We have some fantastic music in store for you, from live music to djs… blues to fusion! In keeping with our theme this year, we’re elevating a variety of marginalized voices in both the folks we’ve hired and encouraging them to play music that highlights those voices as well as our themes of community, self-love, and healing.
Live Music
This year we’re featuring all Portland acts with our live music.
| MAARQUII (they/them) ~ Tuesday night (NYE) | |
| MAARQUII is a high femme, multi-disciplinary artist who raps, sings, dances, and is the embodiment of the proverbial “triple threat.” Traveling in their youth from El Dorado, Arkansas to Tillamook, Oregon, they eventually found their place in Portland's underground queer scene. They were performing as a backup dancer for Chanti Darling and participating in local dance companies. In 2016, they met Portland production duo JVNITOR, a meeting that would spark their creative relationship and lead to their debut EP “Heavy Petty,” 2017’s follow up EP “Lullaby in Gemini,” and now their debut album “C.A.B.O.” Over crushing dance, hip hop, industrial leaning beats, ethereal soundscapes, and soulful R&B influenced melodies, MAARQUII is able to seamlessly transcend genre with a charismatic confidence and unflinching openness. |  |
| Arietta Ward (she/her) ~ Monday night | |
| Referred to as the "1st Daughter of Funk and R&B" as well as the “Rip City Soul Funk Diva”, Arietta Ward, aka "Mz. Etta" is definitely a force to be recognized with. Raised in Portland, Oregon, Arietta is the daughter of NW Music Royalty, the late Janice Marie Scroggins. "All of the music, all the songs.. these are my stories. They’re stories that need to be told, and I am here to tell them.” While many labels of music exists, Arietta doesn’t define herself by any particular genre. Some would call her Neo-Soul/Blues, others Funk, and still others R&B. However, Arietta is more focused on content and the responsibility that she believes every artist has. “Be mindful of how you deliver. Be mindful of your intent while delivering your messages. When you open your mouth – always hold that intent in the highest positive vibration possible. Artists are healers, music has healing power. Music is sacred.” She has assembled some of the finest musical artisans to help her spread joy and happiness through an amazing performance you soon not forget. |  |
| Amenta Abioto (she/her) ~ Sunday night | |
| Songwriter, producer, and actor, Amenta Abioto is on the cutting edge of all that is musical, theatrical, and literary. Her music is boldly mystical and soul-fired, and her raw live performances invoke elements of both theatrical surprise and magic through ancient African diasporic sounds and stories. Weaved into syncopated rhythms and dichotomies of comedic proportions, Amenta surprises and tantalizes audiences with mind bending ideas. She brings to the music scene funky academia while skipping vocally from soul shaking gospel to smooth jazz and then onto hip hop rhythms wrapped in West African beats. Graduating from Idllywild Art’s Academy in 2010, she trained in musical theatre. Since graduating she has courted the music scene and produced one self-titled EP, Amenta Abioto , and one upcoming album, Opening Flower Hymns. Receiving inspiration from the best-seller work Women Who Run With the Wolves, mythological characterization and cultural stories are reflected in the original works of Amenta Abioto. Boldly striking in appearance, Amenta brings beauty, charm, and creativity to any stage as an ode to funk. She grabs the audience and they become her musical composition. It is like swimming in an ocean full of dolphins while shouting in a Baptist church. Amenta is a storyteller’s teller, a fantastical north STAR, a High Priestess. |  |
| Tevis Hodge, Jr. (he/him) ~ Saturday night | |
| Born in Virginia, his mixed race and mixed culture background exposed him to the blues of his Fathers family, and the folk music played by his Mother. Since the young age of 12, Tevis has been inspired to bring the old traditions to life for a true blues experience as he channels his heritage. While accenting his own original flare and interpretations, Tevis executes an authentic performance whether it be a cover or an original. As an artist, he is more than a re-vision-er of yesterday, he is a fresh contributor to today. After moving to Portland Oregon in 2003 where he still resides, he has experienced a meaningful career opening for acts such as Robert Cray, and performing onstage with Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary,) Baby Gramps, Mary Flower, Norman Sylvester, Bill Rhoads, Ural Thomas and Suburban Slim to name a few. Tevis placed as a solo semi-finalist in the 2014 International Blues Challenge,and he has had great reception at festivals and venues alike. |  |
DJs
| Leah Vendl (she/her) | |
 | By age 6, Leah was DJing living room showcases for her little sister and eventually graduated to whole-house dance parties in the Pacific Northwest in 2010. She has since DJ'd for blues and fusion events and parties across the U.S. and Europe. When Leah DJs, she draws out the room's deepest groove, delivering sets that are luscious and heart-opening, transporting dancers from tender spacious moments to jam circle-inducing, celebratory throwdowns. Her favorite thing about DJing is curating a space of release by tapping into the emotional and somatic longings of the room - gently cracking open the party like a glowstick. |
| Grey Armstrong (he/him) | |
 | For as long as he can remember, Grey has been obsessed with music. He loves digging into obscure genres, find ways to appreciate them and share those with others. Not long into his dance career, Grey became excited about Djing because it was a way for him to directly influence the feel of an event. It’s a way to explore new music, moods and his love of blues. He can’t wait to share that with you and hopefully, make you fall in love with music and dance all over again. |
| Rachel Stirling (she/her) | |
