Laura B

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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.

Laura B Market Days 2024
Laura B Market Days 2024

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.

Darryl Garcon

randyll garcon market days

A Chicagoland native, Darryl’s love for music developed in the early 1990s. At the age of 12, Darryl was already DJing his school’s events and also putting together music and beats for his dance group, House Arrest II in Raleigh, NC. In 2002, Darryl joined the ballroom scene, starting in the House of Prodigy, helped Create the house of Herrera moving foward to Mugler, to putting together a rock socking Midwest Chapter of The House of Comme des Garçons, ruling the runway, coast to coast.

randyll garcon market days
randyll garcon

Today, Darryl is known as Icon Darryl Garçon, known internationally for his craft in music, including productions, beat creation, mixes, etc. Darryl also has his own mobile Dj services for Weddings, Corporate Events, Baby Showers, Home Events, etc…

Darryl Garçon can be heard playing throughout Chicagoland clubs such as Progress Bar, Jeffery Pub, Fantasy, Krave, Nocturne, and The Promotory.

Sasha Love

Sasha Love 2

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.

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Kaleena Zanders

Kaleena Zanders

Armed with vocal prowess and an explosive stage presence, Kaleena Zanders is one of the fastest emerging stars in music. Earning comparisons to ’90s House vocalists like CeCe Peniston and Robin S – and even Whitney Houston – Zanders existence brings the genre back to its queer, Black origins giving passage to those who are sometimes unseen. Her songs usually pack a punch with social messages and upbeat music.

In her short career, Zanders has collaborated with the likes Finneas, Keke Palmer, Pasek and Paul and headlining dance artists such as AC Slater, Loud Luxury, Breathe Carolina, MoonBoots, Morgan Page, SNBRN to name a few. Zanders has released tracks through the most notable dance labels, including Spinnin’ Records, Ultra Music, Armada Music, Anjunadeep, and DIM MAK. She has taken the mic at major festivals including Coachella, EDC and Snow Globe, and has been highlighted as the cover star for editorial playlists for both Spotify and TIDAL.

In the wake of 2022, Kaleena became committed and vocal about pushing BIPOC artists and queer artists to the forefront in dance music to reclaim the space as their own. For the future, Kaleena Zanders plans to continue to create a space of diversity for others like her and make music that uplifts the world.

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Amber Riley

Amber Riley

Amber Riley is an American actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Mercedes Jones on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee. For her performance on the series, she and the rest of the cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award, and have been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, and a Grammy Award.

In 2016, Riley originated the lead role of Effie White in the West End debut of Dreamgirls. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance in 2017 for her work.

Riley won season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013 and recently participated on the American and British versions of The Masked Singer. In February 2023, she confirmed her debut album would be released later in the year.

 

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Saint

DJ Saint Devera has been spinning for less than 2 years, yet already is a regular at Hydrate Nightclub in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, often bringing the sounds on Friday and Sunday nights. He also spins regularly at Splash.

And he had many memorable gigs in 2022, such as at Replay Lakeview during Northalsted Market Days, Halloween at Hydrate, Chicago Pride Fest weekend at Cerise Rooftop in the Virgin Hotel, plus gigs at Golden Dagger and Soho House, among others.

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Platinum Carrington

Platinum Carrington

Platinum Carrington lives in Chicago and has been apart of the scene since 2020. She is commonly found producing and hosting parties and drag shows all throughout the North Halstead strip. She is extremely passionate for the art of drag, makeup, and loves finding new creative ways to execute the visions she has for her drag. Platinum is known for bringing high energy on the mic and creating a story for the

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Doggpound

Doggpound

Doggpound unites Chicago based producer & DJ combos Chomper & BARKER in a high energy, high octane project that emanates passion and positivity through house music. Meeting through a stroke of luck, the boys became fast friends, mashing up decks together whenever they get the opportunity. Doggpound is always bouncing around the booth & never takes themselves too seriously while creating unforgettable dance journeys that leave audiences with hoarse voices & sore feet from moving and grooving for hours on end.

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Aya Ito

AYA ITO 2

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.

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AYA ITO

BoyJ

Boy J 1

Jalen Manuel, known throughout the LGBTQ community as BoyJ, is the new face of Friday nights at Hydrate Nightclub, a true kickoff to the weekend in the heart of the Chicago.

