Prepare to be one of the first to hear the magic that Kofy Brown, Katie Cash, Shelley Doty, and Daria Johnson will whip up for Olivia as they unveil their new band Joystick. You’ll be thoroughly entertained by comic, actor, singer, writer, and badass Sandra Valls. Hot off her sold-out Netflix is a Joke 2024 show, Jen Kober’s will be joining Olivia and delivering her standard hard-hitting, phenomenally funny comedic set. From her “Pussy Manifesto” to her newest album Bitchcraft, BITCH will be gracing us with what she brands witchy poet pop, delivered with a gorgeous voice, huge heart, violin, and synthesizer. We’re excited to welcome back the incredible Mikalah Gordon, who’s been entertaining audiences since she launched into spotlight when she entered the finalist round of the 4th season of American Idol in 2015. Born to be a “Diamond”, and “Worthy” of all the accolades, Sarah Potenza, will join Olivia for the first time with her bluesy, powerful pipes, and show us why NBC’s The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and Rolling Stones all took notice. Also, joining Olivia for the first time is Righteous Babe recording artist, Kristen Ford. Kristen creates music that blends reggae, indie, folk, and queer club music, infused with the experiences of navigating a biracial, queer life in the Nashville music scene. Bringing the beats to the dance floor every night will be two Olivia favorites: from the bright lights of Las Vegas—DJ Lisa Pittman, and from Miami—DJ Pat Pat! V. Spehar will also be with us once again, presenting interesting ideas and gathering material for their TikTok channel “UnderTheDeskNews” that has over 3MM followers! And our resident Yogini Richelle Donigan will help you greet the day with alignment and mindfulness through daily Yoga sessions.
JOYSTICK
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JOYSTICK
Bay Area joy spreaders; Kofy Brown, Katie Cash, Shelley Doty, and Daria Johnson are coming together to share some good ole fashioned joy-beats…a scoop of rock & soul and sprinkles of funk, groove, and more. Joystick is ready to party with Olivia’s Hard Rock Vallarta—come and get your groove on with Joystick.
Kofy Brown
Kofy Brown, an Oakland, CA musician, singer, and songwriter, has been a pioneering force in the Bay Area’s hip-hop soul scene since the early 90s. Leading her band on tour all over North America, Canada, and Europe, Kofy has shared the stage with Macy Gray, Bootsy Collins, Iggy Pop, and The Stooges, just to name a few. She and her band—the KBB—have developed a reputation for putting on an outstanding live show.
Kofybrown.com
Katie Cash
Katie Cash has been a rock n' roll staple in the Bay Area for over 25 years, sharing stages with Iggy and The Stooges, LP, Detroit Cobras, Cris Williamson, JD Samson, Bitch!, and many more. Cash is an award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist for her solo project Katie Cash Band, as well as punk-inflected quartet Year of the Fist, and all female, queer rock n' soul band Skip The Needle—who just wrapped an entirely sold out, two month run of Hedwig and The Angry Inch in Berkeley, CA.
www.katiecashmusic.com
Shelley Doty
Labeled "a future legend" by one reviewer and a "guitar goddess" by another, Shelley Doty is considered one the best independent performers in the business. As a songwriter, she creates articulate songs for today by sprinkling them with respect for the music of her youth (rock, R&B, jazz, funk). Her brand-new CD, Over The Line, is now out and available via CD Baby. In addition to fronting her band, the Shelley Doty X-tet, Shelley also often performs solo acoustic. When Shelley plays electric guitar, she rips into it like no other woman ever has—she has a swagger and confidence to play lead guitar that is as rare as it is electrifying...
Daria 'Shani' Johnson, Drummer/Singer
Berkeley grad Daria 'Shani' Johnson, a dynamic force in the Bay Area music scene, is a sought-after drummer known for her rock-solid, sensual style. Collaborating with icons like Barbara Dane and Esperanza Spalding, she brings infectious energy to every performance. Co-founder of London Street, her diverse talents have graced stages with John Legend and Erykah Badu. Praised by JamBase as a "real talent" and a "show unto herself," Shani's drumming prowess, akin to Keith Moon and Steve Gorman, spans jazz, rock, blues, and more. A contemporary force, she consistently leaves her mark on the music scene.
