Entertainers

Michele Balan is a classy woman with attitude. Sometimes the class has to move over for the attitude. She was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and titleholder of "Last Woman Comic Standing." Michele was voted one of the “Top 10 Comics” by Backstage Magazine. The San Francisco Bay Times also placed her on their national Top 10 and Broadway World honored Michele at number two in their Top 10 List of cabaret performers.

Michele headlines around the country at top comedy clubs, festivals such as Montreal’s “Just for Laughs,” corporate events, JCCs, country clubs, on cruises, and more! She is appropriate for all audiences...well, maybe not children's parties! She is a recurring performer on The Joy Behar Show, and has numerous appearances on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed, and E!. Along with her stand-up, Michele writes for many well-known comedians and is a contributor to a variety of magazines.

Often told she was naturally funny, this Brooklyn native left a high-paying executive position at a computer company to pursue comedy and has been performing ever since.

What people say...
"Dynamite" - Cindy Adams The NY POST

"As part of the Nantucket Comedy festival, Balan had the full house in stitches." - Nantucket Mirror

"Michele Balan is on a roll, there is no stopping her!" - The Friars Club

"You know what I dislike about stand-up comedy—there’s too much standing.” - Michele Balan

Subtle, disarming and witty, Bigelow is a comic who doses out humor in bite-sized chunks, easy for the listener to swallow but relentless nonetheless. With topics like sexuality, race, and gender at the forefront of her work, she has become one to watch on the national comedy scene.

As a gay black woman, she’s got a bone to pick with everybody. She tackles topics like “Low Lesbian Esteem” and the iconization of Snoop Dogg with a smile, uniting diverse groups of people with laughter.

In four short years, Gloria Bigelow has filmed three comedy specials for television. Her most recent, Fierce Funny Women, currently airs on Showtime. Gloria was also featured in the film Laughing Matters…Next Gen, which documented the lives and performances of five up-and-coming comics. She hosted the pre- and post- show for MTV’s first ever NewNowNext awards for and has been nominated for their “Brink of Fame Comic” award.

She has performed at numerous festivals including The New York Underground Comedy Festival, Michigan Gay and Lesbian Comedy Fest, the Outlaugh Comedy Festival, and Womenfest in Key West.

Gloria is a crowd favorite wherever she steps onto the stage—from college campuses to comedy clubs, her witty and honest brand of humor keeps her audiences laughing, thinking, and wanting more

Dj Campbell is undeniably the official party starter. She has delivered over a decade of historic and notorious parties in the city of San Francisco, including Rebel Girl, Hot Pants, and Flourish (featured in the Real L-Word). She has Dj'ed all over this world and a highlight for her was dj'ing for the cast of Wicked at their closing night party. With a loaded selection of genres and a genuine desire to create an unforgettable dance party, Dj Campbell will do her best to get you on the floor and staying late for more! She has been DJ'ing for Olivia since 2006 and deeply loves the Olivia travelers. She is excited to spin the songs you love and make some memories for life!

C.C. Carter is a seasoned Chicago Slammer and performance poet who brings the house down whether performing to an intimate crowd of 10 or in a public arena of 10,000. Her poetry and performances make her one of the few spoken word artists to showcase regularly at women’s music festivals including the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, National Womyn’s Music Festival, and Sistahfest as well as garnering her opening credits for Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Cheryl Clarke and Dorothy Allison. Her one woman show, Living Large In a Shrinking America – sold out all three shows in Provincetown during women’s week; critics deemed it “hilariously funny and perfectly timed.”

Whether giving keynote performances on the complexities of the Marriage Equality act, performing at human rights rallies or presenting performance lectures on college and university campuses of the intersections of diversity, C.C. gives voice to her layered truths of being femme, lesbian, multicultural and a mother.

C.C. has received numerous awards and honors for her arts and activism, including the induction into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. Her work is currently anthologized in over 15 collections of poetry and prose including Best Lesbian Erotica, Best Black Women's Erotica, Does Your Mama Know and Women Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution.

Poppy Champlin is a veteran comic whose sharp wit and intuitive jokes can penetrate the heart of any discerning audience's funny bone. Poppy erupts onto the stage with a hip, fearless and in your face style of comedy that can persuade any crowd to come along for a ride that is highly personal and completely relatable. Rapid fire jokes mixed in with her skewed take on life, topped off with a few short comedic songs, keeps her audiences laughing and coming back for more. Poppy is not a sadist, but she is most happy when she leaves her audience screaming, crying and doubled over in pain...from laughter.

Her stand-up pedigree is flawless; from VH-1, to A&E, Oprah Winfrey and The Joan Rivers Show to her latest gig on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen and traveling with Olivia Cruises where she has earned a reputation of being one of the fastest witted female comediennes on either coast.

Graduating from The University of Rhode Island with a BFA in theatre, Poppy set out for Chicago where she attended the famed Second City Comedy Troupe. She refined her chops in Chicago opening for such comics as Ray Ramano, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Bill Hicks and Rosie O’Donnell.

When Poppy hit tinsel town, she continued to study acting at the Larry Moss studios and has since put up her critically acclaimed One Woman Show, "A Chocolate Sandwich."

She was a staff writer for FOX’s Show Me The Funny.

She wrote, starred in and produced, a comedy pilot called News you Can't Use–think Tracy Ulman takes on the News.

Poppy currently can be seen performing her comedy, in the HBO Documentary “All Aboard Rosie’s Family Vacation” as well as, hosting her own popular comedy show; “Cocktails and Comedy” at the infamous GirlBar in West Hollywood.

