The Sonoma County Pride Planning Committee is thrilled to announce the full schedule of events for Sonoma County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Week 2008 – Loving Self, Loving Others, which will happen in various locations, June 8 – 15. For the first time in the nearly three decade history of Sonoma County Pride, this year will feature a full week of exciting events and community gatherings. It all begins with the Pride Interfaith Service at the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa on Sunday, June 8 and culminates with the Sonoma County Pride 2008 Festival at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts also in Santa Rosa on Sunday, June 15.
Pride Interfaith Service - Loving Self, Loving Others will begin Sonoma County Pride Week 2008 at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road in Santa Rosa, Sunday, June 8 at 7 p.m. The service will bring together religious leaders and musicians from diverse religious traditions in Sonoma County. They will join in unity to acknowledge and celebrate the spiritual presence found in the LGBT Community. The evening’s guests will include: Rev. Chris Bell, Unitarian Universalist Congregation; Rev. Joyce Duffala, Center For Spiritual Living; Rev. Susan Fleenor, Knox Presbyterian Church; Rabbi George Gittleman, Congregation Shomrei Torah; Rev. Leanna Hamilton, New Hope Metropolitan Community Church; Jean Lebbert, Thanksgiving Luthern Church; Rev. David Park Ramage, First Congregational United Church of Christ; Rev, Rev. Elizabeth Middelberg, MCC of the Redwood Empire; Blythe Sawyer, Petaluma United Church of Christ; Rev. Amy Seymour-Haney, Windsor Presbyterian Church; and Rev. Kimberly Willis, Christ Church United Methodist.
Sonoma County Pride Week 2008 continues Monday, June 9 with Tragic Brittany Pride Trash Bash at Sweet at Seven Ultra Lounge, 528 7th St. in Santa Rosa, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. The night will include a tasteful drag show, yummy drink specials and delicious giveaways. There are two events in Guerneville on Wednesday, June 11. Listen to Kit Miriah's KGGV Open Mic Show, which will feature performances by Pride artists at 8 p.m. The Russian River Resort will host Leather Disco with DJ Hunter spinning classic disco hits, 9 p.m. - midnight. The North Bay’s newest ‘see and be seen’ gathering is Brien Perry’s GLAM at Infusions, 146 Kentucky in Petaluma, 9 p.m. – 2.a.m. The GLAM Pride Party happens Thursday, June 12. Sail into Sapphire Pride Friday at the Cotati Yacht Club, 8099 La Plaza in Cotati Friday June 13, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Spins by DJ Lue and DJ MoniKa will keep the party going all night. There is a $5 cover for each party.
We Mean It! Productions and the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts present the 14th Annual Pride Comedy Night, starring Suzanne Westenhoefer and Ali Mafi, at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd. in Santa Rosa, Saturday, June 14 at 8 p.m. The show will be followed by dancing and deejay music in the lobby hosted by the Sapphire Lounge. Ticket prices are $25, $30, and $35. Tickets are available at the Wells Fargo box office or by phone (707.546.3600). The Sonoma County Pride Planning Committee will be on hand to conduct a raffle, which will award winners great prizes.
Sonoma County Pride 2008 Festival, the week’s main event will celebrate the North Bay’s diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning community, as well as our straight allies, families and friends. The wonderful Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa will co-host the gathering on Sunday, June 15, noon – 5 p.m. The day will offer a commitment ceremony, entertainment, guest speakers, community outreach, activities for children, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome.
During the Sonoma County Pride Festival 2008, three stages will offer a wide variety of incredible entertainment. Musical performers include: Sun Bell; Aaron Walz; Society’s Child; Count Me In Trio; East Coast Kids; Bob Kiernan; Honey Rose and the Bridge Brothers; Katherine Michael Murray; Johnny Reach; and Lucy Blais. The following dance groups will perform: Redwood Rainbow’s Square Dancing Club; John Ross Dance Studio Ballroom Dancers; Community Baptist Church Boys and Girls Dance Group; Black Sheep Belly Dancers; and Belly Dancer ‘Sadia.’ Illusionist Ray Hoey will perform thrilling feats of magic.
The Sonoma County Pride Planning Committee would like to thank Communique Interpreting, who will be providing sign language intrepreting volunteers for the Interfaith Service, the performances and the Committment Ceremony at this year's Sonoma County Pride - Loving Self, Loving Others.
