The downtown area's main business group plans to produce a party in conjunction with the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival and Parade.
The Downtown Long Beach Associates, or DLBA, will sponsor the second annual "Pink Party" from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. May 15, DLBA President and Chief Executive Officer Kraig Kojian said in an e-mail.
"Pride is one of the biggest events of the year in downtown Long Beach," he said. "This is an opportunity to introduce thousands of local and regional event-goers to the dining, entertainment and retail offerings of our urban center and to build a connection that we believe will bring visitors back to the area throughout the year."
Pride-related events are the second-largest in the city after the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The DLBA event will take place on Pine Avenue, with a stage, live entertainment, DJs and a dance floor.
Drag performer Jewels Long Beach plans to host the event, which will feature comedian Alec Mapa, of ABC's "Ugly Betty" and "Desperate Housewives," and the Long Beach Drag Diva 2009 contest, raffle prizes and a silent auction.
The newly installed LED lighting throughout downtown and along Pine Avenue will be set to "pink" for the evening.
The "Pink Party" was founded in 2008 by 1st District Councilman-elect Robert Garcia and others to raise funds for the Center Long Beach's Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment Program.
Hundreds of attendees packed Smooth's Sports Grill's rooftop deck to capacity last year and helped to raise nearly $15,000.
Proceeds from this year's event will continue to benefit the MYTE Program, which serves Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning, or LGBTQ, youth between the ages of 13-18.
The Pink Party will take place on Pine Avenue between Broadway and Third Street from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. May 15. Admission is free, though a voluntary donation of $10 can be made upon entry.
For more information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org or call (562) 436-4259.
