There’s been so much talk about the big names at the top of this year’s Atlanta Pride’s entertainment lineup, like Colbie Caillat, Meghan Trainor, Lea DeLaria and Amber. But there’s an eclectic group of talented acts preceding them that will be entertaining the masses this weekend as people wind their way through the park checking out the booths, visiting friends, people-watching or chowing down on a funnel cake washed back with a cold beverage.
So here’s a handy reference guide to the other acts gracing the Bud Light and CocaCola stages this weekend so you’ll walk out of the park Sunday night with a bunch of new favorites to add to your playlists.
BUD LIGHT STAGE
SATURDAY
Fabrefaction Theatre – 12 p.m.
Who they are: Critically acclaimed theater company founded in 2004.
Based in: Atlanta
What they’re known for: Loving them some gays. They’ve hosted Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus concerts and numerous LGBT-themed works, including a gay prep school version of “Romeo & Juliet” called “Shakespeare’s R&J” this past February.
Fun fact: “When you’re a Montague, you’re a Montague…” Fabrefaction goes mash-up this fall as they present a version of “West Side Story” based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet,” premiering Oct. 23.
Legendary Children Atlanta – 1 p.m.
Who they are: Gay photographers document Atlanta’s drag queen scene. Shows include a mix of a photography exhibit
and performances.
Based in: See “Legendary Children Atlanta.”
Known for: Their inaugural show last fall, which drew just the right mix of acclaim and controversy.
Fun fact: They’ll be in the park all day Saturday for Pride in their “photo booth and drag exchange,” where you can get a drag makeover from Atlanta’s favorite queens, get your picture taken with the ladies and swap drag accoutrement.
Ricky Simone – 1:45 p.m.
Who she is: A black, lesbian human rights activist, hip hop artist and poet who delivers positive, motivational lyrics in her music.
Based in: Athens, Ga.
Known for: “Gay Is The New Black,” a track she wrote to address the hate the LGBT community faces.
Fun fact: This is Simone’s second year in a row as a Pride performer.
Michael Powers – 2:30 p.m.
Who he is: Country music artist who has opened for big time acts like Darius Rucker, Kellie Pickler and Rodney Atkins.
Based in: Nashville, Tenn.
Known for: A unique mix of covers on his YouTube channel, including songs from country acts like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Lambert as well as those by the likes of Sam Smith, John Legend and Beyonce.
Fun fact: Powers was one of the 40 picked out of 15,000 hopefuls at auditions for “American Idol” in 2011 in St. Louis, making it to the Hollywood rounds.
Monica Mason – 3:15 p.m.
Who she is: R&B singer/songwriter who occasionally mixes in higher energy cuts with shade of house music in them.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Comparisons to Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan.
Fun fact: She’s performed with Gladys Knight, The S.O.S. Band and CeCe Peniston, among others.
Wesley Cook – 4:10 p.m.
Who he is: A pop rock singer/songwriter in the vein of Paul Simon, Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Dave Matthews.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: “It’s You,” a breezy, melodic love song which was written based on a three-second observation at an airport.
Fun fact: Rolling Stone magazine praised the upbeat positivity in Cook’s music, Georgia Music Magazine said he may be the next big thing and MTV2 featured him as an “Artist on the Rise.”
Neil Cribbs – 5:10 p.m.
Who they are: Blues and Americana musician with a comfortably gritty voice whose influences include The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Check out the song “Windshield” off his EP of the same name. It’s a “sippin’ sweet tea on the porch” kind of track that will play well Saturday afternoon in the park.
Fun fact: Voted “Best Local Folk Act” in Creative Loafing’s “Best of ATL 2013.
Queer Your Gender Dance Party with DJ Ree de la Vega – 6:45 p.m.
Who she is: One of Atlanta’s biggest party starters.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Entering soiree. Turning key. Starting party.
Fun fact: A tongue-in-cheek 2007 interview she gave to Creative Loafing ended up starting a flame war.
SUNDAY
DJ Canvas – 4 p.m.
Who she is: Speaker-rattling DJ who’s played Mary’s, Noni’s, Star Bar, last month’s Creative Loafing Best of ATL Party and several other local spots.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Causing people to throw their hands in the air and wave them around as if there are no repercussions.
Fun fact: This is her second year in a row playing Pride.
COCA-COLA STAGE
SATURDAY
Maria Gabriella Band – 2 p.m.
Who they are: Folk rock indie five-piece fronted by the Nicaraguan-born Gabriella and often compared to Melissa Etheridge.
Based in: Atlanta/Columbus, Ga.
Known for: Take a listen to “Young,” an upbeat acoustic guitar-driven cut featuring a keytar!
Fun fact: They’ll also be playing the Crush Party at My Sister’s Room on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Cousin Dan – 3 p.m.
Who they are: One part R&B singer songwriter, one part electro pop balladeer.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Get your electro pop fix with “Something In The Water,” which shows the range in Cousin Dan’s voice.
Fun fact: His Facebook biography reads, “Cousin Dan was born a full grown man with a mustache that the ladies just couldn’t resist.”
Symphony Crack Orchestra – 3:50 p.m.
Who they are: Electronic acoustic instrumental band that describe themselves as “Skrillex meets Jimi Hendrix meets Beethoven.”
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Their collaborations with The Mad Violinist, including a bananas cover of Rihanna’s “We Found Love.”
Fun fact: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra canceled the opening of their season. Symphony Crack Orchestra is playing Pride Oct. 11. Coincidence? We think not.
Gurufish – 4:45 p.m.
Who they are: Poppy funk music with a touch of jazz and glam rock for good measure.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Queue up “Pimp St.” for a good idea of what to expect from Gurufish.
Fun fact: They’ve shared the bill with acts like The White Stripes, LMFAO, and Cypress Hill.
Kick the Robot – 5:50 p.m.
Who they are: This power pop trio of youngins is influenced by groups like the Foo Fighters and The Beatles.
Based in: Dacula, Ga.
Known for: “Can’t Get Enough” off their 2013 album “Music to Fight the Future,” which shows off singer Jesse Scarpone’s smooth falsetto.
Fun fact: Count Sir Elton John himself among Kick The Robot’s many fans.
SUNDAY
Michel Jons Band – 4 p.m.
Who they are: High energy dance band with the motto “We play Patsy Cline to Tina Turner to Beyonce.”
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Causing conga lines at weddings.
Fun fact: They cover Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” so expect that nugget to be dusted off come Sunday.
DJ Citizen Jane – 5:20 p.m.
Who she is: Former singer and musician turned DJ who has played Pride festivals across the country, including June’s NYC Pride.
Based in: North Miami Beach, Fla.
Known for: There’s a lot of Latin influences in Citizen Jane’s music and there’s not a better example than the Latin mix of “Lady Killer”.
Fun fact: Was nominated for Best DJ at the Pink Flamingo Awards, presented by Miami’s LGBT Visitor Center.
Yacht Rock Revue – 6 p.m.
Who they are: These light rock superheroes are a can’t miss. Keeping the flame of Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross and Hall & Oates alive.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Check out YouTube for the one-two punch of Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison” followed by Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” from their annual holiday special at the Variety Playhouse last year.
Fun fact: Among their many accolades is an award for “Best Place to Get Drunk With Your Dad.”
Starlight Cabaret – 7:25 p.m.
Who they are: You need to ask? It’s the annual drag blowout that always closes out Atlanta Pride weekend with a bang, and some glitter.
Based in: Atlanta
Known for: Bringing together kings and queens from all across the city’s various troupes for a night of good old fashioned shenanigans.
Fun fact: They just finished picking up all the false eyelashes and Ace bandages from last year.