The Standard Magazine

MARCH, 2017 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3 THESTANDARDPS.COM

FOOD

+WINE 2017 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Chef Stuart O’Keeffe

DINAH WEEKEND The Ladies Have Landed

CONTENTS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3

theStandardPS.com twitter.com/theStandardPS ON THE COVER CHEF STUART O’KEEFFE

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THE DINAH STARTS ON PAGE 18

Volume 5 Issue 3 COVER FOOD & WINE 2017 COVER Q & A EXCLUSIVE CHEF STUART O’KEEFFE FEATURE DINAH WEEKEND THE LADIES HAVE LANDED FEATURE MEN AT WERQ BEAUTIFUL MEN STRIKE A PRECARIOUS POSE IN “RAYE”

BRITISH COMIC GINA YASHERE

MARCH 2017 3

COMMENTARY TRUMP ATTACKS TRANSGENDER STUDENT BATHROOM ACCESS One of the most profound pictures during last election is the political arena’s action to tokenize transgender people to gain votes and a movement. Donald Trump holding up an upside down rainbow flag capsizing on the energy that he supports LGBT people in this nation, stating he supports Transgender rights and as one of many factors to sway voters that are less informed.

In February of 2017, the Trump Administration rescinded the Title IX guidelines for Transgender Students to ensure that these students remain unprotected in our nation. Evidence supports that Betsy DeVos disputed this decision by Trump and newly appointed Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Many ask ‘why’ this is so important and ‘why’ it shouldn’t be left up to the state level to decide what is best for their students. Education is determined federally to ensure that there is uniform education within the government based education process of minors. It helps when a child that moves from a place like Mississippi to Palm Springs, California. Many of these arguments were used with Prop 8’s marriage equality in which in turn creates siloes state by state where people with beliefs that harm others can nurture that religious belief. This crosses a line in our schools when it comes to separation of church and state. Many state religion should be in schools then we have to let them all in under the United States Constitution. We would have to teach Christianity next to paganism, and Catholicism next to Hitler’s Neo-Paganism. Since Hitler is mentioned, it is worth noting that Hitler started with the most vulnerable and misunderstood and slowly moved his way to the most powerful. Sound familiar?

The far right has an extreme obsession with Transgender people’s genitals and believes that allowing mixed genitals into the bathroom will create sexual activity and emotional discomfort. Same argument was used when wanting segregation in schools. The Transgender argument has been disproven to not be factual in fact historically speaking Transgender adults faced the same argument decades ago in California and to this day there is little to no examples to support a pattern of behavior that support this. In fact, there are more sexual misconducts in bathrooms by Republican Senators than Transgender people. The argument that other students would be uncomfortable and the older generation advocate on behalf of them. Schools are not the same as they were in the 1970’s and there is a great deal of privacy when changing clothes in 2016.

Transgender students face the highest level of sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse, relational bullying in which makes them statistically the largest group to commit suicide in our country. We need to ensure that our schools remain free of violence and hostile environments but Trumps decision to order Betsy Devos not to follow the law and rescind these guidelines creates an environment that increases the likelihood of violence and suicide against a vulnerable group of students that just want to be equal. Even though I see the far rights concern, they have the option to home school and they also have the option to help teach all children a higher level of maturity that nudity is not sex, that penises are not the only thing that can be used for sex and that even though we may not agree with someone different they do have the right for us to give them dignity and respect.

The Standard Magazine PO Box 2074, Palm Springs, CA 92263 760.831.4869 Nino Eilets Publisher Luciano McNulty Editor Maya Kalabic Art Director Photographer David A. Lee Contributors Chris Astrala, Mike Bahr, Mona Elyafi, Chris Heritage, Max Jimenez, Jill Langham, James Murphy, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Dr. Stephen Scoggins & Adam Sinicki www.thestandardps.com Editorial Credits : BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation & Project Publicity 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.

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COVER

THE 7TH ANNUAL PALM DESERT FOOD & WINE

All-Star Chefs And Extraordinary Programing is what’s in store for this year’s Food & Wine Presented By Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. This highly anticipated culinary event comes your way on March 24-26, 2017.

