Season 10 contestant on Rupaul’s Drag Race! DragQueen, Dancer, Rapper, Activist!
The Vixen is known for blending political activism and queer advocacy into her drag performances. She has been an outspoken critic about anti-black sentiment in America, including in white queer communities, stating, “you [often] have to choose between calling out racism or homophobia”.
In November 2016, Taylor co-founded “Black Girl Magic”, a drag show consisting of only African-American queens. Drag Race alumni Dida Ritz and Shea Couleé are part of this show. Her fellow season ten contestants Asia O’Hara, Monét X Change, and Monique Heart were added to the line-up of the “Black Girl Magic” cast in June 2018.
The Vixen was announced as one of fourteen contestants for season ten of RuPaul’s Drag Race on February 22, 2018. She won the episode two main challenges. Outside of Drag Race, The Vixen had a booth covered with the Black Girl Magic logo for the first annual Wakandacon in August 2018. She became a sponsor for Grindr’s “Kindr” public service announcement in September 2018, in an effort to stop racial discrimination in the app.
On March 5th and 6th, Vixen performed alongside fellow drag race alum Bebe Zahara Benet, Bob The Drag Queen, Monique Heart, Peppermint, and Shea Couleé in Nubia tour, a live drag show featuring and produced by Black Drag Queens.
July 6, 2018, marked the release of the long-anticipated sophomore album from Steve Grand, not the end of me. It hit #2 on the iTunes Pop Chart, #10 on Billboard’s Independent Album Chart, and #78 on Billboard’s Top Album Chart. It was released independently on his own label, Grand Nation LLC. The album includes 12 new tracks, all written and composed by Grand. It also features alternate versions of 3 of the songs. Grand says of the tracks, “This album is autobiographical; very personal, somber and reflective.”
“Writing this album was an exercise in catharsis,” says Grand. “I’m more unfiltered on this album and explore some of the internal and external challenges I’ve faced over the last few years.” The album’s title track, “not the end of me”, is a song Grand wrote when a long-time relationship was coming to an end. “Breaking up can be long and drawn-out, painful and ugly. This one certainly was,” Grand said. “It was trying and exhausting, (and) this song deals with all of that, as well as the resolution that this is ‘not the end of me.”
Grand also predicts “don’t let the light in” will be a favorite among his fans. “I wrote it within the last few months before I became sober. At that time, I was reflecting on the way I had been living my life over the last few years that my song ‘All-American Boy’ blew up, in 2013,” he said. “I felt isolated and realized I was dealing with that isolation in some unhealthy ways.”
With the release of his first album, All American Boy, in 2015, Steve Grand broke the mold for the traditional singer-songwriter. Having self-funded a viral video of the title track, then fan funding the release and creating a vocal and energetic fanbase, the openly gay artist from Chicago created a place for himself in the music industry and hasn’t looked back since. The past 3 years have seen Grand touring across the world, gathering new energetic fans, and creating new music.
With over 18 million views on YouTube, a #3 and #10 album on The Billboard Independent Album charts, and one of the most successful music Kickstarter campaigns ever under his belt, Grand has not just broken the rules but has changed the game in how to be a successful singer-songwriter in this era.
not the end of me is available on Steve Grand’s website, at all live shows, and across all digital download and streaming platforms
Serendipity is a pop/rock band from the Chicago suburbs. Serendipity is most notable for playing a combination of popular ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s covers, as well as current pop hits at events all over the Chicago land area. Serendipity has been seen and heard on live television, radio stations, and commercials. They are well known for their high energy and great musicianship. The band will also be working on an original album in 2020.
Nick Jonas is a singer, songwriter, and actor. Jonas began acting in theater at the age of seven, and he released his debut single in 2002 which caught the attention of Columbia Records where Jonas formed a band with his older brothers, Joe and Kevin, known as the Jonas Brothers.
The group released their debut studio album It’s About Time through the Columbia label in 2006. After leaving Columbia Records and signing with Hollywood Records, the group released their self-titled second studio album in 2007, which became their breakthrough record.
The band became prominent figures on the Disney Channel during this time, gaining a large following through the network and they appeared in the widely successful musical television film Camp Rock (2008) and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) as well as two of their own series, Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream (2008–2010) and Jonas (2009–2010).
The band’s third studio album, A Little Bit Longer (2008), saw continued commercial success for the group; the album’s lead single “Burnin’ Up” hit the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following the release of their fourth studio album, Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009), the Jonas Brothers confirmed a hiatus.