Ever increasing her visibility, she performed for over 25.000 people in the closing ceremonies of the Gay Games in Chicago. She has performed for troops in both Japan and Korea. She was invited to perform in South Africa, at The Cape Town Comedy Festival. And, Poppy produces her own touring troupe called, Queer Queens of Qomedy, now in it's third year.

Poppy tackles tough subjects with ease. In this comedienne’s hands we can laugh at life’s most formidable perils... and laughter that ravages fear is the best kind of all.

One of the original founders of Olivia Records and its first recording artist, Meg has been an icon of women’s music for decades. Meg recorded five albums for Olivia including the historic 10th anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall. In 1984 Meg retired from performing in order to serve full time with the SYDA Foundation, a non profit organization that disseminates the spiritual teachings of the Siddha Yoga path.

From 1973 – 1984 Meg dedicated her life to creating music that celebrated all aspects of women’s lives. As a founder of Olivia, she toured the country helping to build audiences in church basements and women’s centers, which eventually led to filling major concert halls all over the country. Due in great part to her efforts, women’s music became a significant cultural phenomenon, enabling women to perform, produce and tour. Her humor as well as her deep compassion and commitment to women were the cornerstones of her concerts and her albums.

Kate Clinton is a faith-based, tax-paying, America-loving political humorist and family entertainer. With a career spanning almost thirty years, Kate Clinton has worked through economic booms and busts, Disneyfication and Walmartization, gay movements and gay markets, lesbian chic and queer eyes, and eight presidential inaugurals. She still believes that humor gets us through peacetime, wartime, scoundrel time and economic down times.

Decades before indie labels were the norm, and years before women had any real access to the industry, Cris Williamson was busy changing the face of popular music. In 1975, the twenty-something former schoolteacher released the recording, The Changer And The Changed, on Olivia Records. This music became the soundtrack of a movement, and was key in the launch of what would become known as “women’s music,” music, which was created, performed, and marketed specifically to women. Today, that record remains one of the best-selling independent releases of all time.

For forty-some years, Cris has toured the acoustic circuit. She continues to criss-cross this country, selling out Carnegie Hall three times, and headlining among others, the Newport, Kerrville, Vancouver and Moab Folk Festivals. Always the teacher, Cris facilitates Songwriting Workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Cris's upcoming release, Songs of the Soul, an illumination of Spirit, is due for release in early 2012.

A decorated veteran, Zoe served 22 years in the U.S. Navy both on active duty and in the reserves. In 1993 she challenged the military’s policy prohibiting gay service and subsequently won her two year legal battle. She retired in 2007 as a Commander and holds the distinction of serving her country as an openly gay member of the U.S. military for 13 years.

Zoe has been a tireless advocate for repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and speaks across the country on the negative impacts of the law. She serves as the Governing Board Co-Chair for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a national non-profit dedicated to providing legal services to those impacted by the law and was instrumental in the successful repeal of the law. In recognition of her years of advocacy, Zoe was selected to stand next to President Obama as he signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010.

Commander Dunning also serves on the Victory Campaign Board, dedicated to electing openly LGBT candidates to public office, and on the board of Stanford Pride. She is a United States Naval Academy graduate, and received her MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Zoe loves cooking, training for half-marathons, and performing stand-up comedy. She resides in San Francisco with her wife, Pam.

Winner of the 2010 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Ruthie Foster was also named “Best Female Vocalist” at the 2008 Austin Music Awards. She sat in with Warren and with the Allman Brothers at the 2008 Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, and debuted as a member of Warren’s band at the 2010 Jam. Ruthie is a guest vocalist on Warren’s new album, and was nominated for a Grammy for her own most recent release, “The Truth According To Ruthie Foster.” She’s been featured on the PBS syndicated show Austin City Limits and NPR’s All Things Considered, and has made impact appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, leading to a headlining spot at this year’s festival. On stage Ruthie takes things up a notch or two with her fiery and unmistakable mix of folk, soul, blues and gospel.

Raised in Gause, Texas, a tiny town on the Brazos River, Ruthie grew up surrounded by the rich, soulful sounds of gospel and blues. Even as a young girl, she was taking in a wide variety of music, whether through the hymns her mother taught her, the Beatles songs she analyzed in a book given by her guitar teacher, the 45s her truck-driving uncle would drop off during visits, the old-school country she heard while watching country variety shows on TV with her grandfather, or the pop songs that crackled through the family radio.

Since that time, Foster’s career has progressed through a steady regimen of hard work, whether fronting a full band or working solo, writing at her digs in Austin or taking it to the people. Her shows have inspired a string of reviews in which the essential points are made repeatedly: Ruthie Foster merits comparison to the legends like Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt that inspired her, even as her unique contributions stake out a place of her own in the spotlight.

Raised by a wild pack of Jews, otherwise known as her mother and siblings, Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. From Last Comic Standing at the Tempe Improv to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dana is spreading her quick wit and playful stage presence across the world. Hailed as one of the new "Queer Queens of Qomedy" CURVE Magazine raves, "She's smart, cute, and seriously funny." Girl4Girl in Seattle calls Dana our "triple threat."

Dana has performed at numerous festivals including "We're Funny That Way Comedy Festival" in Toronto, Canada, "The Lesbian and Gay Comedy Festival" in Dearborn, Michigan, "The Comedy Festival" in Las Vegas, Nevada (produced by HBO and sponsored by TBS), "The Fringe Festival" in Edinburgh, Scotland; and is co-producer and host of the Southwest FunnyFest.

Goldberg also performs for mainstream crowds across the country in comedy clubs such as The Tempe Improv, Caroline's on Broadway, Bonkerz Comedy Club, The Comedy Cellar in NYC, and Catch a Rising Star.

