Platinum : All Women Dance Group At Oakland Pride, This Sunday

Platinum is an Oakland dance group like no other. It's the all-women dance group product of Oakland's New Style Motherlode, and includes a friend of my from my Skyline High School days, Amy Larsen.

If that name rings a bell, it's because she was in this space earlier just one year ago, talking about the then-upcoming New Year's Eve performance called "Heat."

Since that time, Platinum has performed at a number of venues around Oakland and the East Bay. As Amy explains "The group grew out of a performance workshop program initiated by NSM (New Style Motherlode) about 5 years ago. We dance to stay in shape and because we love it. However we PERFORM to INSPIRE our audiences to do what they love to do, no matter the age, no matter the experience level, just get out there and dance!

And dance is what this group of hotties does. Platinum's next stop: Oakland Pride, this Sunday, September 4th. The women will perform at the Uptown Stage at 1:20 PM.

Here's video from Platinum's recent performance at The Temescal Street Festival::

Platinum - Prince Mix - Temescal 2011 from Terry Smith on Vimeo.

Stay tuned.

Oakland Pride Seeks Volunteers For Sunday September 4th

UPDATE: My name is Jonathan Arnold and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Oakland Pride. We are looking for volunteers in all areas of the festival, and our greatest need now is for volunteers for our entry gates, our volunteer check-in area, and recycling technicians. Anyone who wants to volunteer for Oakland Pride should contact us directly at volunteer@oaklandpride.org for information on attending a volunteer orientation and to sign up for a volunteer shift.

Oakland Pride is this Sunday, September 4th at 19th and Franklin in downtown Oakland's Uptown District, and this email from Sean Sullivan presents it well, puts out a call for volunteers, and has email contacts for your use:

Friends,

After an amazing and impressive 1st year that drew over 50,000 to downtown Oakland, Oakland LGBT Pride is back this September 4th.

I might have told you about the fundraiser Richard Fuentes and I hosted with the Mayor and Councilmember Kaplan a few weeks ago. It was a tremendous success that raised over $16,000 for Oakland Pride with folks like Iris Outdoor, PG&E, the Milo Group & many others stepping in to help.

However, it isn't money alone that is needed.
Once again, Pride needs your volunteer help.
In the spirit of the Get Diggy With It Campaign, All Hands on Deck!
If you have some time, they have a task for you.

Please contact my friend Matthew Riutta who is coordinating the stage at this year's Pride. mriutta@yahoo.com

Here are some details:

Oakland Pride, Sunday September 4...volunteers needed anywhere from 9am to 6:30pm.
Doors open at 11am (and stage starts!). <

> Jennifer Holliday (the original Dreamgirl!), LaToya London (American Idol and Broadway/R/B singer), Thelma Houston (disco diva), local r/b artist Martin Luther, LA's Sy Smith, DJ David Harness, DJ Olga T, the People's Party DJs, and DJ Pornstar are performing/spinning.

We need folks to greet performers, stagehands, check VIP folks at the gate and ensure folks don't come backstage, hospitality/directing folks toward green rooms/food/stage, and more.

The headliners go on from 2pm to 6pm. But again, stage starts at 11am..

We'd so appreciate your assistance - Tshirts, stage passes, food, and of course free admission are included for your generous time.

AND if the pride stage doesn't float your boat, we need help in other volunteer areas and stages (uptown/women's, but of course, I would love for you to be at the main stage!). Bring a friend (s) with you - all the more fun!

Please reach out to do what you can to make Oakland a more inclusive and fun place to live, work and play.

In Community,

Sean

Stay tuned.