Hey Everyone,
Well, it's that time again, time for all the les ladies to make the trek to the Desert for Dinah Shore! I will once again partake of this event, of which I have mixed feelings about....The 'traditional' Dinah Shore experience is one that, I guess, everyone should do once in their life. What is the 'traditional' Dinah experience, you ask..well it involves model thin women (with almost NO WOC representation) frolicking poolside while heavily intoxicated, hooking up with ladies that you don't even know (and being so drunk that you use NO protection), spending 90 dollars for the white party where there will be one headlining act, no room to dance, and spending 14 bucks on a drink. Sound Jaded? Well I am a bit I guess. This was the 'cool thing' to do when I first came out years ago, but now, I'm older and would rather spend over 1K for 3 days of Dinah (once you include Hotel, food, parties, drinks) doing something else, like, oh idk..maybe Going on a trip that has cultural significance...whatever...I guess you have to do it once....
Thank GOODNESS for me, there are companies that cater to us WOC!!!! I have the pleasure of, once again, working for
Lucy and Gail this year (I will be the VIP/Greenroom manager this year) Check out their event schedule for this year:
Thursday, April 2
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Start your visit with a trip to the links with Lucy and Gail. An easy 9 holes with a tune up lesson with a former LPGA pro. Includes lesson, 9 holes, green fees, clubs, transportation to course. $39
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tour of the picturesque Indian Canyons, the scenic ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians. A one mile ranger led hike of beautiful Andreas Canyon with a stop at the visitors center. Transportation included $29
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
A meet and greet lunch at Palm Springs exotic cactus botanical gardens with a collection of more than a thousand variety of cacti. $25
6:00 pm
The first party of the weekend gets underway at one of Palm Springs hottest clubs, Alternate Route, 120 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Live Entertainment. Free
Friday, April 3
10 am
Poker Tournament for Women. The qualifying round starts at 10am sharp at the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs. www.roguewomenpoker.com
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Culture Blast –Dedicated to performers and performances that reflect and enhance ethnic culture. Includes lunch. $35
Market place – The Market place opens featuring the work of outstanding artists and artisans. It runs through Saturday. Free
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Welcome reception in the hotel lobby. Hotel Guests Only
6:00 pm
The Blues Party. Blues and R&B music with plenty of ribs included.. Deejay and live blues performers. $45
Saturday, April 4
12:00 pm
Pool Jam. Music, swimming and dancing with a deejay and live entertainment. Six hours of non-stop fun. $35
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
The hit musical "Prove It On Me" starring premiere jazz vocalist Sweet Baby J'ai. $50 (Located at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs)
9:00 pm - 4:00 am
JUST ADDED - Karen Williams, comedienne supreme, a regular on Olivia Cruises and the Logo Channel. Presents her newest routine at the Oasis nightclub. Appears at 10:30pm. Dancing with DJ Spinderella. A Soulfultouch Production. $35
Sunday, April 5
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
A sumptuous brunch and live music with the exciting jazz violinist Lesa Terry and an all-women trio from 11am-1pm. Dancing with deejay Zenway from 1pm - 4pm. The fabulous Cascade Grill in the Spa Casino, downtown Palm Springs. One block from the Marquis Villas. $50.
Ticket Sales:
Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 760-416-3545 or in the lobby of the Marquis Villas Hotel beginning on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 9am. All ticket sales are final.
Why do I love Lucy and Gail (Dinah in Color)? Well not only do I love working with them on a professional level, but I also love that they cater to women that look like me. I can sunbathe near the pool and not feel like I'm morbidly obese. I can look up and see other WOC having conversations about amazing things such as art and politics (but still in a party atmosphere). I'm very excited to be able to be in Palm Springs for Dinah and have a relaxing time, with no feelings of inadequacy that come with having a 'Traditional' Dinah Experience!
I'm also VERY excited about going to
Out and About's Scandalous II event which will feature non other than GOAPELE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhh I'm soo excited, honestly, I will be working 2 of the 4 days that I'll be in Palm Springs, so, I'm really just looking forward to relaxing, soaking up the sun, and just being in community with other WOC!!!!!
So, there you have it people, MY Dinah Experience.
I'll post pictures when I come back... *muah*
