What will bring a bazillion lesbians together during the first week of April this year? That’s right, ladies: Dinah Shore Week 2008. Club Skirts founder Mariah Hanson beckons you to Palm Springs for the annual lesbian extravaganza complete with wet, wild pool parties, beautiful, bikini-clad women, unique nightlife events, celesbian appearances, live performances and more. It’s a five-day affair where “thousands of women unite in the common bond of life-affirming celebration,” says Hanson. Think in terms of a women’s Woodstock and a Sapphic spring break rolled into one mind-blowingly sexy desert delight.
Club Skirts Dinah Shore Week 2008 runs from Wednesday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 6th. The festivities began as a weekend of merriment, but another three days have been added by popular demand. Hanson produced her first solo Dinah Shore weekend in 1991, and has continued her tradition since then, bringing in national sponsors and booking entire hotels to complete lesbian occupancy.
Today, The Dinah is the world’s largest lesbian event, and this year promises to be the best one yet. In addition to five days of lesbionic luxury and unique, high-profile parties, The Dinah ’08 will feature live performances by Grammy-hopeful Colbie Caillat, Leisha Hailey’s band Uh Huh Her, BETTY, Pat Benatar, comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer, and ’80s diva Lisa Lisa of Cult Jam. A bigger and better soundstage has been built on The Doral Resort’s waterfront lawn for the occasion, and a new reality show, Countdown to the Dinah will film on location along with a segment for here! TV’s docu-series Lesbian Sex and Sexuality. If that weren’t hot enough, did we mention the Dinah’s first annual KY Jelly Wrestling matches?
Many of your favorite celebs, including L Word cast members Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey and MTV phenom Dani Campbell, will appear poolside at The Doral Resort, the official home-base of The Dinah ’08. All events take place within a stone’s throw of each other in downtown Palm Springs, and free shuttles are in continual flux to facilitate party-hopping.
THE DINAH ‘08
A preview of this year’s sizzling itinerary:
Wednesday, April 2nd
The Club Skirts and Planet Out Official Dinah Shore Weekend Meet and Greet is a cocktail reception for early arrivals at Mixie’s Bar, Palm Spring’s hottest new nightclub.
Thursday, April 3rd
Start with a live standup comedy show by Suzanne Westenhoefer at The Doral Grand Ballroom. Then it’s on to The Official Dinah Opening Party at Zelda’s Nightclub, featuring house, hip-hop, two dance rooms and an outdoor patio.
Friday, April 4th
Dip into some afternoon delight at Our Girl Friday on The Doral Pool Deck, where the DJs will be spinning from 12 to 5pm. After dinner, join the Logo network’s cocktail reception on the The Doral’s outdoor patio before diving into the White Diamonds Dance Party with DJs Kathy Valenti, Amara, Saratonin, Brooke Webster, Rocky B, Sysco and Lisa Pittman. This event also features a Club Skirts fashion show for PEELER designs, with scheduled runway appearances by Dani Campbell, Michelle Paradise, Michele Fleury, Thea Gill, Michele Clunie, Jane Lynch, Suzanne Westenhoefer and Jennifer Houston, and a special midnight performance by Uh Huh Her.
Saturday, April 5th
The Cabana Girl Pool Party rages all day at The Doral’s main pool, with bottle service and sexy cabana girls to make fun in the sun a little flirtier. Featuring scheduled appearances by Tila Tequila, Lori Michaels & The Girls, Exes & Ohs actresses and The Big Gay Sketch Show cast. Bonus: exclusive autograph signings and photo ops with Thea Gill, Michelle Wolff, Jenny Shimizu and Jill Bennett. Stacy Evans and Lisa Lisa perform live at the Wyndham Resort’s main pool. After sunset, head to the 2nd Annual Be Scene event at The Doral Resort Grand Ballroom, where ladies can act out their favorite L Word scenes for a panel of judges including Leisha Hailey, Kate Moening and Ilene Chaiken. Grand prize is a meet and greet and photo op with the stars. Next, it’s time to rock Saturday Night Paris ’08, The Dinah’s largest dance party. Pat Benatar, Neil Geraldo and Colbie Caillat perform live.
Sunday, April 6th
Start the day off right with The L Word Pool Party III, bright and early at the Doral’s main pool, featuring BETTY in concert and surprise guest appearances. For a change of scenery, check out the Get Wet party at the Wyndham Resort’s main pool. Cap off your weekend with the Official Dinah Closing Party at Zelda’s Nightclub, featuring a meet and greet with BETTY.
A variety of packages are available to suit your budget. Tickets are currently on sale, and they’re going fast, so ladies are advised to purchase online before March 20th for advance discounts and guaranteed admission. The Doral, The Wyndham and Marquis Villas are already sold out, so book now to reserve ultra-convenient accommodations at this year’s other Dinah host hotels: The Hilton (760-320-6868) and Palm Mountain Resort & Spa (760-325-1301). Charity recipients include the Board of Equality California and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. For more information, visit thedinah.com. We’ll be there. Will you?