Nick formed a new band known as Nick Jonas & the Administration, who released the album Who I Am in 2010. Afterward, Jonas shifted his focus to acting and had a recurring role in the television series Smash.
After the group’s official disbandment in 2013, Jonas began work on his second solo studio album, signing with Island Records and releasing Nick Jonas through the label in 2014, which saw the commercial success of the single “Jealous”. Jonas later co-founded Safehouse Records, a record label in conjunction with the Island and Hollywood labels.
His third studio album Last Year Was Complicated (2016) peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Following the release, Jonas won the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award in 2016. In 2017, Jonas appeared in the adventure comedy film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year.
LeAnn Rimes has sold more than 44 million albums, won two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Rimes is the youngest recipient of a Grammy® Award, and was also the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category.
Rimes has placed 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored numerous hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Having released more than ten studio albums, three compilation albums and two greatest hits albums in her illustrious career, Rimes sets her sights on releasing her most personal album yet, Spitfire, in spring 2013. Her first single from the new album, “What Have I Done,” will be released December 10, 2012.
Rimes is as an accomplished actress and author, including writing two children’s books Jag and Jag’s New Friend, as well as the novel, Holiday in Your Heart and the inspirational book What I Cannot Change. She also has a new book in its beginning stages focusing on life’s crossroads. LeAnn has long-supported a variety of charity organizations including advocating for the National Psoriasis Foundation, The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and StandUp For Kids. She most recently began work with The Trevor Project, an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
KC Ortiz is an artist, rapper, musician, writer, & entertainer doing what she loves the most. Her longing taste for “Southern Luxury” is the foundation of her music. Music has always been a passion of hers since she was a wee little kid. She believes in following your dreams and putting God first. Kaycee hope you enjoy her music, because she does it from the heart.
A force to be reckoned within the club scene, DJ Metro is undoubtedly one of the most respected DJ’s to come out of Chicago.
Since the age of 8, Metro has always had a special love for being a DJ, and has dedicated more than 15 years to trying to become known as of the best in nation. Not only has he climbed his way into being one of the most respected club/live DJ’s, he’s also making his mark on his second love. Chicago Radio. “Being apart of just any DJ mix show was never the goal or objective. Being a part of THIS DJ team, on B96, with THIS group of DJ’s, was always the goal. Now we just have to be patient and see what’s next”
His patience has clearly paid off. As of October 2014, Metro was asked to come on board with none other, then the Chicago Bulls. Every home game, in front 25,000 people inside of the United Center, you can see Metro behind the turntables playing music for people of all races and backgrounds, as the “Official Chicago Bulls DJ.”
DJ Metro has supported and shared the bill with all types of international acts such as Rick Ross, Juicy J, Lil John, Ariana Grande, Pitbull, Justin Bieber, Afrojack, Aventura, Wisin Y Yandel, and recently played at the United Center for Sade and John Legends personal parties. He has played around the nation from Alaska to Florida, and recently won an Ortofon DJ Battle sending him to Ibiza, Spain. On an every week basis, he plays at all types of clubs, spanning from the largest College Nightclub in the city, the largest teen clubs, and some of the sexiest Industry Nights in Downtown.
As you can clearly see, this is only the beginning of what looks to be a very long career for the Chicago native. Plans of working on his own production, plus expanding his nightclub residency in clubs around the nation, have already begun.
Billy Porter is an American Broadway theater performer, singer, and actor. He attended the Musical Theater program at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School’s School of Drama, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, and achieved fame performing on Broadway before starting a solo career as a singer and actor.
Porter won the 2013 Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots at the 67th Tony Awards. He credits the part for “cracking open” his feminine side to confront toxic masculinity. For the role, Porter also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. In 2014 Porter won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for Kinky Boots. He currently stars in the television series Pose for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the 2019 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first openly gay black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys.
7th heaven is a Chicago, Illinois-based rock band created by guitarist Richie Hofherr, Tony Di Giulio, and Michael Mooshey. Formed in 1985, it has continued up to present day with changing band members. The band was named by co-founder Michael Mooshey in 1985. The band name “7th heaven” was coined after a line from the song “rock around the clock” By Bill Haley & His Comets. The line: “we’ll be right in 7th heaven”.
