ANNUAL IT'S PRIDE Y'ALL FESTIVAL

Mia Starr is a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance-driven diva based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Best known as a standout contestant on Season 18 of RuPaul's Drag Race, she is celebrated for her 1990s and 2000s hip-hop dance routines, powerhouse stage presence, and sharp choreography. A powerhouse performer, Starr has a prolific background in the entertainment industry. She toured as a backup dancer for major pop stars like Rihanna, Britney Spears, Shakira, and Camila Cabello. She also performed in the Super Bowl halftime show with Jennifer Lopez. 

In drag for 17 years, Starr actually took a 14-year hiatus from the scene to fiercely pursue her highly successful professional dance career before returning to drag front-and-center. During her time on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18, she made a massive impression on fans with her electric lip-syncing and energetic performances. 

Outside of drag, Mia Starr has worked as a talent and casting producer for television shows like The Voice and World of Dance. 

DJ Citizen Jane is a singer-songwriter and international superstar DJ who grew up in Miami, Florida. She now spends her time writing, recording, and producing between Miami and Los Angeles. 

Citizen Jane is currently working on her debut solo project with multiple renowned producers and collaborating with up-and-coming female artists. She recently released her 8th single with sultry lyrics “Ciao Good-Bye.” Her forthcoming EP featuring her first single “Campo de Guerra” which takes her back to her Latin Roots will be setting the tone of a rebirth for Citizen Jane.  

She is well known across the globe for making crowds go wild by playing the exact beat needed, whether it is enormous global music festivals, clubs, parties, pride events, or gay bars. Like a musical chameleon, she can play a variety and combinations of house music, EDM, dance music, and Top 40 remixes depending on her audience and the crowd’s mood. 

Rita Brent is an award-winning comedian, musician, and military veteran whose talents were lovingly shaped by her mother, singer-pianist Dr. Angela Weathersby, in the Baptist churches of Jackson, Mississippi. Before taking the entertainment world by storm, Rita served her country as a drummer and sergeant in the 41st Army Band, then built a celebrated broadcasting career — from the halls of Jackson State University, to a beloved host and producer at Mississippi Public Broadcasting, to her current role as a weekly contributor on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show.

A true force on the standup comedy stage, Rita has graced the screens of Comedy Central, truTV, Circle TV, and CNN. She tours regularly with comedy giants like Cedric the Entertainer and Rickey Smiley. Her pen is just as powerful as her punchlines — she’s a three-time Writers Guild Award nominee whose writing credits include the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, the People’s Choice Awards, GRAMMYs MusiCares, and The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Blending comedy, music, and activism with unmistakable flair, her viral songs like, “Kamala,” “Can You Rock Me Like a Pothole,” and “Do the Hoochie Daddy” have become fan favorites. She also specializes in writing and performing parodies that bring levity to serious issues, amassing millions of views on social media. 

Rita’s lifelong dream became reality in January 2025 with the launch of “Late Night with Rita Brent,” which FOX40 in Mississippi picked up. The show saw high ratings and viewership in its first season on-air. In May 2026, “Late Night with Rita Brent” won its first Southeast Emmy Award for Talk Program — Long Form Content. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Rita Brent is a singular talent — comedian, musician, writer, veteran, and now talk show host. She shines as a dynamic voice of joy, culture, and purpose, and she’s only just getting started.

Venus & the Flytraps is the indie-pop scene’s annoying little sister. Hailing from Nashville, they create playful and sharp music about love (or the lack of it), mommy issues, and the perils of growing up. Its core members are Ceci Tomé and Brenna Kassis, two best friends whose love for each other informs every musical step they take. Their sound is nostalgically influenced by the early 2000s music of their childhood. 

Venus & the Flytraps recently independently released their new EP, Venus in Love. Between a record release show, plenty of opening gigs and not one but two sets at Bonnaroo, the duo has made itself impossible to ignore.  For such a young band, Venus & the Flytraps have made it obvious that there’s no stopping their riot-grrrl-inspired musical chemistry.

Kicking was started by guitarist David Burns and vocalist Bobbie Flanders in the winter of 2016, with the lineup being completed by bassist Lacy Ellinwood and co-guitarist Sarah Grace Shepherd in early 2017, and finally with the addition of current drummer Austin Tingle at the start of 2023.

