Hustle N Glow Stage
As the Hustle N Glow Stage lights up, Mid-South Pride offers a welcome that’s more than ceremonial—it’s communal. This opening moment sets a tone of inclusion and celebration, where every attendee is acknowledged as a vital part of the day’s unfolding story. It’s a reminder that Pride begins not with spectacle, but with presence, purpose, and the power of gathering in shared truth.
A rising force on the Memphis scene, DJ Rosamii brings a curated set that blends Jersey club, techno, R&B, and global rhythms. Her mixes are political and poetic, crafted with intention to uplift BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities. This dance party isn’t about escapism—it’s about embodiment. In Rosamii’s hands, every track is an invitation to claim space, move freely, and connect in rhythm and resistance.
Becky D, a trans singer and songwriter with deep Memphis roots, graces the stage with a stripped-down, soul-laced performance. Her folk rhythms carry messages of survival, joy, and quiet revolution. More than a musical interlude, Becky’s set serves as a glimpse into the spirit of the Grand Marshal Brunch. Her presence affirms that every note sung from lived experience can become an anthem for visibility and truth.
With her signature style of “chamber punk,” Louise Page transforms the stage into an emotional arena. Classically trained yet defiantly genre-less, she merges piano balladry with punk urgency and full brass bravado. Louise doesn’t just perform—she unearths. Her lyrics cut deep, her vocals ignite, and her band amplifies the complexity of queer joy and pain. Expect a musical catharsis you’ll carry long after the final note.
A significant civic gesture from Memphis’ leadership honors the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing contributions and challenges. This moment is about more than politics—it’s about partnership. As the proclamation echoes across the park, it validates the labor, love, and legacy of those who’ve built Memphis Pride from protest to platform.
Ignatius Wolfe steps into the spotlight as this year’s Karaoke Idol winner—a title earned through voice, heart, and charisma. Their performance is not just a victory lap; it’s a reminder that local stages matter and community spotlights reveal stars in the making. With raw talent and presence, Ignatius reminds us that Pride thrives wherever everyday voices rise and shine.
Reigning royalty Polly Popjoy, India Taco, and Ashton Opulence return with performance numbers as regal as they are personal. This moment is about visibility, legacy, and the beauty of queer pageantry as a form of resistance and radiance. Each number pays homage to drag’s power to uplift, transform, and command joy as a birthright.
Jessie Claudio steps up to the mic with a message born of lived experience. In this deeply personal speech, he shares stories of service, transformation, and resilience. His presence as Grand Marshal reflects the best of Pride’s spirit: bold in truth, generous in leadership, and ever committed to uplifting those who follow.
Blvck Hippie brings emo-rooted indie rock with a Southern soul twist. Their sound is sticky, raw, and cathartic—perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider looking in. With themes of mental health, identity, and nostalgia, their music doesn’t just speak to pain; it speaks through it, turning vulnerability into anthems of survival and solidarity.
Back with a fresh identity, DJ Vibe Check spins a set that feels both familiar and electrifyingly new. Formerly known as King of the Castle Ryder, his mix is Memphis nightlife reimagined with fluid beats and crowd-surfing energy. For an hour, the dance floor becomes a sanctuary of joy and release, where every move is a celebration.
As a Black Chinese trans elder, Lacretia Springler brings unparalleled depth to the Grand Marshal title. Her reflections span decades of advocacy, lived resistance, and unwavering hope. Her speech is not just a highlight—it’s a history lesson, a rallying cry, and a warm reminder that every generation shapes the next.
This ceremony honors the creativity and commitment of those who transformed the Memphis streets into a moving work of art. More than trophies, the Parade Awards are affirmations of visibility, teamwork, and the courage it takes to dance through adversity with pride.
Three drag powerhouses—Will Ryder, Mariah Dagoat, and Shanice Cassadine—command the stage with solo acts that push performance beyond the expected. These aren’t just shows; they’re declarations. Limitless in theme, fearless in delivery, this set is a triple threat of excellence and innovation.
CharMaine TyRelle is more than a performer—he’s an experience. From gospel roots to R&B innovation, his set blends powerhouse vocals, dazzling piano, and a presence that fills the stage. Whether playing for hundreds or headlining global events, he delivers every note with sincerity and fire. This is music that heals, inspires, and elevates.
