TheStandard_Vol11_Issue11

CELEBRITY

CHEF

JOE SASTO

BRINGING HIS CULINARY FLAIR TO

THE PS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

+ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2023

NOVEMBER 2023 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 11 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

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CONTENTS VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11

theStandardPS.com CELEBRITY

CHEF

JOE SASTO

BRINGING HIS CULINARY FLAIR TO

THE PS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

+ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2023

twitter.com/theStandardPS

NOVEMBER 2023 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 11 THESTANDARDPS.COM @THESTANDARDPS

facebook.com/theStandardPS instagram.com/theStandardPS

ICONIC CULINARIAN, AUTHOR, & ENTREPRENEUR SUSAN FENIGER FOOD & WINE PAGES 22-23

Volume 11 Issue 11 COVER ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST

MUST SEE CULTURE CLUB DARRYL STEPHENS RETURNS

IN DESIGN TIS THE SEASON! EAT, SHOP, BE MERRY, REPEAT.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL FEEL THE URGE SPENDING THANKSGIVING IN MIAMI

FEATURE PS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL SOMETHING TO SINK YOUR TEETH INTO

MUSIC CHER “CHRISTMAS” CHER MAKES OUR HOLIDAY WISHES COME TRUE

FEATURE CHEF JOE SASTO CELEBRITY CHEF COOKS UP SOMETHING SPECIAL NOVEMBER 2023 3

•We are the owners and the managers making it easy for you •We’re for guests who are looking for elegance, privacy, and peace & quiet •We offer all the little extras that make a vacation home special •All homes are pet-friendly, Non-smoking, WiFi enabled and have Smart TVs

W E R EN T PA L M S P R IN GS L U X U RY To Book Directly: 760.209.4311

www.modmansions.com

COMMENTARY The Standard Magazine 400 N Sunrise Way #263 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.831.4869 NINO EILETS Publisher LUCIANO McNULTY Editor MAYA KALABIC Art Director PHOTOGRAPHER David A. Lee CONTRIBUTORS Greg Foster, Jeff Hocker, Gabriel Lozano, Paul Hutnick, Jorge Trevino, Ryan Turrin, Trevor Garrison, Jeff Dorta, Stacy Holmes, Greg Stillwell, Dann Foley, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer

www.thestandardps.com EDITORIAL CREDITS :

BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN, Reuters, NBC News, Artsy, Forbes, Time.com, xtramagazine & ITV The Standard Magazine is published monthly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Standard or its staff, advertisers or readers with exception of editorials.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person, business or organization in articles or advertising in the Standard is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person, business or organization. The Standard disclaims any responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Advertising rates are subject to change without notice. The Standard reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any advertisement for any reason including, but not limited to poor taste. It is the policy of The Standard that we only publish letters to the editor that are signed by the author and verifiable by phone number. We can reserve the right of anonymity upon request. The letters need to be original, in good taste and free of libel as well as edited for clarity and grammar. Letters are subject to editing by The Standard that also reserves the right to decline print. Please forward your letters to: info@thestandardps.com The views expressed is not necessarily those of The Standard. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No portion of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the expressed consent of

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the publisher.

COVER

ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2023

BY GABRIEL LOZANO

Every year we say the same things, “Where has the year gone?” “Is it that time already?” And with the temperatures still spring and summer like, it is difficult to think about hot cocoa, puffy jackets and the holidays. Well, it is that time again and if you are starting to wonder what to get those certain special people in your life, we might be able to help. The Annual Standard Magazine Holiday Gift Guide to the rescue. So, fear not my fellow procrastinators we are here to help you find the perfect gift, weather naughty or nice. And don’t forget to get a little something to put under the tree for yourself.

ETCHED SILICONE RINGS - THE LOVE RING Silicone rings are becoming more and more popular, and Enso Rings offer some of the most stylish and meaningful ones on the market today. To celebrate Pride year-round, Enso’s Pride collection can be bought any day of the year, and a portion of the proceeds are always donated. The donations go directly towards Encircle resource centers which build safe houses for LGBTQ+ youth and families in the US. www.ensorings.com

FROM GAY TO Z: A QUEER COMPENDIUM This coffee table book covers gay culture from A to Z—it’s just as educational as it is entertaining! www.amazon.com

RAINBOW HEMATITE POWER BRACELET If they’re into healing crystals, they’ll love this cute mini rainbow hematite bead bracelet.

Founded by an LGBTQ+ Latinx couple, House of Intuition is all about helping others achieve healing, transformation, empowerment, and personal growth. www.houseofintuitionla.com

HERE FOR THE BURN QUEEN CANDLE Here For The Burn is an LGBTQ+ co-founded company that creates super cheeky candles that smell divine! Once you decide on a phrase your giftee would love, you can pick between five different fragrances. Voila! You have the perfect minimalist1 candle. www.herefortheburn.com

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EYERIS 1 EYE MASSAGER Everyone loves a good back massage, but who knew eyes can hold just as much tension? This product claims to relieve puffiness, dry eyes and dark circles with its two compression modes.

It’s also heated for ultimate relaxation. www.renpho.com

CREATE YOUR OWN REEL VIEWER Encourage them to relive their childhood with this grown-up version of their favorite gadget.

Compile photos of their favorite memories and create their very own reel by using the reel redemption code. If one isn’t enough, you can purchase additional redemption codes for $15. www.Uncommongoods.com

BLUETOOTH KNIT BEANIE Even on the coldest winter days, this Bluetooth-enabled knit keeps them warm while they listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks. Since it connects to their phone, they can also answer phone calls totally hands-free. www.amazon.com

GAYPIN’ PRONOUNS PIN Show your support for the trans and nonbinary community with this pin (a collaboration with Campaign Proper) to show Her/Him/Them that you care. Ten percent of proceeds from this pin go to Campaign Proper. www.gaypinguys.com

THE BOWIE BATH TOWEL Add a touch of Ziggy Stardust to bath or shower time with this Bowie towel. Made of 100 percent organic, ethically sourced cotton, the towel has personality and purpose. The sleek white Wünderweave cotton meets a vivid rainbow loop, perfect for hanging. For every Bowie towel sold year-round, Havly puts an extra $1 toward making towels for shelters offering refuge to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. www.shophavly.com

OURA RING GEN 3 For the man who’s obsessed with tracking his sleep habits, the Oura Ring will be a game changer. The sensors monitor everything from sleep and activity to stress and heart rate.

Bonus: The long-lasting battery means he only has to charge every week or so. www.ouraring.com

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COVER CURATED GIFTING CONCIERGE Let The Stellar Story, a premier curated gifting concierge, help elevate your holiday season with thoughtfully sourced products from women-owned and other minority-owned businesses.

All hand-picked gifts are created with impeccable attention to detail and delivered to your door, allowing you to experience the ease of stress-free shopping while supporting your community. www.thestellarstory.com

FOR THE TRAVELER ON YOU LIST OSTRICHPILLOW GO NECK PILLOW This travel neck pillow is an absolute game-changer. It’s made from a high-density memory foam material and topped with a silky-soft, jersey-like fabric. In our testing, what we loved most about the Go Neck pillow was its 360-degree design that fastens with a Velcro strap to keep your neck from slouching forward or from side to side. It’s easy to carry, too, as the pillow compresses to 60% of its size for easy transport. www.ostrichpillow.com

ANKER POWERCORE SLIM 10000 PORTABLE CHARGER A quality TSA-approved power bank will ensure your favorite traveler’s devices stay fully charged during their travels. This slim but powerful portable power charger can charge an iPhone 12 just more than two times. At just more than $20, this is a great product to ensure any traveler can access hours of music streaming, map-following and much more. www.amazon.com SONY XB-13 This portable and powerful speaker from Sony won the title of the best portable Bluetooth speaker for travel in our testing. Don’t let its compact size fool you — it can produce a great sound. What we love most is that you can pair two XB13 devices together to create a stereo sound. For a traveler, this compact speaker is a no-brainer for throwing in a backpack or carry-on bag before heading off to explore a new destination. www.bestbuy.com

THE PRIDE ATLAS: 500 ICONIC DESTINATIONS FOR QUEER TRAVELERS Any LGBTQ travel lovers in your life will likely have a blast flipping through this photo-filled book by author Maartje Hensen that highlights 500 travel destinations across the globe for queer people. The book includes information on the best Pride parades and film festivals, as well as resources about local laws and cultural attitudes. “It is colorful. It’s loud. It’s proud.

And it’s the perfect coffee table book that doubles for a queer travel guide.

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COVER GLOBAL ENTRY MEMBERSHIP - $100 FOR A 5-YEAR MEMBERSHIP AT CBP Give the gift of ease: Frequent travelers can speed through customs when returning to the US with a Global Entry membership, which also comes with TSA Precheck. Although your favorite traveler has to apply for the membership themself, you can foot the bill by using your credit card to pay for it. The best part? If you have travel credit cards like the Capital One Venture Credit Card, the Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, this “gift” will be fully credited to your statement, as these cards come with a Global Entry fee credit. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry POCKETALK MODEL S REAL-TIME LANGUAGE VOICE TRANSLATOR Traveling internationally and want to feel more comfortable about communicating in the local language? This pocket translator can help with just that. This pocket-size device can translate up to 82 languages and dialects with a speech-to-text display. It can also read signs, menus and written text using the built-in camera. www.amazon.com

JET&BO CASHMERE TRAVEL KIT Make any travel experience (even a middle seat) feel more luxurious with the Jet&Bo Cashmere Travel Set. The pack comes with a soft blanket, sleep mask, socks and a carrying case (all cashmere, of course). The items won’t wrinkle and will get softer with each use. www.jetandbo.com GOPRO HERO11 Iconic design and immersive videos, get incredible highlight videos sent to your phone automatically with the HERO11 Black. Its large image sensor captures more of the scene with higher image quality, letting you instantly share vertical shots to social media. www.gopro.com

AMAZON KINDLE OASIS Traveling readers will appreciate Amazon’s Kindle Oasis, which won the title of best overall e-reader in our testing. It has warm light and page-turning technology that makes a digital reading experience feel (almost) like reading a real book. It’s apt for beach bums and adventure travelers, too, withstanding accidental immersions in the pool or drops in a muddy pond. www.amazon.com

AIRFLY DUO Tired of not being able to watch in-flight movies with your favorite Bluetooth headphones?

