2005 San Jose Pride

This year I took the train down alone again. I love this event because it's small enough to see everything and run into people at least a couple of times. While the overall tone of the event is somewhat relaxed because it's so suburban, this year the tone seemed overly subdued. It seems they still haven't dealt with many of the issues I outlined in my report of last year's event. It seemed that attendence was way down again this year, but I didn't mind too much because I really came down to check out the mainstage entertainment.

La Bouche

I arrived just as La Bouche were taking the stage. I only stayed for the first two numbers. Their songs are cheesy enough with all of the filters and effects - even more so live.

Pansy Division

I love these guys - their songs are jaunty with lyrics that are sometimes silly, sometimes insightful and always entertaining.

Jody Watley

I didn't think she would do any Shalamar numbers and it was so subtle, maybe most people missed it. At first I thought it was just the background music, but then I realized it was Jody on a mic backstage talking and singing a few lines of "Night to Remember" when she finally took the stage, I realized the music was her stuff from her soon to be released album. It sounded great, very smooth and sultry. I was so elated to hear long groove style house music on a warm sunny day - it was perfect. So sad her set was so short, but it definately featured the quality over quantity.

Bow Wow Wow

I have loved this band from the first time I heard C30, C60, C90, Go! well over twenty years ago. Annabella Llewynn looked amazing. She didn't let the thin, widely dispersed crowd stop her from putting on a vibrant show.

They covered all of their hits even minor faves like Louis XIV. I really felt bad when Annabella looked off to the side of the stage and saw a bigger crowd dancing around the radio station tent and asked, "What is that a DJ? Don't they know there's a live show going on over here?" Later, she summed it up best when she said, "Some people might say we're 'has beens' but it's better than being a 'never was.'