Dana continues to combine her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts raising thousands of dollars to fight HIV/AIDS, and joins GLBT communities and organizations across the country to raise national awareness in the fight for equality. She has worked with several national organizations including the Ms. Foundation in NYC, We're Funny That Way Foundation in Toronto, Canada, and Bas Bleu in Phoenix, AZ.

Dana Goldberg is a crowd favorite where ever she steps onto a stage. From Olivia Cruises and resorts to Cocktails and Comedy in Los Angeles, fans are lining up across the country to catch her routine. As the youngest child in a single parent household run by a Jewish mother in which two out of three kids are gay, Dana helps keep most of the comedy venues and half of the psychotherapists in the country in business.

Julie Goldman deals with the art of stand-up like she's got nothing to lose. Goldman is a crackerjack stand-up comic whose romping pop style and perfect timing allow her to wrest the uproarious from the serious and send her audience careening toward side-splitting bliss. Call it feminist or lesbian humor if you want, but the great thing about Goldman is she transcends all those terms and shows us that we're all in this together. She is very now and an absolute must see.

Catch Julie online at www.autostraddle.com with her creative partner BRANDY HOWARD and their ridiculous web show IN YOUR BOX OFFICE. Julie and Brandy and are proud to announce they are now part of the writing team on E TVs FASHION POLICE with Joan Rivers.

MARGA GOMEZ is one of America’s first openly gay comedians, a Latina legend, and known for her fierce and fabulous comedy flights. She won the GLAAD award in 2004 and has been featured on HBO, VH-1, Comedy Central, PBS, Showtime and currently LOGO's “Wisecracks.” She has been called "delightfully cheeky" by the New York Times and "amazing" by Robin Williams.

Marga is profiled in the acclaimed documentary "Laughing Matters" along with Kate Clinton, Suzanne Westenhoeffer and Karen Williams. In 2003 she was selected as Grand Marshall of San Francisco Pride. Her film and television credits include HBO's Tracy Takes On, The D Word, Sphere, and Batman Forever. She has performed Off -Broadway in the Vagina Monologues and in her own Drama Desk nominated one woman show "Los Big Names." Marga was the first comic on the first ever Olivia Cruise and is thrilled to be back at sea.

Mimi Gonzalez owns the comedy road. A road that’s lead across the seas to Baghdad, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo; during the hot times these countries were defended by American soldiers. Mimi’s curiosity and drive often take the form of writing and performing. San Francisco was the launching pad from which Mimi shot into a stand-up career that now includes comedy clubs, festivals, colleges, cruises, freelance journalism and random acts of publishing.

She’s on LOGO for the “LA Women’s Fest” and “One Night Stand Up.” She got her start in television on the “Today” show as the “Funniest Person on Wall Street.” Her performance for an audience of 200,000 at the March on Washington resulted in a featured spot on Mo Gaffney’s Comedy Central show, “Women Aloud.” Look for her on “Ellen,” “Que Loco,” “Funny is Funny,” and “Latino Laugh Festival.”

“Side-splitting ... a strong, high-spirited comic.  Great observational material ... feminist material both funny and accessible to every one in her audience. One of the ten stand-out stand ups in New York City.”

- Backstage Magazine NY

“Funny, sexy, sharp, positive...a great ambassador of sexual tolerance. Mimi Gonzalez is a comic, life-affirming force.”

- Provincetown Magazine

“Mimi delivers a kind of meta-standup routine, at once critiquing and employing the same battle-of-the-sexes jokes that male comics have built their careers on…”

- San Francisco Bay Guardian

Blair Hansen is a San Francisco-based, internationally-recognized, award-winning recording artist.

A singer/songwriter/guitarist at heart, Blair got her start vocally in classical music at the age of nine. Blair’s first full-length album was released when she was only fourteen.

Blair has shared the stage with Susan Tedeschi, opened for Dar Williams and Girlyman, played to sold out crowds at San Francisco’s historic Fillmore, was a featured artist at San Francisco Pride's Main Stage, She Rocks Music Festival and South by South West in Austin, Texas.

Blair's music has been featured on movie and documentary soundtracks, internationally-released CD compilations, and in publications such as Curve Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle Datebook Centerfold and Singer Magazine.

Now twenty three years young, Blair is composing award-winning music for movies such as Hannah Free starring Sharon Gless (of Queer as Folk and Cagney & Lacey).

With the release of her 3rd album, Real World, Blair won two 2009 OUT Music Awards for her songs “Break Away” and “Real World” (Outstanding Country/Folk Song and Humanitarian Songwriter of the Year).

Blair Hansen is currently working on production of her first music video for release on the Logo Network.

A Grammy-nominated, Bammy award winning composer, pianist singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Barbara has performed on more than 65 albums, including Carlos Santana’s 2007 release.

She has 11 recordings to her credit as well as contributions to 10 compilations that have sold in the millions.

As a cofounder, with Darol Anger, of the acoustic super group, "Montreux", she recorded “ Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival” for Windham Hill Records in 1984, a landmark genre defining album. She continued to tour world-wide with Montreux, until leaving to pursue a solo career.

Her 2 CD's with singer-songwriter Teresa Trull on Olivia/Second Wave and Slowbaby Records have won critical acclaim and a large nationwide following.

As a solo artist, Barbara’s first solo CD “Signs of Life” was named a Washington Post “Top Ten of the Year”. Three other solo releases, “I Surrender”, “Variations on a Happy Ending” and ‘Alive in Berkeley” followed to critical acclaim.

