Ari Gato
Opal
Jourdin K Larue
Lila Star
Rachel Slurrz
Kitty Banks
Kinley Preston
For over a decade Kinley Preston has been a Chicago based entertainer, personality and business owner. In 2011 she joined the Diva cast at the World Famous Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club and currently can still be seen there monthly. This Amazonian beauty was formerly Miss Illinois 2016 (Queen of U.S.A pageant system). Kinley has gone on to work alongside many other celebrities, artists and with high end brands. She has been profiled on CBS’s Entertainment Tonight, in Cosmopolitan magazine, Chicago Women’s Magazine, Windy City Times, Chicago Sun Times and many other media outlets. Kinley has received several awards and accolades for her philanthropy/charity work through local and national non-profits. This is one Diva to keep your eye on!
Sorreya Dash
Shantell D’Marco
Born in Havana, Cuba & raised in Miami, Florida. Former Miss Florida Fi and Miss Continental as well as first alternate to Miss International Queen in Thailand and also first alternate to Miss Trans Star International in Barcelona, Spain.
She loves all types and genres of music & is a bit of an old soul. She can describe her drag to be unrehearsed, passionate, exciting, intriguing and sensual while always delivering a class act. She has worked for casts such as Parliament House in Orlando, FL and The Baton.
Her passions are fashion and acting and her goal is to always deliver both of these when entertaining. Her goals into the future are to keep growing, evolving & staying true to her brand while chasing her dreams (which are many) because nothing is impossible! An untouchable beauty, Miss Shantell D’ Marco!
O’Laysia
Stylin’ Out Network
Stylin’ Out was formed in 2009 as an American Breaking Crew based in Chicago, IL. Reunited in 2018 as a competitive and performative force, Stylin’ Out comprises a network of cultural producers including DJs, dancers, and visual artists.
We believe that there needs to be a shift in the perceptions of street culture due to cultural disconnection and manipulation. We exist to break down these preconceived judgments and deliver fresh perspectives that do right by our community.
We are the collective Neoteric that:
+ bridges cultural gaps for the disconnected
+ exists as a platform for local, underrecognized talent
all while creating habitats for EVERYone to thrive in.
We see a world where people no longer look at the arts we create as a hobby that has little chance of success. They’ll be looked at as reputable paths of pursuit. We see a world where culture is not just for the taking. It’s what you invest into it–to nurture, shape, and cultivate the world we want to live in. The true impact we hope to make is through the legacy of passing down all that we’ve learned, done, and embodied, so that future generations can be armed with the knowledge and tools to carry on the beauty of amplifying culture
B.Blyss!
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.
Andrew Sa
Andrew Sa has earned the title of Chicago’s premier queer country crooner. Originally from the Bay Area, Sa started his Midwest story hosting and curating a monthly acoustic singer-songwriter night at Wang’s Bar called Second Date with his good friend and collaborator Dylan Matracia (Matracia). He went on to host and star in the regular camp cult classic Cosmic Country Showcase, wowing audiences and peers with his emotional giant voice. In 2021 he released an EP of covers he’s performed at the showcase including crowd favorites “Wicked Game” and “Love Hurts” (duet with local legend Sima Cunningham of Finom), then releasing in 2023 a couple of original singles, “Dark Phoenix” being a tragic story of the love and untimely death of his first boyfriend, and “Little Lamb” stating his claim within the honky tonk scenes, historically dominated by straight men. He’s currently finishing his debut album, co-produced and co-written with Durham, North Carolina’s own H.C. McEntire.
Cobra B
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.
House of Fiierce
Jules Lies
Micah
iamBrandon
Award Winning @Twitch Partner & Resident DJ @replaylakeview
Creation Chicago
Helvetikah Black
Secret Queen
Keri Trade
HOUSE OF LÉOPARD
Black Girl Magic hosted by The Vixen + SPECIAL GUEST
The Vixen is a multi-talented performer dedicated to making the world a better place. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, her art has always been intertwined with social justice and activism. An accomplished drag queen, songwriter, fashion designer and dancer, she credits her creative family for her love of the arts. As a student at Columbia College in Chicago, Vixen learned the makeup skills it took to create her growing drag persona. After turning 21, her athletic performance style quickly gained her attention in the Chicago drag scene.
Through hard work and dedication The Vixen has become an influential member of Chicago’s gay community – interviewed by many publications for her unique style and outspoken viewpoint. As a rapper, her bold lyrics and intricate delivery has earned her national attention for her show-stopping collaborations. Her proudest achievement is creating BlackGirlMagic, a drag concert, where queens of color can celebrate their unique experiences through storytelling and performance. The Vixen lives by her grandmothers belief that helping others makes life worthwhile.