Prepare to love the Twelve South AirFly Duo. With a simple setup, this product is a game changer for frequent travelers who want to go totally wireless. www.amazon.com

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FOR THE FOODIE IN YOUR LIFE HEDLEY & BENNETT THE ESSENTIAL APRON - PRIDE Chef’s kiss to this cotton canvas apron—not only is it highly rated by customers, but a portion of sales also benefits the Los Angeles LGBT Center and its Culinary Arts program, which provides culinary training and job placement for the LGBTQ+ community. www.industry.hedleyandbennett.com OONI KARU 12 MULTI-FUEL PIZZA OVEN If they’re into fire, gourmet pizzas or enjoying time in the backyard, an Ooni pizza oven makes an excellent gift. We tried out the Ooni Karu 16 for ourselves and found it to be an extremely simple and delicious way to cook up a pizza. www.ooni.com BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION We named Blue Bottle the best coffee subscription due to its balance of variety, customizability and, most importantly, taste. The flavors are complex and bold, but unmistakably delicious.

Beyond its coffee, Blue Bottle’s subscription is simple and easy to use, with tons of options to tailor to your caffeine needs. www.bluebottlecoffee.com DASH MY PINT ELECTRIC ICE CREAM MAKER For the person who’s got an insatiable sweet tooth, this ice cream maker is easy and fun to use. Plus, at only 1 pint, it makes the perfect amount of ice cream for a movie night. www.amazon.com CROCKPOT CROCKPOTGO ELECTRIC LUNCHBOX With the personal-sized CrockpotGo Electric Lunchbox, a hot home-cooked meal is feasible for anyone at work or even students on-the-go. Made from stainless steel and dishwashersafe, it’s a less wasteful alternative to keeping food in plastic containers. www.crock-pot.com CUISINART VERTICAL WAFFLE MAKER This Cuisinart Mini Belgian Waffle Maker’s unique vertical shape makes it easy to pour the batter inside without making a mess. It also allows them to choose from five levels to get the perfect brownness for the perfect waffle. www.cuisinart.com

THE GOLDEN STATE CAPSULE Make sure their cabinets are fully stocked with delicious olive oils and vinegars with the Golden State Capsule from Brightland. It includes six bottles of the brand’s cold-pressed olive oils and two bottles of their fruit-forward vinegars. It also comes with a stainless-steel spout that makes for smooth pouring. www.brightland.co

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COVER UNLOCK THE WINE ESCAPE ROOM GAME Your next bottle is part of the adventure in a race to find clues, solve puzzles, and crack the code to unlock the vino. www.uncommongoods.com

ARTISAN RAINBOW DUMPLING KIT Make your dumplings dazzle with a unique kit that colors your customized pockets of yum with plant-based dyes. www.uncommongoods.com

SPICEWALLA KITCHEN ESSENTIALS SPICES AND SEASONINGS SET Spice up your loved one’s life with this set of small-batch herbs and seasonings—including kashmiri chili powder, cinnamon powder, smoked paprika, cloves, turmeric, granulated onion, green cardamom, herbs de provence, ground ginger, and more—from James Beardnominated chef and restauranteur Meherwan Irani. www.amazon.com

FLOUR SHOP RAINBOW EXPLOSION CAKE KIT Perfect for the budding pastry chef, this gourmet DIY kit contains premium cake mix, six rainbow-hued coloring gels, cream cheese frosting mix, and colorful candies—basically everything they’ll need to whip up their own version of the Instagram-famous Rainbow Explosion Cake. www.williams-sonoma.com

BUDGET? WHAT BUDGET! IF YOU HAVE TO ASK THE PRICE… LA DOUBLEJ SET OF MURANO WATER GLASSES Hand-blown by artisans in Venice, La DoubleJ’s glasses denote craftsmanship for those who appreciate quality glassware. We love these for special occasions, but they work just as well as a pop of color on the dinner table. www.farfetch.com

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HIGHERDOSE INFRARED SAUNA BLANKET HigherDose is known for being the first brand to introduce infrared saunas and create innovative at-home products. This blanket elevates the body’s thermal temperature for increased circulation, enhanced relaxation, and promotes glowing skin. www.higherdose.com

PAMPER YOUR PET Roberto Cavalli Home embroidered-logo pet bed www.farfetch.com

LAMBORGHINI ORO VINO SPUMANTE WITH GIFT SET For those who appreciate the finer things in life, brut sparkling wine from Ferruccio Lamborghini’s vineyard in Italy is a choice gift—the high-end sports car designer was raised on a grape farm. The set has thousands of five-star ratings and comes with two crystal glasses. https://winebylamborghini.com/products/lamborghini-gold

FABULOUS EAU DE PARFUM Remind someone just how truly fabulous they are with this provocative Tom Ford scent. It’s blended with notes of leather, tonka bean, and sage for a warm, spicy, and decadent lingering scent. The iconic matte-black, black bottle has an architectural look and will be a cheeky addition to any vanity. www.farfetch.com

NOW HEAR THIS Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 wireless speaker www.farfetch.com

ADVENT CALENDAR Exclusively manufactured by Porsche Design, the million-dollar, Advent Calendar is 1.75 meters in height and features 24 windows offering owners luxurious surprises such as a Porsche Design Indicator Chronograph watch in rose gold, a designer kitchen, and an 8.5 meter speedboat. A pair of gold sunglasses, cufflinks, and running shoes were also added to the calendar. There were only seven created worldwide.

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NOVEMBER 2023 15

INDESIGN TIS THE SEASON! EAT, SHOP, BE MERRY, REPEAT.

BY DANN FOLEY I cannot properly put into words how much I love the holiday season. For me I start getting that feeling in mid-September, even though we are still in the 100+ degree range in the Valley, I start itching for anything pumpkin! That is the start of the holiday season in my book. Of course, it all starts with Halloween, then on to Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and the culmination of it all…Christmas!

Each holiday season here in the pages of The Standard I offer you my favorite go-to stops, shops and restaurants to help you have the happiest, cheeriest and most fun filled, gift giving successful time of the year. This year is no different but, it comes with a twist…I am also going to help you decorate, wrap, give and host your best Christmas yet.

Let’s begin with my yearly favorite of the Holiday Guide, I am going to show you how to wrap the perfect most beautiful packages, with the most perfectly beautiful bows. I promise you that they will look so good, it almost won’t matter what is inside. Yours will be the presents under the tree that everyone wants to talk about, and you will hear things like, “It’s just too beautiful to open!” It really is simple. Go to https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ query=dann+foley+gift+wrapping There you will find my video for gift wrapping and bow making. Every year about this time, even I go back for a refresher…from me.

Now that I have you covered on how to wrap, let’s get on to the events, dinners, parties and shopping. Being an interior designer myself, I love to give beautiful items for the home. One of my favorites is Grace Home in Palm Springs, www.gracehomefurnishings.com They are a gorgeous and inspirational home store (with convenient private parking right in back) and they are found at 1001 N. Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of the Design District. They have everything for the home and price points for every person on your gift list. There are accessories, pillows, art, bar ware, coffee table books, throws, etc. Of course, you can also find furnishings and lighting for every room of the home. Do what I do and just spend time circling through store, with every pass you will find something new and eye catching.

Just Fabulous is a Palm Springs icon, located on the corner of Palm Canyon and Alejo Drives. www.bjustfabulous.com 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive at the start of the Design District. There you will find fabulous, everything! Tree ornaments, cards, candles, t-shirts, stocking

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stuffers, Palm Springs framed art and the very best selection of art and design books in the Valley to display in your home. It is truly a fabulous stop every time I go. It is my go-to place for that quick, fun or cheeky hostess gift for those last-minute holiday party invitations we all seem to get.

If outdoor gifts are more your thing, then I always recommend, Running Wild on Palm Canyon Drive. Located at 180 N. Palm Canyon Drive is an owner operated emporium for the runner/hiker. It is always my first stop when I need a new pair of running shoes or just cool sneakers to make a suit more modern. I simply won’t buy workout socks anywhere else because Dan (the owner) has the highest quality and most fun colors/styles of socks anywhere. They also have apparel and all those fun (and mandatory) small items for the professional runner that make great stocking stuffers. Check them out and get something for yourself while you are at it.

If I have not covered everyone on your list for you yet, then let me share with you a very special spot, on Palm Canyon Drive, also in the Design District. Flannery Exchange, at 750 N. Palm Canyon Drive, This beautifully reconceived bank building was saved from years of dilapidation and transformed into a go-to spot for shopping, socializing, work and even roof-top yoga. On the ground floor you will find a coffee café with seating indoors or lounge seating right on Palm Canyon to do some people watching. Keep wandering because you will find little specialty shops, galleries, foodie gift boutiques and more. This is a place where you can find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts, while refreshing and rejuvenating yourself for all those evening holiday soiree’s you will be attending.

