2024 Festival Day
FESTIVAL DAY 2023
2023 Headliner
Forrest Mortifee
Forrest Mortifee (he/him) is a recording artist, ancient futurist, and transgender innovator hailing from Vancouver, Canada. He began his artistic journey at a young age, studying music and theater before eventually branching out into other mediums such as visual art and emerging technologies. His interdisciplinary approach has led him to create a diverse range of works, including paintings, NFTs, videos, and games. Forrest embodies this creative vision through a spiritual dynamism and emotional sanctification that initiates an important advancement in the narrative surrounding joy, gender, and human evolution. Featured on BBC Radio 1, The FADER, and Forbes, Forrest channels music and messages poignantly suited for our times.
Haley Rodes
Haley Regan is an Indigenous artist from the Penticton Indian Band in British Columbia. She started exploring her artistic capabilities at a young age under the mentorship of Indigenous artist and Grandmother, Phyllis Isaac. She completed high school a year early in 2014 to attend Langara College for Political Science and International relations. Haley studied one semester at Langara College before enrolling in the Blanche Macdonald Global Makeup Artistry Program in 2015. After having a successful career in Vancouver’s makeup artistry scene for 5 years utilizing her talents in live theatre, fashion, and high end retail, she returned home to the Okanagan in 2021. Haley then started the journey to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the En’owkin Centre and the University of British Columbia to complete her degree. She teaches a variety of Indigenous arts workshops throughout the Okanagan and is always actively seeking new opportunities that she can partner with youth on. Most recently Haley has taken on the role of the Penticton and District Community Arts Council’s new Outreach and Fundraising Coordinator.
1150am-12pm
Madeline Terbasket
12-12:30pm
Madeline Terbasket (pronouns: they/them) is a two-spirit performing artist. They are proudly syilx, Ho-chunk, and Anishinaabe. They grew up in the beautiful Similkameen Valley and now live in Penticton. Madeline Terbasket is reimagining traditional stories with their physical comedy, queerness, and vulnerability.
Robert Torbica
Robert Torbica is a fully-independent, multi-instrumentalist musician, singer-songwriter, producer, performer, poet & visual artist.
He has been issuing full length, solo releases since 2001.
His appearance at this year’s Pride Arts Festival will be his first live performance in ten years.
1230-1pm
RISE Dance Academy
Miss Leah is owner and artistic director at Rise Dance Academy in Oliver BC. She has been teaching dance and inspiring younger generations for over 20 years and believes that everyone should move and groove a little more. Having the opportunity like the Annual Pride Event to share her love of movement with all of you is just a beautiful added bonus to living in such an amazing place!
1-115pm
Aeroz
Arrows the World Peace Machine is a multifaceted, international, occidental artist, rapper, writer, poet, model, designer, and film maker.
115-145
Tell Me Again
Born and raised in the okanagan, i found myself in a mix of cultures. small town queer who's first generation Canadian from Indian parents, i am a cover artist, for now, but i hope to take inspiration from modern culture, rural culture, and queer culture alike and make my own soon
145-215pm
Jenn Bruyer
Jenn is an aerialist and multidisciplinary performance artist, choreographer, and coach. She has entertained audiences and guided students around the world including over 30 US states, China, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico since 2008 and now resides in Bridesville, BC.
215-230
.webp)
Kai Allen
Kai Allen is 17 years old and has been performing for a decade all around the Okanagan, and has competed in various talent competitions. They’re super excited to be here today and will be playing a few covers and an original
230-3
Tommy Green
Tommy graduated from the University of The Fraser Valley in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In his artwork he addresses animal conservation and environmentalism, using bold, graphic depictions of endangered animals. Throughout his work, he encourages viewers to consider the urgency of preserving these creatures and their habitats. In August 2022, Tommy created a large geometric installation mural in downtown Chilliwack as part of the Chilliwack Mural Festival. In 2023, Tommy completed a large-scale mural incorporation Chilliwak's natural mountainous landscape for Restorative Cycles.
Tommy's street banner is currently on display all across town as part of Chilliwack's 150th-anniversary celebrations. After an exhibition on Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, Tommy was invited to join the Federation of Canadian Artists.
230-3
Keisha (Penticton, BC) is a passionate & powerful performance artist, instructor and choreographer. Her graceful, earthy and organic dance style is highlighted by her contagious joy and love for the dance. Keisha is known and complimented for her informed teaching practices and enticing stage presence.
As Founder & Artistic Director of popular SWANA & Fusion Dance Company: Boundless Belly Dance and with 19 years in the Southwest Asian & North African Dance Community, Keisha has created a number of programs within her company to advocate for LGBTQ2S+ & Black, Indigenous & Racialized folks. She believes deeply that art can change the world, specifically through dance.
330-345
Keisha McLean
Fight or Flea is a bisexual folk-punk musician from Penticton, British Columbia. He has been performing for 5 years and has written songs about love, mental health, apostasy, and sexuality. He blends folksy guitar and raspy vocals to create an original sound. You can find his single, "Getting Better" on all streaming services, and follow him on instagram @fightorfleamusic.
345-430
Fight or Flea
“Last night I dreamt about taking over the world with the Kinfolk Nation. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the best dream I’ve had in a while.” We are Kinfolk Nation, free like the Negmawon and guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu. Kinfolk Nation is an artist coalition documenting the experiences and stories of contemporary Africans/ Caribbeans/ Spirits, and the kindred spirits they cross paths with. We are building a nation, people! We are building a nation.
Everybody is welcome but only if you have love.
430-515
Lady Dia and Trophy of Kinfolk Nation
After a successful summer of touring BC, Kansas-Lee is home again for a few performances in the Okanagan, before setting off to the UK and Europe for the winter. Her new album is more than a collection of songs, it’s a mirror of our own stories, the strength that resides within us, a call to embrace our vulnerability, and a reminder of the importance of movement. Her music drifts towards a soulful, modern folk sound, with a powerful voice and lyrics that permeate the senses.
515-545
Kansas Lee
Leo D.E Johnson aka Boy Leo (Him/Them) is a Trans masc, non-binary, Black Scotian rock n' roll artist whose music encompasses a unique blend of soulful soundscapes and heartfelt lyricism. Drawing on his personal experiences and culture for lyrical inspiration, Johnson crafts thought-provoking songs that explore identity and belonging, creating an emotional sonic experience unlike any other. Their work celebrates the power of connection, inspiring listeners to think differently about themselves and their place in the world. With a passion for pushing boundaries musically and conceptually, Leo’s lyrics are as ambitious as they are thoughtful – and his live performances are nothing short of spectacular. Find them Leo D E Johnson on Spotify. Sit back and enjoy the reflection!
545-630
Leo D.E Johnson
We acknowledge that the Pride Arts Festival takes place on the stolen, traditional ancestral territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation. Syilx Okanagan People have lived, gathered, occupied, traded, built sustainable economies and responsibly managed this territory since the beginning of people on this land. The Pride Arts Festival is hosted in what is now known as Osoyoos, derived from the word sw̓iw̓s (pronounced "soo-yoos") meaning "narrowing of the waters" in the local Okanagan/Nsyilxcən (n̓səl̓xcin̓, n̓syilxčn̓) language. sw̓iw̓s (Osoyoos) is within the Osoyoos Indian Band’s area of leadership and business responsibility that extends from the South Okanagan into the Boundary and Kootenay regions.