Raised in Indiana, at age 13 her family moved to Ghana, West Africa where she studied with master drummer Mustafa Tetty Addy. After musical studies at Mills College, studies at the Sorbonne and a sojourn performing in Paris, she returned to West Africa with a Watson Fellowship to collect traditional music. A professional musician since age 17, Barbara has played everything from Traditional Jazz, Bluegrass and Irish to New Classical Music and African Pop. She is known for her ability to compose both instrumental music and songs in a style that is both genre bending and accessible.

Barbara and her family recently lived in Hawaii for 18 months where she performed at the Manoa Jazz Festival, for Hawaii Public Radio and on 3 Hawaiian Music CD’s.

Barbara now resides in Berkeley, CA with her husband and 8 year old daughter. She is a board member of the non-profit Freight and Salvage, Society for the Preservation of Traditional music. Her 2007 solo release “Alive in Berkeley" followed a 40 city national tour. She is currently working on a fall 2010 recording of original songs.

Barbara has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Terry Riley, the Kronos Quartet, Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Cris Williamson, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Spyro Gyra, Michael Hedges, Greg Brown, Ferron, Vinnie Colaiuta, Teresa Trull, Vicki Randle, Amy Ray, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Rosalee Sorrels, Terry Garthwaite, Laurie Lewis, Liz Story, Will Ackerman, Benny Rietveld, Alex Di Grassi and Peppino D’Agostino among others.

Few entertainers can command a stage like the indefatigable, Sweet Baby J'ai. She is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and actress who has toured the world with her distinctive sound. Although J'ai is known for her energetic stage presence and powerful vocals, some critics describe her as a "jazz singer", a "soul singer", others as a "blues singer" but all agree that this versatile singer-songwriter is a "storyteller". She can't be contained by one genre of music.  Talented both as a vocalist and musician, she takes unconventional instruments, the washboard and spoons, and claims them as her own special sound. As one critic pointed out, "This ain't no backyard hoe down ... she will have you swooning before the concert is over."

When your mom gives you such a memorable name as "Sweet Baby," odds are you’re gonna end up in the entertainment industry.  Sweet Baby J’ai continued the family business after sneaking into Kansas City jazz clubs as a kid. With an uncle who worked as a bassist for Billie Holiday and a cousin who played guitar with Dizzy Gillespie, J’ai was constantly surrounded by the music that would become her career.  She has been featured many times on Olivia Cruises, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Playboy Jazz Fest, Casablanca Music Fest, Tokyo, Jarkata and a host of festivals, concert and club venues throughout the world.  She has shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, Jill Scott, Etta James, Melissa Etheridge and many more; her velvety vocals gracing jazz, soul, and R&B songs. You can check out a dose of her latest cd, Introducing J'ai Michel on this trip designed to soothe your savage beast or feed it!

Here's a sampling of what critics are saying:
"Her voice is part cream, party honey and all soul." -New York Times
"Sweet Baby J'ai will no doubt be considered a legend in her own time ... She is by any critic's opinion, the real deal!"  - LN Magazine
"She proved it on all of us in the 1920's lesbian love story, Prove It On Me ... a flawless performance and spine tingling soulful vocalist ..." - Tolucan Times
"Show-stopper ... a sensational performer" - Durango Herald
"Extraordinary ... a stunning performer." - Jazz Now
"Swinging ... powerful ... and haunting." - Los Angeles Times

Nedra Johnson is a singer/songwriter multi-instrumentalist born & living in New York City. Her unique style of guitar playing is unmistakably informed by her many years as a professional bassist and keeps her live solo acoustic performances more on an R&B tip then what one might expect of a "girl with a guitar."

Nedra's self-titled sophomore release is a joyful mix of R&B, funk, rock and gospel that won an OUTMUSIC Award (Outstanding New Recording – Female). Each song is a testimony of her experience as a black openly-lesbian woman in love, spirituality, community or politics.

Nedra has performed internationally at jazz, blues, pride & women's music festivals as a solo artist and as tuba player/vocalist with her father Howard Johnson & his group, Gravity.

Whether in front of an intimate audience such as at New York City's Rockwood Music Hall or a large festival audience of 7000 like Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Nedra performs with a strength and vulnerability that makes each listener feel like they are getting to know her on a personal level. Her thoughtful choice of words reflects not only who she is, but also speaks to the heart in a way that mirrors the emotions many find difficult to express.

Jessica Kirson’s unique style and captivating stage presence captures the attention of audiences and club bookers everywhere she performs. Her wide variety of characters brings a diverse energy to her routine.

Once you have seen her amazing talent, it is easy to understand why she was selected to perform at the Hamptons, Toyota, Marshall’s Women in Comedy, Comedy Central’s South Beach and HBO’s Las Vegas comedy festivals. She has been featured on various television shows including, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and “Fresh Face,” Nickelodeon’s “Sixth in the Suburbs,” Noggin’s “LOL,” “VH1’s “Awesomely Bad” Shows, Oxygen’s premier game show “Can You Tell,” Bravo’s “The Great Things About Being,” The Women’s Television Network’s “She’s So Funny,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” Seasons 2 and 3, NBC’s “Last Call With Carson Daly,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” This fall she can be seen on Showtime’s “White Boyz in the Hood.”

Jessica can be seen at clubs and colleges all over the United States receiving rave reviews. Between her hilarious characters and amazing crowd work, she will be wowing audiences across the country for years to come.

Picture a fusion of Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, and Joan Jett... and you’ve got Lisa Koch. An irreverent Seattle singer/comedian, Koch (“Coke”) is a deliciously twisted mix of comedy, theater, and demented songs. She has 4 solo recordings, is one-half of hilarious sketch-comedy duo, Dos Fallopia ("My Breasts Are Out of Control"), and is an alumnus of cult quartet Venus Envy ("I'll Be A Homo for Xmas"). She has shared the stage with a diverse group of artists, including Steve Martin, Dave Brubeck, Janis Ian, The Indigo Girls, Heart, Kate Clinton, and Suzanne Westenhoefer.