Whether you are hosting that party or attending as a guest, a gift of food is always welcome, especially if it is fabulously presented. I have mentioned them before but, they bare repeating, Cake & Cakes of Palm Springs. www.cake-cakes.com There motto is, “Escape the Ordinary” and they are not kidding. Do yourself a favor and go to their website, it is divided by season. In this case go to fall and winter (the acorn & snowflake icons) and just peruse the offerings you can serve at home or take with you to make an entrance. From the Winter Cheesecake (don’t think traditional cheesecake AT ALL), to the winter lemons, to the “reimagined” fruit cake and the meringue Bouche Noel. You will be amazed and stunned by the presentation and blown away by the flavors and seasonal ingredients that they

JUST FABULOUS

RUNNING WILD

FLANNERY EXCHANGE

CAKE & CAKES OF PALM SPRINGS

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INDESIGN

GARO JEWELERS

REFORMA

GIFT WRAPPING BY DANN

combine into their specialty offerings. There are “simple offerings” too, try the pumpkin bread with brown sugar and rosemary streusel and the foliage pumpkin pie, topped with a hybrid of individually sweetened fall leaves.

Drive. www.reformaps.com. Lunch or dinner is always a treat or sit at the bar to eat and drink to your holiday heart’s content. Then, if you are up for it, the dance club attached to the restaurants opens in the evenings, just in time to work off the amazing food and cocktails served to you in their dining room.

Need a gift of sparkle to dazzle? My favorite in Palm Springs is the family owned, Garo Jewelers. Located at 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive in the Smoke Tree Village shopping center, you will find a beautiful and unique selection of gems, estate pieces and casual items for all tastes and budgets. This is the jewelry store you to go to when you want more than just a salesperson. They know gems, jewels and watches because they are experienced, knowledgeable, passionate and they love their job. Don’t forget to bring along your repairs and watches that need batteries. They do it all at Garo!

If after all this shopping and party going, you are looking for a beautiful meal, in an establishment with a knowledgeable staff and terrific service, then go no further than Reforma. 333 S. Palm Canyon

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I wish you all the happiest of holidays and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year!

Live Well, Designer Dann Foley & Stinnette Interior Design

Dann@FoleyStinnette.com Designer Dann: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest & Houzz

REVIVALS. RE-LOVE THE PRE-LOVED ™

The Valley’s Best Thrift Store revivalsstores.com

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FEATURE PALM SPRINGS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

BY JEFF HOCKER

The wildly anticipated return of the Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, November 11 & 12 at the Palm Springs Stadium Pavilion (1901 East Baristo Road). 40 acclaimed restaurants, 80 boutique wineries, tastings, sippings, pairings, live music (Jazzgrass) and demonstrations by celebrity chefs will all come together for a truly international celebration of cuisine and community.

The event is a benefit for the Fellows Program of the Culinary Institute of America, Les Dames D’Escoffier and DAP Health. Special guest emcee for the weekend is Emmy® Award winner Liam Mayclem, known to legions of San Francisco Bay Area fans as “The Foodie Chap” along with Patrick Evans, Emmy® Award winners Bianca Rae, Peter Daut and Sandie Newton of KESQ News Channel 3.

Local favorites Nona Watson and Steven Henke will also seamlessly guide the demonstrations. Tickets may be purchased online at www.

PalmSpringsFoodandWine.org.

“Palm Springs has become an incredible culinary destination,” said Jeff Hocker, event executive producer. “Palm Springs chefowned restaurants bring a hip, innovative and mid-century bohemian taste sensation to the destination. And, unlike so many festivals, the Palm Springs Food and Fine Festival promises unlimited free parking, no fees on tickets and an easy going, casual vibe typical of this Desert Oasis.”

Attendees will engage with celebrity chef demonstrations from Martin Yan of “Yan Can Cook,” Susan Feniger of “Two Hot Tamales” and her new Palm Springs restaurant Alice B’s, Tanya Holland of “Tanya’s Kitchen Table” on the OWN Network, Chef Rogilio Garcia from Michelin Restaurant Auro, chefs Michael Chung and Andre

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Carthen of Kathy Ireland Worldwide and Food Network and Bravo TV celebrity chef Joe Sasto plus a growing roster of incredible culinary masters.

Additionally, expert panels will be led by Shelley Lindgren, founder of San Francisco’s acclaimed restaurant A16, award winning sommelier Katie Finn of the Desert Wine Shop, and astronaut-turnedvintner José M. Hernández. Grape Encounters host David Wilson will be onsite doing interviews for his world renown podcast, based in Italy.

The Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival would not be possible without the support of The City of Palm Springs, Sotheby’s International Realty, Maker’s Mark, Prime Time Produce, Basil Hayden, Stolzle Lausitz, Chill Bar & Reforma, Kevin Crockett Law Group, Town Real Estate & Stars Travel, Sun Community Federal Credit Union, AAA, Costco Wholesale, Palm Springs Disposal, Team McTavish, Gravitas Wine Company, Kerry Hendrix & Eric Flora Capstone Partners, Hotel Zoso, 420 Bank Dispensary & Lounge, Jägermeister, Bright Event Rental, Mike Thompson RV Super Stores, Phyllis Eisenberg and more.

Media Partners for the Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival include: Los Angeles Magazine, KCBS Radio, KESQ News Channel 3, GED Magazine and Metrosource, Spectrum News, Grape Encounters, MeTV Radio 103.1 FM, KGAY 106.5 FM, David Perry & Associates, Inc, Kathleen Bennett - Resort Marketing, Desert Charities News, CV Independent, Desert Sun, Marker Broadcasting, Alpha Media, The Standard Magazine, Desert Business Association and Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

For more information visit www.palmspringsfoodandwine.org

CHEF JOE SASTO

From a very young age, Joe Sasto knew that he wanted to be a Chef. Sasto’s mother had always recognized his talent, passion, and love of the culinary arts. Learning to cook by his mother’s side, Joe became ignited when in the kitchen. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Davis, Sasto dove headfirst into the culinary and restaurant industry, training under some of the Bay Area’s most respected and honorable Chefs. After traveling through Europe, Sasto brought his inspiration to Quince Restaurant. It was at Quince in San Francisco where Sasto’s passion for pasta truly began. Under Chef Michael Tusk, Sasto was trusted to manage the handmade pasta program, learning the traditions and roots from one of the world’s most celebrated, Italian-influenced chefs. Later, during his time as Executive Sous Chef at Lazy Bear in San Francisco, Sasto maintained his strong, cultivated relationships with local farmers, showcasing the beautiful produce of California.

A natural leader, Sasto quickly became recognized for his abilities, respectfully contributing to the rise of restaurants such as twoMichelin starred Lazy Bear, and three-Michelin starred Quince. A very driven Chef, Sasto has opened restaurants as Executive Chef in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.

In 2017, Sasto began focusing on pursing the goal of opening his own restaurant, traveling the country hosting private events, finedining dinner parties, pasta classes, and pop-up feasts. When the global pandemic began in March 2020, Sasto ceased travel and pivoted. Chef Joe started to virtually teach both public and private livestream pasta lessons weekly, consulting with brands, curating food-focused content, and developing recipes, all while garnering a strong social media following. Sasto excelled due to his passion for food, as well as his ability to connect with others through music, his personality, and an approachable culinary lens.

Recently, Sasto launched his limited production and highly coveted focaccia popup, Luna Focacceria. Chef Joe also developed a high-end customizable pasta and pizza tool line with well-known knife maker and blacksmith Doghouse Forge. Sasto is currently set to release a puffed pasta snack line, entitled Tantos, and is working on his first cookbook. You may recognize Chef Joe from networks such as The Food Network and Bravo, have seen his win on The Food Network’s “Chopped”, and has seen him compete on NBC’s Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. Joe was recently featured in Food Network’s inaugural “Hot List” 2022.

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FEATURE ICONIC CULINARIAN, AUTHOR, & ENTREPRENEUR SUSAN FENIGER Susan Feniger may be best known for her Modern Mexican concept, Border Grill restaurants, trucks, and catering, which she runs with her business partner of more than 40 years, Mary Sue Milliken.

Now with locations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, Border Grill continues to serve street food-inspired regional Mexican cuisine with a commitment to sustainability and the best quality ingredients.

In 2018, Feniger and Milliken debuted BBQ Mexicana, a fast casual eatery now with four locations in Las Vegas; in late 2019 the chefs opened Socalo, a California canteen and Mexican Pub serving seasonal SoCal Mexican fare in Santa Monica; and most recently the duo launched Pacha Mamas, featuring seared skewers a la plancha and freshly composed ceviche, at Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena. Later this year, the duo will open two new restaurants, a fifth BBQ Mexicana location in Las Vegas plus a new restaurant at Living Out, an LGBTQ+ active senior community in Palm Springs, called Alice B. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, she made a groundbreaking move in joining the nearly all-male kitchen at Chicago’s Le Perroquet, serendipitously meeting the only other woman in the kitchen—Mary Sue Milliken.

Feniger and Milliken brought their innovative approaches to The Food Network with nearly 400 episodes of the “Too Hot Tamales” and “Tamales World Tour” series. They also were the original co-hosts of the popular food-centric radio show, KCRW’s “Good Food,” in L.A. Susan has co-authored six cookbooks, including Susan Feniger’s Street Food and competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” in 2010.

In 2018, Feniger and Milliken were named the recipients of the fourth annual Julia Child Award from The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, marking the first women to be honored. The distinction complements additional accolades, including the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Restaurant Association in 2013; earned induction into Menu Masters Hall of Fame in 2014; and the 2018 Gold Award from the Los Angeles Times for culinary excellence and innovation in Southern California.

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After working for Wolfgang Puck at Ma Maison in L.A., Feniger went to the French Riviera to further hone her skills and returned to open City Café with Milliken in 1981, forever changing L.A.’s culinary landscape by introducing eclectic dishes from around the world. That evolved into the larger CITY Restaurant in 1985—and the introduction of Border Grill as a simple spot for authentic home cooking and street foods of Mexico informed by the duo’s treks through the country. A James Beard Award that same year confirmed their impact on the nation’s cuisine.