Infiniti Bonet, Angel of Azarath, and the Music City Prep Nurses—supported by the dynamic Pharmacy Boys—unleash a finale filled with precision, passion, and pageantry. Featuring solo showcases and a commanding group number, this set is a full-scale celebration of community strength, gender expression, and unapologetic performance art.
QCG Productions closes the night with a visual and emotional explosion of drag, circus, and immersive storytelling. Known for their boundary-pushing creativity, QCG turns spectacle into substance. Fire, light, and choreography converge into a finale that reclaims joy as protest, play as power, and performance as an act of collective liberation.
With the sun setting on a day of unforgettable moments, Mid-South Pride offers closing thoughts rich with gratitude and vision. These remarks bridge the present with what’s to come, inviting everyone to carry Pride forward into action, advocacy, and everyday celebration.
Glitz N Grind Stage
A heartfelt kickoff led by Mid-South Pride, setting the tone for a day rooted in connection, authenticity, and joy. This welcome moment reminds us that Memphis Pride Fest is not just a celebration, but a collective expression of identity and belonging. It’s about community, legacy, and the simple yet profound act of showing up for one another in full color.
Memphis-based DJ Space Age launches the day with an eclectic mix of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and genre-defying rhythms. Her sound is a sonic mirror of Pride itself: fluid, bold, and liberating. Known for turning crowds into collaborators, she doesn’t just play music—she invites you to become part of it. It’s not just a dance experience; it’s a gathering place where every beat amplifies visibility, joy, and the beautiful multiplicity of queer existence.
A dazzling lineup of local icons—Cherry Limeade, Crystal Jo Casino, Edie Bake Oven, Rusted Eleanor K, Ruby Camelot, Vanessa NoSir, Siren Strange, Jan Tracy, and Onyx—lights up the stage with charisma and creativity. This drag showcase pulses with authenticity, ranging from avant-garde artistry to classic pageantry. Each performer offers a window into a world where self-expression isn’t just welcome—it’s celebrated. It’s a reminder that drag is history, culture, protest, and pleasure rolled into one fierce performance.
Maddie Singer, second-place winner of the 2024 Karaoke Idol and a beloved Memphis native, takes the mic with her partner in a heartfelt performance that fuses storytelling with song. Their music, rich with themes of change and reconnection, offers more than melody—it offers meaning. This set is a journey through growth, chosen family, and the kind of courage it takes to return to your roots with a new voice.
Memphis’ renowned theatre troupe steps off the mainstage and into the heart of Pride with a curated medley of upcoming shows. Expect a theatrical mix of song, character, and story that speaks to the queer experience with nuance and flair. Whether through satire, poignancy, or pure entertainment, this performance brings the stage to life as only Playhouse can—bold, compassionate, and beautifully human.
Led by trans rocker Noah Lockhart, Divergent crashes onto the stage with a grunge-laced sound that refuses compromise. Their music cuts through silence with raw power, speaking to anyone who’s ever been misfit, misunderstood, or underestimated. Each riff and lyric becomes a rallying cry for authenticity, carving out a louder space for trans and queer presence in the rock canon. It’s not just a band—it’s a movement in motion.
Polly Popjoy, India Taco, Ashton Opulence, Angelique, Lady Pluto, Ladee Lovee, Fizzy Pop, and the Music City Prep Nurses bring brilliance and bravery to the stage. This show isn’t just entertainment—it’s a declaration. Each performance stands tall against erasure and uplifts the vibrant legacy of queer and trans drag artistry. Expect a sequence of bold solos and collaborative flair that refuses to be anything but unforgettable.
DJ Space Age returns with another genre-melding set designed to close out the night with soul and sweat. As the beats swell, so does the sense of community—strangers become friends, dancers become storytellers. It’s a closing moment that isn’t about winding down but rising up, together. This is the dance we all deserve: one that celebrates who we are without apology.
The final words from Mid-South Pride anchor the day in gratitude and momentum. This is where reflections meet future plans, from heartfelt thanks to cues on where to find the next burst of joy. As the stage dims, the message is clear: Pride isn’t over. It lives on in our daily acts, shared spaces, and unwavering resolve to build a more just and joyful world.