She has been a featured act at the National and Michigan Women's Music Festivals, Bumbershoot, and the Vancouver Comedy Festival. Lisa has co-written such warped shows as "The Carpeters: Uncomfortably Close To You," “Two’s Company, I’m a Crowd,” "Deja Poo," and “Ham for the Holidays: Lard Potion No. 9.” She also finds time to work as an actor, appearing "The Vagina Monologues,” "Dirty Blonde,” and as the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” (5th Ave Theatre, Seattle). She performs regularly on Olivia Cruises, has been seen on LOGO, and is the recipient of a Just Plain Folks Award. She has composed an Off-Broadway musical about Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas (“27, Rue de Fleurus”), had one of her songs sampled by Jay-Z, and she and her music appear in recent documentary, “Two in a Million”. Koch’s CD, “Tall Cool Drink” contains the viral hit, “I’m a Middle-Aged Woman.”

“Hearing Seattle’s Lisa Koch is one of life’s wickedest pleasures… her brand of absurd confessional comedy is clearly resonating with millions of fans.”

- Curve Magazine

"...Lisa Koch picks up where Bette Midler left off..."

- Music Connection

"Koch seems to have that sense of joi de vivre that makes her instantly likeable. She's an out lesbian with a universal appeal…"

-Washington Blade

When Elvira Kurt is not writing about herself in the third person, she’s a Canadian Comedy Award winning, three-time Gemini Award nominated stand-up comic and Second City veteran, who’s starred, hosted or appeared in too many TV shows and comedy specials to mention. Except for these: Popcultured with Elvira Kurt on The Comedy Network, the first late night talk show hosted by a woman that she also created and produced; The Gayest Show Ever, co-created, co-produced and hosted by Elvira which won Best Pilot at the Banff World Television Festival, Queer as Jokes, with Elvira as host and headliner of CBC’s first ever all gay comedy special and Big Girl Now!, Elvira’s award winning one-hour CTV comedy special.

With appearances on everything from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBC’s The Debaters, CBC comedy specials from Just For Laughs in Montreal and the comedy festivals in Halifax and Winnipeg to her own comedy specials airing on Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, E!, and Bravo, there’s definitely something for everyone. On MTV’s Logo Elvira headlines One Night Stand-Up from Washington D.C. and hosts First Comes Love and Cruising The Caribbean with Olivia. On CBC’s The Second City’s Search For The Next Comedy Legend Elvira was a judge along with Joe Flaherty and Dave Thomas; she’s guest starred on Degrassi: The Next Generation, hit the stage in the Vagina Monologues and is featured in several comedy films like the multiple award winning Laughing Matters…More!

In her spare time, ha, Elvira writes comedy for TV, from series like This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Little Mosque on the Prairie to specials, most notably for Ellen DeGeneres on HBO. But that’s not all! Elvira’s toured North America as one of the hottest college acts around, nominated as both U.S. College Comedian and Entertainer of the Year.

Want more? Just turn on the radio. Besides her stint as a panelist on CBC Radio’s As It Happens or as a regular on The Debaters, Elvira passionately skewers pop culture each and every week on CBC Radio One, PRI and Bold TV’s number one hit show, Q with Jian Ghomeshi.

If it seems that Elvira’s tireless work ethic is an indication of deep seated neuroses, don’t worry, she knows. And she continues to thank, as well as blame, her mother.

Veteran mix mistress of the decks Susan Levine is well known for DJing some of biggest women's events in NYC the pinnacle being the 2008 and 2009 pier dances for gay pride NYC "Rapture on the River" with 5000 attendees from across the country! Susan rocked the HRC/SHowtime L-Word Premiere parties from 2006 thru 2009 and made them the most highly attended events in the country at some of NYC's most legendary clubs, Pasha, Mansion, Crobar and Copacabana. Susan has DJed events like GO magazines 5th anniversary party at Webster Hall to the first gay weekend in Atlantic City, "Out In AC" 2009 at Club Worship in The Showboat Hotel and in 2011 for Asbury Parks "Sand Blast" gay weekend women's pool party.

Susan's passion for music was evident as a child when she would torture her parents by playing a record 100 times until she had written down all the lyrics. Then she would play them 100 times more singing along loudly! As an adult Levine's friends will tell you that her decorating style was dominated by the walls of vinyl in her apartments. Having such a long romance with music she has a great love for music of all era's and is well known for being able to spin through the decades taking you from the gayest of the 70's disco to the hottest new big room dance anthems! Susan loves to surprise her crowds during an old school set taking them on a musical journey with anything from swing to salsa to a little 80's kitsch and anything in between!

Levine is excited to become part of the Olivia family because you have heard her by land and now with Olivia by sea. If she gets her wish next year by air at the International Space Station's Gay Weekend .

ZOE LEWIS hails originally from England but now makes Provincetown her home. She's toured all over the world picking up musical influences and stories, plays anything from the piano to the spoons and is affectionately known as "A BAND IN A BODY!" She's a mixture of swing, folk, acoustic funk, latin jazz and her fast-paced lyrics poke fun at modern society, praising the rambling delights of childhood, secret worlds and wandering love.

Her song SMALL IS TREMENDOUS received much commercial success and can be heard on ads for MINI PRINGLES and TJ MAXX. Another of her songs: SHEEP was part of a PUTUMAYO compilation and became #1 in the children's satellite radio charts. She's also written the soundtrack for a new documentary on the VAGINA MONOLOGUES.

