Dinah Turns 20
By Stan Jenson
It all started in 1972 when singer Dinah Shore founded the Colgate Dinah Shore Golf Tournament in her adopted home of Rancho Mirage. That became one of the four major tournaments on the LPGA Tour, and it naturally attracted lesbian spectators each year. As the ladies caught up with old friends, someone suggested, “Hey, let’s have a cocktail party!” Those cocktail parties became part of the annual tradition. The local bars observed this influx of lesbian visitors and organized parties and events to coincide with the golf tournament.
Fast-forward to 1991. Businesswoman Mariah Hanson had observed the popularity of the lesbian parties at the various bars and decided to take the process one step further by taking over an entire hotel. She arranged corporate sponsors and chart-topping talent, and created a lesbian world encapsulated within a few blocks in Palm Springs. From the outset, it seemed to be exactly what the ladies wanted, and it quickly catapulted Hanson’s “Club Skirts” to the position of premier producer of the Dinah Shore event.
This year, “The Dinah” turns 20, and it promises to be the biggest celebration in the history of the event. Rosie O’Donnell will do her first stand-up comedy performance in 15 years. Successful hip-hop duo Salt N’ Pepa performs, as well as No. 1 U.S. recording artist Kesha.
Spanning from March 31 through April 4, The Dinah now incorporates dance parties, pool parties, rock concerts, comedy shows and games. It is considered to be the largest lesbian gathering in the world, and each year it attracts more women from all around the globe. “It has evolved into a jet-setting, sexy, bacchanalian event,” Hanson said. “Lesbians around the world have it marked on their calendars.”
During the Sunday Lovin’ Pool Party, photographer Adam Bouska will have an area set up to continue his “NO H8” photo campaign. He will start with groups of women, and then will stage a wide-angled shot of the whole party, including all attendees who are willing to wear the familiar duct tape and letters on their faces. The final photo will be sent to all major news outlets with the caption: “We had a great time, but we still want our rights!”
This year’s fashion show includes Meredith Baxter, the Family Ties matriarch who came out in 2009. Suzanne Westenhoefer and numerous other celebrities will also be visible on the catwalk. Hanson especially enjoys the celebrity competition party that she organizes each year. This year features “The Battle of the Webisodes,” a “fun, goofy, stupid” competition for lesbian filmmakers who create Internet-based dramas.
“Last year, we did celebrity dodge ball,” she said. “The year before was Twister, and there was once a hula-hoop competition. It’s just another excuse for the girls to drink some beer and have some laughs.”
It’s hard to count the exact number of women who attend The Dinah Shore event — somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000. The Hilton, the main host hotel, was sold-out before the beginning of 2010. One of the pool parties will be held at the second host hotel, Hyatt Regency Suites, as well as plenty of lesbian socializing.
With individual parties topping out at $89 per person, multiple-access passes are highly recommended. The higher-priced passes guarantee the best seating for O’Donnell’s show. As for the golf tournament, Hanson posited, “Do they still play golf? Who knows? My ladies are way too busy having fun.”
Event details and tickets are available at www.TheDinah.com.