Feniger is an active member of the community, and currently sits on the boards of the Scleroderma Research Foundation, Los Angeles LGBT Center, and L.A. Tourism & Convention Board; works closely with Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, Share Our Strength, and Human Rights Campaign; and co-founded Chefs Collaborative.

CONVERSATION WITH THE CHEF

BY GREG FOSTER What was the impetus for you to choose cooking as a career, and when did you know that this was the path you were going to take?

My mom was a great cook. She tasted all the time, re-seasoned, then taste again! The key I think to being a good cook! When I was in my first year of college studying economics, I was working in a kitchen doing prep, dish etc! I LOVED it and the head cook/ chef said, “why are you studying economics?” and he was right! I convinced my econ professor to let me do my last year of college at the CIA! How long have you and Mary Sue Milliken been partners and how did you meet?

Since 1981! We first met in Chicago at Le Perroquet, an incredible French restaurant, as the first women ever to work in the prestigious kitchen! I went on to California to work with Wolfgang Puck at Ma Maison. We met again in France where Milliken worked at Restaurant d’Olympe in Paris, and I was at L’Oasis, a three-star restaurant on the French Riviera. We knew then we would work together some day.

Tell us a little about working in a mostly male dominate environment when you first started out.

I never minded. I was a tomboy, also I think being Out as a lesbian gave me a certain “pass”! For sure I got paid less than the guys… but my focus was learn all I could… knowing my goal was to open my own place so it was get as much experience as I could!

Why did you choose Mexican Cuisine to be the focus of your cooking?

I worked with so many guys from Mexico for years. They made some incredible staff meals, and I thought you cannot find this food anywhere!!! Let’s do that! It was let’s do a taco stand or a Japanese noodle house! Taco stand won out!!!

What was your experience like working on The Food Network?

FUN, educational, first time I work makeup, easy only a 14-hour day, done by 6 and the went out at night to party in NYC!!! So fun and cool!

You have been awarded many culinary accolades, which one means the most to you?

FOR SURE the Julia Child Award from the Smithsonian Museum!

The dinner honoring us was surreal! Having an exhibit next to Julia’s kitchen permanently is the absolute highlight! She was amazing!!!

Your latest endeavor will be opening a restaurant in Palm Springs at Living Out, an LGBTQ+ active senior community. Why did you choose Palm Springs?

A friend of mine was opening this high-end apartment complex to create a community where LGBTQ adults could celebrate their lives in a safe environment . He wanted us to create a restaurant open to the public with someone from our community… I LOVED the idea.

In addition to the Palm Springs restaurant, what’s next for you?

We are also opening another Vegas location called BBQ MEXICANA – a quick casual eatery with a drive thru! That’s opening December too! Also, we bought a building for our commissary where we do 25000+ meals a week for those who are food insecure.

If you have any, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I love politics, theater, JAZZ, giving back to my community!

NOVEMBER 2023 23

O U T S TA N D I N G I N T H E I N L A N D E M P I R E !

#1 Regional Hospital

plus quality awards in 20 specialties.

On behalf of Eisenhower Medical Center, we say thank you. To U.S. News & World Report, for the honor and recognition. To our care teams, for their drive and dedication. And to all of you in our wonderful community who choose us for their care. Besides being ranked as the Inland Empire’s Best Regional Hospital and ranked as the 12th Best Hospital in California, we were recognized for high quality care in the following categories: • Aortic Valve Surgery

• Heart Failure

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary • Disease (COPD) • • Colon Cancer Surgery • • Diabetes • • Geriatrics • • Heart Attack • Heart Bypass Surgery

• Neurology & Neurosurgery

Hip Fracture

• Orthopedics

Hip Replacement

• Pneumonia

Kidney Failure

• Prostate Cancer Surgery

Knee Replacement

• Spinal Fusion

Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma

• Stroke

• Lung Cancer Surgery

In the coming year, we pledge to keep doing our best to be the best, delivering compassionate, high-quality, leading edge care to the Coachella Valley. Thank you, one and all. You are, and always will be, our inspiration to reach new heights.

Learn more about our accreditations and recognitions at EisenhowerHealth.org/Awards

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NOVEMBER 2023 25

MUST SEE CULTURE CLUB

BY PAUL HUTNICK

Darryl Stephens returns as ‘One of the Boys’ in the sequel to the groundbreaking Gay classic.

Boy Culture was a landmark in queer cinema. Released in 2006, it told the story of a male escort and his two roommates in Seattle as they navigated love, sex, and complicated relationships. The film was celebrated for its candid portrayal of queer life, offering a nuanced and authentic narrative that resonated with many.

Now, nearly two decades later, Darryl Stephens returns to reprise the character for the film’s long-awaited sequel, Boy Culture: Generation X. The new film aims to capture the essence of the original while exploring the new challenges gay men face in a changing world.

We spoke with Darryl Stephens from his home in Los Angeles, where he expressed his gratitude in taking on the role again, for the opportunity it offered in continuing the conversation around queer representation, love, and acceptance in today’s society.

You’ve starred in Noah’s Arc, Another Gay Movie, Circuit, Boy Culture, and now Boy Culture: Generation X. Are you the king of gay cinema?

DARRYL STEPHENS: I’m sure some white dude has already laid claim to that title, but I do get around. Or I did back in the day. I think back then, a lot of gay actors were worried that doing gay projects would limit their access to non-gay roles in mainstream projects, whereas I saw each project as an opportunity to work and be seen.

Even if gay indie films were the only gigs I was getting, the roles I was playing were so varied! It was a helluva time!

How has gay cinema evolved over the last twenty years?

It seems like “gay” has gotten “queerer” in cinema and our stories are moving past “blond boy meets brunette boy” to include characters who are trans and gender expansive and from cultures of the global majority. We’re exploring more complicated and nuanced characters as well. Melodramatic coming out stories have made way for comedies about high school lesbians who start all-girl fight clubs to bag cheerleaders. I think we’ve firmly established that “we’re here and we’re queer” and now we’re finally getting to explore the messiness of what being queer in the world right now actually entails.

And we’re getting to see queer characters who are empowered and exercising their agency instead of victims and tragic closet cases.

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Would you say audiences have changed? Or perhaps what viewers want from gay cinema has changed?

Audiences have evolved along with the culture itself. Queer kids today are standing up in the face of conservatives and making it clear that they are no longer interested in conforming to the patriarchal white cis heteronormative bullshit we’ve all been stuck in.

And hopefully, cinema is reflecting that as well. I think it’s important to note that for a long time, for a gay film to be successful, there was an expectation that someone would be naked and having graphic gay sex. Now, with the internet and the countless porn sites at our fingertips at all times, gay films no longer carry the burden of providing that singular glimpse into our sex lives. So now we have more space to explore our emotional lives in film.

The new film is even more diverse than the first and talks a lot more about race.

Well, the first film took place in Seattle, which at the time felt very white. Director Allan Brocka insisted on making my character black, even though he was a corn-fed white boy in the book. Allan’s always been about pushing the envelope and expanding the aperture of gay cinema to include more diverse characters. But he and Matthew Rettenmund (author of the book and co-writer of the new film) were very intentional this time about discussing race, and more specifically, the blind spots inherent in interracial relationships.

I think both writers probably have insights into how challenging it is to navigate conversations around race in an intimate context and it really makes for original and bold storytelling.

Is It why you decided to be a part of Boy Culture: Generation X? Quite honestly, I was excited to work with Allan again. As a

director, he pulls something out of me that I rarely get to explore in my work. Andrew’s very thoughtful and a lot of what he’s experiencing is in his head. He’s not the funny one or the sassy one.

He’s the thoughtful one. He’s the one who is struggling to figure out what he wants to do with his life. And Allan gives me space to find that quiet uncertainty.

Was it easy to jump back into the role of Andrew?

Most of my scenes are with Derek Magyar, so Andrew came naturally. I feel very lucky that Derek was able to do this project because he initially had a scheduling conflict and they thought they would have to recast the role. Fortunately, it all worked out because working with him all those years ago, we’d created a shorthand and a real appreciation for what the other actor was bringing.

When we last saw Andrew in the first Boy Culture movie, he and Magyar’s character, X, were together at last. Where is Andrew ten years later in Boy Culture: Generation X? Well, they’ve broken up but they’re still living together in LA. X has decided after all this time to return to sex work just as Andrew is realizing he has no idea who he is or what he wants. It’s that late 30s existential crisis of “am I just my job or is there more to me than this?”

Who is to blame for the predicament in which Andrew and X find themselves?

X apparently broke up with Andrew, but by the time this story begins, the details of the breakup aren’t really the focus. They’re trying to navigate living together as their lives take them in different directions.

NOVEMBER 2023 27

MUST SEE Newcomer Jason Caceres joins the BC mix as Chayce. What was it like working with him?

Jason is a delight. Truly. He’s got killer comedic timing, and he knows exactly what he’s doing on set. He seems young but he’s a pro.

Does Chayce represent the new gay? It’s crazy to realize that the first movie came out before Grindr!

Chayce represents A new gay. In many ways, he could just as easily be a straight guy teaching X how to monetize sex in the digital age, because if you look at who is dominating sites like OnlyFans, it’s straight dudes who have learned how to market their bodies to gay men. Kids these days, I’ll tell ya...

Sex work has also changed so much in the last few years.

The shroud of mystery that X used to his advantage during the first film isn’t what sells these days. Now, everyone is selling sex.

During the pandemic, actors and fashion models had to pay their bills somehow. Suddenly everyone was naked on the internet.

What’s next for you, Darryl?

Kyle Puccia and I have written a pilot that we’re producing this winter. It’s a coming of age comedy about a trans athlete finding his tribe in a new school. As you know, Hollywood has been rocked by labor strikes these past few months and we’ve all had to confront the reality of what streamer and studio execs think of the artists that keep the industry going. It’s been disheartening, to say the least. A few streamers have also recently been canceling queer shows and then taking them down so viewers can’t even revisit the series. It has all really highlighted the need for production companies that value our work and our stories. So that’s what I’m working on. Telling stories and creating platforms that allow us to see ourselves. You know, changing the world type stuff.