She's toured with JUDY COLLINS, RICHIE HAVENS and NANCI GRIFFITHS and her last 2 albums are on the JUDY COLLINS Wildflower record label. She has a brand new release entitled A CURE FOR THE HICCUPS.

Lori Michaels, a sexy, soulful, in-demand solo artist and headliner, has been officially dubbed "THE Dyke Diva" and hailed as a "Lesbian Superstar" (by Bravo TV mogul Andy Cohen).

She has a Billboard Dance/Club Play Top 20 smash, "REBOUND", (LMP/Monitor Sound Recordings), starred in her own show, Me & The Girls, on here! tv, and is taking her LIVE Me & The Girls shows coast to coast. She has even produced events with major sports franchises, which included her chilling rendition of The National Anthem. Lori's love of the song means she writes, arranges, and performs the vocals and plays piano/keys.

Lori grew up in the small town of Fairview, New Jersey. Her professional training began in her youth at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She later graduated from New York University with a pre-law degree. She is the Founder and President of the charitable organization Reach Out, Inc. and is an honorary board member of the Joey Dipaolo AIDS Foundation. Michaels' efforts with her non-profit organization remain the heart (and soul) of all that she does.

Lori Michaels is an amazing entertainer and well-seasoned performer. She is an innovative and savvy businesswoman, and an activist for causes that she truly cares about.

Finalist for “Professor of the Year” at George Washington University. Dr. Bonnie Morris is the author of eight books on women’s history and lesbian culture. You may have read “Eden Built By Eves,” the first-ever book about women’s music festivals, “Girl Reel,” a nostalgic tribute to lesbian identity and the movies; or “Revenge of the Women’s Studies Professor,” a hot memoir on cheerful confrontations with homophobia in higher education. (All three were finalists for the Lambda Literary Award.) Having taught on two Semester at Sea voyages as well as guest speaking for Olivia in 2000 and 2007, Dr. Bon returns with exciting lectures on Nordic and Russian women’s history—and a look at how immigrant foremothers from these lands gave birth to American radical feminism!

In 1979, Diana Nyad stroked her way to the longest swim in history, for both men and women. The distance was 102.5 miles–from the island of Bimini to the Florida shore–and that incredible record still stands today. Diana was front page news throughout the Western world, the lead story for Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News, and many times guest of The Tonight Show. For ten years (1969-1979) Diana was the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world. She broke numerous world records, including the 50-year-old mark for circling Manhattan Island (7hrs., 57 min.) in 1975. In 2006, Martina Navratilova served to induct her friend Diana into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. As a journalist, Diana is heard by eight million people each week on National Public Radio. She is a columnist each Thursday on Los Angeles KCRW’s edition of “All Things Considered”. Diana has also carved herself an illustrious 30-year career as a sports television personality, working on camera for ABC’s Wide World of Sports, FOX SPORTS, the Outdoor Life Network, and CBS Sunday Morning. She has also written three books (Other Shores, Basic Training for Women, The Boss of Me) and speaks three foreign languages fluently.

Bonnie Stoll

From 1977 to 1987, Bonnie maintained a top-10 national ranking on the Women’s Professional Racquetball Tour. Known as one of the quickest and more powerful players on tour, Bonnie rose to #3 in the world rankings in 1984. During this period, Bonnie also coached at the Olympic Training Center in Michigan. Upon retiring from competition as a professional athlete, Bonnie moved to Los Angeles and started her own personal training business, Workout Results. For the past 21 years, Bonnie has earned a reputation as one of L.A.’s most respected personal trainers. From Diana Ross to Marcia Cross, clients from all walks of life, with a wide variety of goals, have gravitated to Bonnie’s no-nonsense style. Her charismatic personality continues to carve out a niche for Bonnie as a highly sought trainer and motivator.

Mayor Annise Parker is a second generation native Houstonian. She attended Rice University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In the private sector, Ms. Parker spent 20 years working in the oil and gas industry, including 18 years with Mosbacher Energy Company. She also co-owned a retail bookstore for 10 years. Mayor Parker is Houston’s 61st Mayor and one of only two women to hold the City’s highest elected office. As the City's chief executive officer, she is responsible for all aspects of the general management of the City and for enforcement of all laws and ordinances.

Mayor Parker has been the recipient of numerous awards during her career, including the 2011 Guardian of the Bay Award from the Galveston Bay Foundation, Scenic Houston’s 2010 Scenic Visionary Award and the 2010 Guardian of the Human Spirit Award from the Holocaust Museum Houston. Despite her duties as mayor, Ms. Parker remains active in the Houston community, currently serving on the boards of the Texas Environmental Research Consortium and Houston Galveston Area Council, and as an advisory board member of the Holocaust Museum, Center for Houston’s Future and Montrose Counseling Center.

Parker and her life partner Kathy Hubbard have been together for more than 20 years and are advocates for adoption, with two adopted daughters and a son.

Born and raised in Queens, NY, DJ Rockaway has been on the LGBT music scene for over a decade performing for audiences across the nation. From clubs all over NY to private weddings and events, she is a regular DJ on Olivia’s cruise and resort vacations and knows how to keep her crowd dancing. As one of the newest DJ’s to hit the San Francisco Bay Area, her style – dance, hip hop, r&b, house, club, and retro – allows her to play to all who love to dance and feel the music. A true New Yorker (just listen to her talk), DJ Rockaway has an intense passion for music which connects her to every style, translating her performances into a high energy music experience for her crowds. For DJ Rockaway, music is more than a blend of sounds, music is an experience – she wants you to feel it, live it, escape into it.