drumdariajohnson.com
Sandra Valls
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Sandra Valls
“Comedic Gold!” – Latina Magazine
“A Knockout” – My San Antonio
"She brings to light issues that impact the women of color community!" - QWOC Media
"Valls is as true to her ethnicity as she is to her sexuality; knocking TV audiences on their behinds!" Curve Magazine
Sandra Valls is a comic, actor, singer, writer, and badass. Her unique mix of physical comedy, brilliant storytelling, and powerful soulful vocals make it easy to see why the Los Angeles Times calls Sandra “Talented and Hilarious”. Curve Magazine named her One of the Most Influential Queer Women in the Country and One of the Top 10 Funniest Lesbian Comics. Latina Magazine voted Sandra One of the Top 33 Bad Ass Comics with Latin Roots and Go Magazine feels she’s One of the Top 100 Women We Love.
Sandra will star in the much-awaited world premiere of Real Women Have Curves –The Musical this Christmas season at the prestigious American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA. Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler (Chicago, Waitress), Directed and Choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud), Book by American Theatre Critics Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted, ROE), Music and Lyrics by Grammy Award winner Joy Huerta (from internationally renowned Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec, The Tempest). Real Women Have Curves will be Broadway bound in 2024!
Sandra also co-wrote and co-starred in the critically acclaimed Off Broadway show, LATINA CHRISTMAS SPECIAL at the famous Soho Playhouse in NYC. Named Critic’s Choice by the L.A. Times, this show is three hilarious, touching and surprisingly touching stories of holidays past as told by three acclaimed Latina actors. Sandra’s story is about her life growing up a queer, Mexican, Catholic kid in Laredo, TX and later in her adult years, being her mother’s caregiver until the end.
Her other television credits include The Latin Diva of Comedy, Gay and Lesbian Comedy Jam (Showtime), Nick Mom Night Out (Nickelodeon), One Night Stand Up (LOGO), Comic’s Unleashed with Byron Allen (ABC), Habla! (HBO)
Sandra is also a favorite onstage as an emcee. Her hosting credits include Creating Change Conference, TEDX Women, Women in Medicine: Lesbian Health Fund Conference, San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce Coming Out Day, Equality San Antonio – Spirit of Texas Brunch, Latino Institute at Creating Change, La Femme Film Awards (11 years in a row), Power UP 10 Amazing Gay Women and Men Gala, and GLAAD Awards and London Lesbian Film Festival…to name a few plus countless Pride Festivals.
Always a human rights activist, Sandra was also honored in her hometown of Laredo, Texas with the International Woman’s Day Award for being a trailblazer and empowering women and was chosen by Unidos-The National Latino LGBT Human Rights Organization to be part of their prestigious list for Project VISIBLE Latinos LGBT in the USA and Puerto Rico: Out in Leadership. www.welovesandra.com
Jen Kober
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Jen Kober
Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Jen Kober has energetically bounded onto the national stage bringing crowds to their feet with her original blend of stand-up, storytelling, and improvised rock-n-roll comedy. Her hard-hitting hour is phenomenally funny—Kober commands the stage and dares you not to laugh. Jen was the 2017 Winner of NPR's Snap Judgement Comedic Performance of the Year for her Girl Scout Cookie Caper story, which went viral upon its release earlier that year. Kober received the 2018 Comedic Performance of the Year for her story titled Nana Vs. OJ.
Jen appeared on Netflix in 2019 as she joined the cast of two of its original shows. Including RuPaul’s sitcom, AJ & The Queen and Dead to Me. Jen had audiences rolling in the aisles on The Righteous Gemstones on HBO, played a no-nonsense detective in The Purge on USA Network, and was a wacky science teacher in Diary Of A Future President, on Disney+.
In 2021, Jen 's momentum continued with a recurring role on American Horror Story, a guest star on Showtime's Black Monday with Regina Hall and Don Cheadle, and a Season 2 regular on Apple TV's new queer sitcom, The Browns.
Recently Jen joined the cast of the Cirque du Soleil show MAD APPLE at the New York, New York Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, NV, and is a featured Comedian in NETFLIX is A Joke, with her own sold out show coming this May! A new comedy special No Flies On Me is set to be released this spring on streaming platforms, and Jen’s new podcast, Bitchin’ Over Biscuits just launched to rave reviews.