The festivities include a soirée at the iconic Ford Estate, Gerald and Betty Ford’s newly restored home; “An Evening in New Orleans” featuring renowned Chef Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace; the return of the James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon; and more For the first time ever, the festival presents unparalleled preevents, such as the much-anticipated “Celebrity Chef Reception” at

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the Ford Estate, featuring bites from award-winning Chef, and Bravo TV “Top Chef” contestant, Brooke Williamson accompanied by a tour of Gerald and Betty Ford’s former home. Executive Chef Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace will also host “An Evening in New Orleans” at Toscana Country Club, sharing delectable bites of Creole cuisine.

The festivities begin on Friday, March 24, 2017 at The Gardens on El Paseo with an afternoon reflecting the pinnacle of culinary excellence, a James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon featuring emcee and distinguished food expert, critic, and author Gail Simmons.

Served in an elegant setting, the luncheon will be beautifully prepared by four standout chefs, including “Top Chef” fan favorite, Casey

Thompson; James Beard award-winner Gale Gand; Commander’s Palace Executive Chef and James Beard award-winner Tory McPhail; and Craveable Hospitality Group’s Executive Pastry Chef Zac Young.

The events continue with grand tastings and demonstrations from some of the country’s best culinary talent, such as Aarti Sequeira, host of Food Network’s “Aarti Party” and Season 6 winner of “Food Network Star”; and Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, founders of “Beekman 1802,” reality TV show personalities, and cookbook and memoir authors; among others.

The event will feature exceptional tastings, lunches, cookbook signings, and demonstrations (with more to be announced soon), including: * “An Evening in New Orleans” at Toscana Country Club, where Chef Tory McPhail will kick start the revelry on Thursday, March 23 * James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon on Friday, March 24 with emcee Gail Simmons, food expert, Food & Wine Special Projects Director, and judge on Bravo’s Top Chef * “Celebrity Chef Reception” at the Ford Estate on the evening of Friday, March 24, where guests can meet and mingle with Gail Simmons and indulge in a one-of-a-kind meal expertly prepared by Brooke Williamson, along with a tour of the restored home

* Two Days of Grand Tastings on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, featuring tastings from 42 celebrated restaurants plus demonstrations from excellent culinary talent, and wines poured from over 60 vintners Tickets are currently on sale for individual events range from $35-200, with additional package and VIP options.

Palm Desert Food & Wine will donate 35 meals for every festival ticket purchased to Coachella Valley’s FIND Food Bank, which provides food and essentials to those in need throughout the community. 2017 sponsors for Palm Desert Food & Wine presented by Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa include: City of Palm Desert; Lexus; Better Built Inc.; Effen Vodka; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery; Celebrity Cruises; Shamrock Foods; Hotel Paseo; Chef Works; TRIO Restaurant; VOSS Artesian Water; Verterra; North Shore Living Herbs; Selvarey Rum; Sandy Young; Eventscape; My Little Flower Shop; and media sponsors KMIR, KPSE, LIVE Magazine, Valpak, and The Standard.

IF YOU GO PD Food & Wine March 24-26 The Gardens on El Paseo Tickets: www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com or 888-596-1027

CELEBRITY FOOD EXPERTS GAIL SIMMONS Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic television personality. Since the show’s inception in 2006, she has lent her extensive expertise as a permanent judge on BRAVO’s Emmy-winning series Top Chef. Heading into its 14th season successful season, Top Chef is rated the #1 food show on cable television. Gail was previously head critic on Top Chef Masters and host of Top Chef Just Desserts, Bravo’s pastry-focused spinoff of the Top Chef franchise.

She was also co-host of The Feed, which aired in 2014 on FYI, A+E’s new lifestyle network.

Gail joined Food & Wine magazine in 2004, where she directs special projects, working closely with the country’s top culinary talent and acting as liaison between the marketing and editorial teams on events and chef-related initiatives.

In 2014, Gail and her business partner Samantha Hanks, founded Bumble Pie Productions, an original content company dedicated to discovering and promoting new female voices in the food and lifestyle space. Their first series, “Star Plates”—a collaboration with Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films and Authentic Entertainment—will air on The Food Network this September.

