September 12th, 2026
2024 Festival Day
FESTIVAL DAY 2026
2026 Special Feature & Opening Act
KinFolk Nation
“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.
nq̓aq̓aml̓s
1150am-12pm
Serenity Baptiste, whose Okanagan name reflects calmness, serenity, and the ability to bring that grounding to others, is a 23-year-old two-spirited Syilx artist and community advocate from the Penticton Indian Band on the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. They are actively engaged in language revitalization, culture, traditional arts, and bilingual nsyilcən poetry.
A lifelong creator, Serenity began sharing their poetry publicly in 2023 through exhibitions with the Ullus Collective and the Penticton Arts Council. Beyond the arts, they serve as a Salmon Warrior with the Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative and volunteer as a firefighter with the Penticton Indian Band’s Station 211, where they completed their probation period in June 2025.
“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.
12-1245
Lady Dia and Trophy of Kinfolk Nation
Leah, Rise Dance Academy
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Leah started at the age of two in Calgary. She fell in love with ballet early on and didn’t branch to other genres until she was around ten years old and fell in love with all forms of dance. Leah choreographed a solo for a fellow dancer at the tender age of thirteen and knew immediately that she wanted to become a teacher. Leah began her teaching career as a Junior Teacher in Fort McMurray at the age of fifteen and worked her way through to level 8 Al Gilbert Tap, Cecchetti Junior Ballet Graded Teacher course and completed close to fifteen different teacher training workshops as in Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona, California, New York and online. Leah opened her own studio in 2012 (as The Dance Studio Oliver) and still has a huge passion for passing her knowledge on, even as she continues to learn, to future generations. “I believe all it takes to be a “dancer” is a love for moving to music and the willingness to give it all you got in every class”
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Kansas Lee
Known for her powerful voice and captivating performances, Kansas-lee’s timeless and tender alt-folk songwriting traces the quiet magic of becoming, rooted in unwavering hope. Following three home-grown albums, her first studio release Ostara beautifully captures that spirit in full bloom. She’s currently in the process of writing a new album, after another successful summer of concerts.
Keisha McLean
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 more than 20 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.
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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.
2-2:45
Fight or Flea
Moving Mountains
245-315
@shairasomatic
Johnny is a queerly genderful, neuro spiced DJ with their heart resting in love. Their sets are an eclectic mix of house music with sounds that draw on their ethnically scattered background. Let beats from across our gorgeously diverse planet move your body and free your spirit.
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Taylor Williams
Taylor Williams (they/them) is an American-Canadian Poet, born in Los Angeles California. Their poems stem from complex relations of loved ones struggling with addiction, finding and recovering from love, and finding oneself. The journey is bittersweet, but promising. Taylor currently resides in British Columbia, Canada, always writing, and redefining their world.
330-345
Poppa Nuge
345-415
Ever hear music and just FEEL IT? Get ready too feel the music with mind blowing beatboxing talent, Poppa Nuge!
A true creative force, he brings something raw, real, and unforgettable to every performance. Whether through beatboxing, throat singing, or his powerful stage presence, no two shows are ever the same. He is living proof that resilience, passion, and culture can shape a future beyond what the world expects
Also, beatbox IS music. Let them show you! (Who's ready for some 2S baddie energy?)
Keep an eye out for this rising artist—Poppa.ca
Dallas Crawford is an up and coming vocalist local to Oliver BC, with a passion for the arts.
Attending Pride Arts as both a volunteer and audience member, they are excited to share their voice on stage this year.
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Dallas Crawford
Pride Arts celebrates 5 years with returning artists!
415-5pm
Pride Arts In The Round
Pride Arts Official After Party
630pm-Late @ Sage Pub
Welcoming DJ Moving Mountains to the Sage Pub with Bollywood/Indian and other booty shakin beats.
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.