Performers and Speakers

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Headliners

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Amanda Black

Bio

Born in Kentucky and raised in Atlanta by Lilly White, Rhonda Lee, Charlie Brown, and Regina Simms... known as the "Penthouse of Drag"...

Former:

- Miss Metro Atlanta - Miss Gay Huntsville - Miss Pride of the Panhandle - Miss Daytona Beach Continental Elite

Married to Mo Benjamin. Hobbies include traveling with family and taking care of their 4 fur babies.

She works as M Club Ambassador at the Marriott downtown Knoxville and also owns her own cleaning business called Queen For A Day. Amanda loves making things beautiful!

Joslynn Fish

Bio

Joslynn Fish is an East Tennessee native growing up in the foothills of rural Southern Appalachia. She was always a spirited child, and performed regularly for the family, church, and school productions. Eventually she moved to Knoxville to be in the “Big City” Joslynn quickly found community at local coffee shops and outside of the gay bars; as she was not quite old enough to get in, legally.

In 2005 she entered the Wednesday night contest at the Carousel 2 and fell in love with the art of drag. More importantly through drag she began to see a more authentic version of herself emerging. Joslynn found safety to be authentic through the art of drag. In 2012 she was crowned Miss Gay Knoxville which is to this day her proudest moment in her drag career. Her step down from that title in 2013 also served as a farewell show to her drag persona, as she was shifting focus to her transition goals.

Years later she would come out of retirement in order to hostess shows at the sober venue she now owns and operates.

South Press is an eco friendly, locally sourced, coffee/tea house whose primary purpose is to provide safe community space. South Press thrives through community support, and is able to host several outreach programs which run parallel to the business. South Press just treats people the way we’d want to be treated, hospitality for all.

Joslynn is so grateful to be included in the KnoxPride line up. This is her 20th year of attending Knoxville Pridefest, and her first performance. Joslynn is so excited to celebrate Pride with the community she loves with all her heart. Happy Pride!

Mercedes Alexander

Bio

Originally from Gulfport, Mississippi. Mercedes Alexander has lived in Knoxville Tennessee for 21 years and is affectionately known as The New Classic. She is one of the show director of Core and has won almost 40 pageants in her career including the National title Miss Gay United ICON. Mercedes was also featured in the book "100 of the Most Influential Gay Entertainers."

She has traveled all over the US to entertain, but more extensively in the southern states. When she's not performing she enjoys spending time at home cooking, gardening, taking care of my five little doggies and special times with my husband.

Many people may not know that Mercedes is a cancer survivor so taking care of her heath is very important to her. LGBTQ rights are very important to her and especially trans rights in today's climate. Mercedes believes that we must be strong because there is so much more work to be done.

Mercedes is very honored to be chosen to perform at Knox Pride this year and would like to thank everyone responsible for making this happen.

Ondreah Montrose

Bio

André Thomas-Dungey had always been a performer from an early age by creating and impersonating dance routines with his brother and cousins. His love of music ran deep from his mother’s side with an eclectic collection of albums and 45s- Motown, Stax, etc who was also a violinist and amateur singer. His father’s side was more technical. The Dungey's were musically trained musicians, most notably his grandfather, Charles Dungey of Nashville, was a jazz vocalist and bassist. He also taught at TSU up until his death. In his early years toured around the country performing with many different artists such as Ray Charles and Dolly Parton.

In the 6th grade André took up the bass and eventually the violin and the other string instruments, composing and eventually performing with Johnson City Symphony Orchestra and in his senior year was Concert Master of the Johnson City Symphony Youth Orchestra all through his high school career. In February of 1998 he came up with the persona of Ondreah Montrose, the head of the Haus of Montrose Tertiary Adjunct of the House of St. James and gave her first performance of “Tyrone” by Erykah Badu at New Beginnings in Johnson City. She hasn’t stopped performing since then.

In addition to some local titles, Ondreah competed and won her first national preliminary title in 2005, Miss Tennessee USofA at-Large with a clean sweep including the Jacqueline St. James Talent Award. She then traveled to the nationals in Dallas, TX to compete, making the top 12 and winning Best Production. Since then she’s won a few other titles including Miss Club XYZ and Miss Valentine’s making a new home in Knoxville for 3 years.

Throughout her career, Ondreah is best known for her energetic eclectic song choices and performances as well as hosting and emceeing various shows. 25 years in the field, she has a couple of more goals to achieve with no signs of slowing down.

Performers

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Alicia Harvey Band

Bio

Like most kids, Alicia Harvey grew up singing along to songs on the radio with her mom.

