LGBTQ COMMUNITY

RED DRESS PARTY SAN DIEGO

Are you ready for this incredible fundraiser in San Diego? The year’s brightest and most spectacular event will return to the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier on Saturday, October 1. Guests will enter through the bay-side double doors directly into the Pavilion, a 15,000-square-foot, open-air mega-space on one level, with room for more than 1,000 attendees. The Pavilion features 40-foot-tall ceilings and massive windows showing views of San Diego Bay. On the back end of the Pavilion are oversized roll-up doors that open to the View Court, an ample outdoor space next to the water. 2022’s Red Dress Party San Diego theme is “Once Upon a Time!” Embark on a storybook adventure where you’re invited to let loose, celebrate your impact and live happily ever after — if for one night only. Fall into this wonderland of pants-less Prince Charmings, damsels in this dress, mighty heroes in all red, and maybe an evil queen or two. But, if you’re not feeling the fantasy, that’s fine, too. Any red dress or dress-like garment will do — just no pants allowed.

Attendees can expect live entertainment, a DJ, photo booths, on-site HIV testing, and a night of celebration and impact.

Over the past seven years, Red Dress Party San Diego has raised nearly $250,000 for the San Diego HIV/AIDS community. This year, they aim to raise $60,000. Achieving this goal would be their most significant single-year fundraising contribution to date.

reddresspartysd.com

RIVERSIDE’S INLAND EMPIRE PRIDE FESTIVAL

There will be rainbows on Sunday, September 4 at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Riverside for a day of celebration, elevation and reflection. Enjoy performances by unique entertainers, dance to the beat of up-and-coming LGBTQ performers, learn about queer history, and enjoy the company of LGBTQ-oriented organizations, companies and allies. Headlining the festival will be Mayhem Miller, a well-known Inland Empire queen and contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race 10 and All Stars 5. Riverside Pride is a free event for all ages.

riversideprideie.org

TRANS CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES

Join the nation’s premier trans-identified chorus for an inspiring evening of music through song, stories, dance and movement. Trans Chorus of Los Angeles will take you on a day-in-the-life journey in three acts, sharing their own lived experiences of the voyage through struggle to trans joy. The concert will illuminate the journey and power, both visually and vocally, of living the most genuine, highest expression of your 100% authentic self. Voices: The Trans Journey in III Acts will be performed on Saturday, September 17, at Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theatre. transchorusla.org

Step up and step out because AIDS Walk & Run San Diego is back. The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s largest HIV fundraising event will return to its original and fabulous one-day community event. On Saturday, September 24, the event will include an opening ceremony, live musical performances, recognition of top teams and fundraisers, T-shirt distribution, booths spotlighting event sponsors and funding recipients, a remembrance altar, and remarks from community leaders. AIDS Walk & Run San Diego is a way to remember those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS and to raise critically needed money to support services for those impacted by HIV today. To register or to volunteer, go to aidswalksd.org.

LGBTQ Center Orange County will welcome all walks of life to celebrate and support our trans and gender non-conforming community this month. Trans Pride OC 2022 will be back for an in-person celebration on Saturday, September 24 at the Mess Hall at Flight in Tustin. Join The Center for live entertainment, resources, workshops, lawn games and food for purchase at the Mess Hall court. The theme this year is centered around “blossoming” as individuals and communities. lgbtqcenteroc.org

THE DINAH

The Dinah will return to sunny Palm Springs to celebrate its 31st anniversary as the most prominent and biggest annual festival for queer women. It’s scheduled from Wednesday, September 21 through Sunday, September 25. Pulling all the stops, the legendary event has moved to one of Palm Springs’ most iconic hotels, The Margaritaville, formerly The Riviera. The Dinah will continue the legend with a show-stopping all-female entertainment lineup. Headliners will include Fletcher, Haviah Mighty, Cassidy King, IV4, Zolita, IV Jay, Siena Liggins and 1980s music iconic superstar Taylor Dayne. In addition, a palette of talented female pop singers, rising artists and new queer talent will be showcased, all poised to make a major impact in 2022 and beyond.

The Dinah wouldn’t be the same without its epic pool parties. The weekend pool parties will be highlighted with live performances by emerging queer artists Zolita, IV4, Cassidy King and Siena Liggins, who are becoming visible members of the LGBTQ community that younger people can look up to.“These are the galvanizing queer voices to watch long after The Dinah is a wrap. They are part of a new generation of queer young artists who are determined to change the long-held stereotypes of this industry,” said Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of The Dinah. “I’m proud to have put together such an incredible lineup of marquee talent and community icons. We can’t get enough of these exhilarating female artists, and neither will you.”

thedinah.com

BASH FOR THE BARKEES

Barker Laroux’s House of Love Animal Sanctuary and its community of supporters will come together to host a first-ever major fundraiser for the nonprofit on Wednesday, September 21 at PS Underground. Bash for the Barkees will include a divine family-style meal, auction items and fantastic entertainment to raise much-needed money for the animal sanctuary.

Some of Coachella Valley’s most celebrated voices will perform at this evening of generosity and friendship, including Siobhan Velarde, Keisha D, Dion Khan, Brian Scott, Tod Macofsky, Gilmore Rizzo, Robbie Wayne, Bonnie Gilgallon, Jeff Barnett, Leanna & Miguel, Lizzie Grace and Francesca Amari.

“I am so excited about this wonderful opportunity to raise money for Barker LaRoux’s House of Love. Our needs for medical care are always the most pressing, given that we only rescue senior dogs, often in medical crises and most at the end of their lives,” said Carlynne McDonnell, founder and executive director of the animal sanctuary. “Our mission is to provide love and care to abandoned senior dogs at the end of their lives. We are so grateful to the extremely talented Siobhan Velarde for planning this event, the talented artists donating their time, and PS Underground for hosting.”

facebook.com/barkeelaroux