MARCH 2017 7

COVER

GAIL SIMMONS, AARTI SEQUEIRA, ZAC YOUNG, TORY MCPHAIL, CASEY THOMPSON AND BROOKE WILLIAMSON

In addition to her work on Top Chef, Gail makes frequent television appearances on NBC’s TODAY, ABC’s Good Morning America, and Fox & Friends, among others. She is regularly featured in such publications as New York magazine, Travel + Leisure, GQ, People, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the New York Post. Along with her annual appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, she makes regular appearances at the nation’s foremost culinary festivals, including the Austin Food & Wine Festival and South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

In April 2016, she was honored with the Award of Excellence

by Spoons Across America, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families about the benefits of healthy eating. She is an active board member and supporter of City Harvest, Hot Bread Kitchen, Common Threads, and the Institute of Culinary Education.

AARTI SEQUEIRA Born in India, brought up in the Middle East (Dubai, UAE) and educated in a British school, Sequeira grew up against a varied tapestry of food cultures, from the homemade pastas of her Italian best friend, to the spit-roasted shawarmas her family would enjoy every Friday. After getting her degree in journalism Aarti worked at CNN as well as a documentary producer of an HBO documentary about the genocide in Darfur.

But she began to feel like something was still missing; her husband gave her a gift certificate to a local cooking program, and it was there that her passion for cooking sparked into a great roaring fire.

Since then she has become a household name thanks to in part to the Food Network & Cooking Channel, where she has hosted “Taste in Translation,” “Hidden Eats,” co-hosted “Drop 5 Lbs.” & an episode of “Guy’s Big Bite” and made numerous talking-head appearances on “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” “Best Thing I Ever Made” & “Unique Eats.” She also competed on – and WON - “Chopped All-Stars.” Most recently, she appeared as judge on a multitude of episodes of “Guy’s Grocery Games,” & competed on “Cutthroat Kitchen All-Stars.” Off-network, she has been a colorful, memorable guest on “Dr. Oz” on ABC, “The Talk” on CBS & “The Nate Berkus Show” on NBC. ZAC YOUNG Named one of the Top Pastry Chefs in America 2015 by

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Dessert Professional, Chef Zac Young is known for his playful takes on American desserts including the all-in-one Thanksgiving dessert sensation, The PieCaken. After graduating with honors from the Baking and Pastry Arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education.

He went straight to the top, working under Sebastian Rouxel and Richard Capizzi at Thomas Keller’s Bouchen Bakery. Zac has had the privilege to cook at The James Beard House in New York City and twice at their Hamptons event, Chefs and Champagne.

TORY MCPHAIL Tory McPhail has followed a path forged from hard work to arrive at the historic Commander’s Palace restaurant’s storied legacy, which has cultivated the likes of Emeril Lagasse, Paul Prudhomme, and Jamie Shannon. A James Beard Rising Star Chef and Best Chefs South winner, McPhail was also named one of the best chefs in the country

by TheDailyMeal.com as well as one of Saveur magazine’s inaugural’s Tastemaker Chefs.

CASEY THOMPSON Chef Casey Thompson spearheads a number of culinary endeavors: culinary consultant for California wineries, international wine ambassador, food centric world traveler and of course chef for upcoming concepts in the Southwest and on the West Coast. Her culinary personality fosters the union of Southern cuisine and hospitality with market fresh ingredients sourced humanely from local farmers. “ I believe in big, bold, adventurous flavors rather than subtle or nuanced tones. I want people to have fun while they’re eating”, says Thompson.

BROOKE WILLIAMSON Born and raised in Los Angeles, Brooke Williamson has carved out an impressive resume full of leading roles and professional achievements, such as being the youngest female chef to ever cook at the James Beard House. Although officially beginning her career at the young age of 17, Williamson always wanted to be a chef as long as she can remember. “I love creating things that make people happy and I’ve found that food genuinely does that”, she explains.

Please check your program for a full list of celebrity Chefs making an appearance as well as a comprehensive schedule of events.

