Festival Entertainment Lineup

11:00 AM Opening & National Anthem

Led by the Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus

11:15 AM – Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus

The Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus entertains, educates and creates community through excellence in choral singing. For more than 20 years, we’ve connected with audiences and raised awareness

11:45 AM – Wild Bodema

We are Wild Bodema: Wild Women Who Drum! We are Asheville’s first all women beginner semi-professional drumming Troupe. We are available to play at your event and welcome women who wish to learn authentic African and other rhythms to join us.

12:15 PM – McKinney

McKinney, formerly Kayla Lynn & The Change is a bass player, singer, songwriter, and empowerment speaker, living in Asheville, NC. She has immersed herself in the funk music community in Asheville and become a regular at The Tuesday Night Funk Jam. Since moving to AVL, McKinney has played with the Alive After Five Concert Series with The Asheville All-Stars, was the bass player for the sold-out LIZZO/Talking Heads tribute with members of The Fritz, and performed with the Women who moved the Needle event sponsored by The Asheville Symphony. She has played with numerous bands throughout Asheville as well as with her own band at venues on the East Coast. McKinney is a resident artist with LEAF Global Arts, an ambassador for Free2Luv, and a founding member of The One Voice Project. She released her debut solo album in 2021 entitled “Stay,” produced by Josh Blake at Echo Mountain. With McKinney on bass and vocal, Thommy Knowles of the Fritz on keys, Derrick Johnson from Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band on trombone, Alex Bradley of Empire Strikes Brass on trumpet, Isaac Hadden of IHP on guitar and backing vocals, and McKinney’s drummer of 13 years Aryan Graham on drums, the 4 song EP is young, fresh, and fun. McKinney is now also co-fronting Asheville’s newest band Funk’N Around, a New Orleans based funk band with King Garfield.

1:00 PM – DRAG Spotlight

1:15 PM – MAR and the Marmeladies

M A R and the Marmeladies are a lively 5-piece band based out of Asheville, NC. Grounded stylistically in Latin American Folk, they explore a variety of genres and add a quirky bluesy indie and Latin flair. The band is led by Mar Perez-Albela on guitar and vocals; Andy John on bass, harmonica, cello, slide guitar, and whatever other instrument he pulls from his closet; Elizabeth McCorvey on violin, cello and vocals; Caroline Browning on keys, bass and vocals; and Zack Downes on drums. Together, the five musicians create a dancey and enthusiastic groove that always gets an audience on their feet and singing along – whether they know the song or not.

2:00 PM – DRAG Spotlight

2:15 PM – Fancy and the Gentlemen

Based out of Asheville, NC, Fancy and the Gentlemen brings an eclectic mix of honky tonk, blues, southern gothic, rock, and classical roots to this americana band. Sensitive and rich harmonies weave through the tapestry of original compositions and carefully curated covers that celebrate the roots of American southern music. Fancy Marie, Katie Leigh, and Craig Kellberg enjoy performing as a full groove-infused band, while staying true to the core that is the artistry that is the songwriting trio.

3:00 PM – Spoken Word: Kevin Evans

3:15 PM – Convict Julie

Originally hailing from Atlanta, Camilla Sims, known as Convict Julie, has spent the past four years carving out a musical niche in Athens GA, she has never resonated with this little fish even more. She is a singer’s singer. Her songs create stories, delivering messages and affirmation to her listeners.

The 23-year-old meshes the galvanizing intimacy of a 1960s ballroom songstress with the new-school swagger of a rising rap star. Backed by her unparalleled vocals and her skill in songwriting, she is able to captivate listeners and incite emotions within them in a way only true artists could. Her sound is reminiscent of a blend of The Weeknd and Lauryn Hill. Playing bass while she croons, she is accompanied by guitar and drums. Having opened for new Atlanta heavyweights like Kenny Mason, Ben Reilly, and KEY!, as well as Kishi Bashi and SUSTO, Convict Julie continues to earn her stripes as a strong contender for the rising Atlanta music scene.

4:00 PM – DRAG Spotlight

4:15 PM – Rocky Horor Music Show

Rocky Horror has been a sensation for nearly 50 years. First as a Stage Show, then as a Movie and now as a Live Music review. Rocky Horror Music Show presents the songs of Rocky Horror in a rock club setting. Think of it as a Rocky Horror Tribute Experience.
The costumed characters will be playing the songs live with snippets of the movie dialogue you want to hear and on-stage narration telling the story between songs.
This will make it easy to follow for newbies to the show. Don’t worry though, veterans will be impressed by the depth the band goes on the song list. In addition to the hits like “Dammit Janet” and “Time Warp”, Rocky Horror Music Show will hit ALL the songs including deep cuts and even deleted scenes.
The band is the cast! You can See Riff Raff rip a Guitar Solo, Eddie is actually playing the sax and Janet Weiss plays violin as Brad defends her honor from behind the drums. As this is a cult classic known for audience participation, there will be plenty of room for the crowd to sing along to these classic songs!

This is being presented by an All-Star lineup of Asheville musicians featuring members of Dr. Bacon, Natural Born Leaders, Modern Strangers, Andrew Thelston Band, Carpal Tullar, The Deathbots, Fancy Marie & The Gentleman, The Beekeepers, Pronounced Heroes and more!!

5:30 PM Blue Ridge Pride Drag Showcase!

Alexis Black | Celeste Starr | Charlie London | Danielle Eclipse | Dixxie Evans | Euphoria Eclipse | Ida Carolina | Indica Gemini | Ivanna Cookie | Jasmine Summers | Josie Glamoure | Katarina SynClaire | Lethia Dose | Natasha Noir Nightly | Nova Jynah | Taylor Spliff | Thotianna lopez | Victoria Grantty Avila | Vivica Dupree

12:00 PM – Lo Wolf 

Lo Wolf writes and performs from her Asheville, NC home. Her latest recording, Singe, has been described as “clever and bold,” “an admirable and well rounded debut” and “achingly honest, rich, crisp and clear.”

12:45 PM – DRAG Spotlight

Currently based in Bristol, VA/ TN, and originally from the Pines of North Carolina, (just south of Piedmont in Carthage, NC) Momma Molasses’ music is soul stirringly resonate, and smothered in good old fashioned folk sentiment; blending Americana, Old-Time, Alt-Country, PiedmontBlues, Swing, Appalachian, and Bluegrass music into a uniquely timeless sound. Harnessing her rolling contralto voice which scales over homespun finger-picked guitar, her sound is warm, rich, and passionate, with songs that embrace, and captivate listeners.

1:45 PM – DRAG Spotlight

2:00 PM – PixieBilly 

Carolina Powerhouse Vocalists Miriam Allen & Laura Blackley combine talents with electric/ acoustic guitars & violin.

Pixiebilly is a musical duo made up of Miriam Allen on violin, guitar, vocals & percussion and Laura Blackley on guitar and vocals. Blackley, front woman of Laura Blackley & the Wildflowers, and Allen, front woman of Miriam & the Passionistas, started playing together at Farmer’s Markets in and around their hometown of Asheville, NC and soon had people asking them to come play their wineries, breweries, house concerts and rooftop parties. Pixiebilly plays rock, folk, classic country and blues (and we have a weakness for cheesy pop songs too). Strong musicianship and powerful harmonies.

2:45 PM – DRAG Spotlight

3:00 PM – PixieBilly