HEADLINER! WhatEver Mike!
Whatever mike’s debut single, “Manufactured Love” rose to #6 on the Spotify Viral chart and led to appearances at national festivals including Lollapalooza, Governor’s Ball, Bonnaroo and Los Angeles Pride. During the pandemic, they left their label, became a dedicated daily meditator, came out as a trans person, and wrote the Word to the Trees EP. The EP is a celebration of being and oneness. It’s a wake up call to live now. To be whatever we are – all the things we are (and we are EVERYTHING!) – now. With sonic and lyrical textures reminiscent of Frank Ocean, Francis and the Lights, and Sam Smith, Word to the Trees blends soulful musicality with queer spirituality.
PEOPLES PARK STAGE:
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12:30 – 1:30: Honey Sol
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1:35 – 2:05 Official Program
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2:05 – 2:25: Weddings
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2:30 – 2:55 RonShaye Clark & MEGA Dance Troup
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3:00 – 3:45: Bryce Bowyn
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4:00 – 5:00: HEADLINER! WhatEver Mike.
WEISTMAN PARK STAGE:
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12:00 – 1:30: DJ Simon Lopez!
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1:35 – 2:30: L. Rodgers
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2:35 – 3:15: C Rafter
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3:15 -4:15: Priddy Music Academy
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4:15 – 5:00: (Head to the Mainstage for headliner WHATEVER MIKE!)
HONEY SOL
Honey Sol is a powerhouse family trio out of Annapolis. They bring the funk, R&B and rock with energy and proficiency. Their music sounds like it would take five or more people to play, but it’s just the three of them. Plus, Mac’s unique voice can fill a room like a choir. Mac (vocals & bass), and her brother Andrew (drums) have played many projects together. Later, they recruited their dad Lee on guitar making leaps and bounds in the local music scene. With Mac’s soulful voice and growling bass lines, locking in with Andrew’s heavy groove, and Lee’s guitar feel, their Funk, Soul, Rock & Roll, and R&B can get anyone moving at a bar. The band’s original music works for any audience and will leave the crowd wanting for more. Mac’s writing style pulls from the music and lyrics in the style of Lake Street Dive, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Sara Bareilles, Vulfpeck to name a few.
BRYCE BOWYN
Based in Washington, D.C, Bryce Bowyn’s anthemic electropop tracks have captivated audiences throughout the nation’s capital and beyond. With songs like “Just Love Me,” a smash inspired by the beauty of queer nightlife entertainers, and “Bye Bye,” a four-on-the-floor soundtrack to farewells, Bowyn juxtaposes familiar, late 2000s pop soundscapes with self-aware, cutting lyricism. An innovative audiovisual artist and horror buff, Bowyn contrasts his bouncy, irresistible melodies with unexpectedly dark and esoteric music videos. The demonic bloodbath of “Nostalgic” and unnerving thrills of “Ruthless” turn up the heat, showcasing the complex and expansive spectrum of Bowyn’s vision and unfiltered dynamism.Inspired equally by legendary pop mainstays like Madonna and Charli XCX, as well as fringe 80s synthpop (Erasure, New Order, and Giorgio Moroder) Bowyn’s live presentations combine infectious, synth-driven tunes with tight choreography and dazzling theatrics. He’s performed across the nation including at Pittsburgh’s PrideFest, and headlined hometown events like Adams Morgan PorchFest. Bryce Bowyn is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health, and has garnered high praise from outlets such as The Art of Being Queer, the Q Review, and Culture Fix, along with official playlist support from Spotify via Discover Weekly. As “God’s favorite pop child,” expect even more sonic and visual blessings from Bowyn in the coming year.
L. RODGERS
L. Rodgers, AKA: RealityShowReject on Tik Tok; is an LGBTQIA+ americana/soul artist and songwriter from Baltimore, who began writing her own music after experiencing trauma she couldn’t speak about but could sing about. With her powerful vocals and immeasurable vulnerability and strength you can see she was meant to do big things.
C. RAFTER
C. Rafter is a singer, songwriter and entertainer from the DMV area and is the owner of Gitano Songwriting company. C. Rafter has written and worked with artists in the DMV area as well as in Los Angeles.
