Out Montclair announces special guests and performers for Montclair Pride

Out Montclair has announced the first special guests and entertainers for the main stage at its inaugural June 11 Montclair Pride, including the Broadway cast of “Jagged Little Pill,” Black trans activist Miss Peppermint and more.

Comedian and Union County native Judy Gold will emcee the festivities from the main stage following a ribbon-cutting by local officials and a kick off by School of Rock, according to an Out Montclair press release.

Performers include the recent Broadway cast of “Jagged Little Pill,” Dyllón Burnside from “Pose,” as well as Felipe Rose, original member of The Village People. Black trans activist Miss Peppermint, best known from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, will perform a set too, the release says.

The festival main stage will also feature a special performance by Montclair local and Broadway legend, Laura Benanti, an appearance by trans activist, supermodel and New Jersey native Carmen Carrera, Maplewood native Randi Driscoll performing “What Matters,” the official tribute song to the late Matthew Shepard, out professional baseball player and country singer Bryan Ruby, the artist J-Line and several more to be announced, according to the release.

As previously announced, Betty Who is the featured musical artist at the first-ever The Montclair Pride Concert at the Wellmont Theater with Fab the Duo and another soon-to-be-announced singer. 

Out Montclair is also accepting applications for local and regional performers for the School of Rock Stage, sponsored by Summit Health, Montclair Local and the Bravitas Group which will be situated on Park Street. These local voices will help represent Montclair Pride 2022’s theme: “Be You. Be Heard.” Applications are being accepted through May 6th on Out Montclair’s website, outmontclair.org.

“I’m beyond excited about each of these individuals and the many others who we’ll announce in the future,” Peter Yacobellis, Councilman and Out Montclair President, said in the release. “Each of them, with many from right here in the Garden State, have incredible stories and have contributed so meaningfully to the broader movement for justice and equality in this country.”

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Judy Gold was an Essex County native.