Dan Holguin

Emerging singer/songwriter from L.A. Dan Holguin chats with Chris and Cam about being out and proud, his album plans and his debut single "Now I Only" - JOY 94.9 FM

Photos. - Image Collect

FEATURED VIDEO: Dan Holguin - Headlines Los Angeles Gay Pride 2012 - Performance Recap - OurGayborhood.com

Los Angeles celebrates Gay Pride in mid-June (June 8 to 10 in 2012), to honor what many consider to be one of the foremost events in the history of lesbian and gay rights, the Stonewall Riots, which commenced early in the morning on June 28, 1969 at New York City's still busy Stonewall gay bar. Los Angeles Gay Pride was begun just a year after Stonewall, in 1970, and has been growing stronger every year since - this year will be the 42nd anniversary of Los Angeles Gay Pride, or "LA PRIDE," as its organizers officially call it. It's produced by Christopher Street West and takes place in L.A.'s most gay-identified area, the city of West Hollywood. The parade Grand Marshall this year is actress Molly Ringwald.

Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Los Angeles during Gay Pride.

Check the West Hollywood Guide to Gay-Friendly Hotels

On Friday night, June 8, the West Hollywood Lesbian Visibility Committee presents Dyke March and Purple Party, which takes place at on San Vicente Boulevard just south of Santa Monica Boulevard at 7:30 pm - the event includes both a rally and march. A free party takes place throughout the evening (from about 5 pm until midnight), and events include a drumming circle, women on motorcycles, prominent community speakers, and much more.
The L.A. Pride Festival occurs over Saturday (from noon until midnight) and Sunday (from 11 am till 11 pm) in the heart of West Hollywood at West Hollywood Park (along the west side of San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue). This festival, with an admission price of $20 per day (you can buy tix from the official Pride site), features nearly 200 community and gay-friendly business exhibitors, plus plenty of entertainment on a variety of stages. Headliners this year include Lil' Kim, Belinda Carlisle, Karmin, Dev, Alec Mapa, Jessica Sutta, Dan Holguin, and dozens of other luminaries.
- About.com

Laura Heckman and Dan Holguin pose for a picture outside the garden party.
- Huffington Post

The LGBT community has achieved much since the Stonewall Riots of 1969. This year alone, gays and lesbians celebrated the repeal of DADT, added New York as the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage and even witnessed Obama publicly support gay marriage, the first United States president ever to do so. This spirit of accomplishment is reflected in the theme of this year’s L.A. Pride, aptly dubbed by event organizer Christopher Street West as “…And Proud of It!”

“Pride means different things to different people, and that is why the organization opted for messaging that is so versatile but poignant,” says Karina Samala, CSW board member. ‘...And Proud of It!’ can apply to everyone in our diverse community. One can be transgender and proud of it. One can be bisexual and proud of it. People can be proud of the LGBT community as a whole, proud of our accomplishments or opt out of being labeled all together. No matter who you are, or how you identify, at L.A. Pride, you will be welcomed and celebrated.”

As one of the largest gatherings of the LGBT community in SoCal, L.A. Pride anticipates welcoming and celebrating over 400,000 participants this year. The three-day event, running June 8-10, embraces the diversity of queer culture by offering a broad plethora of entertainment options. Frontiers has compiled a guide for navigating the festivities, thus optimizing your personal Pride experience!

Mainstage
A free concert Friday night sees performers Beverly McClellan of The Voice, American Idol alum Frenchie Davis, Playboy School, comedian Fortune Feimster and Jenny McNulty take the stage, along with DJs Dawnita, French Kiss, Starvon and more spinning for the ladies’ Purple Party.

On Saturday, hosts Asha and Billy Francesca introduce performances by Hayla, Kelsey B., Le Kat, Life Down Here, Dan Holguin and Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s. - Frontiers Magazine

Set in the newly redesigned bigger better brighter West Hollywood Park, LA PRIDE is thrilled to include beloved local favorites as part of the overall lineup of performers, DJ's and celebrity hosts. With expanded stages and more room to dance, LA PRIDE is the largest LGBT celebration in Southern California and takes place June 8-10. Advance tickets are on sale now.

Julissa Veloz' style spans opera, R&B and pop and has her quickly rising to stardom. Her single, "Take Control" rose up the Billboard Dance charts and went top ten in 8 countries. Her new songs, debuting at LA PRIDE, are already causing a commotion in the pop/dance music world and are expected to be big hits.

Since his mind-blowing performance at LA PRIDE in 2011, performing with Sam Sparro and Estelle, BP Major's music has been heard and performed around the world. With his goals of creating understanding, awareness and equality through his music, the tremendously creative and talented BP Major is one of the most unique additions to the Era of Glam Pop.

Drawing musical inspiration from her multi-cultural background, singer and percussionist Hayla brings a dynamic dash of exotica to LA PRIDE. With her global dance hits, "I'm Free," and "Paulina," currently spinning in the clubs and on dance radio, and having worked with a unique array of musicians and producers, Hayla's Mainstage performance will be awesome!

The sexy and passionate Dario Benitez is a multi-talented singer/songwriter with music that is an eclectic mix of Spanish and Electronic Pop. The winner of the Most Entertaining Artist Award at the USA World Showcase in Las Vegas, Dario bares his soul as a performer and is definitely one to watch at LA PRIDE.