Bitch
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Bitch
Bitch is a longstanding queer music icon who Yahoo Entertainment called “a feminist force that the world needs now more than ever” when she released “Bitchcraft,” her 9th studio album, on the legendary label Kill Rock Stars in 2022. With her signature electric violin and lyrical smarts front and center over huge beats and deep synths, Bitch coined the genre “Poet Pop” and she has been touring nationally ever since, igniting her loyal following and inspiring new followers with her colorful and bold stage shows.
“Bitchcraft is a masterpiece,” said Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, who, along with Ani Difranco, have taken Bitch on tour as their opener. Joey Soloway (Transparent) directed the music video for “Easy Target.”
In addition to headlining over 70 shows in 2022, Bitch honed her acting chops and played a role in the new Audible podcast of Alison Bechdel’s “Dykes To Watch Out For,” alongside Jane Lynch, Carrie Brownstein and Roxane Gay. The series was directed by Leigh Silverman, and Bitch co-wrote a song for it with Faith Soloway.
Bitch first achieved notoriety as one half of the queer folk duo Bitch and Animal. The band toured with Ani DiFranco, and released two albums on her label Righteous Babe Records. In the mid 2000s, Bitch went solo, and shared stages with the Indigo Girls, acted in John Cameron Mitchell’s film “Shortbus,” co-wrote a song with Margaret Cho, produced two albums of her elder and folk hero Ferron.
Bitchcraft, Bitch’s first album in 8 years, is one that makes you think and makes you dance. Full of violins, synths, and huge vocals, the record is neon pink and in your face. It’s Joni Mitchell set to a clicktrack; it’s queer Cyndi Lauper and will hex you with its brilliance. It also makes you think: about the state of the world, about evil politicians, about what it means to exist as a woman, and how to find joy along the way.
“The legendary queer icon is back” Bust Magazine “There’s no stopping her now” LA Weekly
“Bitch is a force to be reckoned with" Joey Soloway to MTV
“Bitch is a straight-up, real, fearless performer.” – Ani Difranco to Spin Magazine
“Bitchcraft is poppy and poetic and will put her on the map for new audiences to discover” Brooklyn Vegan
“Bitch is a feminist force that the world needs now more than ever” Yahoo Entertainment
“Bitchcraft is a masterpiece” Amy Ray, Indigo Girls
Mikalah Gordon
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Mikalah Gordon
Mikalah Gordon, a Las Vegas Native, made her entertainment debut as a Top 12 contestant on season four of American Idol. Audiences fell in love with her powerful voice and unique stage presence, and she's been hitting all the right notes ever since. Her popular run on Idol earned her a record deal with famed judge Randy Jackson on Interscope Records, making her a household name. In addition to her vocal success, Mikalah has made her mark on the LA comedy scene with her edgy stand-up performances, headlining at The Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory. The spicy comedienne has starred on the WB sitcom Living with Fran, with Fran Drescher; as a field correspondent for The Tyra Banks Show and The TV Guide Network, and served as a co-host on American Idol Extra. Mikalah began hosting her podcast So Funny It Hurts where she interviews comedians and explores the trauma that makes them funny. Mikalah is also the morning show host five days a week for 98.5 KLUC in Vegas. You can also catch her singing on the weekends at her residency inside The Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas.
Sarah Potenza
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Sarah Potenza
Bold, and brassy, Sarah Potenza is a critically acclaimed singer and songwriter with a nationwide fanbase. She competed, and captured industry attention on NBC’s The Voice, and America’s Got Talent. In 2021, her rendition of “Worthy” on her sophomore album, Road to Rome, hit number one on the iTunes Blues Charts. Filled with messages of self-worth, determination, and drive, Road to Rome shines new light on a songwriter whose career already includes multiple albums as front-woman of Sarah and the Tall Boys, and a strongly received solo album, Monster. The album received rave reviews from Billboard, American Songwriter, and NPR. A few years ago, Sarah was named amongst the top three acts seen at SXSW by Rolling Stone Magazine.
Olivia is pleased to finally be able to get Sarah on a trip with us!
Kristen Ford
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Kristen Ford
After hearing Ani DiFranco perform live at the tender age of 15, she decided on the spot to become a singer-songwriter. Ford wanted to be a musician who could face any audience, bridge any divide, and win over any crowd, just like Ani. Kristen Ford may not have found overnight success, but she has certainly lived a life: writing thousands of songs, playing thousands of shows across the Western Hemisphere and Europe, writing, revising, learning, driving, looping, crowdfunding, DIYing, and falling in love over and over again with her time onstage.