7th heaven has charted #1 on the Midwest Billboard Charts three times in the past three years. The band has been heard on over 7 radio stations in Chicagoland with their hits “This Is Where The Party’s At”, “Time Of Our Lives”, “Beautiful Life”, “Stoplight”, “Better This Way” and “Sing”. Also known for the famous “30 Songs in 30 Minutes” medley of songs from the ’70s and ’80s, 7th heaven has been an entertainment staple for 34 years. Playing an average 200 shows a year, with an average of 100 outdoor events, 7th heaven has earned the right to say, “We’ve seen a million faces and rocked them all!”
Peach is a brand and event team grown and raised in Chicago. We are dedicated to unifying and celebrating LGBTQ+ women and femme family through music, drinks, food, art and visually stimulating entertainment. Peach brings a fully immersive design for each event, partners with world-class brands to donate thousands to nonprofits, and creates elevated, inclusive experiences.
While the brand’s mission centers queer women and femmes, allies and identities across the LGBTQ+ spectrum are encouraged to join in our safe space.
Lorely Rodriguez, the singular mind behind Empress Of, is a songwriter and producer living Brooklyn, NY. In the early part of 2012, she began a personal songwriting exercise, writing, and recording a daily series of one-minute ideas. Completing each of these snippets in several hours apiece, she eventually amassed a catalog of about fifty. Selections from this series were eventually uploaded to YouTube anonymously, each paired with a blank color swatch. The fruits of this project, deemed a series of “colorminutes”, were released on cassette via the Japanese record label, Big Love, and effectively served as the launch of Empress Of.
In the latter half of 2013, following domestic and international touring stints, her most ambitious recording to date, Realize You was self-released online to critical acclaim. Illustrating great progress in production and an even more broad swath of songwriting chops, incorporating witty lyricism and soaring melodies, this is just a hint of what remains in store for the future.
Blazian Sensation Aya Ito is a native of Tokyo, Japan and a multi-genre vocalist and songwriter. Pulling influence from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, H.E.R., Robert Glasper, Rihanna, and Jhene Aiko, Aya Ito has created her signature Pop/R&B/Soul fusion sound, while also incorporating her trilingual abilities (English, Spanish and Japanese).
Aya has toured the US and Japan wowing crowds with her spirited performances and dynamic sound. Aya’s most recent release, “Just Might” reflects Aya’s pop and R&B influences in her own way and successfully mixes both production styles with live instrumentation.
Rhea the Second is an Alternative Pop and R&B recording artist, vocalist, songwriter and producer. Her most recent achievements as an Independent artist working the reigns of the Chicago Music scene include working with Leon Bridges, Roy Kinsey, Kristen Kaza, Manasseh, Akenya Seymour, Amyna Love, Loona Dae, Melvin Knight, LeftJones, Noname, Chicago Afrobeat Project and more. She was also nominated for Chicago Reader’s Best Pop Artist and Best R&B Artist of 2023.
With over a decade of experience, Rhea the Second is remarkably skilled and unique. Ranging from experimental to the very heart of R&B, the canticles in which Second’s voice reigns over on stage graciously unveils the undeniable beauty of a confident woman creative who isn’t afraid to speak and live her truth in life or on stage.
B.Blyss! Takeover ft. Sandra Suave, DJ Feen & Ayodele Drum & Dance
Since 2004, B.Blyss! has produced culturally diverse events for individuals who self-identify as women, sapphic, or LGBTQIAA+. Those familiar with our brand know that we believe in providing inclusive yet exclusive upscale, mature, and professionally crafted events to our supporters who represent the beauty and the essence of the community and its allies.
Cobra B is a Chicago-born, St. Louis-raised DJ, musician, writer, editor and artist who mixes house music, techno, afrobeats, afro house, rap, soul, amapiano, kwaito, jungle, juke, and punk. Since launching her DJ career, she has made appearances in some of Chicago’s most legendary spaces, including Smartbar. From the Zambian house parties she went to as a kid, to the European raves and underground punk shows she went to as a young adult, Cobra B pulls from her unique influences to create energizing, boundary-pushing dance floor experiences.
In 2017, the cultural marketing company Black Thread Agency launched Peach, a Chicago-based brand and event series devoted to celebrating LGBTQ+ women and femmes. Bre Auberry (Breberries), president of the Black Thread Agency, says Peach exists to give the queer community experiences it does not always have access to. Through its themed events, Peach works to give attendees something more than just a party, but rather, a fully immersive and unique experience.
NDULGNCE is a dynamic force in music, art, and curation, known for orchestrating unforgettable experiences. As a genre-bending DJ, NDULGNCE captivates audiences at prestigious events, festivals, nightclubs, and lounges. NDULGNCE’s prowess as an artist and curator shines through in producing music, directing photoshoots, and conceptualizing graphic materials. With a proven track record of curating exceptional events and fostering community empowerment, NDULGNCE is a visionary leader at the intersection of creativity and innovation.