Vickie Shaw returns to Olivia with her slow paced (she's southern), incredibly endearing, (she's southern), sharp, don't mess with her (she's southern!), comedy. Vickie doesn't have to go far from home for material - as a recovering SoB (Southern Baptist) and out lesbian mother, she's successfully raised two sons (one of whom is married and just gave her a "perfect baby granddaughter"), has a teenage daughter still living at home, and a "husbian" in Sgt. Patch. Yeah there's enough material there to fill a few hours. Vickie has performed in almost every State in the US, and had headlined in too many venues to list here but trust us, this girl's been around.

Like Adele meets Diana Krall meets Bette Midler.

Sassy. Smooth. Intoxicating.

Pop/Jazz/Blues artist Suede plays piano, trumpet and guitar but voice is her first instrument and entertaining is clearly her first love. She is a consummate entertainer and song stylist among the likes of Michael Buble and co., with a little Chris Botti tossed in too. One part Rat Pack and one part Rosie Clooney. Think classic pop/jazz. Think steamy blues with a sizzling trumpet. Think love songs that’ll make you swoon. Think funny. Think wow, what pipes!

To celebrate her 25th anniversary as an independent artist on her own label, Easily Suede Music, Suede realized a lifelong dream of recording with her own big band. "Dangerous Mood" was recorded in the prestigious (Tony) Bennett Studios and released to rave reviews far and wide. Her recording of Roxanna Ward’s "Remember Who You Are" is on HRC's compilation CD "Being Out Rocks" and was featured on "The Young and The Restless." Her recording of "Emily Remembers," also from her CD "On the Day We Met," was named number one song of the year on WJZW radio in Washington, DC and has garnered national radio airplay as well as two OutMusic awards. Suede is heard regularly on NPR radio as well. Her DVD "Suede, Live at Scullers Jazz Club" is currently aired on PBS stations nationwide.

Always touring nationally and internationally with some iteration of her New York based bands, from trio all the way up to her 12 piece 'Dangerous Big Band' she plays all the best rooms, from The Kennedy Center to LA's Ford Amphitheatre; San Francisco's Rrazz Room to New York's Town Hall; Scottsdale's Center for the Arts to Cincinnati's Aronoff Center; Denver's Mercury Cafe to St. Louis' Sheldon Hall and beyond. She is proud to be an Olivia artist veteran and has likely played well over 75 trips at the time of this writing.

"Wicked exciting."

- Boston Globe

"A great voice, even better enthusiasm, and an almost giddy delight at entertaining audiences that if bottled would make every anti-depressant on the market obsolete."

- Steppin' Out Arts, NYC

"A spectacular evening of song and style."

- New York Times

"Thank you for the most incredible night of my life!"

- Bea Arthur, from Suede’s audience

Born and raised in Seattle, WA, DJ Tina T headed out to Los Angeles after graduating from Washington State University, she made her first impression in Los Angeles becoming a finalist in the DJ battle hosted by the #1 hip-hop radio station POWER 106 FM, and the world famous Big Boy in the Morning Show. But it was her victory as LA Weekly’s first ever DJ Spin Off battle that Tina T took home the gold. After moving to Las Vegas in 2008, Tina quickly gained recognition, winning the award for Best Female DJ in 2010 & 2011!

With over 13 years of dues paid, Tina T has been able to seamlessly merge her underground hip hop and turntablist background with the fast pace of mainstream pop, and the forward movement of the indie scene. Her versatility of pairing top 40, hip hop, 80’s Rock, house, and electro has allowed Tina's musical style to be defined simply by the audience she is playing for. This would explain why she has rocked crowds in some of the hottest nightclubs all over the world including the Bahamas, Philippines, Canada and Mexico. She has toured all over the United States with such companies as Red Bull, Etnies, DC Shoes, Reebok, Skull Candy, Fox Racing, and The Mountain Dew Action Sports. Tina T has held down residencies at some of the most famous Las Vegas nightclubs including Marquee, Prive, Tao, Voodoo and Tao Beach, with headlining performances at Lavo, Pure, Rain, and Tabu. She's also DJ’d exclusive VIP private parties for the likes of Travis Pastrana, Rob Dyrdek, Lil Jon, and has shared the stage with artists like: Kanye West, Lady GaGa, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Ludacris, Run DMC, Too Short, Black Eyed Peas, Sir Mix A Lot, Will I Am, DJ AM, Steve Aoki, and Samantha Ronson.

Tina has been featured in Red Bull, Verizon, DJ Hero and Seagate commercials. She has appeared on MTV's The Hills, E! News, The Travel Channel and Fuel TV among others. Recently, Tina made an appearance in the music video by: Far East Movement for “Rocketeer.” Along with her image and brand being plastered all over, the pairing of Tina’s skill behind the turntables, her flawless music programming, along with her overall persona, has proved her success thus far.

Currently, DJ Tina T is holding down a residency every Friday night at Las Vegas’ newest nightclub: Marquee in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. She is also preparing for the second year of her passion project called "Camp Spin-Off". Founded in by Tina in 2010, it is the only sleep away summer camp for young teens that inspires and teaches them how to DJ

Fasten your seatbelts! Sandra Valls is a brash, high-energy, fierce and funny, lesbian, Latina comic and then some. Voted one of Curve Magazine's “Top 10 Funniest Lesbian Comics” and one of Diva Magazine’s “Top 10 Faces to Watch in 2010” she’ll make you laugh until your face hurts.

Sandra Valls unapologetically takes the road less travelled, celebrates her sexuality and entertains and educates folks through laughter and plenty of PRIDE!