Ashley Paul
Ashley paul is an international billboard charted edm, dance music singer songwriter and powerhouse performer. SHE has been recently working with top UK producers Luv Foundation (UK). Together they have been gaining #1 chart positions around the world with all four of their releases. Ashley completed a 13 date UK tour in 2024 supporting acts like Blue, East 17, 911, Whigfield, Katherine Ellis (Freemasons), Ben (Phats & Small), Sam & The Womp, and D: Ream. “Bingo Baby” has amassed 1 million streams across all platforms, reaching #1 on Amazon Music’s Electronic Dance, Movers and Shakers, and Best Release charts. It also reached #2 on iTunes’ Ireland Chart, #3 on the UK Pop Chart, #1 In France, #1 in Australia, and #10 on UK iTunes Pop Dance Chart. “Hearts Up”, co-written with Luv Foundation and Lucas Marx, reached #1 on Ireland’s iTunes Dance Chart, #2 on uk music week pop chart, #3 on music week dance chart, #1 on amazon dance and electronic chart, #3 on Ireland’s iTunes Pop Chart, in addition to being played on BBC Introducing… with Adam Walton calling it a “world class house track.” Meanwhile both “Dance 4 Your Life” & “Dance U Gotta” continue to be popular with club and radio DJs including massive support from the legendary Stonebridge show ON Sirius Radio and just hit #1 in Australia for two weeks on the mai 15 chart
Snow Wife
Hailing from Houston, TX, Snow grew up training in the commercial dance space with the hopes of becoming a touring dancer. After moving to LA a year ago, she quickly pivoted after discovering her voice and love for writing & performing. This transition birthed, Snow Wife. Channeling her childhood struggles, Snow provides a unique perspective as a lyricist. Her storytelling capabilities paired with punchy & urgent production allows her narrative to cut through to the listener. Additionally, her varying vocal tones add to the depths of her artistry. Thus far, the project has been heavily influenced by multiple genres including hyper pop, hip hop, and pop music and developed with her close collaborators slush puppy & Jason Hahs.
Chrissy Chlapecka
Chicago native musical sensation, Chrissy, came out the gate swinging with her debut single “I’m So Hot” (February 3, 2023). The response was immediate and fervent, earning her accolades from Rolling Stone (“Brightest Pop Stars to Watch in 2023”), Billboard, Vogue, PAPER, Nylon, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and more.
What sets Chrissy apart goes beyond the accolades. She not only captivates audiences with her powerful vocals, a blend of humor, and a magnetic stage presence, but her journey also defies the conventional norms of the music industry. Beneath the glamorous exterior, Chrissy fosters a platform rooted in equality, amplifying disenfranchised voices. With each performance, Chrissy leaves an indelible mark, poised to become a household name in the realm of music.
Hayla
HAYLA has delivered her majestic, powerful voice all throughout the world of music. From singing in different bands around her native Liverpool and teaching private singing lessons full-time, to taking the stage at the Hollywood Bowl with deadmau5 and closing out Coachella.
2024 was HAYLA’s biggest year yet. She released her debut solo album, DUSK. Through its intuitive palette of haunting vocal-driven electronica, the LP garnered cover slots on revered editorial playlists like Spotify’s Mint.
Last year she became a Gold-certified artist via “Where You Are,” her smash-hit co-write with John Summit. Also, after co-writing and recording “Escape,” the lead single of deadmau5 and Kaskade’s LP Kx5, the album received a nomination for “Best Dance/Electronic Album” at the 2024 GRAMMYs. Both of these tracks along with “Shiver,” her other major collaboration with Summit, were #1 on SiriusXM’s premier dance music station, BPM, giving her the top song three years running. HAYLA then continued, writing and recording new works like “Without You” with Kygo and “Another World” with MEDUZA, which hit #1 on both Billboard Dance Mix Show Airplay & Mediabase Dance Airplay charts.
For many years, HAYLA has been on a journey to find the space where she belongs. Despite her success in the electronic realm, she is also a huge fan of heavier, darker sounds like Ethel Cain, Chelsea Wolfe, Deftones, and Sleep Token (the last of whom was her most-listened artist on Spotify in 2024).
Confidence Man
Confidence Man are unarguably one of the hottest acts on the planet right now. A portable party that’s levelled dance floors and flattened festival crowds as it’s rolled out across the world, their performances are custom designed to make you dance and lose your cool.
Within only three years of their conception, they have already played at some of the biggest festivals in the world including Rock en Seine (Paris), Primavera Sound (Barcelona), Governors Ball (New York), Glastonbury (UK) and Splendour in the Grass (Australia).
Parading within a brand of dance pop that sounds like Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder gleefully discovering house music via Dee-lite, there’s no question that Confidence Man will make you feel good.
Confidence Man are Janet Planet, Sugar Bones, Clarence McGuffie and Reggie Goodchild.