Rae Chardonnay Taylor is a DJ and Arts Administrator with a background in events management and production. She began DJing in 2010 and has since held residencies at venues in Chicago including Underground Wonder Bar and The Promontory and has circulated many private and public events to share her musical styling techniques. She is the Founder of Black Eutopia, a series of segmented programming intended to cultivate space for marginalized communities. She is also a co-founder of Party Noire. Rae utilizes her passion for activism to create community outreach and development strategies through event coordination. Her involvement in programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Stony Island Arts Bank, School of the Art Institute and various arts organizations have catapulted her career in unimaginable ways. She is dedicated to encouraging a life of open-minded learning and expression.
MUSICAL EXPLORATIONS INCLUDE HOUSE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, SOUL, FUNK, DISCO & HIP HOP FROM THE NEW AND OLD SCHOOL. RECENTLY NOTED AS CHICAGO’S BEST DJ BY THE CHICAGO READER, SHE IS DEDICATED TO MAKING BACKS SWEAT ON THE DANCE FLOOR.
Rae Chardonnay Taylor is graduate of Columbia College Chicago, holding a B.A. in Arts Management.
Catfight covers pop and rock hits from the ’80s to today’s top 40. This all-female group keeps proving time and time again that girls just wanna have fun.
This all-girl band has been called “the darlings” of the Chicago cover band scene. From covering top artists of today including Brittany Spears, Icona Pop and One Republic, to playing classic favorites by Prince and Queen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Catfight’s pure fun, party show.
From their humble beginnings to a host of high-profile events in Las Vegas, NV, and beyond….this litter of kittens has been playing their hearts out for over a decade!!! Join, LoriCat, MollyPop, Julie Pants, Little Lisa, Kimikat, and BabyCat as they tear their claws into every rip-roaring event this summer! Get ready to, 1, 2, 3 SOCIAL!
Boy Band Review is the best Boy Band Tribute Show in the country! Bringing full production lights, video, choreography, harmonies, and energy, Boy Band Review has captured the hearts of fans with their #boyband shows that transport audience members back in time to the days of frosted tips and hunky front men professing their undying love.
Bringing some sweet hip thrusts and air grabs performed perfectly “N SYNC”, Boy Band Review, shows are an incredible throwback experience where fans relive the best years! They are playing to capacity crowds throughout the Midwest and spreading nationwide. They have played numerous high-profile events, private engagements, a Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood Casino, and countless venues across the country to capacity crowds. Boy Band Review is everyone’s favorite show since the 1990s!
Boy Band Review is the original 90’s Boy Band tribute from Chicago. Boy Bands Review has captured the hearts of fans with their show that transport audience members back in time to the days of frosted tips and hunky front men professing their undying love. The BOY BAND REVIEW is spreading nationwide and have already played high profile events including the NHL Stadium Series, Dustin Diamond’s Bayside Bash, Yelp’s Chi-beria Send-off, Summerfest in Milwaukee and numerous private events where BBR became everyone’s favorite Boy Band!
Back Lot Bash started in 2004 in response to the lack of women’s events and the limited presence of female artists in the Chicago LGBTQ community. What started as a one-day event to showcase local female artists and community organizations, has now grown into a 4-day festival due to the overwhelming response from local businesses, community partners, charitable organizations and the women’s community themselves.
Today, Back Lot Bash is an iconic staple of Chicago pride week and draws over 6000 attendees from Chicago, the Midwest and around the world to a unique outdoor venue in the historic Andersonville neighborhood. The event features local and emerging musicians and established performers of different genres as well as the first ever Chicago LGBTQ family day. Back Lot Bash highlights unity, equality, diversity and inclusiveness in an environment that is festive and celebratory of everyone in our community.
Every year, Back Lot Bash partners with local organizations such as HRC Chicago, CMSA and AIDS Ride Chicago to showcase their organizations at the event. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds are donated from Back Lot Bash to a number of charitable organizations including A Sister’s Hope, Girls in the Game, UCAN, and other groups focused on Women’s/LGBTQ issues.
In 2017, Roberts and Klujian had the honor and distinction of being recipients of the esteemed HRC Community Service Award in recognition of their community involvement and the impact they have had in supporting and advocating for Chicago’s LGBTQ community.
