Roots Picnic is once again centering Black queer excellence with the return of Roots Picnic Pride. Now in its second year, the official LGBTQ+ celebration will include a ballroom showcase that brings the energy of underground culture to one of music’s biggest festival stages.
Powered by Live Nation Urban’s LGBTQ+ platform, Houses of Luv, and led by ballroom legend and Philly Black Pride Vice President Jacen Bowman, the event will expand visibility for queer Black artists while honoring ballroom’s deep legacy. For the first time ever, the underground ballroom scene will headline a major U.S. music festival stage.
“This is not just a competition. This is a celebration of our culture, our strength, and our undeniable style,” said Bowman. “We are making history by bringing the art of vogue to the Roots Picnic stage.”
Founder of Houses of Luv and creative lead at Live Nation Urban, James June, added, “Bringing Roots Picnic Pride back means more than just programming. It’s about amplifying voices, honoring our community, and showing that this culture belongs here. I’m grateful to have support from allies at Live Nation who believe in building this platform.”
The celebration kicks off Friday night with the Roots Picnic Pride Soiree at Warehouse on Watts, hosted by Jacen Bowman, James June, and artist Julian King. The lineup features a range of genre-blending queer artists including Infinite, Bayli, Billy The Goat, and Philly favorite Mz. Peaches. The night’s soundtrack comes courtesy of Sky Jetta from Detroit and New York DJ Kendollaz.
Then on Saturday, the Pride energy continues on the Roots Picnic festival grounds with a full ballroom mini-showcase. Festivalgoers will witness vogue battles live on stage, honoring the dance roots and feminine movements of Black and Latina trans women who shaped the ballroom scene.
This year’s Roots Picnic lineup already features major headliners including Lenny Kravitz, D’Angelo, Latto, Tems, GloRilla, and Kaytranada. Now with ballroom officially part of the weekend’s core experience, the festival continues its mission to honor culture at every level.
Hip-hop and ballroom both emerged in New York as bold expressions of resilience and creativity from marginalized communities. Their influence on fashion, dance, and pop culture is undeniable, and Roots Picnic Pride celebrates that legacy with pride and power.
Event Details:
Roots Picnic Pride Soiree
Date: Friday May 30
Location: Warehouse on Watts, Philadelphia PA
Featuring: Infinite, Bayli, Billy The Goat, Mz. Peaches, Sky Jetta, Kendollaz
Tickets: RSVP Here
Roots Picnic Pride On-Site Ballroom Showcase
Date: Saturday May 31
Location: Roots Picnic Festival Grounds, Philadelphia PA
Category: Open to all Vogue Performance
Tickets: Purchase at Rootspicnic.com