ALUNA
The desire for change stirs from the inside. We either listen to it—or not. Aluna chose to listen. After generating over one billion streams, selling out shows around the world, and receiving award nominations and widespread critical acclaim as one-half of multi-platinum duo AlunaGeorge, the singer, songwriter, and producer established an unpredictable and undeniable signature sound on her 2020 solo debut. The music represents the culmination of her journey from “a black girl in an all-white British suburb back in the day” to launching a rule-breaking revolution where rigid boundaries dissolve between culture, race, gender, and genre.
“The recent ‘Black Renaissance’ is so inspiring to me,” she explains. “There has been a pivot in all creative endeavors from film and television to plays and comics. Black people have begun involving themselves in non-stereotypical things regardless of who agrees. The outcasts have found each other. This project sums up a defiant, rule-breaking, and transitional election of new culture. To me, this album represents that within its own small, individual world. I’ve gone through the process of owning myself, and this is the celebration.”
“I feel like this is a time of rebirth for everyone,” Aluna says. “That can be both scary and really exciting depending on which way you conduct your mind or your emotions. For me, music has always been able to shift me towards the future, positivity, and high energy in order to do more.”
Jesse McCartney
Since the start of his career, New York-born and Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, artist, and actor Jesse McCartney has built a catalog of instantly recognizable anthems and captivated audiences on the road and on-screen. His first three albums consecutively bowed in the Top 15 of the Billboard Top 200 with the singles “Beautiful Soul” minted Gold and “Leavin’” certified Platinum. Meanwhile, SPIN touted In Technicolor among its “Top 20 Pop Albums of 2014.” Along the way, he performed in arenas alongside the likes of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys in addition to packing global headline tours and hosting shows for both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. A sought-after songwriter, he notably wrote the 4x-Platinum GRAMMY-nominated “Bleeding Love” for Leona Lewis. In 2018, the one-off single “Better With You” racked up nearly 30 million cumulative streams and paved the way for his fifth offering. In 2020, Jesse was revealed as the runner-up and popular fan favorite Turtle in the third season finale of Fox’s The Masked Singer. Now, he opens up more than ever on his fifth full-length album, out now. “At this point in my life everything feels like it’s clicking into place. I’m looking forward to a whole new stage.”
Sativa Diamond
Zamora Love
Janesita
Kara Mel D’Ville
Batty Davis
Mark Love
Khloe Coulee
Serena Fiierce
Mimi Marks
Persephone Brooklyn
Luna La Catrina
Pixel
Sapphire Feliciano
Bella DeBalle
Gina Belle
Dida Ritz
Laura B
Laura B began her DJ career in 1981 in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, holding
residencies at popular clubs such as Freddie’s, Doc Weeds, and Acapulco Beach
Bar. Inspired by the pioneering sounds of DJs from DJ International and Trax
Records, and her experiences at the Warehouse Club in Chicago, Laura developed
her signature energetic house style. Access to an extensive range of music
through record pools like DJ International and Let’s Dance, supplemented by
Gramophone and Imports, fueled her dynamic sets.
In 1989, Laura secured a residency at Excalibur/Aura/Vision, where she
performed for over 12 years. This pivotal period in her career led to radio shows
and additional residencies throughout Chicago. In 1999, she began spinning at
Manhole, which later became Hydrate in 2003, a venue she still commands today.
Beyond the pulsating beats of the club scene, Laura B extended her musical
prowess to diverse arenas. She pulsated her beats to the airwaves, with her live
mix shows featured on Q101’s Alternative Beats and Energy 97. In 1998, she
released a CD entitled "Club Series Vol. 1," a continuous house mix on the UC
Construction label. For over two decades, she has been a vital force in Chicago's
festival circuit, contributing her skills to the NorthHalsted Street Alliance for
events like NorthHalsted Market Days and Pridefest celebrations.
With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, Laura B has established herself
as a commanding presence in Chicago's vibrant nightlife scene. She has held
prestigious residencies at iconic venues such as Excalibur/Vision, the city's largest
nightclub, and the popular LGBTQ+ hotspot, Hydrate Nightclub. Her enduring
commitment to the art of DJing is further demonstrated by her long-term
engagements at notable venues including Aura Nightclub, Manhole in Chicago,
and Hunters Nightclub in Elk Grove Village. Currently, she continues to captivate
audiences with her residencies at Hydrate and STK.
Laura B’s flair for reading the room and delivering energetic mixes consistently
keeps dance floors electrified, ensuring her legacy in Chicago's nightlife is both
celebrated and enduring.
Sasha Love
Sasha Love electrifies Chicago’s drag scene with vibrant performances blending bold charisma and impeccable style. Known for her dynamic stage presence, Sasha captivates audiences with dazzling costumes, fierce lip-syncing, and empowering messages. A beacon of creativity and inclusivity, Sasha Love reigns as a beloved icon, spreading love and glitter wherever she goes.