Boy Culture: Generation X is available for TVOD rental across numerous platforms including Apple, Amazon, Google.

For more information, visit www.dekkoo.com.

Brilliant design for every lifestyle.

Your personality, our expertise.

760.322.2268 foleystinnette.com

28 THESTANDARDPS.COM

Michael Childers P R E S E N T S

ONE NIGHT ONLY The

Wednesday

GOLDEN AGE

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 6PM

1950 - 1970

B E N E F I T I N G

Directed by

Musical Direction by

SCOTT COULTER

TODD SCHROEDER

Choreography by JONATHAN SHARP

Honorary Co-Chairs

HELENE GALEN GARRY KIEF & BARRY MANILOW HAROLD MATZNER STEVE TOBIN & JOHNNY KRUPA

Event Co-Chairs

BARBARA FROMM TERRI KETOVER

STARRING* KLEA BLACKHURST DEBBY BOONE CAROLE J. BUFFORD SCOTT COULTER JULIE GARNYE` ALEX GETLIN JASON GRAAE DEBBIE GRAVITTE JESSICA HENDY CLINT HOLMES NICOLAS KING TAMIKA LAWRENCE AARON LAZAR DANIEL LECLAIRE CHRIS MANN LESLI MARGHERITA ANTHONY MURPHY VALARIE PETTIFORD KELLI RABKE JONATHAN SHARP GARY SHAW SETH SIKES JAMES SNYDER BILLY STRITCH JENNIFER LEIGH WARREN NITA WHITAKER NICKERSON-ROSSI DANCE *APPEARANCES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (760) 773-1636 E L PA S E O

JEWELERS

WESTERN WIND

FO U NDAT IO N

NOVEMBER 2023 29

TICKETS $85, $105 & $195 ON SALE AT WWW.MCCALLUMTHEATRE.COM

FEATURE “ONE NIGHT ONLY” RETURNS FOR ITS 17TH YEAR TO BENEFIT BARBARA SINATRA CHILDREN’S CENTER

BY JEFF HOCKER

Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center announces the return of “One Night Only” for the 17th year at the McCallum Theatre produced

by Michael Childers with returning director Scott Coulter and musical director Todd Schroeder along with choreographer Jonathan Sharp.

This year’s theme is “Las Vegas: The Golden Age, 1950-1970.”

“One Night Only” is being held Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the beautiful McCallum Theatre. Tickets are $85, $105, and $195 and are on sale now and can be purchased through the box office at www.McCallumtheatre.com or call 760340-2787. Premium theatre seats including the VIP dinner are available only through sponsorships and a limited number are still available. Contact the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center directly by calling Laura Rogers at 760-773-1636.

“On behalf of the children that we serve, both here in the Coachella Valley with treatment, and globally through our child abuse awareness and prevention program, I want to thank Michael Childers, the Honorary Chairs, the Sponsors and of course the performers and production staff for what is going to be another blockbuster “One Night Only” at the McCallum Theatre. The generosity of all is allowing the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center to continue to provide our necessary services,” said John E. Thoresen, Director/Executive Officer, Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

Much of the success of “One Night Only” is attributed to the continued dedication of the honorary co-chairs: Helene Galen, Garry Kief and Barry Manilow, Harold Matzner, and Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa and event co-chairs Barbara Fromm and Terri Ketover.

Legendary singers and actors/actresses along with Tony® Award winners and nominees have always been a part of “One Night Only” and this year, continues the legacy.

Patrons will take a step back in time for “Las Vegas: The Golden Age, 1950-1970” starring Debby Boone, Clint Holmes, Klea Blackhurst, Billy Stritch, Carole J. Bufford, Jason Graae, Valarie

30 THESTANDARDPS.COM

Pettiford, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Nita Whitaker, Seth Sikes, Nicholas King, Kelli Rabke, Gary Shaw, Scott Coulter, Julie Garnye’, Alex Getlin, Tamika Lawrence, Aaron Lazar, Debbie Gravitte, Jessica Hendy, Daniel LeClaire, Chris Mann, Lesli Margherita, Anthony Murphy, Jonathan Sharp, James Snyder and Nickerson-Rossi Dance.

(Acts scheduled at time of printing) “When the guys persuaded me to present Las Vegas, I said I’d do it, but only if I can do my favorite period of Vegas, the 1950s and 1960s – Classic Las Vegas, before 1970. There were so many great talents in the world of entertainment then, some of which are showcased tonight,” commented Michael Childers, Producer “One Night Only.”

“This is always a glorious night every year. So much talent, on one stage, in one show. You’ll see all of the glitz and glamor from that era in Las Vegas. All to support Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center,” said Debby Boone.

Founded in 1986 by Barbara and Frank Sinatra, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, located on the internationally acclaimed Eisenhower Health campus in Rancho Mirage, California, is dedicated to ensuring every child’s right to a normal, healthy and secure childhood.

For more information visit www.barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org

PHOTOS IN ORDER: DEBBIE BOONE, CLINT HOLMES, BILLY STRITCH, NITA WHITAKER, KELLI RABKE, TAMIKA LAWRENCE, DEBBIE GRAVITTE, DANIEL LECLAIRE AND ANTHONY MURPHY

NOVEMBER 2023 31

FEATURE NICOLAS KING-ONE NIGHT ONLY From TV to Broadway, Nicolas King brings his many years of performing excellence to the One Night Only stage.

Nicolas King has been performing since he was 4 years old.

Having been in 3 Broadway productions before the age of 12 is no small feat. Aside from appearing opposite Tom Selleck in “A Thousand Clowns”, and Carol Burnett’s “Hollywood Arms” directed

by Hal Prince, he was Broadway’s longest running Chip in Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast”. King has also appeared in dozens of national TV commercials, including award winning ‘Oscar Mayer Lunchables’ commercial. On TV, King has appeared on “The View”, “The Today Show”, “Sally Jesse Raphael”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “Liza & David”, and twice on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno (including Leno’s final week as host in 2014).

His latest album, “Act One - Celebrating 25 Years of Recordings”, released in 2021 with Club 44 Records, features collaborations with Jane Monheit, Norm Lewis, hit-maker Charles Calello, and longtime musical director Mike Renzi. He performed on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for 8 consecutive years live in Las Vegas, originated the voice of “Oscar” on Discovery Kids’ “Kenny The Shark” and is the recipient of the 1995 and 1996 Talent America Award, 2010 Julie Wilson Award, 2015 AMG Award for Artist of the Year, the 2012 Bistro Award for ‘Outstanding Performer of the Year’, the 2019 Legends Award for his contribution to the preservation of the Great American Songbook, and the 2020 BroadwayWorld Award for Best Swing Act. Nicolas has worked, performed and collaborated alongside artists as Neil Simon, Andrea McArdle, Jack Jones, Lainie Kazan, Donna McKechnie, Faith Prince, Billy Paul, Jane Monheit and Linda Lavin among many others. He performed alongside his mentor, the legendary Liza Minnelli, starring when he was 11 years old as her opening act from 2002-2012, touring all over the country. King has

performed concerts from Las Vegas to London, and on many iconic stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Birdland, Ronnie Scott’s, 54 Below, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and aboard Silversea and Crystal Cruises.

SETH SIKES The New York Times called cabaret singer Seth Sikes “A hit with audiences and critics alike.”

He regularly performs his old-fashioned nightclub acts with a full band for sold-out houses at Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York. Recently, Sikes has been touring the country with Nicolas King in their duo show, The New Belters. His debut show, Seth Sikes Sings Judy Garland, was awarded Broadway World’s Best Tribute Show Award. He has performed tributes to Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, and Barbra Streisand. He is also the Associate Director of The Band’s Visit (Broadway and National Tour) and many other productions. During the pandemic, Sikes created a series of viral music video parodies set on Fire Island. He was the recipient of the 2022 Broadway World Award.

32 THESTANDARDPS.COM

GETTING TO KNOW NICOLAS KING

BY PRESTON WEST

Has Broadway always been your first love?

I saw Rebecca Luker in The Sound Of Music when I was 7 years old and caught the Broadway bug right away. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait too long, I got my first job on Broadway when I was 8 ½ years old in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and I suppose you could say the love affair began around then. I’ve been hooked ever since!

While I’ve ventured out into jazz and pop as I’ve gotten older, I will always come back to Broadway as being what shaped me early on.

You have been in the business for most of your life, has your taste in music changed or has it remained the same?

I’ve always liked what I’ve liked- I’m not closed minded, mind you. But I feel like Quincy Jones who said there are only two types of music- good music, and the other kind. So, I’m always open to hearing new styles or approaches on songs. But my love has always lied with a song that tells a great story.

You have collaborated with many artists throughout the years, who can you say was your favorite?

Liza Minnelli became my mentor and director when I was 11, and truly has been the biggest influence on me. But I scan back through the years, and I think about Carol Burnett, Veronica Swift, Jane Monheit, Billy Stritch, Hal Prince, Neil Simon, Norm Lewis- I can’t pick a favorite- they’ve all taught me something very different and incredibly valuable. Lately I’ve been working with Seth Sikes who really knocks my socks off- he’s so passionate and respectful about the music that I (and we) love and working and touring with him this last year feels like we’re two kids running crazy in a candy store.

It’s wildly fun.

off stage, is something most people don’t realize about her. She gives 110% to everything she does, and makes you believe you’re 12 feet tall when she believes in you. I couldn’t adore a person more.

What are you working on now?

Seth Sikes and I are working on a new iteration of our act for next year (I won’t give away any surprises, but it’s got us both very excited), and I have a couple ideas for a theme show I’m working on for next year. I’m also very excited to be appearing in the first ever production of Follies in Las Vegas this spring. You know how it is, you throw 83 pieces of linguine on the wall, and hope a few of them stick!