M.E.G.A DANCE TEAM
RonShaye Clark is a Gospel Singer/Songwriter and Public Speaker with Music World Gospel, and Founder of M.E.G.A Empowerment an organization that empowers the youth and families communities where crime is high. M.E.G.A Empowerment engages youth and families through community-based education, mentoring, employment readiness, and enrichment through music and arts to help develop skills and strengthen ties to family and community. M.E.G.A Empowerment is a process where youth and families are encouraged to take charge of their lives. We do this by addressing their situations and then taking action in order to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes. As she plans on changing the world of gospel music forever with her “soulful and youth filled music, ” RonShaye has worked with such talents as: JJ Hairston, J’DALE , and Evangelist Kimberly Washington Palmer, and she has also had the pleasure of singing for the 44th President Barack Obama, at his inaugural ball, in Washington D.C. RonShaye was also in the running of Season 3’sTHE FOUR, which Premier’s on FOX 29 TV.
PRIDDY MUSIC ACADEMY
Since 2000, Priddy Music Academy in Millersville, Maryland, has been more than just any ordinary music school. We have taken students beyond fundamentals, while gaining wisdom from working with efficient and attentive teachers that encourage confidence in being part of a musical community. We have gone from “The Place for Guitar” to “The Place for Bands,” and now, “The Place for Guitar, Bass, Piano, and Voice.” We have the finest instructors Maryland has to offer, many of whom are household names.
RONSHAYE CLARK
SHAWANA ALEXANDER
Miss Shawnna Alexander: A Baltimore Native with over 41 years in the entertainment industry is known to most as Baltimore’s QUEEN OF COMEDY and to others as Baltimore’s QUEEN OF BENEFITS. She held titles as Miss HIPPO, Miss Mixers, Miss Rowantree, Miss Stage Coach, Miss Equality, three-time winner of the Baltimore Entertainer of the Year, a former Queen of Pride two years in a row and Baltimore’s First Black Queen of Pride and former winner of Activist of the Year. Additionally, she was a Grand Marshal of Baltimore Gay Pride, an honorary member of several leather bars, two feed the homeless programs, and gay suicide prevention programs. Miss Shawnna Alexander will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for her over 30 years in show business and service to the LGBTQ+ youth and community on June 19.
JALAH NICOLE
Jalah, also known as the dancing diva of the DMV and the legs of Baltimore, first graced the stage in her 6-inch heels in 2012ancing the house down everywhere she went. Serving you face, body and talent. This high energy performer is one you definitely will fall in love with. Jalah is the current Miss Gay Glamour Girl Maryland America. Show some love to our queen!!! The one and only Jalah Nicole!
AMETHYST DIAMOND
Amethyst Diamond is a lifelong resident of South Central PA and has been a drag entertainer for over 20 years! Her career has taken her all across the tristate area and beyond. Currently, she is the reigning Miss Gay Maryland America 2022 and recently competed for the national title of Miss Gay America. Through love and light she believes in embracing and educating the surrounding communities in hopes for a better tomorrow. She is a leader and a proud representative of the LGBTQIA+ Family. An advocate and a voice for the unheard. Her current fund raising platform is The Trevor Project. A non-profit organization that focuses its efforts on crisis and suicide prevention within the queer community. She encourages all of us to see our flaws as facets and to shine bright, like a diamond!
ARIEL VON QUINN
Ariel Von Quinn has been performing now for 5 years. She’s known as a Dancing Diva through the DMV! Before drag took over her life, she was a professional cheerleader who competed at Worlds & Summit.
SUE NAMI
Sue Nami is former Miss Gay Maryland America 2009 and former Miss Gay Maryland USofA 2014. Sue Nami has been working in this industry for 17 years. She has been living in Maryland for the past 23 years.
DJ Kat!
DJ Kat will be bringing the good vibes from 12:00 -1:30 at the Weisman Park stage! As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, DJ Kat is a Washington, D.C. based disc jockey with more than a decade of experience entertaining various audiences and events. @djkattco.