Miami Beach Pride is a weeklong celebration, April 1-7, with special events, social mixers, dance events, a VIP gala, an incredible 2-day festival and Parade.
Miami Beach Pride brings together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community.
Nowhere is this spirit and enthusiasm more apparent than during extraordinary two-day Festival on Saturday and Sunday that features two stages with world-class DJs, entertainers, and celebrity entertainers. Special surprise performances throughout the day, along with 125 vendor booths, food and cocktails at Lummus Park in world-famous South Beach. The festival also includes the Pridelines Youth District and Safe Zone, Lambda Living Lounge, BB&T Food Pavilion, “The Garden of Eve” Women’s tent and many family friendly activities.
Coming into its 11th year anniversary year, Miami Beach Pride has grown into one of the most popular and anticipated events of the entire year in Miami Beach. The hugely successful event in 2011 attracted more than 40,000 people, in 2012 more than 60,000 people, in 2013 more than 80,000 people, in 2014 more 100,000 and in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2018 more than 145,000 people from all walks of life, all parts of the country, and all age groups attended the celebration.
The mission of Miami Beach Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ community.
Miami Beach Pride is proud to announce their 2019 Ally Marshals, Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of Matthew Shepard and founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, who will be helping kick off Pride’s 11th annual celebration on Miami Beach.
Coming off of the 20th anniversary of the attack on University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard, the Matthew Shepard Foundation has been working tirelessly to erase hate crimes and foster understanding, compassion, and acceptance for the LGBTQ community.
Leading these efforts, Judy and Dennis Shepard have spent two decades working to provide a safe place for LGBTQ youth, and educate parents and allies on how to stand up for the LGBTQ community. Judy and Dennis were also instrumental in helping pioneer the first federal legislation against hate crimes, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
There are many headliners this year led by Emily Estefan, the daughter of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Emily’s career has spanned across several platforms that have included writing, producing and performing music. From the years 2008-2013, Estefan performed with Miami Sound Machine at the Bette Midler Happy Hulaween event and with Carole King and Estefan’s mother at Foxwoods. She recorded a guitar solo and joined a list of respected artists on the track “Somos El Mundo” (“We Are The World”) to help raise money for the earthquake victims in Haiti, another guitar solo for Gloria Estefan’s album “Miss Little Havana” and for Carlos Santana’s song “Besos de Lejos”.
In 2015, she premiered on Entertainment Tonight, playing her first original song and music video “F#ck To Be,” which celebrated individuality and the importance of not acquiescing to society’s expectations. Her original song “I Just Want It To Be Over” premiered at the Miami Beach 100 concert and was featured on The Today Show.
After having graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2016 at the age of 21 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Writing and Production with a minor in Philosophy, Estefan created her own record label, Alien Shrimp Records. Soon thereafter, the label signed a multi-year distribution deal with Sony Red in order to help spread her “music for the planet” mantra, which expresses Emily’s belief that music not only reaches across cultures and oceans, but space and time as well.
In the same year, Emily, wrote, performed and produced her debut album, “Take Whatever You Want.” Since then, she has continued writing and producing original music and performing at music festivals like Essence, SXSW, and GroundUp Music Fest, to name a few.
“I just want to tell my stories, put out good energy and love into the world, and not be afraid to be my true self in my music,” she says.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Emily, who will perform on Saturday, April 6 at 9pm, for this Hotspots Exclusive interview:
Do you remember the first time you sang and where it was?
Yes, I started singing by myself, and I kept it that way for a long time to make sure that I had my own voice.
The first time I sang in public was at a small bar gig.
What was your first professional singing gig?
The first performance gig I got paid for was for being a drummer. I was part of a band throughout my high school years and we played parties and bars in Miami, Miami Springs, and Vero Springs. I played almost every weekend until I went away to college.
When did you realize that performing would be your career?
I went to high school to play basketball and was considering Med School. But you can only run away from your passion for so long. I started in a summer performance program at Berkley the summer before college started, and from then on I knew I would be a performer.
Is it easier or harder having such famous parents?
If you had asked me that question a couple years ago, I would have said it was harder since no matter what I did, without even hearing my voice, people assumed I would have doors opening for me. My mom is a pop star, and I don’t sing that type of music. I sing Jazz and Funk. However, nowadays I firmly believe it’s a blessing. They give me so much support and wisdom, etc. I am very proud to have them as my parents as they are two of the most incredible human being on earth.
Are you excited to be performing at Miami Beach Pride and what should our readers expect from your performance?
I am super excited as we have attended every year. Last year I saw a shirt that stuck out in my mind; it said: ‘LGBTQ’ and then that was crossed out and the word ‘Human’ was written…what a powerful message that was! I have learned that that Hate is not the opposite of Love, Fear is, and Pride is a day to celebrate all the differences that we have.
I am so excited to perform for everyone as it’s going to be super fun!
What does the future hold for you?
My personal goal is to “refocus for the moment” and not worry about what coming in the future. Don’t get me wrong, goals and dreams are important, but I want to focus in being in the moment and enjoy every single second.
I hope the future has me performing, which is what I love!
For more info on Emily, follow her on Instagram.com/Emily_Estefan.
The other headliners include:
Icona Pop – This Swedish Electro Pop duo, whose breakout hit “I Love It” (featuring Charli XCX) topped charts around the world in 2013. The triple-platinum winning Icona Pop will hit the Celebrity Stage in Lummus Park on Sunday, April 7, at 9 pm.
Tito Puente Jr. –Sway to supernova sounds as acclaimed Latin musician and percussionist Tito Puente Jr performs at the TD Bank Stage on Sunday, April 7 at 8pm! Son of Tito Puente, the “King of Latin Music,” Tito Puente Jr carries on his father’s legacy with charisma and panache—and you get to hear him right here in Miami Beach.
Some of the DJ’s spinning are:
Sat April 6 (6-10 pm)
International DJ superstar Erik Vilar brings his signature beats to the TD Bank Stage. Move your body to the Brazilian DJ’s energetic mixes at one of the most legendary dance parties the cosmos has ever seen, presented by AHF and Impulse Group! ⠀
Sun April 7 (2pm)
Dance to galactic beats by the sensational DJ Duo Sea & Gunn at the TD Bank Stage. You can join them afterwards at the “Cowgirl Invasion” Women’s Tent for a special meet and greet with the star of Showtime‘s “The L Word”: Daniela Sea!
Sun April 7 (7-11pm)
Prepare for blastoff with Kidd Madonny’s mesmerizing blend of vocals, progressive house and electro sounds at the Celebrity Cruises Stage. The DJ’s unforgettable performances complete with laser beams and costume changes will transport us to galaxies far away!
For a full list of all the parties, events, performers, honorees or to purchase tickets (pride is free, but there is a VIP Tent) go to: miamibeachpride.com.
South Beach Group, the official hotel sponsor of Miami Beach Pride, offers special rates for Pride attendees who use the promo code: SBGPride at www.southbeachgroup.com/pride.