Speaking of collaborations, who would you like to work with that you have yet to work with and why?

I’d love to work with Jamie Cullum, he’s so innovative and daring and musical, I think we’d click well. Also, Barbra Streisand, because… well, does that need to be explained?

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would that be and why?

I wouldn’t change a thing. Every single career choice led me to who I am today. I’m a huge believer in practicing gratitude.

What was it like to open and tour with Liza Minelli?

It was an education I could never duplicate! She is the consummate professional, down to her core and to every tiny detail.

Her passion and curiosity are infectious, and her generosity, on and

You will be performing in One Night Only in Palm Springs this November, what are you most excited about the show?

When it’s over, and all us singers can relax with the open bar at the afterparty!

NOVEMBER 2023 33

2023-24 EVENTS

DATE

EVENT

Nov 2

2023 HUMP! Film Festival

Nov 3

Small Business EXPO 2023

Nov 3

Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza & Museum Opening

Nov 3 - 5

Arenas District Party w/KGAY 106.5 & White Party Global

Nov 3 - 5

Palm Springs Pride (Parade Sunday 10 AM)

Nov 4

Gay Pride Ladies Dance Party

Nov 4

HRC Palm Springs Garden Party

Nov 4

Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk 2023

Nov 4

White Party Global presents Saturday Night Fever

Nov 4

Flagging in the Desert @ Ruth Hardy Park

Nov 4 - 5

Rancho Mirage Festival of the Arts & Jazz Under the Stars

Nov 4 - 12

Fields of Valor 2023 Veteran's Park

Nov 8

Michael Childers' One Night Only

Nov 9

Gimme Shelter Luncheon 2023

Nov 10

Hanson House Foundation 20th Anniversary Gala

Nov 10

Guide Dogs of the Desert An All - American Fundraiser

Nov 11

Brothers of the Desert Annual Wellness Summit

Nov 11

Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade 2023

Nov 11

Feel Good Festival

Nov 11 - 12

Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival

Nov 12

EQCA Equality Awards Palm Springs

Nov 12

ONE - PS Lip Sync Battle

Nov 13

A Night to Remember 2023 CC Senior Center

Nov 14

Palm Springs Chamber - November Mixer

Nov 15

3rd Wednesday Speaker Series: AIDS Memorial Quilt

Nov 16

PS Animal Shelter's Paws and Claws Pawty

Nov 16 - 19

La Quinta Art Celebration ENCORE 2023

Nov 17 - 18

Music in Motion / Desert Winds Freedom Band

Nov 17 - 19

McCormick's 75th Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction

Nov 17 - 19

Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon & Food Truck Festival

Nov 19

The L - Fund Annual Golf Tournament 2023

Nov 20

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Nov 24 - 26

The Cher Show @ The McCallum

Dec 2

Toy Drive & Fundraiser benefitting The Laurel Foundation

Dec 2

31st Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade

Dec 3

14th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show

34 THESTANDARDPS.COM

Your Insiders Guide To All Things LGBTQ+ In The Coachella Valley!

GayDesertGuide.LGBT KGAYPalmSprings.com

PSP FOCUS >> DAP HEALTH UNVEILS COACHELLA VALLEY’S FIRST FREE HARM REDUCTION VENDING MACHINE

BY STEVE HENKE

DAP Health unveiled an innovative vending machine that dispenses free harm reduction materials to interested parties. Located inside Hunters Nightclub on Arenas Road in Palm Springs, it’s the first of its kind in the Coachella Valley. Similar dispensers have recently popped up in other parts of California, as well as in other states. New York City debuted its first such machine in Brooklyn last June.

“The impetus behind making this vending machine available to desert residents is all about expanding access to life-saving tools,” says DAP Health Chief of Community Health C.J. Tobe. “It extends the reach of our harm reduction program team, which has worked in the field, as well as out of our Palm Springs headquarters, since 2022. It’s all about bridging gaps and building trust so that we can bring more vulnerable people into care — and into recovery if that’s something that appeals to them.”

To provide information to interested community members — and to actively listen to their concerns and answer their questions — members of DAP Health’s harm reduction team hosted a Raw Talk at Hunters last June. Panelists included DAP Health Harm Reduction Supervisor Neil Gussardo and Peer Support Specialist Hans Kowall, as well as Palm Springs Fire Department Public Information Officer Nathan Gunkel and members of the Palm Springs Police Department. The panel was moderated by popular local drag personality Rusty Waters.

The vending machine at Hunters — the first of more than a dozen the nonprofit eventually plans to pepper throughout the Coachella Valley, including at locations that would enable 24/7 access — will initially offer six complimentary items: Narcan (the brand name for naloxone, the nasal spray that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose), HIV self-test kits, GHB safer-use kits, fentanyl testing kits, safer-boofing kits, and safer-snorting kits.

Except for Narcan, all products will be displayed in unmarked, color-coded bags. Consumers will use a touchscreen panel to answer an anonymous nine-question survey about age, gender, race, drug(s) of choice, and HIV/HCV status to gain access to the free lifesaving supplies. The information gathered will assist the harm reduction team in future efforts.

“The great thing about the data collected is that it will enable us to learn how best to allocate our resources in the future,” says Gussardo.

“It’s an invaluable opportunity for the team to educate ourselves about what the most popular products are and who is using them.”

“All of us at Hunters care deeply about our clientele and the larger community,” says Hunters co-owner (with Mark Hunter) Jennifer Seymour. “When DAP Health approached us to partner with them on this groundbreaking desert initiative, we jumped at the chance. We are very proud to host the first harm reduction vending machine ever to be installed in the Coachella Valley.”

What is harm reduction?

According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, harm reduction is “a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.”

NOVEMBER 2023 35

PSP FOCUS Why did DAP Health launch a harm reduction initiative?

Consistent with the organization’s nearly 40-year history of protecting and expanding access to health care, DAP Health recognizes that addiction and overdoses are public health emergencies. Fentanyl poisoning is now the #1 killer of adults 1845 (above death by suicide, motor vehicle accidents, COVID-19, gun violence, or cancer), claiming the lives of more than 100,000 Americans in 2022. That same year, provisional data indicated more than two thirds (68%) of the reported 107,081 drug overdose deaths in the United States involved synthetic opioids other than methadone, principally illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMFs).

Doesn’t DAP Health’s harm reduction program enable people who use drugs?

Yes! Again, entirely consistent with the nonprofit’s history and commitment to end HIV and to provide comprehensive health care to all, the program enables people to be safer, and to live their healthiest and happiest life through education and connection to care.

Who supports DAP Health’s harm reduction program?

The California Department of Public Health, Inland Empire Harm Reduction, Martha’s Village & Kitchen, Operation Safe House, Palm Springs Chief of Police Andrew Mills and members of the PSPD, members of the Palm Springs Fire Department, Palm Springs Homeless Outreach Coordinator Roman Ruiz MSW, Palm Springs R.I.S.E. (Resilience, Inclusion, and Support for Ending Homelessness), Tenet Health, and United Methodist Church of Palm Springs.

DAP Health meets people where they are. At various locations throughout the Coachella Valley, its harm reduction team provides: Free HIV, STI, and hep C testing.

New syringes to reduce HIV and hep C transmission.

Other harm reduction items such as GHB safer-use kits, safer-

boofing kits, safer-snorting kits, safer-smoking kits, and new cottons, cookers, tourniquets, and other injecting supplies.

Safer-sex kits (condoms, lube).

Fentanyl and xylazine strips for testing drugs before use to decrease the likelihood of overdose.

Narcan (naloxone) to help reverse the potentially fatal effects of opioid overdose.

DAP Health’s harm reduction team reduces stigma and builds trust via community outreach. When someone who uses drugs makes the choice to stop, available referrals include: DAP Health’s ODF (Outpatient Drug-Free) program.

DAP Health’s peer support specialists.

For further information please visit www.daphealth.org

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NOVEMBER 2023 37

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PERSPECTIVE THE GAY VIBE PART 2

BY JILL LANGHAM

Here is a definition of dancing from the Internet: Continued from last month.

“The activity of dancing for pleasure or in order to entertain others.”

So, to my point, I feel that the dance floors around town which used to be open for dancing as soon as the music began are no longer available to do so and, as a result, the Vibe that first captivated me as new arrival to Palm Springs seems to have been suppressed.

Please remember that I am a Palm Springs girl: not San Francisco or L.A. or San Diego. When we celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 11th, I’m reminded that my own “coming out” party happened right here in my spiritual home.

Back in the early 2000’s there was one big successful Drag Show at Toucans on Sunday nights (Thank you Tommi Rose) and another at

the Rainbow Room. (Forgive me if there were more of which I am unaware.) Hunters was a bar and Dance Club for Gay Men, along with Streetbar and Score. I had never been to the Tool Shed or the Barracks back in those days but am pretty sure there were not a lot of Drag Shows in either venue. Toucans eventually hired Go-Go Boys but set the boxes outside of the dance area, again, leaving the dance floor free for dancing.

I had never heard of Flagging in the Park here in Palm Springs, but I know that the tradition of flagging at dance club’s dates back to pre-AIDs years of the 1970s and, like the Vibe that I still believe beats below the surface, is a symbol of gay resilience. Like Go-Go boys and Drag Queens, they are subversive in the best possible way in that they have helped transport us out of the shadows and into the light. At the same time, I feel that, particularly in the critical opening minutes of our dance events, they typically dominate the dance floor in a manner that keeps many of us in spectator mode,

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PERSPECTIVE rather than drawing us in as active participants. And, as much as I appreciate their exuberance and talent, I’m less inclined to tap into what I lovingly refer to as the Gay Vibe – the source of energy that has possessed me for so many years.

