You Gotta' Have Pride

Pride Fest started our weekend off with a bang. Blocking off Halsted Street from Waveland to Addison, two stages featured music artists such as Deborah Cox, Mya and Crystal Waters. The drag performers kept the long day jumping as hundreds shopped, drank and ate at the many booths along the way.
I missed the first day with Cox because La Toya Jackson ran so late with her signing at Barnes & Noble. I told Toya I would stop by and say hello earlier that day and didn't want to disappoint a Jackson.

The second day was a long one starting with brunch at Nookies then photographing folks at Pride Fest.
I was very anxious to see Mya perform at 2:30. The star of Chicago the Musical and Dancing With the Stars turned it out and even did an encore. I thought she would take off in a limousine following the performance but she took her time meeting fans and even signed someone's cheek. I wanted her to perform her track "Whatever Bitch" and she said they thought about it but couldn't fit it in.

The day continued and it was so much fun running around backstage with the performers. I felt like a drag queen roadie by helping them with mics and delivering wine to their trailer.
Crystal Waters performed and she reminds me so much of first moving to Chicago and the clubs playing her hits. Her back up dancers broke it down and I especially liked the one from Panama.

After the performances, I went to the Kit Kat Lounge with Crystal Waters, Anaya Day, and Sweet Pussy Pauline plus the entourage to have dinner. Everyone had a blast as we chatted away, did shots then I kissed Crystal goodbye in her limo late that night.

The Pride Parade happend the next morning where I got the chance to thank Fernanda Rocha for her interview in the past for Real Housewives face to face. She was the Grand Marshall for the 42nd parade and said, "thanks for having me here. It is an honor."
There were a few bumps in the road with tire damage to some of the floats by vandals but our community continues to roll with the punches and fight adversity by marching proud!