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE

28TH ANNUAL

DESERT SPIRIT GALA

Pineapples &Palms MARCH 26, 2017 at 5:30PM

HECKMANN ESTATE IN RANCHO MIRAGE REFRESHING COCKTAILS

WINE & BEER TASTINGS

CELEBRATION OF LIFE HONOREE

ERIN BURNHAM

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

DELECTABLE DISHES PREPARED BY 12 LOCAL RESTAURANTS

HONORARY CHAIR

AUCTIONEER

ALFIE PETTIT

VINCENT IRIZARRY

SPIRIT OF THE MISSION AWARD

MONICA KHANNA, M.D.

JANET K. IHDE, M.D., F.A.C.S.

THANK YOU TO OUR DISTINGUISHED SPONSORS GOLD SPONSOR

HAROLD MATZNER

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

GARY GALTON MEDIA SPONSORS

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit us online at DesertSpirit.net or email direct to DesertSpirit@cancer.org.

Palm Springs Resort Attire

COVER Q&A

CHEF STUART O’KEEFFE,

HEATING THINGS UP IN THE KITCHEN

BY CHRIS ASTRALA

Chef Stuart O’Keeffe is heating things up in the kitchen with his new cookbook that shows you how to make some great meals using the number 6 as his inspiration.

The handsome Irish import; set to appear at the Food & Wine event in Palm Desert CA in March, Chef O’Keeffe was a weekly food contributor for Dublin’s Evening Herald newspaper and has been recognized internationally since the 2011 debut of Stuart’s Kitchen (aired in Ireland and New Zealand).

with my aunt in the kitchen, and just kind of from that I always had a liking for it. I did Darina Allen on Irish TV. I really liked her as a chef, too. She was kind of like the Martha Stewart of Ireland . So I kind of took it upon myself to go to college then from that. I went for four years, and got a culinary arts degree at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Making the decision to come to America was easy . He first settled in Napa Valley, the heart of the west coast’s wine country, the culinary philosophy immediately rubbed off on Stuart, reinforcing the fine dining principles of simplicity, respecting good ingredients and delicately enhancing their natural flavors and textures. Chef Stuart then, appeared as co-star on two seasons of Food Network’s Private Chefs of Beverly Hills. Additionally, Chef Stuart was a featured chef on Oprah Winfrey Network’s Home Made Simple. He was the North American chef for Tupperware brands, and is currently a global spokesman for Asiana Airlines’ “Fly with Color” campaign. O’Keeffe has done private and promotional events with celebrity clients such as Sofia Vergara, Sharon Stone, Owen Wilson, Hilary Swank, the Kardashians, Jessica Lange, Joan Collins, Ryan Murphy and Kelly Clinton to name a few. Plus he has made countless TV cooking segment appearances.

Chef Stuart: I did work in an Irish restaurant but nothing long term. After I was done with college, I kind of just moved straight away to the Napa Valley. So I couldn’t actually see a massive difference. I just always wanted to move to America to pursue what I am doing right now.

Recently, Chef Stuart has published, The Quick Six Fix, where as the title implies, you can prepare a delicious and easy meal by using only 6 ingredients with 6 minutes prep time and 6 minutes clean up.

Making the Amazon best sellers list even before it hit the shelves, the book became an overnight hit.

We had an opportunity to sit down with Stuart and discuss what started his culinary adventure and what was the impetus for The Quick Six Fix. Here’s what he had to say.

The Standard Magazine: What or who inspired you to become a chef?

Chef Stuart: My mom and my aunt inspired me to be a chef.

When I grew up in Ireland at eight years of age, I would always bake

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TSM: What differences stand out the most between working in Ireland and here in the US?

TSM: What is the motivation behind your book The Quick Six Fix? Chef Stuart: The motivation behind it was that I always wanted to write a book that was actually true to what it said. I always saw so many books out there with just tons of ingredients and complicated recipes. And a lot of them lie. Like they would say, “oh, you can do it in 15 minutes.” When you really couldn’t, you know? And so I really wanted to bring out a book that was kind of true to what I’m writing. So that’s kind of where the idea for The Quick Six Fix came from. I wanted something with a hook that people could understand when they saw the cover straight away, and just pick it up and start cooking. I wanted it to include simple, fast, easy recipes that you could buy any ingredient in any store across the country.

TSM: Are there any standout recipes that come to mind that are some of your favorites in the book?