Other local favorites performing as part of the iconic LA PRIDE celebration include the sultry and sensual Le Kat, the feel-good Dan Holguin, out, proud and sexy Ben Roman, pop star on the rise Kelsey B., the fun and fashionable pop trio Decolletage, electronic rock duo Playboy School, Damien Christopher and The Pet Project and the wildly popular Upright Cabaret.

For 2012, LA PRIDE talent is better than ever across the 3-day celebration with a fresh mix of 75 performers, DJ's and celebrity hosts, some returning favorites, some making their LA PRIDE debut and a number of surprises sure to excite. Advance tickets are on sale now.

Stay connected to LA PRIDE for announcements about Friday and Saturday entertainment which includes the PRIDE Purple Party, a celebration of women, and all new Latino Carnival. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for the latest information at LA PRIDE.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST

Christopher Street West produces the annual Los Angeles LGBT PRIDE celebration in West Hollywood. A 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, CSW is a leading partner in the advancement of human rights, education, outreach and equality for the LGBT community. Lead by a professional, all-volunteer board of directors, CSW produces one of the largest PRIDE celebrations in the United States and hosted the world's first PRIDE Parade in 1970. - L.A. Pride

A Pride Weekend is here! And what a show LA Pride / Christopher Street West have in store for you! So get your TICKETS now and experience all the excitement!
You won’t want to miss the Saturday night lineup, which includes:
5pm Le Kat (jazzsy, bluesy and a littel bit naughty)
5:30pm Kelsey B (Kelsey B burst into the music scene in 2011 with her Billboard Dance Top 20 hit “Beauty Queen”)
6pm Lil’ Kim (The Queen Bee herself – Grammy Award winning Rapper/Hip-Hop Artist)
8:45pm Hayla (Electronic Dance Music Recording Artist)
9pm Dan Holguin
9:30pm Belinda Carlisle (Lead Singer of the 80s band The Go-Gos, Solo Artist and Author) - GoGayToday

Lil' Kim will perform on the main stage at this years LA Pride festival in West Hollywood.

The American rapper first shot to fame as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A. in 1995 with Notorious B.I.G.

Her solo career spawned three platinum albums with hit singles such as Crush On You.

Also performing at the festival:

Friday:

6:45 -- Playboy School
7:15 -- Jenny McNulty
7:35 -- DYKE MARCH
8:15 -- Fortune Feimster
8:40 -- Beverly McClellan
9:25 -- Showtime’s the Real L Word
9:45 -- Frenchie Davis

Saturday:

3:20 -- Cheer LA
3:30 -- Life Down Here
4:50 -- Le Kat
5:30 -- Kelsey B
6:10 -- Lil' Kim
8:00 -- Upright Cabaret
8:45 -- Hayla
9:15 -- Dan Holguin
9:45 -- Belinda Carlisle

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Sunday:

3:00 -- Ben Roman
3:30 -- Alec Mapa
3:50 -- Cheer LA
4:15 -- Damien Christopher
5:00 -- Dario Benitez
6:30 -- Jessica Sutta
7:00 -- Decolletage
7:30 -- Karmin
8:30 -- BP Major w/Lisa Vanderpump
9:00 -- Julissa Veloz
9:30 -- Dev

Grand Marshal - Molly Ringwold:

"Christopher Street West, proud producers of LA PRIDE, have chosen 80's teen-queen, and current star of ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Molly Ringwald, as the 2012 LA PRIDE Parade Grand Marshal. She has been selected for her long and unwavering support of the LGBT community. The 42nd annual LA PRIDE Parade takes place at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2012, on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood." - The Examiner

Gay artists are fringe artists by design or by radio homophobia. If performers like Adam Lambert and Scissor Sisters can’t get radio play with the galvanic hooks of their last releases, it’s not them—I say it’s the radio programmers who have the issues. And don’t let me hear you say the programmers are just reflecting the public’s taste. That’s knee-jerk deflection, folks. How does L.A.’s Dan Holguin fit into this? Well, his debut EP called, uh, EP, is as mainstream as an openly gay performer can get. The anchor track “Now I Only” has been played on Australian pop radio and has received praise in the U.K. (which is a short hop to stardom over there). Holguin’s mien seems to be late-’90s alt-rock; he’s got a voice as smooth as Eddie Vedder yet more pliable around a piano-based (same-sex) love song (“So Damn Beautiful”). He doesn’t sound much different from Train or any other current alt-smash, except for the gay-specific lyrics on “Extract the Facts” (“I don’t know what to deem him / but I know I’m gonna let him in.”) Let’s see if he can sneak that by the family values censors on FM radio; it’s long overdue. - Frontiers Magazine

Drawing inspiration from ’90s acts like Smashing Pumpkins, Fiona Apple, and Elliott Smith, out alt-rocker Holguin, a denizen of the queer live music scene in Los Angeles, has just released his self-titled debut EP, a trio of tracks — “Extract the Facts,” “Now I Only,” and “So Damn Beautiful” — that lay smoothly soaring emo vocals over driving guitar riffs and rainy-day piano. “Does it feel good?” he wails on “Facts.” Yes, it does. - The Advocate Magazine