MkX to headline Stark Pride Festival
CANTON − MkX, a pop and dance music artist from Los Angeles, will headline the Stark Pride Festival on June 10 in downtown Canton.
Joining MkX among the musical acts in the second Stark Pride Festival will be The Vindys, a Northeast Ohio-based band that mixes alt and classic rock with jazz, pop and other influences.
The Stark Pride Festival and Walk will be 2 to 10 p.m. and also feature food trucks, speakers, community organizations, drag performances, dancing, entertainment, vendors and activities for children.
The event will be centered at Centennial Plaza and the surrounding areas on Market Avenue and Third and Fourth streets.
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“This year’s entertainment is an exciting array of extraordinary original artists (whose) talent, skill and joy celebrate the incredible diversity and beautiful humanity represented in our entire community," Jonathan Becker, chairman of the festival's entertainment committee, said in a news release. "We are super excited to be joined by our national headliner MkX and his dancers – a perfect end to an amazing day."
Last summer's festival drew a large crowd in downtown Canton. More than 5,000 people are expected this year. A Pride Walk will take place prior to the start of the event, which is "open to all interested and supportive people," said a news release from organizers.
The event joins similar festivals, rallies, parades and marches around the world for the LGBTQ+ and allied communities. Pride events are often held in June to commemorate the founding of the modern gay rights movement, which began after the riots in New York City in June 1969, the news release said.
Stark Pride features Bluecoats and Cleveland Transgender Choir
Main stage entertainment from 2 to 10 p.m. will be hosted by DJ Krooze and emcee Danyel Vasquez with performances by Brionna Brooks, Daphne' Dupree, The Empress Dupree, Jazmyn Hyte James, Jace Blaze and Jessica Love.
Opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. will feature the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, the Cleveland Transgender Choir and community leaders.
Musical entertainment on the Centennial Plaza stage includes: Mellow Villains (a band from Alliance playing '80s, '90s and 2000s rock) at 3 p.m.; The Scenic Route (pop rock) 4:30 p.m.; Ethan Soza (rap and hip-hop) 6 p.m.; The Vindys at 7:30 p.m.; and MkX at 9 p.m.
MkX's appearance was made possible through a Cultural Tourism Grant from ArtsinStark and Visit Canton, the Stark Pride news release said. MkX has performed at a pride festival in LA.
MkX was once in teen pop duo that opened for Ariana Grande
Also featuring electronica and R&B in his music, MkX recently released the single “Play Out” and plans to release more new music throughout 2023. The multi-instrumentalist's performance includes a "fully realized artistic production ... with his music and imagery utilizing" the large video screen at Centennial Plaza, festival organizers said.
“We're so excited to have MkX bring his creativity from LA to our festival main stage to attract a wider audience to this year’s festival," T.J. Horwood, Stark Pride Festival chairman, said in a prepared statement.
A Boston native, Michael Kouroubacalis started playing guitar at age 6, according to Apple Music. He eventually formed a teen pop duo with his sister named Michael and Marisa, releasing the album "Kicking It Together" in 2008. The duo went on to open for Cody Simpson and David Archuleta before touring in 2015 with Christina Perri and then later in an opening spot for Ariana Grande.
In 2017, Kouroubacalis, a songwriter and producer, re-emerged under the name MkX with his debut single "The Look."
MkX's YouTube video for "right place, at the right time" has been viewed 826,000 times. The song also reached No. 3 on the Mediabase Top 40 Pop Independent Artists chart. "One Sided Love" tallied 927,000 Spotify streams. The video for the 2020 single "Fall" attracted nearly 100,000 views on YouTube.
The Vindys highlight music lineup at Stark Pride
The Youngstown-based Vindys have landed slots in the WonderRoad and Wonderbus festivals, opening for nationally touring bands and musical artists like headliners Vampire Weekend, Nelly and Jason Mraz.
Founded in 2014, the band's recent performances have included a pops concert with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and headlining a show earlier this month at Goodyear Theater in Akron.
The music video for their song "Bugs" is one of eight that will be shown at this year's Tribeca Festival in the shorts category alongside videos by Lizzo and The Black Keys.
This year's festival has a second stage
Entertainers also will perform from 2:45 to 7 p.m. on the Kempthorn Stage at Fourth Street and Dewalt Avenue NW, hosted by 92.5 FM DJ Nikolina and emcee Meshawn Define.
Acts include Mark David, a singer-songwriter from Akron, at 3 p.m.; Kodachrome Babies, a sister duo from the Dover and New Philadelphia area that plays original and cover songs, at 4:30 p.m.; and Kyleen Downes, a guitarist and songwriter from Dayton, at 6 p.m.
A Spotify playlist features music from festival performers.
Food vendors will include Empamami, Word of Mouth BBQ, R&J Smokers BBQ, Kona Ice, Travelin’ Tom's Coffee, Walkie Talkie Coffee, Island Delights and My Dee Good Eatin’. Other vendors will be selling flowers and other goods.
Queer In Canton, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the fiscal sponsor of the Stark Pride Festival Committee.
Scores of business sponsors also have supported the event at varying levels. Festival planners also thanked the city of Canton and Mayor Tom Bernabei for their help.
Parking will be available on any downtown Canton street that is not closed to traffic or reserved. Parking lots and garages include the Onesto Parking Garage, 238 Cleveland Ave. NW; the Millennium Parking Deck, 200-298 Third St. NE; and the lot at 401-499 Court Ave. NW.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com and on Twitter @ebalintREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Drag queens, MkX, The Vindys announced for Stark Pride Fest in Canton
