Sacred & Profane: WeHo's 'One City One Pride' and L.A. Pride 2013

Why confine LGBT Pride to one meager weekend when one can spread the celebration out over several weeks? That question has been answered by L.A.'s gay epicenter, West Hollywood (or WeHo for short), which is once again presenting the One City One Pride arts festival. This all-encompassing series of art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, theatrical performances and much more has been underway since Saturday, May 18 and won't end until Sunday, June 30. Many of these events are presented free of charge.

For the first time, the festival has a theme. Provocatively dubbed "The Sacred and the Profane," the numerous artistic works and events will explore "the dichotomies of the LGBT experience: how the community views itself in contrast to how it is seen from the outside, a blending of the spiritual and the carnal, of things holy, wicked, and of things granted and taken away."

Many of this year's events will be concentrated into the two-week period from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 16, which coincides with L. A. Pride weekend Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9 (see below). These include the photographic exhibit "Living in Limbo: Lesbian Families in the Deep South," at the West Hollywood Library; "The Beast of Times," a new play that serves as a satirical and queer allegory at Renberg Theatre; an open-to-the-public rehearsal of the Gay Men's Chorus of L.A.'s upcoming show "Not Entirely Wicked: The Music of Stephen Schwartz"; and an L.A. Opera presentation on gay composer Benjamin Britten, appropriately titled "Sacred and Profane." A full schedule of the events and festivities may be accessed at weho.org/pride.

Former film, T.V. and concert producer Tom Whitman has become one of the biggest promoters of events in the L.A. gay community. His spectacular Wonderland Weekend will once again serve as the place to see and be seen during Pride weekend. It will kick off on Saturday, June 8 with SpLAsh, a massive pool party at a $65 million private estate, then move to Universal Studios Hollywood on Sunday, June 9, for Out at Universal, entailing rides, a private dance party, and further frolic. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit tomwhitmanpresents.com.

Whether considered sacred or profane, there is clearly something for everyone being offered during LGBT Pride month in L.A.

L.A. Pride

L.A. Pride 2013, presented by Christopher Street West from Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, will host pop favorites the Pointer Sisters, Ciara, Chiddy Bang and Kat DeLuna on the festival's Main Stage. Other traditional highlights are Erotic City, a celebration of all things sensual for those 18 and over; R&B, country and hip hop stages; the Latino Carnival, the Pride Purple Party for women on Friday, June 7 and watch for the launch of TV & Event Producer Woody Woodbeck's #IMAGINE Lounge. By day, the lounge offers guests an outdoor social and lounging scene featuring cabanas, misters and multiple bars. By night, #IMAGINE Lounge turns into an outdoor club and will feature live entertainment including aerialists and fire breathers as just part of the fun and eclectic assortment of activities scheduled throughout the weekend. Check out all the goings-on and purchase festival tickets at .

The annual Pride Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. This year's Community Grand Marshal is the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), which is celebrating its 40th year of creating change and swaying public opinion for the good of all people. Other honorees announced at press time include NFL Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo (George Moscone Ally Award); U.S. Congressman Mark Takano (Person of the Year); Lisa Henson, daughter of Muppets' creator Jim Henson and CEO of her father's company (Andelson/Thais-Williams Business Award); and Diane Anderson-Minshall, executive editor of The Advocate (Osborn/Michaels Media Award).