It wouldn’t be difficult to categorize Kicking with over-used, hip but otherwise irrelevant genre buzzwords, but that would be doing a disservice to the sound. Kicking draws influence from 90’s alt rock and grunge giants to the more subdued elements of shoegaze and post punk, with traces of hardcore and riotgrrl still showing proudly through, all while trying to create music that is authentic to the individual members. 

Kicking is a volume dream. Kicking is a bunch of grungy, shoegazing punx. Kicking is a band from Jackson, Mississippi.

Born from a belief that music has the power to unite, heal, and amplify voices too often left unheard, the Jackson Gay Men's Chorus (JGMC) was founded in October 2025 to create space for connection, artistry, and authentic self-expression in Mississippi's capital city. This vision began with passionate community members who believed Jackson deserved a chorus like this, and we are grateful to the early voices whose efforts helped bring that vision to life.

As Jackson's premier Tenor-Bass LGBTQ+ chorus, JGMC brings together singers from diverse backgrounds who share a love of music and a commitment to community. More than a chorus, JGMC is a place where harmony extends beyond rehearsals — building friendship, visibility, and belonging through the universal language of song.

As a new organization, JGMC is just beginning its story — but our vision is bold. The chorus aspires to become a lasting cultural presence in Jackson, collaborating with local arts organizations, supporting community initiatives, and creating meaningful opportunities for connection through performance and outreach.

Whether on stage, in rehearsal, or out in the community, the Jackson Gay Men's Chorus believes in the transformative power of music to build bridges, spark conversation, and remind us all that every voice deserves to be heard. This is more than music. This is visibility, joy, and harmony with purpose.

This is who we are. This is why we sing.

Hailing from Mississippi, Yung Jewelz is more than just an independent hip-hop artist. She is a songwriter, entrepreneur, visionary, and creative force whose music reflects the real-life experiences that have shaped her journey. Through honest storytelling and sharp lyricism, she creates records that speak on ambition, love, loss, healing, growth, and perseverance while staying true to who she is at her core.  What makes Yung Jewelz stand out is her ability to turn emotion into art. Every verse carries intention, and every song reflects pieces of her personal journey. Rather than chasing validation or following industry expectations, she continues to build a sound and identity rooted in truth and individuality. Beyond music, Yung Jewelz continues to expand her brand through entrepreneurship and creative leadership. As the founder of Paid Hipster Music, she is building a platform that reflects her vision while opening doors for future opportunities in entertainment, branding, and songwriting. With every release, Yung Jewelz aims to leave a lasting impact — creating music that not only sounds good, but feels real to the people listening.

Brandon Andrews was born and raised in small-town south Mississippi. Through the years, he proudly laid his musical roots in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana. From singing his first solos in elementary school, to growing up performing in church, Brandon has always had a gift to deliver a contagious joy and energy with a side dish of love and encouragement that continues to excite and inspire audiences of all backgrounds. In 2017, Brandon went public with his intense struggle with alcoholism and addiction. Brandon now claims sobriety as a lifelong journey, continued one day at time. Sharing his story, experience, strength, and hope is something Brandon finds necessary as a means to continue his path of progress rather than perfection. Brandon is a proud and unashamed member of the LGBT+ community and continues to share his story, both struggles and victories, boldly, openly, and honestly and always seasoned with love. Brandon prides himself in writing a variety of music – some songs that bring joy, some songs that gently tug at your heart strings – but always songs that echo LOVE! In December of 2020, Brandon joined forces with power-house vocalist and New Orleans fixture, Amy Trail. The two co-wrote, co-produced, and released their song “Missing You At Christmas.” The heartwarming tune made its radio debut on the famed New Orleans station, WWOZ FM, and saw great success with well over 5,000 streams within a week of its release. To kick off 2021, Brandon introduced his new sound which has been fittingly described as “New Orleans Pop.” Brandon’s reintroduction release is the uplifting and energetic bop, “Love Is Love,” which was produced by his lifelong friend and co-creator, Los Angeles based artist, LEEANNA.