Chef Stuart: I love the shrimp angel hair pasta recipe in there, just as a really nice, elegant, fast and easy pasta recipe to make any night of the week. Just so many staples that you already have in your kitchen so you don’t really need to pick up much from the grocery store. That’s one of my favorites But I also love the ribs. I’m a rib guy, so I also love those with the Asian dressing . What else do

I love? I love the avocado toast in the mornings. I have that every morning with some egg whites. That’s kind of my go to for breakfast each morning. Oh I almost forgot I love the Irish stew, because it’s a quicker version that uses a better cut of meat as opposed to a cheaper cut of meat. So it doesn’t take you three hours to cook it.

TSM: How was your experience on Private Chefs of Beverly Hills and would you do it again?

Chef Stuart: My experience was really good on that show. I really enjoyed cooking with the rest of the characters on there ... with the rest of the chefs I mean, not characters. I had a really good time.

Pretty much we’re all characters out there, but we ... I had a really good time with it. It was stressful at times with the clients. You know it was a reality show at the end of the day, so they would set us up with these challenges. We’d have to get through, so it was stressful in that way. But it was super fun doing it.

TSM: Other than a sharp knife, in your opinion what is the definite must have in any kitchen?

A cast iron skillet.

TSM: Really? Why is that?

Chef Stuart: Because it has so many uses. You can go from stove -op to oven. You can make a perfect steak on a cast iron skillet. You can use a cast iron skillet as a grill if you don’t have space in your apartment. If you’re a resident in the city, you don’t have any space for a barbecue. It can do the exact same flavor and make taste as it would by cooking a steak on a grill. But it’s actually nonstick as well. Season up with some canola oil and bake it in an oven at 250 degrees for about an hour and a half. So you do that a few times, once or twice a month, your pan becomes nonstick. Another misconception is that people think that they’re cheap and they’re like, “why would I get one of those?” But they’re only cheap because they’re cheap to make, but they’re actually one of the best kitchen tools. I have about 14 of them in my apartment.

And if taken care of properly, it is so durable it probably will outlive you . (Laugh) You know what I mean?

TSM: Other than your food, what is your favorite food to eat when you go to a restaurant?

Chef Stuart: I love to eat ribs. I’m just awful. I’m just like a beast.

Yeah, any time I go to any kind of emerging restaurant, if they have ribs on the menu, I’ll pretty much get it. I just like eating anything off the bone. It’s so good, like chicken wings, all that kind of stuff. I love burgers. I love all that bad stuff for you, but I eat it in moderation,

only once or twice a month, of course. It’s just one of my favorite things to eat and it’s so good here in America.

TSM: Which famous chef would you like to prepare a meal with and why?

Chef Stuart: Tyler Florence. I just feel like that I resonate with him, mostly as a chef. I feel like his style of cooking is very similar to mine. I’m just a good fan of his. I would love to and think it would be fun to cook a meal together. I would love to do something like that.

Is this your first visit to the desert and what are you looking forward to the most about the Food & Wine event?

Chef Stuart: It’s my first visit to Palm Desert for the wine festival.

I go to Palm Springs all the time. I know that’s not the same thing, but I do go to the desert quite a bit. I love it out there. I’m just excited.

I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know what to be excited about.

I guess I hope the crowds are fun when I’m doing my demo. I love when the crowds ask loads of questions and are joking around and stuff. That’s a really big thing with me. I look forward to seeing Gail Simmons there. I’m at her wine show. It’s kind of cool to meet her again. Yeah, I guess the parties and the food. I mean, I just love the atmosphere of these events. I love when I get to do them. And those are some of the things I look forward to. Also I love Palm Springs so it’s kind of cool that it’s out there.

MARCH 2017 11

at The Gardens on El Paseo | March 24-26, 2017

ERIN PETERS

TORY MCPHAIL James Beard Award-Winning Chef

GAIL SIMMONS Top Chef Judge

AARTI SEQUEIRA Food Network Host

DRE NAYLOR

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW Each ticket purchased will provide 35 meals to Coachella Valley’s FIND Food Bank.

palmdesertfoodandwine.com

WHAT WE DO: • Daily hot nutritious meal to over 135 people a day, 6 days a week.

• Sack lunches daily –over 1200 a week served.

