It is here! Woo hoo! San Diego Pride, a two-day gathering celebrating the diversity in all of us. It is a weekend that thousands of people look forward to all year around. With the parties, the parade and the excuse to be shit faced by 11a.m., we all love letting go of our busy schedules and taking some time to enjoy ourselves. The celebration of Pride can mean many things to different people. For some, it may mark the anniversary of an ongoing relationship or friendship. It may mean an opportunity for the shy to let their “freak flag fly.” For others, it may also act as a public forum or a nice segue to finally “come out.” Whichever way Pride fits into your life today, I feel a lot of thanks needs to go to the people of the generations before us that paved the way. They are the reason we can proclaim the rights we have now and encourage others to continue to fight the good fight for our human rights. Be grateful kids. Say thank you.

There are two things, in my opinion, that can make or break a festival; the weather and the music. Because we only have control of one out of the two, I can say with confidence that this year’s Pride entertainment provides a forecast that is mostly sunny with a HIGH chance of ROCK AND ROLL! Beth Ladwig is this year’s entertainment coordinator. She was quickly approached by the event director because of her involvement in the music industry and also her strong local ties with the community. Ladwig says she is “super excited about this year’s line up,” and she also “handpicked the majority of the entertainment, and there should be something for everybody.” A very appropriate statement considering DEVO’s new album is called, “Something For Everybody” and they are Sunday’s headliners. Woo hoo!

Since there are so many rad performers to choose from this year, I have created a little playlist/guide to have the best SD festival experience. And it looks like the ladies are taking hold of the reins this year. OK, here we go. Spinning at the HINRG dance tent is DJ L/V, I’ve heard this woman open for Me’Shell Ndege’ocello and I immediately asked her if she recorded the show because I NEEDED it in my iPod asap. Awesome! On the Women’s Stage don’t miss Ellamae. An ambient, acousmatic, lyrical band that sounds like PrettyTheBoat and CocoRosie smoked a doob then had a baby together. RAD!!!! The Tightens Ups, fronted by “local MC of Everything,” Laura Jane Willcock, will blow you all away with her soulful, bluesy, rock and roll pipes at the 21+ stage. Runhoney and Saucy Monky will also be performing on the 21+ stage. If Alternative/Rock was a street drug, I would try not to OD, but these bands are all the rock you need.

Lastly, on the Cox Communications main stage, a grip of local favorite San Diego bands mixed with our special guests and headliners;

Steph Johnson may be my favorite female singer in San Diego. To quote a Neko Case lyric, “souls hanging inside out from their mouths.” Yup, that’s Steph Johnson. You cannot help getting sucked into the soulful, jazzy groove in every song she writes.

MC FLoW is our very own quick-witted, rhyme-spittin’ female emcee, known for her controversial lyrics and an engaging live show. This will be MC FLoW’s last shebang’ with her three band mates. I would like you all to come and celebrate everything that they have accomplished, by making your own G.G. look-alike outfits and by dancing as close as you can to the stage.

Bitter Sober have been playing together for nearly two years and have quickly acquired a loyal following here in SD. They are currently finishing up their new record which is loaded with catchy-ass songs that will get stuck in your head forever.

Lauren DeRose......Ah ya doy.... of course I want you to come see my band. I scream occasionally. That is all I am gonna say about it. (Sat. July, 17th @ 4:45pm), Wink.

If you like Lucinda Williams, B.B. King, and Bob Dylan, then you have probably already seen or heard of Lisa Sanders. Why? BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN THE OPENING ACT FOR ALL OF THEM! Not to mention, Al Green, Stevie Nicks, James Taylor, David Wilcox, Loudon Wainwright III, Baby face and Sophie B. Hawkins. Sanders also performed at Lilith Fair with Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow and the Dixie Chicks just to name a few. If acoustic/folk/jazz music is up your alley, then I am sure Lisa Sanders is lurking around the corner.

I do not want to elaborate on these three performers, only because everyone is writing about them over and over again. So I am gonna give you the punk rock run down instead.

Blake Lewis: Actually really good at beat boxing = rad.

EVE: Only female Ruff Ryder holdin’ it down, bad ass rapper, and sexxxxxyyyyy! = rarrar!

Devo: Post punk/electro wave, icons, all songs are danceable = one of the best shows I have ever seen.

The Pride Parade is supposed to be a gathering of all walks of life that want to celebrate their lives, lovers, friends, family, and even pets. Even in the most diverse and welcoming congregation, there are still some “people” being excluded from the festivities. If you own an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, or any other type of “Pitty”, they may not march in the parade with you and all the other animals, due to certain liabilities. Poor press and one-sided media have misrepresented this loyal breed for years. When Chance Pit Bull Rescue asked to be a part of this year’s parade, Pride coordinators reluctantly denied their participation. The San Diego Police Department enforces breed restrictions that curb all Pitty breeds from walking in the parade.

As a proud mama of a beautiful American Bull Dog/Pit Bull, I naturally felt deprived. My dog Bravo is my family and to think that I can’t bring him to an event that I am so proud to be apart of, is absurd. Is the City of San Diego and the SDPD more concerned with a few K9’s than the fucking psycho, gay hating, bible thumping, holy rollers that are “damning us all to HELL” while we walk down the street with our families? I get it. I get it....Freedom of Speech....blah, blah, blah...hello 4th grade. What about freedom of family? What about educating people about a common misconception? Well, don’t be sad “Parents of Pitty’s,” there is a “bubbly” alternative.

Pitty Pride will be held Sunday July 18, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Chama’s Dog Wash on 6th Avenue in Hillcrest. This is a special opportunity to include “ALL” of your family members at Pride. ALL MY PITTIES PUT YA PAWS UP, PUT YA PAWS UP, PUT YA PAWS UP!!! (Howl). Don’t believe me about pit bulls? You tube Sharkythepitbull.

1. Semi Precious Weapons, “You Love You”

2. The XX, “XX”

3. La Roux, (self-titled)

The brand new Riot Girl/ Punk band LaDyPaRtS will be performing at the Ruby Room Sunday July 18th, 2010 @ 9:30 p.m. (Something to do after DEVO).

I know almost everyone is gonna be letting loose this weekend, but please keep in mind your safety and the safety of others. Don’t be a douche bag and drive drunk. Don’t buy drugs... (hmm) ......from strangers. In the words of my most favorite person in the world, my Grandma (she’s Italian), “Don’t leave ya drink alone. If ya lose ya drink buy anotha one. There’s a lotta crazy people out there. Oooh they’re potso!” (Potso, being the Italian slang for crazy). She has been telling me this since I was 5 years old, and occasionally still sends me a card with 5 bucks in it that says, “Hey Babe, have a drink on me, but watch ya step, people are nuts. Love, Gram.” She wants you to have a safe Pride and so do I. So please, avoid the “Dirty Funky Cold Medina” a.k.a. “Roofie Colada,” and get where you need to go safely. That’s my story and I’m sticking it to, ya. Happy Pride, San Diego!!! *mwah!