit song “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber, and Silk City with Mark Ronson, known for the dance track “Electricity” featuring Dua Lipa.
Performer Schedule by Stage:
Main Stage:
- Hannah Rad: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
- Zee Machine: 2:30 – 3:00 PM
- Destiny Rogers: 3:10 – 3:36 PM
- Jimi the Kween: 3:55 – 4:15 PM
- Trixie Mattel (DJ Set): 4:15 – 5:00 PM
- Vincint: 5:10 – 5:40 PM
- Ashnikko: 6:00 – 6:45 PM
- Big Freedia: 7:05 – 7:35 PM
- Diplo + Friends: 8:00 – 9:15 PM
- Kylie Minogue: 9:45 PM
SUMMERTRAMP Stage:
- Casey Alva: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
- BabiBoi: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
- Masha Mar: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Mike Taylor: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
- Kiesza: 5:30 – 6:45 PM
- Mez: 6:45 – 7:45 PM
- Crystal Waters: 7:45 – 8:00 PM
- Daisy O’Dell: 8:00 – 8:40 PM
- DJ Holographic: 8:45 – 9:45 PM
- Hot Chip (DJ Set): 9:45 PM
