Palm Springs performer Jackette Knightley is returning to the Pride stage with a message that reaches beyond the sequins. As the city prepares for its 40th celebration, her mix of dance-pop, drag and community advocacy offers a lively reminder of why Pride matters: it makes room for people to gather, be seen and feel at home.

Essential Takeaways

  • A milestone celebration: Palm Springs Pride is marking its 40th anniversary with the theme “Be Included”.
  • A local return: Knightley, a Palm Springs resident, is set to host activities on the Arenas District Stage.
  • More than a look: She describes drag as a skilled art form involving performance, rehearsals and often elaborate costume work.
  • A history of advocacy: Knightley says drag performers have long supported their communities through fundraising and practical help.
  • A busy creative year: Her upcoming projects include a book trilogy and a soundtrack called Rising Phoenix: The Red Witch Saga.

Palm Springs Pride is about showing up

For Jackette Knightley, Pride is less about a single performance than the feeling of being welcomed into a crowd. The singer, author and drag artist is returning to host onstage activities at Palm Springs Pride, where the 40th-anniversary theme, “Be Included”, puts belonging front and centre.

The festival brings together entertainment, community events and a parade in downtown Palm Springs. Aubrey O’Day and The Cowgays are among the announced headliners, adding a pop-heavy note to the programme. There’ll be plenty to see, but the bigger draw may be the chance to celebrate alongside a community that has built its own spaces for connection.

Why drag is more than lipstick and sequins

Knightley pushes back against the idea that drag is simply dressing up for a night out. A polished look can take hours to create, while an intricate costume may involve days or weeks of design and preparation, alongside rehearsal and performance craft.

That work deserves an audience’s respect, she argues. It’s a useful reminder for anyone heading to a drag show for the first time: treat it as live theatre, not a costume party. The glamour may catch your eye first, but the artistry is what makes the performance hold attention.

Drag has a long history of community care

Knightley links drag to LGBTQ+ advocacy, recalling how performers organised fundraisers and delivered food and money to people affected by HIV and AIDS. For her, that history is part of what gives the art form its lasting importance, and something newcomers to drag should know about its roots.

That spirit of mutual support still feels relevant at Pride. Knightley sees the event as people turning up for one another, not merely watching from the sidelines. It’s a warm idea, and a practical one too: communities grow stronger when celebration and care go hand in hand.

Music, books and a Rising Phoenix future

Knightley’s work stretches well beyond the stage. Her album Rising Phoenix includes the song “Pride”, while her forthcoming projects include a book trilogy, Rising Phoenix: The Red Witch Saga, and a soundtrack sharing its name.

The range is part of her appeal: music, books and drag all become different ways to create an experience for an audience. She has also said she’s preparing to film a reality television series for OUTtv in Canada. With Pride first on the calendar, the next chapter looks busy, and very much in motion.

A Palm Springs homecoming with a wider message

Knightley splits her time between Europe, Southern California and Canada, but says Palm Springs feels most like home. She points to the city’s relaxed atmosphere and generous community spirit, including fundraising for people living with HIV and AIDS and support for people experiencing homelessness.

Her hopes for a legacy combine kindness with a willingness to stand up and speak out. That balance feels right for Pride: joy matters, but so does the work of making sure more people can share it. For Knightley, the stage is a place to entertain, connect and keep that work visible.

Explore the Pride programme, and make room for the people and performances that bring the community together.

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