Angel West

Bio

This is the woman your mother warned you about. Dancer and producer,Angel West studied dance and modeled in New York and has been published internationally as a cover girl and centerfold. Angel was a featured dancer at several night clubs in Northeast Tennessee; she now leaves a trail of sequins and bejeweled silk gloves across the South With her Troupe Mayday Cabaret!

Appalachian Equality Chorus

Atomic Betty

Bio

Atomic Betty could be described as something you’d find at the bottom of Melissa Marie Green’s purse. She’s heavily inspired by the Y2K era and the MySpace scene. She also take a lot of influence from horror movies. She’s goth, chubby, and coming to a stage near you.

Beebee Alexander

Bianca Fuego

Blazing Furry

Bio

My drag name is Blazing Furry I'm a newbie drag performer been doing it for about 2 months I started at core Knoxville. I've been a furry for 8 months. I've won second place at core twice. I find myself to put on funny performances appropriate for all ages.

Colin Butte'

Bio

Colin Butte' hails from the Haus of Beaver residing in Knoxville, TN. A natural born performer, Colin was destined to woo you from the stage. Colin was Producers' Pick at The Land of the Sky Burlesque festival in 2022, and recently is the current reigning Mx. Drag Survivor 2023. Colin has also landed the dream role of Frank N Furter in the Satanic Mechanics shadowcast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show this October.

A disciple of both pimps and preachers, prepare to get tuned in, turned on, and churned out. From the first whiff of Drakkar Noir to the titillating finale, this hunk of raw feminine/masculine energy is sure to corrupt you.

Dracu Luxx

Bio

Dracu Luxx is a non-binary drag performer showing that anyone, no matter what gender or lack thereof, can do drag because it’s not just in a box, it can be anything as long as it’s an expression of yourself or who you want to be. They started drag last November so they haven’t been doing it for super long, but Dracu enjoys every time they get on stage.

If they have made a difference for one person then they have done what they set out to do.

Fatty Acid

Bio

Fatty Acid has only been performing drag for about a year and a half but in that time, they have taken the Knoxville drag scene by storm! Known as The Disco Disaster, Fatty is the show director and host at Fly By Night and the reigning Bluegrass Bearded Queen.

When they aren't bringing their bigger than life persona to the stage, they are working hard on their PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Tennessee.

French Toast

Bio

French Toast is a rockin’ invitation to carefree fun. Our music and performances tend to draw out audience members’ whimsical, creative, quirky sides. If they are at all disposed to laugh and do a goofy dance, they will likely do so at a French Toast show. Our sound is a unique blend of 80’s post punk that invites people to dance and have fun.

Our favorite achievements include a small regional weekend tour spanning three states outside our home state of Tennessee, and inspiring said goofy dances from fans ranging from the younger side of Gen Z to the older side of the Baby Boomers.

Members:

- Chase -keys and vocals - Dayle- guitar and vocals - Ten- bass and vocal - James- drums and percussion

Harri Scari

Bio

Harri Scari is a drag performance artist and designer located in Knoxville Tennessee known for their high concept looks and numbers. They have been performing around the country for six years and are currently the show director and host of Ghoul School at Brickyard, Knox Pride brunch at South Press, Castaways brunch at Evape, and one of four hosts at Holistic Connections.

They can also be seen on performing on cast at Pour Taproom, Fly By Night, Core Knoxville. They have received numerous accolades for their work, including the title of Mx. Hallows Eve in 2020.

J-Ready

Bio

J-Ready is a Singing Drag Entertainer from right here in Knoxville, TN. He is Mr. Knoxville Idol 2022, and is super excited to be able to sing for Knox Pride this year!

JAX

Jupiter

Bio

Coming from Nashville TN & advocating for trans and disabled performers a like, He’s your reigning Mr.Upper Cumberland Pride 2023 & Mr.Nashville Gay Pride 2023, Jupiter.

Justin dreamz

Bio

Justin Dreamz has been performing for 6 years. He's just a small town king who has big plans for putting drag kings on the map! He loves helping in the community and enjoys guiding transgender youth.

Juuls

Bio

Juuls has been doing drag for a bit over 4 years. She originally started out as a camp queen, but after winning Drag Survivor in 2021 she began to branch out and explore a style that has been something she always wanted to display, but assumed people wouldn't want to see a darker aesthetic with drag artists when she first began drag. She has since then found her niche and is your reigning Hallows Eve 2022. Self proclaimed dumpster diva and alt queen, she is a proud trans woman and enjoys representing her community and returning the love she receives from them.

