Oakland Pride is back for its second year and it promises to be a good one. This is in part due to the many activities surrounding the annual event.

Will we see you at one?

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On Friday, Hotbox is not only providing a queer party, they’re giving away VIP tickets to Sunday’s Five Ten: featuring MC Lyte!

On Saturday, Hibiscus is having a pre-Pride dinner. Eat up, you’ll need your strength! Order an entree and whisper " Mr. Tubbz" to your server - you’ll get a plate of merry hush puppies for free.

Late Saturday evening, you may want to check out Ships In The Night: Your Gayborhood Party. Ships in the Night always donates a portion of its proceeds to positive community organizations and this month it will donate to BUTCH Voices.

Are there any Noah’s Arc fan’s out there? (Okay fine - I admit it! I heart them!) Also on Saturday evening, Noah’s Arc star Rodney Chestor will be hosting Club Rimshot.

On Sunday, it’s going to be wild. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., queers (along with their supporters and allies) will take over the downtown area (Franklin and 20th Street) with more 75 entertainers. Oakland Pride 2011: We Are Family will be full of dancers, deejays, singers, lovers, dreamers and non-conforming love.

Though I haven’t been into crowds for years, I’m started to feel the spirit. Know why? Martin Luther live. I’m starting to think that you can’t measure a musician’s skills until you’ve seen them live. Watching Luther and his band is life changing. I’m serious. Jennifer Holliday, Thelma Houston, Martin Luther with La Toya London, Fedro and Johnny Hi Fi will headline.

FiveTen: An Oakland After Pride Fest will have three floors (one of them an all-ages party) and some of my favorite local performers, vendors and dancers. Oh, and did I mention MC Lyte? You know, basically the best rhyme artists to ever hit hip-hop mainstream. Yeah, her ... she’s coming and I can’t wait!

Kentucky Fried Woman is awesome! You know she is! She’s having a party too! Hop over to Bench and Bar and check out the incredible talent at her cabaret. 

Are you overwhelmed with good post-Pride choices? I’ve got one more for you. Mighty Real goes down at Disco Volante, with host actor/comedian Thandiwe DeShazor, featuring the sounds of Valerie Troutt and MoonCandy.