Those of you who know me also know that I love and support our Go-Go boys, flaggers, and Drag Queens who are such a rich part of our history. So, you’re probably wondering what is my ask?

In brief, I would like us all to co-exist in a magical space where we can celebrate together – one that is less spectator sport and more participatory. The truth is that when one (admittedly talented) group dominates the dance floor, the rest of us are less likely to access the Vibe. And today, I find it increasingly difficult to feel it and therefore do not feel motivated or moved to join in and share my energy, because it is greater than me.

Perhaps it’s the same thing that happens to an artist or writer who is blocked. Like them, I’m not a pretender. What happens to me is spiritual and not in my control. I am certain that my absence at certain venues is being misinterpreted, criticized and judged but it is not intentional. I hear many things from many people about what

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they think they know about me, If they really knew me, they would understand my drive to share the best of me with the community that has given me so much in return. They would also know that what I did for so many years was not a performance: if the energy is lacking, I am unable to stay put and therefore have moved on to other venues searching for the Gay Vibe that empowers me.

I come out into my community when I have the best of me to offer you. This has never been about making myself feel better, but rather about sharing the gifts that I have been given. If nothing else, I hope that you will understand that about me.

And I hope I can be that “party starter” again, on a more regular basis. I would love for all the new brothers and sisters that have joined us during the Covid crisis to experience the very best of the Palm Springs Gay Vibe! Maybe it’s time to “Bring Sexy Back!”

XOXO, Jill, Your less often, Dancing Queen

Our mission is to provide an open and welcoming environment for all members of the LGBTQ family.

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DAPHEALTH DAP HEALTH CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR LGBTQ+ HEALTH EQUITY

At the 2023 Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival, the organization celebrated its long history of championing health care access for the queer community.

As it has done since the first Greater Palm Springs Pride in 1986, DAP Health raised its rainbow flags high in the air and proudly participated in the 37th annual iteration of the event, held November 2 to 5.

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With the recent integration of Borrego Health, DAP Health’s team now consists of 850 dedicated health care professionals serving 100,000 diverse patients in 240 of Southern California’s rural and urban zip codes, from the Salton Sea to San Diego.

In addition to hosting its DAP Health Wellness Pavilion along Palm Canyon Drive (directly across the street from Lulu California Bistro), more than a hundred of the organization’s employees,

patients, donors, volunteers, board members, and other supporters marched shoulder to shoulder in the Sunday morning Pride Parade.

Better Health,” a nod to DAP Health recently absorbing the Borrego Health system.

“Participating in Greater Palm Springs Pride is always a personal highlight of the fall season, not just for me, but for everyone who calls DAP Health home in one fashion or another,” says longtime CEO David Brinkman. “At DAP Health, we have always fought for the LGBTQ+ community, championing health care access for nearly four decades. Our acquisition of Borrego Health hasn’t weakened our commitment; it’s fortified our resolve.

Also part of the DAP Health delegation, riding in a vintage convertible in glorious full drag, was Les Dames du Soleil Dottie & Maude (AKA Douglas Woodmansee and Marshall Pearcy). The tribute was designed to honor the longtime married couple of entertainers — who were at the forefront of early HIV/AIDS efforts, raising much-needed funds for DAP at the dawn of the epidemic, when other resources and supporters were scarce — for their vital role in DAP Health’s history of LGBTQ+ activism.

“With our expanded size and reach, we pack a mightier punch in our quest for health care justice. Our unified voice, advocating for our communities alongside elected officials, is now louder than ever, and our team of dedicated care providers has grown threefold. We believe health care should know no boundaries. Our goal is to continue to honor the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS by removing barriers, and by creating a more just world through equitable access.”

Employees from the nonprofit’s 25 clinics carried signs emblazoned with the name of their home location. Others held placards sporting such slogans as “Mental Health is Health Care,” “LGBTQ+ Care is Health Care,” and “Drag is Love” (the catchphrase printed on DAP Health’s official 2023 Pride Parade T-shirt).

Riding in a vehicle just ahead of the group was Donald Beck, one of the founders of Desert AIDS Project (as the nonprofit was originally known), who was this year’s recipient of Greater Palm Springs Pride’s Spirit of Stonewall Lifetime Achievement Award.

Loudly announcing DAP Health’s presence was a large assortment of blue/robin’s egg, purple/lavender, and orange/red balloons respectively spelling out the D-A-P of the organization’s acronym and hoisted high above a banner that read “Together for

“Long before our community had the economic and political strength we now proudly possess, before the emergence of LGBTQ+ advocacy or health care organizations, drag queens were tirelessly raising funds for our cause, one dollar at a time,” says DAP Health Chief of Brand Marketing Steven Henke. “They courageously championed our rights and well-being until we found the strength to fight for ourselves. We should never forget the legacy they forged in high heels.”

The DAP Health Wellness Pavilion was staffed with employees and volunteers from the nonprofit’s community health department, who provided full, free sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, harm reduction services, and general outreach. Representatives also discussed with attendees the free pregnancy testing and birth control consultations now available at DAP Health’s sexual wellness clinics.

The Pavilion was also home to a Recovery Oasis, where revelers picked up information about DAP Health’s host of recovery services, including various meetings and its Outpatient Drug-Free (ODF) program. daphealth.org

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TRAVEL URGE MIAMI FESTIVAL RETURNS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

URGE Miami Festival returns this Thanksgiving weekend with three massive nighttime events and two sizzling daytime fetes including the Royal Palm Pool Party and the legendary Beach Party on the sands of South Beach. Produced by Luis Morera, Billy Kemp and Hilton Wolman, the LGBTQ+ festival weekend will take place November 24-27 and will feature a list of the world’s most famous circuit DJs including Grammy Award winning DJ and producer Roger Sanchez playing at the city’s most prestigious venues.

This year’s event comes at a time when gay travelers are apprehensive to visit Miami due to Florida’s notorious anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest U.S. gay rights group, even issued a travel advisory in May. However, as a result of the advisory, local gay businesses are suffering and events like Urge

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Miami Festival are more important now than ever before to keep the local LGBTQ+ businesses alive.

“We need to stand strong against Governor DeSantis and all right-wing conservative bullies and prove that we cannot be silenced by showing our support to the local LGBTQ+ business community,” says producer Hilton Wolman. “We are here, we are queer and we are not going anywhere.”

In addition to helping to that ushering in tourist dollars to the area, a portion of the proceeds from URGE Miami Festival will benefit Miami Beach Pride, an organization that celebrates the unique spirit and culture of the city’s LGBTQ+ population.

URGE Miami Festival kicks off Friday, November 24 at 10pm

The revelry continues Saturday night with an 80’s revival theme party at the recently remodeled MAD Live, located in the heart of the Wynwood arts and fashion district. DJs Alex Lo and Mor Avrahami will whisk music fans back in time to the era of Pac Man and the Rubik’s Cube, when MTV introduced the music video and launched the careers of many iconic artists. It leads to the signature event of the weekend: the long-established Sunday Beach Party on the sands of South Beach.

This year’s sandblast is moving eight blocks north of last year’s party, to 20th and Collins, just south of the W Hotel. The Sunday afternoon event will feature a cabana stripe theme that pays homage to the mod fashion movement of 1960’s Miami. There will also be interactive activities, music by DJs Dan Slater and Joe Gauthreaux and a grand firework show.

“Our beach party is one of America’s biggest LGBTQ beach parties and attracts fans from all over the world,” Wolman explains.

“It is an experience in itself!”

The weekend’s Main Event takes place Sunday night at M2 nightclub. This year’s party is titled URGE-Verse and will be headlined by the Grammy Award winning DJ and producer Roger Sanchez along with Tom Stephan, flying in from the UK, and Cesar Hernandez. The décor will be avant-garde and guests are encouraged to arrive in yellow. with LA LECHE at M2 nightclub. The event marks Barcelona’s Matinee Group return to the magic city and producers are promising a level of production that has not been seen before in Miami. DJ’s Orel Sabag, Jerac and Ivan Gomez will man the decks. Dancers from Spain and Europe will keep the milk pouring on the dancefloor into the wee morning hours. Guests are encouraged to arrive dressed in white.

At 2pm on Saturday is the Royal Palm South Beach pool party, presented by Mexico’s premiere party producer, ARENA. DJs Alexis Tucci and Brazil’s Rick Braile will raise the temps with their high energy beats, making extensive use of the incredible facilities offered by Royal Palm. Expect plenty of splish-splash fun and gorgeous men in skimpy bikinis.

This year’s host hotel is the Royal Palm South Beach. With 400 rooms, more than a quarter of which are suites, the Royal Palm is one of South Beach’s largest hotels, superbly located directly on the beach on Collins at the end of Ocean Drive. It offers a superior experience and will serve as the location of URGE Miami Festival’s Welcome Center and Saturday Pool Party.

Complimentary transportation will be provided from/to Royal Palm South Beach for all weekend events.

Tickets for URGE Miami Festival are available now at https:// urgemiamifestival.com/. GA and VIP tickets are available, as is the popular 24-hour pass that includes the Sunday Beach Party and the weekend’s main event URGE-Verse.

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MUSIC CHER’S FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY ALBUM, “CHRISTMAS”

BY RYAN TURRIN

Cher has made our holiday wishes come true with the release of Cher Christmas – available now via Warner Records.

Christmas, Cher’s first new studio album in five years, includes 13 songs - several holiday classics and four originals. It also has a star-studded list of musical besties including Darlene Love, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper and Tyga.

“I never say this about my own records but I’m really proud of this one. It is one of the most amazing highlights of my career,” commented Cher.