Knox Honkers & Bangers and Cattywampus Puppet Council

Bio

The Knox Honkers & Bangers are a community-driven, raucous, hot-pink marching band and a project of Knoxville-based arts non-profit Cattywampus Puppet Council. Over the past 8 years, Cattywampus has been bringing interactive parades, theater, play, and giant puppets to communities across East Tennessee and the South, utilizing the arts as a vehicle for helping communities tell their stories, build relationships with one another and cultivate power, joy, creativity, and justice together. You can find out more about their work at www.cattywampuspuppetcouncil.com and on IG: @cattywampuspuppetcouncil AND @knoxhonkersandbangers.

Morphine Drip

Bio

Morphine Drip is a show producer all over Knoxville. She produces shows and special events on Sunday nights at Core Knoxville, including the regular Spotlight Sunday show, Knoxville All-Star Battle Royale, Knockout, Shenanigans!, and most notably Drag Survivor. Drag Survivor is a seven-week competition where local drag artists compete for a major cash prize by voting each other out live on stage each week, and it can be watched on the Drag Survivor Knoxville Youtube channel each season.

Outside of this, Morphine Drip also is the show director at Hi Wire Brewing and has produced other events all over, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Cookeville, and Nashville.

Prince Charming Rebel

Bio

"Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, Prince Charming Rebel started his journey as a drag king in November of 2012 at The Carousel II in their Wednesday night talent show. Through drag he was able to find and embrace his true self as he discovered why he never felt like he fit in anywhere as a kid and never felt right in his own skin. Discovering that he is trans and starting the journey to transition was not only life changing, but also lifesaving.

After starting his medical transition, he chose to step away from the stage and after three years of being away, he decided to make his return. I’ve since performed at South Press in the Kingdom shows and joined the cast of TRANScendent at Scruffy City Hall.

In his free time he loves to play video games and learn new things to advance his drag. I have a wonderful fiancé who is his biggest supporter. Prince Charming Rebel loves getting to enjoy this amazing art form with his partner as well as many of his chosen family and friends, watching them all grow in their art. Drag is a great outlet and he would definitely encourage anyone who has thought about doing it to just do it! It just may be the most freeing thing you ever do!"

Quiche Lorraine

Bio

Quiche Lorraine is a 78 year old former D List star of radio, stage, television, and film who has a higher opinion of herself than she should. She has recently came out of retirement to show all these young upstarts how it is done.

Replika Queen

Bio

Replika Queen is a 25 year-old entertainer who has been performing in Drag since 2017. Her most memorable achievements have been Winning Ms. Southern America Newcomer 2021 and being one of the Breakout Stars from Drag Survivor Seasons 1 and 2 at Core Knoxville. This is her 3rd time performing at Knoxville Pride, and she considers Pride Season her favorite time of year.

Royal Disaster

Salem LeStrange

Bio

Salem LeStrange is an alluring cryptid hailing from Nashville, TN, but a Knoxville-born native. With 8 years under her corset, she has traveled and performed nationally for the masses, is the current reigning and emeritus to Mx Nashville Pride.

Sandsation Dance

Bio

Sandy Larson is a lifetime dancer and teacher beginning her professional career in high school. Dance has given the opportunity to tour nationally & internationally and operate her own dance studio. Dance lessons for children & adults in ballet, jazz & belly dance are taught at our City of Knoxville’s Knoxville Arts Center on Broadway in Fourth and Gill.

Sandy is the leader and Sandsation are team members of our Knoxville Shimmy Mob Team, part of a global team that helps to raise awareness to prevent emotional and domestic violence through flashmobs, dancing at events and fundraisers. Our mottos are "making change one shimmy at a time" and "We dance to be free, to express and rejoice but today we dance to give the silent a voice."

Sandsation, known for creativity, inclusivity & equality, have celebrated their joy and passions together since 2008 with a philosophy that everyone & every body does and can dance! We bring you that opportunity to “strut your stuff” with us on our “Last Dance”!

Thatari

Bio

Originally from Murfreesboro, TN, Thatari (44) began performing in the Knoxville Drag Community in 2019, where she can most frequently be seen at Core Knoxville. She has been nominated for a national award for Drag Photography and Videography for her work in filming East Tennessee drag performances.

Virgil Voyles

Bio

My name is Virgil Voyles and I am Knoxville’s youth poet laureate. I am non binary and use they/them pronouns, and I have been regularly writing since 2020. My poems are very personal and touch on a lot of issues in my life, and they are very therapeutic for me.

Warren Love

Bio

Warren Love is your spooky rock god of the Tri-Cities area! They are based out of Johnson City, TN and has been on their drag journey since July of 2022! They have competed in multiple Drag competitions in the Knoxville area such as Drag Survivor, Ghoul School, Battle Royale, Monday Night Madness and many more to come! They have received Best in Class in May for Ghoul School and has won their first Monday Night Madness finale! They are bringing a taste of all things war and love and can’t wait to rock your socks off!