The call went out, and The Town responded: Oakland Pridefest had a party. On September 11th, what is perhaps the city’s second-biggest LGBTQ+ celebration took over Broadway and 20th Street, stacking the line-up with shimmering queer-icon star power. Local deep house legend David Harness tore up the decks, while ’90s “Gypsy Woman” chanteuse Crystal Waters and relative newcomers Madame Ghandi and The Amor Prohibido Band made the absolute most of their stage moments. Headliner Big Freedia, fresh off her well-deserved star turn on Beyoncé’s tour de force album Renaissance, reminded the masses in her thrall to “release the love, forget the rest”—and from the looks of photographer Estefany Gonzalez’s shots, the crowd was more than happy to oblige, all afternoon long.
Crystal Waters performs at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
The crowd at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
David Harness performs at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Big Freedia at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Big Freedia performs at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Klifford Ganancial (left) dances with friends at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Madame Ghandi performs at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Mo Heart hosts the main stage at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
The crowd at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Seanie’s Angels perform at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
Seanie’s Angels perform at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
The crowd at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
The Amor Prohibido Band performs at Pridefest Oakland on September 11. 
The crowd at Pridefest Oakland on September 11.