In 2014, Ford hit the road full time, living in a van down by the river down by the Walmart down by the next tour spot or wherever the cops (aka nap patrol) wouldn't bother her after sunrise while she slept off another late night show. The road helped Ford believe in her abilities to "make it" anywhere, even "the biggest pond" aka music city, Nashville! She has spent the last seven years refining her craft as a songwriter, arranger, and collaborator, winning some contests and recording some songs. She shed tears of joy hearing her own song as the credits rolled on her first full-length feature film Valentine Crush, where she had a supporting role as an actor and got to star in two film-related music videos.
One night in Chicago, Ani walked into a Kristen Ford show as a stranger and walked out as a producer wanting to collaborate on the song "White Man's Dream." Recording in New Orleans with DiFranco throwing down a driving synth bass, directing Ford through lead guitar parts and vocal lines like a mad conductor, as Ford called on the spirit of Prince, moving from lead guitar to drumset to harmonies and beatboxing. This ain't your grandma's folk music, but it is three chords and the truth, reflecting the hard light of today's society.
DJ Pat Pat
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DJ Pat Pat
DJ Pat Pat has a way with the crowd. It’s not just her 26 years of experience at a mixing desk, nor is it her high energy beats and her ability to read the room and give partygoers just what they want before they even know they want it. It’s a beam of positive energy and passion that she emits from the depths of her music-loving soul. It’s her bright smile and vibrant personality coming through with each set.
An icon in the music industry, DJ Pat Pat has built an empire through hard work, fierce determination, passion, and purpose, and still loves every minute of what she does. Born in Miami, Florida, she is heavily influenced by her Cuban roots and has made a name for herself as an opening act for renowned artists like Pitbull, Chris Brown, Flo Rida, and many more. During her career she's played at international venues, major corporate events, festivals, and much more, bringing her musical ingenuity and fine-tuned skills to each and every one.
DJ Lisa Pittman
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DJ Lisa Pittman
DJ Lisa Pittman has been making toes tap, getting heads nodding, and asking people to put their hands in the air for over 13 years. From LP to CD turntables, she delivers an open format mix of club hits, hip-hop, and EDM.
DJLP holds down long-time and coveted DJ residencies for some of the most iconic names in Las Vegas nightlife: Studio 54 at the MGM Grand, TAO at the Venetian, and Marquee at The Cosmopolitan. She has been nominated for and awarded “Best DJ” in multiple categories, had her residencies crowned “Best in Nightlife,” and seen the nightclubs she spun for nationally recognized during her tenure as the premiere clubs in the world.
She competed on the final season of VH1’s Master of the Mix and has shared stages with some of the biggest artists in pop and hip hop. DJLP has DJ’d all over the world at LGBT events and festivals and for destination events, including for Olivia, Dinah, and Shedonism.
You don’t have to pay a cover charge to hear DJLP—she’s now broadcasting locally and nationally on the EDM and festival music station FireLane for Entercom Los Angeles and on the LGBTQ station Channel Q for Radio.com.
Vitus "V" Spehar
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Vitus "V" Spehar
V has quickly become a go-to source for news, building a loyal following of over 3 million subscribers who turn in daily for content that informs and educates while centering the emotional safety of viewers. V Spehar was a nominee for the 2023 GLAAD media award for Outstanding Podcast (V Interesting) and winner of the 2023 Webby's Special Achievement Award. V has been a decades long champion for LGBTQ+ leadership in the policy and culinary space and is a board member of Rainbow Families. Their pronouns are They/Them and they will be joining us on the trip with their wife, Natalie V Spehar, a prominent cellist most recently seen in the Broadway touring cast of Hadestown and The Last Match.
Richelle Donigan
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Richelle Donigan
Richelle Evelyn Donigan is a masterful Yoga Instructor, Life Coach, Author, and Speaker. She has been in the work and study of transformation for more than 40 years. Richelle has an extraordinary gift for creating safe empowering spaces for beginners and communities that have been traditionally underserved. She has created and led numerous retreats and workshops focusing on LGBTQ Communities. Her Butch Yoga workshops allow Butch Identified women to come as they are, listen and be heard by other Butches and support one another as they share and practice together. Richelle’s Vision Workshops are life changing. You will walk out with powerful clarity and strategies to create a life that you absolutely LOVE. A consummate teacher, Richelle embodies wellness and is dedicated to uplifting community with the profound healing practices of Yoga & Vision.
