This weekend, Laganja Estranja, who rose to fame on RuPaul’s Race is coming to the beach for The Big Gay Pine Avenue Takeover. The first of its kind, free festival will feature live music and entertainment right on the iconic downtown street on August 24 from 4 to 10p.m.
The choreographer, cannabis advocate and a drag queen appeared on season 6 of RuPauls Drag Race where she placed 8th. A true artist, Estranja graduated from The California Institute of the Arts in 2011 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance and choreography.
She also has choreography credits for Germany’s Next Top Model, NYC Cosmetics FACE Awards, Miley Cyrus and Brooke Candy. As a cannabis advocate, she has hosted conversations at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and at Impulse in San Francisco about legalizing cannabis. She has also appeared twice in High Times Magazine and Dope Magazine.
She’s joined by a lineup of talented entertainers who are sure to keep the fun going all night like DJ Lord Izac.
Based in Los Angeles, Lord Izac is dedicated to amplifying the atmosphere of the clubs, bars and events he dj’s at, focusing especially on the LGBTQ+ community. He has years of experience as an international DJ and event producer, performing at events like Aspen Gay Ski Week, Long Beach Proud! Fest, Catalina Island Pride, and events for Starbucks and FrameVR. His mixes are diverse in genre including pop songs, dance songs, electronic songs and house songs. Be sure to catch his set at The Big Gay Pine Takeover as he is sure to amplify the vibrant atmosphere of the day.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper pride event without The International Imperial Court of Long Beach, also known as Long Beach Imperial Court. They’ll be showcasing a special performance during Saturday’s festivities.
The LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization has been dedicated to giving back to the Long Beach community since 1971.
Photo via @lbimperialcourt on Instagram
Through volunteering and activism, Long Beach Imperial Court has been able to collect food donations for the Long Beach AIDS Food Store, sing holiday carols to hospice patients, raise awareness of LGBTQ+ veterans issues, autism and williams syndrome. Since its founding, Long Beach Imperial Court has raised one million dollars for community causes. The organization is international, having nearly 70 chapters that span the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
To find out how you can support the Imperial Court, be sure to visit their website.
While The Big Gay Pine Avenue Takeover is free to attend, registration is required online. Each registration puts you in the running to win VIP Tickets, which are also available for purchase.
The VIP experience comes with 2 drink tickets, appetizers, access to VIP Lounge and more.
The Big Gay Pine Takeover is a fundraiser for Long Beach Proud! Fest, Long Beach’s very own Pride celebration from September 27-29. Donations can be made at The Big Gay Pine Takeover which are tax deductible and will go towards funding Proud.
We’ll see you downtown!
