The pretty plaza at 777 E Ocean Blvd. is part skyscraper canyon, part urban oasis, and all the way a vibe during Gateway to Pride! Conveniently located at the end of the Pride Parade route at Alamitos and Ocean, this event is the perfect opportunity to turn up your Pride Weekend festivities. Everyone is invited to show up, celebrate, and dance with great enthusiasm from 11 AM to 3 PM on Sunday, May 17.
“Gateway to Pride is special because it captures what makes Downtown Long Beach so powerful, with community, visibility, and celebration all in one place,” said Austin Metoyer, President and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance. “After the energy of the Long Beach Pride Parade, this event gives people a space to come together, connect, and keep that momentum going.”
As part of this year’s celebrations, Metoyer will be in the Long Beach Pride Parade as one of its Grand Marshals. He joins a group of honorees reflecting the diversity, leadership, and advocacy that define Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ community.
Malcolm Alexander will be handling DJ duties for the third consecutive year. “People show up primed to party,” he said. “The energy’s on 10 as soon as I drop the first jam.”
Alexander, who grew up in the Inland Empire among a musical family, has lived in Long Beach for the last seven years. “My musical offering is going to be vibrant & accessible,” he said. “I am the biggest advocate for dance music; House, Disco, Electro, Funk, and Top 40 from across the decades. We’re definitely going to go around the world too, with Reggaeton, Bhangra, Afrobeat, and more international flavors.”
With fantastic sounds like this, along with food vendors and a pumped-up crowd, Gateway to Pride is a sure shot for celebration. Make it a part of your Sunday fun after the 43rd Long Beach Pride Parade!
For more info about Gateway to Pride, click here.