Lady Gaga would be proud.
This weekend, the Joshua Tree Gay Pride Festival will take place in the High Desert, adopting the spirit and anthem title of the fearless, empathetic, avant-garde performer.
With its “Born This Way” theme, the fourth annual celebration is planned as an art and music festival for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members of the community and Coachella Valley.
The event is expected to attract “pro-equality families, couples and individuals of every kind,” event producer Andy Woods says in a news release. “No matter how you were born or how you express yourself, everyone is invited. … Come experience a pride festival like no other.”
Presented by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Inc., the festival begins at 6 p.m. Saturday with a kick-off ceremony and performance by DJ Lime Sparkle to welcome attendees to the Art Queen complex. A variety of local musicians and performers are expected to take the Fred Drake Stage starting at 7 p.m.
Musical performances will include Dandy Brown and Country Mark, Small Wonder Experience, The Sibleys, PRJCTS, Shari Elf and Ted Quinn, and performance artists P-Dawg and Tania Hammidi are scheduled to appear. Comedian Shann Carr will be the emcee.
In addition to live entertainment, there will be food vendors, art booths, family activities and a dance floor. And for those seeking an opportunity to escape the valley heat, Joshua Tree is generally 10 to 12 degrees cooler.
IF YOU GO
Where: Art Queen complex, 61855 Twentynine Palms Highway next to Joshua Tree Saloon
When: 6-11 p.m. Saturday
Price: $3 suggested donation. Parking is free in Joshua Tree Saloon back lot.
Information: (760) 587-6111, joshuatreegaypride.com and Joshua Tree Gay Pride Festival on Facebook
Photos submitted by Joshua Tree Gay Pride Festival