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The Divas

The Divas

The Divas are Chicago’s newest ALL FEMALE FRONTED pop cover group, ready to bring the party with their powerhouse vocals, infectious choreography, electrifying band, and captivating stage presence. Playing the hits from all your favorite DIVAS past and present (think Aretha, Whitney, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Cher and more), The Divas are sure to have you dancing and singing along all night long. Are you ready to experience a live music event like no other?

Our mission as The Divas is to foster an environment where our audience feels uplifted, nostalgic and fully in love with themselves. We hope to empower you to face this world with confidence, taking up space you deserve in order to affect our society with positive change. We would love to have you experience our show not just as an escape, but as a re-charge!

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Virago

Virago

Virago is a Chicago-based artist known for delivering genre-bending arrangements that ignite dance floors. With an electrifying mix of house, techno, disco, and everything in between; Virago commands the floor, driving the crowd with powerful, boundary-pushing sounds that redefine the dance experience. Virago has played all over the city of Chicago. You can catch her at her weekly residency at Splash Chicago.

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Ryan Willing

Ryan Willing

Head of the infamous Midwest party crew, Organized Grime (CUNTea™️, LOAD™️ + Grizzly among others), Ryan Willing is known for Dark&Dirty House and TechHouse vibes with a heavy Chicago influence. With DJ residencies in Atlanta, Houston, Denver, Nashville, and Chicago, Willing is taking the industry by storm and heating up dance-floors all across the nation and world.

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Max Rae

MaxRae

Max Rae is an LA and Las Vegas based pop artist who is making a splash in the music industry. Max’s intoxicatingly unique voice, songwriting talent, and killer dance skills make her a powerhouse artist and performer. Max has been a dancer since she was 3 years old, which shows in her hip-hop dance performances where her fans state that this is what sets her apart from all the rest.

Her influences include Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Tori Kelly, and Bruno Mars to name a few. “The way these artists perform and interact with their fans has really shaped me as an artist and has helped me to be unique in my own way.”

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Empress Of

empress of chicago pride fest

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.

empress of chicago pride fest
empress of chicago pride fest

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.

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Alex Lo

Alex Lo 3

Miami based Producer/DJ Alex Lo has traveled the world bringing his sexy sounds to dance floors for the past 16 years. Leaving his hometown of Mexico City, he set out to showcase his signature style combining progressive house, tribal beats and circuit sounds to the masses and has captured the attention of club goers from Rio to Tel Aviv, Palm Springs to New York and everywhere in between. Alex credits iconic producers such as Peter Rauhofer’s contributions to the progressive house and tribal circuit, Offer Nissim’s energetic and emotional house music, and DJ Paulo’s tribal beats as his inspiration for shaping how he hears music, plays and programs his own sets and produces dance music he can call his own.

A few of the clubs and promoters Alex has worked with include The Week (Rio de Janeiro), Privilege (Ibiza), Legaga (Dubai), XLSIOR (Mykonos), Rapido and Warehouse (Amsterdam), Beyond (London),  Papa Party (Tel Aviv), Jaleo (Madrid), Black Room (Barcelona), PAPA Party (Paris), Trumps (Lisbon), CircuitMOM (Chicago), Alegria (NYC), Masterbeat (LA), El Mozo (Bogota), WE Party (Madrid), Taurus Group (Santiago Chile).  Alex has also participated in festivals such as Winter Party Festival and Urge Thanksgiving(Miami), White Party (Palm Spring), Circuit Festival (Barcelona), Supermartxe (Ibiza), Tel Aviv Pride, Zurich Pride, Feel Alive (Mexico’s Pride and NYE) and Arena Festival, (Playa del Carmen).

Alex dreams of one day producing dance music with Coldplay and Dua Lipa, but until then, he will keep bringing his unique style to packed dance floors and festivals around the world.

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Alex Lo

CircuitMOM Experience ft. Alex Lo

CircuitMOM

CircuitMOM, Chicago’s legendary drag performer, DJ, producer and community activist has been gracing the stages, bars and clubs of Chicago’s Boystown as well as international festivals and clubs for close to three decades. “Broadway meets the Circuit Party” is the best way to describe the experience an audience will have at a CircuitMOM event. Her brand proudly welcomes anyone and everyone to come join the party and celebrate the best in music, self-expression and authenticity while elevating the dance floor experience to next level of immersive entertainment.