Sandra ignites the stage with a powerful and electric performance in Showtime's hit comedy special, Latin Divas of Comedy (nominated for an Alma Award). Her second Showtime comedy special, LGBT Comedy Slam featured Alec Mapa, Poppy Champlin, and Scott Kennedy. Her other television credits include the Outlaugh Festival, One Night Stand Up (LOGO), Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen (ABC), and Habla! (HBO). From hosting the GLAAD Media Awards to touring with the Latin Divas and Queer Queens of Qomedy to sharing the stage with Eva Longoria at the HBO Comedy Festival, Sandra still finds time to give back to the community by producing comedy shows for a variety of causes.

Sandra is also a published author. She writes about being a lesbian and a woman of color in the comedy world in Out on the Edge: America’s Rebel Comics.

Roxanna is a beloved member of the Olivia family. Her debut with Olivia was on an Alaska cruise in 1992. Since then, she's joined us several times a year! Her brilliant comedy, writing, musicianship and singing endears her to audiences everywhere. A woman of many talents, Roxanna is a mother, high school teacher, producer, writer and director. Her past credits include work with Dolly Parton, Kirk Douglas and many others. The late Phyllis Hyman, and more recently, Suede, have both recorded Roxanna's song "Remember Who You Are." Whether you are seeing Roxanna for the first time or tenth time, she always makes you laugh and warms your heart.

Curve Magazine calls Karen Williams "...a laugh riot!" The Sydney Morning Herald proclaims that Karen Williams is "ferociously funny, with perfect pace, timing and structure."

Karen Williams is the hottest comedy star on the horizon -- with an awesome personality, stunning good looks, and a sterling reputation for delivering laughs each and every time! Currently booking her “HEALING WITH HUMOR – FREEDOM FROM FEAR” NATIONAL COMEDY TOUR dedicated to victory over sexual violence, Williams is using her celebrity status to raise awareness and to work for social justice using humor and healing!

Ravenous for a little wry repartee? How about some sumptuous stand-up brimming with perfectly seasoned wit? Serving up another tasty treat, All Out Films and Andrea Meyerson -- producer of the legendary and award-winning comedy documentary “LAUGHING MATTERS” -- now presents “KAREN WILLIAMS: I NEED A SNACK!” a delicious live comedy special by one of the most outstanding lesbian comics in the country. Filmed live to a sold-out audience at Hollywood's Knitting Factory, Williams fires off irreverent riffs about computers taking control of our lives and the Internet reinventing our intimacy. Celebrating 25 outrageous, outspoken and out-and-out fabulous years of being in the funny business, Karen Williams is all out hilarity in high heels that will have you constantly craving for more! Go to Logo Online to watch all six wickedly funny segments plus insightful interviews!

Karen is a comic craftmaster, a gifted actor, a multitalented writer, and an inspirational lecturer, whose HaHA Institute attracts clients from the public and private sectors, and colleges and universities. Armed with her "healing with humor" philosophy, Karen is a modern-day alchemist, whose audiences revel in her cathartic laughter, and whose peers consider her a comic's comic!

As a solo entertainer, Karen Williams delights fan-filled audiences from San Francisco to South Beach to Sydney, and is a comic favorite with Olivia, known for its signature womens’ cruises and resorts.

Comedy writer and former television host of the New York variety show, "In The Life," Williams' humor writings appear in numerous anthologies, including "Joke Stew" (Andrews McMeel Publishing); Revolutionary Laughter" (Crossing Press); "Out in All Directions" (Warner Books); and "Out, Loud & Laughing" (Random House).

For bookings: 216-313-0333; Karen_william89@hotmail.com and visit HaHA Institute for humor education/tour information

Julie Wolf is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, teacher, music director and touring musician. She has appeared on stages around the world and on numerous critically acclaimed recordings. She has collaborated with Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls, Maceo Parker, Amy Ray, Bruce Cockburn and Sia, among many others. Currently she tours primarily with Indigo Girls. She lives in Oakland, California and runs Sonic Wolf Productions, a music house specializing in composing for film and moving images, sound design, music editing and record producing. Most recently, her original music for the 2009 documentary Sweet Crude was nominated for Best Original Score at the Maverick Movie Awards and received special mention in Variety. In Spring 2010, Julie joined forces with Berkeley Repertory Theatre as Music Director for the 2010 world premiere of Girlfriend, a musical written by Todd Almond and directed by Les Waters, featuring music by Matthew Sweet. Starting in 2011, she’ll be teaching Songwriting courses at Ex’Pression Pro, in Emeryville, CA.

She’s here with us on Olivia giving some rare solo performances from behind the piano.

This dynamic young comedienne hailing from London via Nigeria has taken the comedy world by storm since her debut. In a few short years, she has become one of the most sought after comics in the country, making numerous appearances on Television, radio and the big screen.

This former lift/elevator engineer's Edinburgh debut saw her described by the Scotsman Newspaper as "A British rival for Whoopi Goldberg- Lively and exceptionally funny"

From there she went from Strength to strength, securing herself as team captain on Blouse and Skirt, a BBC2 panel show that ran for 3 years. Gina developed a cult following who loved her cheeky wit and bombastic delivery. So much so, that she was able to complete a 30 date sellout tour along the length and breadth of the UK in 2000 and 2001 with more to follow.

Her infectious personality and observations on everything from TV programs to the worldwide image of Nigerians has wowed audiences not just in the UK but in places such as America, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa, as well as all over Europe.

Gina is currently residing in Los Angeles, where she has been wowing American audiences, becoming the 1st ever British comic to perform on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
She is definitely a talent to be reckoned with!