• Phone and mail service.

• Morning coffee, rolls and fruit.

• Showers daily.

• Furniture for people in need.

• Clothing for job interviews and those who need them.

• Assistance with food stamps, MISP, id’s and more.

• Utility assistance.

• Rental assistance.

• Free notary service.

• Resume writing assistance.

• One way tickets home.

• Saturday food distribution of healthy foods to working families, seniors, veterans, the disabled, families with children.

• Emergency food boxes.

• Some transportation to medical and social service appointments.

• Van transportation to hot lunch sites.

• Home deliveries to seniors who are homebound or frail.

• “Well Assist” program to downtown merchants and other business owners.

• Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations for all in need.

Christmas presents for all the children.

• Well houses available for long-term group family living, and emergenies.

• A family-friendly environment where all can feel welcome, cared about, and respected.

MARCH 2017 13

FEATURE

PALM SPRINGS AN EPICUREAN ADVENTURE BEGINS

BY JIM MURPHY

849

THAI SMILE

MELVYN’S

So you have booked your vacation to Palm Springs through www.

ModMansions.com and now you must figure out how you are going to spend the “upward to $500.00” you saved by not having booked through VRBO, HomeAway or Airbnb. Given the theme this month is Food & Wine, here are five great restaurants you don’t want to miss and where you can spend those extra greenbacks you saved!

Bill’s Pizza - Named one of the “Top 100 Pizzerias in the United States,” Bill’s Pizza is my favorite and is also popular with visitors alike.

The cooks use the finest ingredients including pizza flour imported from Italy, and they bake the pizzas in gas-fired brick ovens. Guests can choose their own ingredient combinations or enjoy a specialty option such as The Works, Bacon Me Crazy, and Blue Moon.

Jake’s Palm Springs - Jake’s is a hip, casual American bistro tucked away in the Uptown Design District. Guests can dine in the intimate dining room or outside under the desert sky, where they will enjoy gourmet comfort food and delicious cocktails. Menu options include rack of lamb, grilled swordfish, and filet mignon. Don’t forget desert either!

Thai Smile - At Thai Smile, you will enjoy an atmosphere that embraces the Thai culture. Since opening in 1993, it has offered high quality, healthy, and flavorful cuisine, along with friendly service.

Whether you like mild or spicy dishes, the chefs make something for just about everyone. Options include red curry, drunken squid, and Kung Pao chicken.

Eight4Nine - Known as the city’s most talked about restaurant, Eight4Nine offers a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The decor includes a mix of farmhouse and modern tables, and guests can choose to dine in the Grand Corridor, Swanky Lounge, or on the patio that offers picturesque views of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Menu options include beef tenderloin, cider-brined duck breast, and mesquite-smoked carne asada.

Melvyn’s Restaurant and Lounge - For Palm Springs visitors who want a break from the bustling resorts and casinos, the small boutique hotel, Ingleside Inn, offers a luxurious and private retreat full of amenities and hidden in the heart of Palm Springs. Hotel guests and visitors will be pleased to learn that Ingleside Inn boasts one of the best dining locations in the area and that is Melvyn’s.

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Diners at Melvyn’s have included such celebrities as Barry Manilow, Suzanne Summers, Cher, Tori Spelling, Liza Minnelli, and John Travolta among many. But don’t take it from me; visit Melvyn’s tonight to sample its menu and wide selection of wines and spirits.

Melvyn’s is open for lunch, dinner, and hosts a Champagne brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Its welcoming staff will make you feel like a celebrity whenever you chose to spend an afternoon or night dining or sipping wine and spirits.

For a truly special dining experience, treat yourself and a guest to “the lost art of tableside cooking,” and witness dishes like Steak

COPA

PURPLE ROOM

Diane or Prime New York Steak ala Sinatra prepared tableside for you. Finish your night with dancing by the piano and later, an unforgettable Chocolate Bomb for dessert. Whatever you are celebrating, Melvyn’s will make your night an unforgettable romantic dining experience.

One of the best things about Palm Springs is that it is an extremely exciting city. No longer do the sidewalks roll up by early evening.