CircuitMOM has headlined appearances in Vancouver, Prague, Miami, Chicago, Orlando, Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Palm Spring, San Francisco and Hollywood to name a few along with network appearances for ABC and MTV. Gay and straight audiences alike embrace CircuitMOM’s unique combination of over-the-top productions and performances that fuse glamour, wit, and audacity. Their creativity is irrepressible and the keen eye for fostering talent has also become a hallmark of their productions. Up and coming artists, DJ’s, photographers, dancers, actors, musicians, costume designers and more have not only added their incomparable talents to countless event productions but have become family and continue to work as a collective force to bring audiences the very best in entertainment.

Their event production includes such major venues as the House of Blues Chicago, the Aragon Ballroom, the Uptown Theater Grand Lobby, Sidetrack Video Bar, Chicago’s Museum Of Contemporary Art, Venue610, ABC 7 Studios-Chicago, Windy City Live and countless other performance spaces locally and nationally where they have worked as artistic directors, actors, performance artists, production managers, television producers, podcast talent, DJs and so much more.

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Alex Lo

Miami based Producer/DJ Alex Lo has traveled the world bringing his sexy sounds to dance floors for the past 16 years. Leaving his hometown of Mexico City, he set out to showcase his signature style combining progressive house, tribal beats and circuit sounds to the masses and has captured the attention of club goers from Rio to Tel Aviv, Palm Springs to New York and everywhere in between. Alex credits iconic producers such as Peter Rauhofer’s contributions to the progressive house and tribal circuit, Offer Nissim’s energetic and emotional house music, and DJ Paulo’s tribal beats as his inspiration for shaping how he hears music, plays and programs his own sets and produces dance music he can call his own.

Alex Lo

 

A few of the clubs and promoters Alex has worked with include The Week (Rio de Janeiro), Privilege (Ibiza), Legaga (Dubai), XLSIOR (Mykonos), Rapido and Warehouse (Amsterdam), Beyond (London),  Papa Party (Tel Aviv), Jaleo (Madrid), Black Room (Barcelona), PAPA Party (Paris), Trumps (Lisbon), CircuitMOM (Chicago), Alegria (NYC), Masterbeat (LA), El Mozo (Bogota), WE Party (Madrid), Taurus Group (Santiago Chile).  Alex has also participated in festivals such as Winter Party Festival and Urge Thanksgiving(Miami), White Party (Palm Spring), Circuit Festival (Barcelona), Supermartxe (Ibiza), Tel Aviv Pride, Zurich Pride, Feel Alive (Mexico’s Pride and NYE) and Arena Festival, (Playa del Carmen).

Alex dreams of one day producing dance music with Coldplay and Dua Lipa, but until then, he will keep bringing his unique style to packed dance floors and festivals around the world.

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Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey is an Australian alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her debut album I Love You Like a Brother was released in October 2017 and peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Her second album, The Best of Luck Club followed in 2019, peaking at number 30. Following an EP issued during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she released her third record, The Answer Is Always Yes, in May 2023.

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Natasha Bedingfield

Natasha Bedingfield

Natasha Bedingfield is an English–New Zealand singer and songwriter. She released her debut album, Unwritten, in 2004, which contained primarily up-tempo pop songs and was influenced by R&B music. It enjoyed international success with more than 2.3 million copies sold worldwide. Bedingfield received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the title track Unwritten, and at the 2005 and 2006 Brit Awards, she was nominated for Best British Female Artist. Unwritten also produced her only UK number one, These Words. Bedingfield has sold over 10 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide, totaling over 20 million records worldwide.

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JoJo Siwa

JoJo Siwa

JoJo Siwa a singer, dancer, actress and internet personality. From 2015 to 2016, she appeared as a dancer on two seasons of the reality television show Dance Moms alongside her mother, Jessalynn Siwa. In 2017, Siwa signed to Nickelodeon and acted in various shows and films. Under Nickelodeon, she released several children’s songs and her own feature film, The J Team. She was included on Times annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. In 2024, she launched her adult music career with the single “Karma” and its music video.

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Sapphira Cristál

Sapphira Cristal

Sapphira Cristál is a classically trained opera singer, composer, and drag queen known for her theatrical lip sync style and six-octave vocal range. She holds 14 pageant crowns — including Miss’d America 2020/2021 —and has performed nationwide. Sapphira was a contestant on season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and is renowned as a charismatic host who commands the room and establishes a special, intimate connection with her audience.

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John Duff

John Duff

John Duff  is a singer, songwriter, actor, director, dancer, choreographer, and social media influencer. Duff came to prominence on social media and rose to greater prominence following the release of several viral hit singles, including Girly, Rich, and Hokie Pokie. In 2023, Duff released four independent singles: Cruise Control, House on Fire, Somebody’s Daughter, and Gravity.