 | Rachel Stirling has danced and DJ'ed her way across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Having danced since she was six, she primarily teaches blues and is proficient in lindy hop, balboa, salsa, waltz, tango, and polka. You should ask her to hustle! Having enjoyed many dances and styles of music, she brings an eclectic mix of sounds and genres when she DJs, with a soft spot for a good horn section, interesting rhythms, solid grooves, and sweet harmonies. From old school jams to brand new beats, Rachel keeps it bumping in the clubs and on the streets. For more info check out http://www.redstirling.com. |
| Justin Johnson (he/him) | |
 | Justin began his dance journey with Contra at a Masonic lodge in Amherst, MA in 2011. He gleefully spun in circles for a few years before moving home to NYC, where he fell in love with both Blues and Fusion. In the past year, Justin has become a host at Om Fusion (Seattle's weekly Fusion dance), DJ'd events on two different continents, and gained a deep appreciation for the community and creativity present in the Fusion scene. |
| Matthew Matsunami (he/they) | |
 | Upon stumbling upon fusion dance, Matthew immediately fell in love with the improvisational freedom available within it. His goal as a DJ is to bring emotionally evocative music to dancers and empower them to have whimsical, funky, and awe-inspiring dance conversations. |
| Whitney Leisenring (she/her) | |
 | Music was a loud part of Whitney’s life long before she ever stumbled on to a dance floor. In high school she studied jazz and blues, singing in bars and on stages through college. She loves to draw on those influences when crafting sets, often joking that her playlists are just a way for her to “serenade the floor.” She delights in digging deep to find the music that makes you stop and go “UNGH,” music that keeps you moving, or music that moves you. |
| Kai Hayashi | |
 | Kai started both his Fusion djing and dance career a decade ago in 2010. Since then he has had the opportunity to DJ around the world for countless fusion events. Kai loves the constant change, challenge, and creativity that comes with being a fusion DJ. He's incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have dj'd for so many events over the years and is excited to ring in the new year with his close friends and community. |
| Ally Yancey (she/her) | |
 | Ally has been DJing fusion since 2007, when she found herself caught up in the heyday of Portland house parties. Since then she has been a staple at local weekly venues, DJed at events along the West Coast, and recently moved back from a year spinning around Europe. Her favorite things are finding the music that each unique scene enjoys grooving to, and inspiring people to get down. |
| Remy Baheux (he/him) | |
 | Remy has loved to dance as long as he can remember. He has explored a whole myriad of dance styles throughout the years. and has real passion for Hip Hop and Blues. Once he became a dance organizer, he was able to put his passion and heart into the community, helping to kick off and cultivate the Fusion scene in Olympia before moving up to Seattle. He is now a DJ, emcee and event organizer who loves the ability to express and connect through music and dance, and is excited to contribute to the future of the Fusion community. |
| Zosha Sugarman (she/her) | |
 | Zosha is a singer, a teacher, and a lover of movement in all its forms. Since finding vintage waltz at a steampunk event in 2010 partner dance has brought hella joy to her life. Whether blues, fusion, in a studio, or throwing down solo at a club, she views dance as a form of storytelling. Zosha's goal as a DJ is to bring songs that move your feet and linger in your body. |
| Eleanor Chen (she/they) | |
 | Eleanor has been a passionate social dancer and listener in both Portland, OR and the CA bay area for the past 3 years. In addition to local venues, she’s played at Portland Underground Exchange, Hi-Fidelity Fusion, and European Micro Fantasia. She aims to give the floor what it wants, no shame, and it shows: her sets have been described as “freakin’ lit,” “absolute bangers” with “no maybes.” Her music spans across multiple genres, aiming to nourish the energy of the room and keep you in the groove all night long. With musician ears and dancer intuition, Eleanor is here to make magic happen. |
| Lovey (she/they) | |
 | Lovey likes to play music that connects people and encourages them to have fun. It's easier for her to say which genres she doesn't play than which genres she does, but she always loves a good beat. Lovey is excited to share space with such beautiful energy and amazing dancing. |
| Mars/Linnea Alexander (they/she) | |
 | Mars has been DJing for a bit over one year and social dancing for the past eight! Originally from Olympia, WA, she hopped back and forth across the country a couple of times, lived in Brazil for a while and most recently has been living here in Portland. Mars love to bring together many different genres of music, and in particular enjoy playing suave lantinx beats and watching people melt on the dance floor. Most of all, they love the collaborative relationship between the DJ and the dancer and is constantly seeking to engage that connection and foster a lovely, creative space to feel dances and music together. |
| Jessica Chipukaizer (she/her) | |
 | "Growing up, Jessica spent a lot of time in the studio with tumbling, ballet, jazz, and hip hop. At 21, she walked into a bar full of Lindy dancers and felt as if she’d been welcomed home. Following that experience, she voraciously began pursuing the art of partner dance and is now well versed in Lindy Hop, Blues, Salsa, Bachata, Semba, Kizomba/Urban, Zouk, and Fusion. She is an ambi social dancer that also organizes, teaches, and DJs on a national level. Jessica has found connection, inspiration, healing, and a renewed enthusiasm for life within dance. She is based in Columbus, OH, but so excited to DJ for y'all in Portland. Expect a musical experience that has emotional progression, energetic highs and lows, and a persuasive sound that will inspire you to become part of the story. " |