Officers with Pride Houston indicated last year that they hoped to revive the Pride Festival that precedes the parade, and on Thursday, they announced an entertainment roster that indicates they meant business. Headlining the festival that begins at 2 p.m. on June 25 is Grammy winner Sophie B. Hawkins. Other entertainers include Pansy Division, Jade Esteban Estrada, Rachel Sage and Sarah Pinsker and the Stalking Horses. Pride Houston Executive Director Jack Valinski noted, “Pride Houston is making a real effort to upgrade and expand the Pride Festival 2005, and festival co-chairs Matthew Stone and Todd Amdor are bringing in major musical talent.” Stone added, “We searched the gay music universe for artists who are known for their energetic, live performances. The Pride Festival entertainers range from pop to folk to Latin to rock and will not disappoint.” The festival, which previously consisted of booths lined up along Yokum, behind the Westheimer Street bleachers, had been free. This year, cost for the festival is $10. At that, Stone said, it’s still a bargain. “This event is a huge entertainment value and is Houston’s only chance to see so many talented GLBT artists,” he said. More information on the festival is available at www.pridehouston.org.

Galveston may get its own Metropolitan Community Church
A feasibility team from the Metropolitan Community Church has been meeting for the last year to consider the possibility of establishing a new MCC congregation in Galveston. MCC Regional Elder Darlene Garner recently appointed an administrative committee, and has authorized the continuation of the study. MCC was founded in Los Angeles in 1968 and now includes more than 300 churches worldwide. If a church is established in Galveston, it will be called Harbor MCC of Galveston.

Volunteers are needed by Houston Gay & Lesbian Switchboard
Since April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, staff at the Montrose Counseling Center decided it was a good time to honor those who are currently offering their time to the organization and to launch a recruitment drive for the Houston Gay & Lesbian Switchboard. The center has planned an informal Volunteer Happy Hour from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Montrose Diner, 1111 Westheimer. Montrose Diner is donating hors d’oeuvres for the event. “MCC’s volunteers – both the volunteers who staff Gay & Lesbian Switchboard and the H.A.T.C.H. facilitators – provide an invaluable service to Houston, and we want to make sure they know how much they’re appreciated, not just in April but year round,” said Ann Robison, executive director of the center.

Anyone interested in learning about volunteering with the switchboard is invited to attend the happy hour. The next volunteer training session is scheduled to begin the last week in April and continue through May. Sally Huffer, community projects specialist with MCC, said training is time-intensive, but make-up sessions can be completed by viewing videotapes. “We especially need people who are available to spend a Friday or Saturday evening on the switchboard, when callers are looking for referral information to GLBT social spots or for those who are particularly lonely,” Huffer said. Volunteer applications are available at www.gayswitchboardhouston.org

Houston’s Drum Corps Perform on Saturday
The Houston Youth Drum Line, Percussion One, and local drum corps, Gulf Coast Sound, will provide part of the entertainment for the 11th Annual Drum Corps BBQ Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doss Community Center in Northwest Houston. The Bash, hosted by the Drum Corps Tigers of Texas, includes a barbeque lunch and prizes including DVDs and movie passes. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Proceeds benefit. Drum Corps Tigers is not exclusively gay, but many gays make up the corps. www.DrumCorpsTigers.org

From staff and wire reports

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