 

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Bob The Drag Queen

Bob The Drag Queen

The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, Bob The Drag Queen describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and…humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won her the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. The third season of Bob’s Emmy Award nominate HBO Max series We’re Here was released in 2022. Bob is also an accomplished stand up comedian with two solo specials under his belt and a starring role in the recent Netflix comedy concert film Stand Out executive produced by Wanda Sykes. Sibling Rivalry – Bob’s podcast with his comedy partner Monet X Change – is now on its sixth season.

 

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Firebrand

Firebrand Market Days

Formed in 2019, its membership includes many dancers who performed in earlier LGBTQIA+ country/western dance troupes in Chicago going as far back as 2007.

This inclusive, not-for-profit, LGBTQIA+ country/western dance troupe can be seen performing at local street fairs and parades throughout the Midwest. Firebrand is the visual expression of SCCDA’s mission: to support and encourage the growth of country/western dancing in the Chicagoland area.

Visit our Facebook page for more information.

 

Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus

CGMC FEATURE

The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC) has been an integral part of Chicago’s cultural and gay communities since 1983. For the last three decades, we have entertained audiences across the continent with innovative musical programming exploring everything from love to politics to the sometimes fabulous, sometimes challenging world of being gay-often all at the same time. Our always-memorable performances have included original musical revues; five popular productions celebrating the Sidetrack show tune experience; full-length book musicals including The Wizard of Oz, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore and our original work – Ten Commandments – The Musical; traditional choral concerts and intimate cabaret presentations-all punctuated with our signature joyous irreverence.

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CGMC

CGMC has traveled extensively across North America, representing Chicago in cities including Montreal, New York, Denver, Miami, Los Angeles and New Orleans. We have also brought entertainment back home, hosting choruses from across the United States and Europe to sing with us here in Chicago.

DSC 1184 Chicago Photographer G Thomas Ward
DSC 1184 Chicago Photographer G Thomas Ward

Most recently, CGMC proudly sang “America the Beautiful” for the Illinois Marriage Equality Act bill-signing ceremony and was the featured guest choral performer for the star-studded concert, Broadway Rocks, with the Grant Park Music Festival in 2011. Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2001 and currently has four cd-recordings available: Cool Yule, featuring jazzy holiday selections; I Will Be Loved Tonight, a collection of our favorite love (and not-so-in-love) songs; Favorite Things, our second celebration of holiday music; and So Happy Together: Festival Gems, featuring all live performances from our appearances at the last three quadrennial GALA Festivals. CGMC has performed the National Anthem multiple times at world-famous Wrigley Field and for the WNBA Chicago Sky.

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Beyond the Blonde

COVER Beyond the Blonde

Tribute band to P!NK, Gwen Stefani, and Lady Gaga showcasing the energy and songs of the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy award-winning stars with other fierce female artists of pop and rock.

BTB is led by vocalist Charity, who brings their energy and power vocals to the stage. Bobby on guitar/backing vocals, Dan on drums/backing vocals, and Ryan on bass. Together, they bring you a fun, energetic show that will keep you coming back!

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Olivia and the Lovers

Olivia Love Band 1

Taking inspiration both from classic American folk music and cowboy standards, Olivia Love writes music as a vehicle for vulnerability, and reflections on queer love, loss, and healing.

DJ Do Not Disturb

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Stephanie and Lindsey are the DJ Duo for Do Not Disturb, representing the LGBTQ+ community. They have been incredibly passionate about music for years, so much so that they taught themselves how to DJ during the pandemic and pursued their first set of dreams by playing at house parties.

Jade the Ivy

COVER Jade the Ivy

Jazz, Funk, R&B, and classic Hip-Hop are at the core of Jade the Ivy’s unique sound. A gifted and inventive story teller, this independent rapper from the South Side of Chicago has been experimenting with sounds and clever word play since her youth, first using poetry as a means to express herself and share her story. Her lyrics run the gamut from triumph in love, to the agony of heartbreak, to taking the world by storm. She holds nothing back in her honesty on a track or her live performances. Her perspective on life is raw and real and there is no question that audiences can feel that energy every time she hits the stage. Jade released her first official EP “Euphoric Wasteland” in early 2017.

Since that release, Jade has been captivating crowds with her infectous grooves in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Backed by a live band, Jade’s flow sets her apart from other rappers, paying homage to hip-hop’s golden era while bringing a flavor all her own.

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