Mary Lambert, Estelle Headline Boston Pride

Boston Pride will be held on Saturday, June 13 at Boston's City Hall Plaza, and there is a full compliment of performers, parades, parties and picnics to help the ladies celebrate.

Grammy-nominated artist Mary Lambert will perform, as will country music sensation Billy Gilman, R&B vocalist Nhojj, Boston's own Johnny Blazes and The Pretty Boys, and comedian Kevin Yee in the daylong celebration.

"Boston Pride is thrilled to host these talented artists as part of our monumental celebration," said Staci Stift, Entertainment Director of Boston Pride. "Each of these individuals harbors a personal story that highlights the purpose and mission of Pride- to serve as voice to promote love, equality, support change and embrace diversity. With this in mind, these incredible artists are a perfect fit for our theme this year 45th Anniversary, #WickedProud."

Before Lambert achieved "quasi-stardom" (as she puts it in her typical self-deprecating way) for writing and singing the hook on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' marriage equality anthem "Same Love," the Seattle native was an aspiring singer-songwriter who also worked as a brunch waitress and bartender.

After years of struggling both financially and personally, Lambert suddenly found herself signed to Capitol Records, releasing an EP ("Welcome To The Age of My Body"), getting nominated for two Grammy Awards (for Song of the Year and Album of The Year), and making history performing on the Grammy telecast with Macklemore, Lewis, and Madonna, while Queen Latifah memorably married 33 couples.

As a new twist, the festival's headliner was announced live on MIX 104.1 FM by former parade grand-marshal Fast Freddy Murphy during the "Gregg and Freddy Show." The headline artist for this year's 45th Anniversary Parade is Grammy Award-winning British songstress Estelle.

"Estelle certainly is an exciting addition to our tremendous talent line-up," said Staci Stift, Entertainment Director of Boston Pride. "We are equally as pleased and thankful to Fast Freddy and Gregg Daniels of MIX 104.1 who helped us break our big announcement live from their show!"

Estelle first burst onto the scene in 2008 with the double-platinum hit song "American Boy" featuring Kanye West, and quickly became an R&B sweetheart. The international chart-topper was a Billboard Hot 100 smash hit and won Estelle a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Her first two studio albums 'Shine' and 'All Of Me' came soon after, earning Estelle both critical acclaim and pop success. Most recently she announced the launch of Established 1980, Inc., an independent label in partnership with BMG, and gives fans a full dose of her deeper identity with her recently released fourth full-length album 'True Romance.'

Estelle will also host a "Meet and Greet" with fans at the festival. There will be a limited number of tickets for this event available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Kicking off June 5 through June 14, Boston Pride will host ten days of events and activities that bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate diversity.

Opening with the Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall, Pride Week 2015 will also include the Boston Pride Gala, Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall, the Pride Diplomatic Reception, the Human Rights Forum, Queeraoke, Pride Night @ Fenway Park, the Boston Pride Festival and Parade, the Pride Youth Dance, the Back Bay Block Party, and the JP Block Party. The theme of this year's Pride celebration is "45th Anniversary, #WickedProud."

More information and details for Boston Pride's 2015 Pride Week can be found at www.bostonpride.org.