The Guardian raved, “The catchy dance track, ‘DJ Play a Christmas Song,’ evokes a night that’s anything but silent.” And Consequence added, “‘DJ Play a Christmas Song’ is a rebel’s anthem for anyone whose parents told them Santa Claus would skip their house if they didn’t go to sleep” “DJ Play A Christmas Song,” the first single, was written by Sarah Hudson (Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Troye Sivan) and her team who contributed four new songs for the album. (Full Track listing below)

Cher is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of her multiplatinum Grammy-winning “Believe” with the release of Believe 25th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition) on Warner Records.

Recorded primarily in LA and London, Christmas was produced by longtime collaborator Mark Taylor (“Believe”). Songs include beloved superstar duet classics “What Christmas Means To Me” with Stevie Wonder and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Darlene Love. (Darlene first recorded the song with Phil Spector and a l7-year-old Cher singing background vocals); in addition to a haunting version of “Home” written and sung with Michael Bublé.

CHER CHRISTMAS TRACK LIST: 1. DJ Play A Christmas Song 2. What Christmas Means To Me (with Stevie Wonder) 3. Run Run Rudolph 4. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) [with Darlene Love] 5. Angels In The Snow 6. Home (with Michael Bublé) 7. Drop Top Sleigh Ride (with Tyga) 8. Please Come Home For Christmas 9. I Like Christmas 10. Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You 11. Santa Baby 12. Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart (with Cyndi Lauper) 13. This Will Be Our Year

One of the many highlights is a duet by Cher and Stevie Wonder of Stevie’s “What Christmas Means to Me.” Commented Cher, “Every time I hear that harmonica, I’m a teenager again. It’s a personal dream come true for me to record this song with Stevie.”

Two other standouts include an unexpected pairing with Tyga on another Sarah Hudson song called “Drop Top Sleigh Ride” produced by Alexander Edwards, Mike Crook and Ryan OG, and the magnificent “Angels in the Snow” plus “Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart” with Cyndi Lauper.

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Listen HERE. https://cher.lnk.to/DJPACS Follow Cher:Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | AppleMusic

TRANSCENDANCE THE TRANS CROSS DRAG RELATIONS

BY JACQUELYN JAMES

The transgender community, cross dressers, and drag performers are all related in the sense that they involve individuals who may explore and express gender identities and presentations that differ from societal expectations. However, it’s important to note that these are distinct groups with their own unique experiences.

The transgender community consists of individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. They may undergo a social transition, medical interventions, or both to align their gender identity with their outward appearance. This is a long and difficult process to complete the individual journey as to where they themself desire to be. Gender Dysphoria is the medical term used for those individuals who suffer from the feeling of not being in the correct body.

Cross dressers, on the other hand, are individuals who enjoy wearing clothing typically associated with a gender different from their own. For many cross dressers, this is a form of self-expression or a way to explore different aspects of their identity. They may or may not identify as transgender. It’s been shown in most cases that both the Transgender as well as the Drag Communities all start here.

Drag Performers move onto exaggerated makeup, costuming and performance based. Transgender individuals will start to slowly adapt to living opposite of the sex assigned at birth and then begin to consider the transitioning process of becoming not only in physical appearance but a change in the synaptic nerve in the brain. Through hormones and testosterone application, you will start to see behavioral changes of the opposite sex assigned at birth to be more feminine or masculine as to which applies if it is Female-to-Male or Male-to-Female.

Drag performers are entertainers who often dress in exaggerated, flamboyant costumes and adopt theatrical personas for performances. Drag can be seen as a form of artistic expression and entertainment. While some drag performers may identify as transgender or cross dressers, many do not, as drag is primarily a performance-based art form.

While there may be overlap and shared experiences among these groups, it’s important to recognize that each group has its own

unique identities, experiences, and goals. It’s crucial to respect and support each individual’s self-identified gender and expression.

There is a division among the three groups, with some arguing that the relationships between crossdressers, drag performers, and transgender individuals can vary greatly. It is important to remember that each person’s experience and identity is unique.

While there may be overlap in some aspects of their journeys, it’s crucial to respect individuals’ self-identifications and understand that these terms represent different aspects of gender expression and identity. Society’s acceptance and understanding of these diverse experiences can vary, and it’s always best to approach each person with empathy, respect, and an open mind.

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FEATURE ESCollectionUSA HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERY MAN IN YOUR LIFE

BY JORGE TREVINO

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gifts for all the stylish men in our lives. Whether you’re shopping for your partner or close pal, ESCollectionUSA’s holiday collection offers a diverse range of

underwear and swimwear with cutting-edge designs and modern silhouettes that are certain to make a statement. From bold prints to unique color combinations, you can find the perfect piece to help your trendsetting loved one stand out in style during the merry months.

FOR THE OUTDOORSMAN These sexy bird-themed swim boardshorts are the perfect gift for men who love the outdoors! Bird images and illustrations are printed all over, from front to rear, in beautiful colors. The shorts also feature in-built U-Shape technology, a special pouch in the inner mesh area that will keep a man’s nest and eggs lifted, safe and comfortable. $132 at ESCollectionUSA.com.

FOR MR. GLITTER GUY The Glitter Net is an outstanding brief, made from the finest stretchy thin net fabric and laminated with glitter all over! Crafted with performance in mind, the brief offers support and flexibility, making it perfect for workouts or simply maintaining an active lifestyle. The ES Collection silicone label in the middle of the brief’s waistband adds extra pizazz. $53 at ESCollectionUSA.com.

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FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALIST WHO WANTS A LITTLE SHINE The beautiful Eco-Shiny trunks and briefs are made of recycled threads and feature semi-glossy fabric with no contrasts. They are available in multiple colors; all prominently displaying the ES Collection silicon label on the waistband. The seamless construction and ergonomic design in the brief and trunk – both feature big pouch capacity! - ensure that your glistening man will enjoy ultimate comfort and relaxation. Trunk is $55, the brief is $49 at ESCollectionUSA.com.

FOR THE MAN WHO LIKES TO MAKE A POINT The Zig Zag swim brief is perfect for the man in your life that appreciates angles and points. The understated gray of the chevron pattern accented by the teal blue stitching offers a timeless, sophisticated look. It is an anti-wrinkle piece and comes with PackUp, ESCollectionUSA’s technological shapewear foam removable insert in XXL that gives a maximizing volume effect to a guys’ package, so he can really make a point! $92 at ESCollectionUSA.com

FOR THE GUY WHO LIKES HIS BLING Bedazzled diamonds, gems and jewels appear from front to rear in ESCollectionUSA’s new Diamond Rocky swim shorts. The eyecatching pattern and quick-drying fabrics are designed for men who love sun, sand, and surf at any time of year. The piece also includes KanGo Technology in the inner-mesh lining that helps keep a man’s hidden treasure in place, lifted, comfortable and secure. $86 at ESCollectionUSA.com.

FOR MR. OUT, LOUD, AND PROUD These bright and beautiful swim shorts are made from super soft polyamide Tactel ® fabric, known for its lightweight construction, faster drying times and increased strength and durability. In the inside of the brief, U-Shape technology offers optimum support to keep everything in its place. Front cords for best adjustment, back small pocket and the ES Collection silicone logo is on the left leg. $106 at ESCollectionUSA.com

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the3D’S DINE | DRINK | DANCE RESTAURANTS

www.grandcentralpalmsprings.com

SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com

RICK’S RESTAURANT 1973 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz

KOFFI NORTH (3 Additional Locations) 515 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.2244 www.kofficoffee.com

849 849 N Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 www.eight4nine.com

PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.3776 www.pinocchiops.com

GRAND CENTRAL 160 La Plaza Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.699.7185

BLACKBOOK BAR 315 E Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.832.8497 www.blackbookbar.com

BOOZEHOUNDS PALM SPRINGS 2080 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.656.0067 www.boozehoundsps.com

THAI SMILE PALM SPRINGS 100 South Indian Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com

1501 UPTOWN 1501 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1501 www.1501uptown.com

TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.864.8746 www.triopalmsprings.com

TAC/QUILA 415 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.417.4471 www.tacquila.com

THE TROPICALE 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.866.1952 www.thetropicale.com

PS AIR BAR 611 S.Palm Canyon Dr. #22 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.327.7701 www.psairbar.com

ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO 198 S Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 760.322.6300 www.pszin.com

TOWNIE BAGELS 650 E Sunny Dunes Rd #5 Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.459.4555 www.towniebagels.com

LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com

STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1266 www.psstreetbar.com

ON THE MARK 111 N Palm Canyon Dr. #155 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.832.8892 www.onthemarkpalmsprings.com

EL MIRASOL 140 E Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com

THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.1079 www.chillbarpalmsprings.com

QUADZ 200 S Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326 AMP SPORTS LOUNGE 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.699.7090 www.ampcatcity.com ROOST BAR LOUNGE 68718 E Palm Canyon Dr #203 Cathedral City CA 92234 760.507.8495 www.theroostcc.com ONE ELEVEN BAR 67555 E Palm Canyon Dr A103 Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.3111 www.oneelevenbar.com BARRACKS BAR 67625 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.464.0957 www.barracksps.com RUNWAY 68300 Gay Resort Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.7800 www.runwayccbc.com REFORMA 333 S. Palm Canyon #2 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.902.6630 www.reformaps.com DICK’S 301 E Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.0753 www.dicksps.com

NOVEMBER 2023 51

PHOTO REWIND PSUSD BOLLYWOOD / ONE NIGHT OUT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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PHOTO REWIND PSUSD BOLLYWOOD / ONE NIGHT OUT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

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PHOTO REWIND PRIDE HONORS PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STAFF

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PHOTO REWIND AAP/FOOD SAMARITANS / EVENING UNDER THE STARS PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STAFF

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PHOTO REWIND CENTER STAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STAFF

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PHOTO REWIND CENTER STAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STAFF

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PHOTO REWIND HALLOWEEN 2023 PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STAFF

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PHOTO REWIND HALLOWEEN 2023 PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF HOCKER

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