Pride After Pride QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest
About this Event
Pride After Pride: QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest
SAVE THE DATE:
DATE: Saturday, August 8, 2026
TIME: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
LOCATION: Fan Girl Café | 8157 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Special Guest Host: Nekeith Mitchell (Previous Contest Winner)
🏳️🌈 Pride Doesn't End in June.
Join us for Pride After Pride, an unforgettable evening celebrating LGBTQ+ & QTBIPOC music, community, and emerging artists.
Come to socialize, network, make new friends, and perform your best original song as we search for LA's next queer icon together.
The QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest is an independent music platform dedicated to discovering, celebrating, and creating meaningful opportunities for LGBTQ+, marginalized, and minoritized artists of color.
For this contest, we've assembled an incredible judges panel of music industry experts and partners, with one Grand Prize Winner and two Runner-Ups or Local Starz receiving an artist development package valued at over $2,000.
Whether you're performing or cheering on local artists, it's going to be an inspiring night of incredible music and community.
Event Schedule:
6:00 PM – Doors Open
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Performer Sign-Up, Check-In & Socialize
6:30 PM – Early Bird Guaranteed Performances Begin
7:45 PM - Intermission
8:00 PM - General Admission Performances
9:55 PM – Winners Announced
10:00 PM – Event Wrap-Up
How Does The Open Mic Contest Work?
There are two ways to perform:
🎟️ Early Bird Guaranteed Performance
Reserve your performance slot in advance by purchasing one of our limited Guaranteed Performance Tickets. These performers open the contest during the first half of the evening.
🎟️ General Admission
General Admission performers are welcome to compete too!
Simply purchase a General Admission ticket and sign up on the performance list when you arrive. Performance slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is highly encouraged.
🎵 Want to introduce yourself before taking the stage?
We'd love to learn more about you! Complete our optional Artist Submission Form to share your music, social media, and a little about your journey before the contest.
Submit here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still perform with a General Admission ticket?
Yes! General Admission performers may sign up at the door while performance slots are available.
What should I bring?
Come prepared to perform one original song.
You may perform:
• With a live instrument
• With a backing track
Please have your backing track downloaded and ready before your performance.
Who is eligible?
This contest is centered around the LGBTQIA+ community and QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists, though everyone is welcome to attend and perform.
How many songs do I perform?
Each contestant performs one original song.
What are contestants judged on?
Our judges evaluate artists on several categories, including:
• Songwriting
• Skill & Vocal / Musical Performance
• Stage Presence & Work-with-ability.
• Originality
• Audience Connection
• Overall Artist Potential
🏆 What Do I Win?
Grand Prize Winner (1) 🏆
The Grand Prize Winner will receive an artist development package including:
• Secret Spot DTLA 3-Hour Recording Session
• Professional Photoshoot (10 edited images + all raw files)
• Live In-Studio Performance Video
• Complimentary 3-Month Secret Spot DTLA Membership
• Instagram & YouTube Features across Secret Spot DTLA and participating partners
• 3-Hour Recording Session at GRL SND
• Gritty In Pink Membership
• Wish USA Wishclusive Performance Opportunity
• Jam in the Van Performance Opportunity
• 30-Minute Creative Consultation with Peanut Butter Friends
Local Starz Runner-Ups (2) 🏆🏆
Each Runner-Up receives:
• Secret Spot DTLA 3-Hour Recording Session
• Professional Photoshoot
• Live In-Studio Performance Video
• Complimentary 3-Month Secret Spot DTLA Membership
• Instagram & YouTube Features with Secret Spot DTLA & participating partners
• Gritty In Pink Membership
Contest Partners & Sponsors:
Each Runner-Up receives:
Secret Spot DTLA
A Black-owned, LGBTQ+ creative studio and coworking community empowering artists through professional recording, content creation, live events, education, and collaborative workspace.
Wish USA
A globally recognized music platform known for its iconic Wish Bus and Wishclusive live performances, producing high-quality music content and showcasing artists to an audience of more than 2.7 million YouTube subscribers.
Gritty In Pink
A nationally recognized music platform and community dedicated to empowering women, LGBTQ+, and gender-expansive creators through live events, industry opportunities, mentorship, and career-building resources.
GRL SND
A Los Angeles recording studio and creative community dedicated to empowering women, LGBTQ+, and underrepresented artists through professional recording, production, artist development, and mentorship.
Peanut Butter Friends
A queer and women-owned full-service creative agency specializing in the music and entertainment industries. Through branding, marketing, creative direction, content creation, and artist management, PBF helps artists and brands build bold, lasting careers.
Jam in the Van
A nationally recognized music discovery platform and the world's first solar-powered mobile recording studio, connecting emerging artists with new audiences through professionally produced live performance videos and original music content.
Fan Girl Café
A community-driven coffee shop, music venue, and creative gathering space in the heart of West Hollywood, dedicated to supporting local artists through live performances, events, and inclusive community programming.
❤️ Why We Created This Contest
We can't wait to celebrate Pride After Pride with you. Come perform, discover incredible artists, and help us celebrate the next generation of LGBTQ+ musicians!
The QTBIPOC Open Mic Contest was created to celebrate, discover, and elevate LGBTQ+ and marginalized artists who deserve more opportunities to be seen, heard, and supported.
Winning is only the beginning. Through our growing network of partners, we continue working with past winners long after the contest ends—connecting artists with recording sessions, professional media, live performances, mentorship, and career-building opportunities throughout the year.
We can't wait to celebrate Pride After Pride with you. Whether you're stepping on stage or cheering from the audience, you'll be supporting the next generation of incredible artists.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 17.85 to USD 23.18