With well over a million visitors every year, this city has just about everything to offer. So once you finish your dinner and the night is still young, forget about going home! It is now time to check out the nightlife located in the city! You will be happy to discover there are many fantastic spots to visit. Here are a few popular options: COPA Nightclub - This nightclub is a throwback to days gone by. It features a u-shaped bar, leather barstools, and gilded cocktail tables - all in an awesome and vibrant color palette. Local and nationally known guest entertainers frequent the raised stage regularly, but the Copa transforms into the hottest dance party around on the weekends. The dance floor even has flashing lights and colored lasers rip through the air while you dance.

The Purple Room - The Purple Room is a small nightclub style cabaret. You can catch a show and have some fantastic food at the same time. This is a popular nightclub that locals, celebrities and visitors to Palm Springs all love to visit. One of the best things about this club is that it offers intimate seating, but still has enough room to move around as needed.

Ace Hotel and Swim Club - For those looking for an entirely different experience than nightclubs and dive bars, the Ace Hotel and Swim Club is here for you. At this spot, you can take in some interesting activities, like arts and crafts and comedians. On the

ACE

weekends, DJs, live music and dancing are thrown into the mix. Once a month, you can even enjoy a Full Moon Party, which includes tarot card readings, dancing and a drum circle. And don’t miss King’s Highway inside the Ace for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Regardless of the type of experience you are looking for, you can find a little bit of everything in Palm Springs.

WHERE TO STAY? Do you have a place to stay? Here is your opportunity to check out ModMansions and see what we have available for rent.

ModMansions offers the best Palm Springs Rentals available and all of our properties have been remodeled for today’s traveler. Check out our Palm Springs vacation homes and Palm Springs luxury vacation rentals and give us a call to book your incredible Palm Springs getaway today – (760) 209-4311. ¡También, hablamos español !

Jim Murphy & Hal Keasler, Owners ModMansions, LLC jim@modmansions.com www.modmansions.com

MARCH 2017 15

FEATURE

ON THE RISE

MAUREEN BHAROOCHA A FILMMAKER TO WATCH IN 2017

BY MONA ELYAFI Filmmaker and segment director for ABC’s JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! Maureen Bharoocha is one talent who, proving that women can “make it” in Hollywood on their own terms, is confidently challenging the status quo by writing and directing her own content.

It is a fact that the film industry is continuously coming under fire for its uneven playing field notably when it comes to treatment toward women, but Bharoocha doesn’t think being a female is a handicap.

While she is aware of the many studies that continue to testify to the dismal statistics surrounding female representation in Hollywood, she is not letting anything slow her down. With far more resources today for filmmakers to utilize to get their content and message across to the industry as well as to film audiences, Bharoocha refused to be a victim. Instead, she is creating film initiatives and vehicles that she can write and direct.

She just premiered her short film “Hairpin Bender” at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Starring Lauren Lapkus (Orange is the New Black, Jurassic World), Nicole Byer, Mary Holland and Aparna Nancherla, the short follows stand-up and improvisor Michelle Marcus and her fellow comedian friends as they band together and have one last night out on the town.

The ladies talk life, career struggles and chasing their dreams.

And the unstoppable Bharoocha is doing just that.

This is one hell of a trailblazing woman who, more than chasing her dreams; is literally living them and in the process is making ‘reel’ change!

As the product of a multi-cultural family - her mother a Rhode Island Irish Catholic and her father an Indian Muslim born in Burma, she and her siblings quickly learned the value of diversity.

Her large family, with its varied attitudes and beliefs, is an inspiration for many of her stories. In fact, her Sundance semi-finalist screenplay, Mornie is a true story about the death of her mother’s six-year-old sister.

After studying film at Boston University, Bharoocha came out to Los Angeles during the 2007-2008 writers’ strike. Having to cook up

MAUREEN BHAROOCHA

her own work to pay the bills, Bharoocha got one sweet break when she found herself on the “Cupcake payroll” after she was hired to make a series of short films for Sprinkles Cupcakes.

From there, she went on to write and direct two movies for the Lifetime Network: the physiological thriller “Fatal Flip”, and “I am Watching you” co-written with Ellen Huggins, which marked Bharoocha’s second movie in as many years.

The filmmaker has since been successfully remaining in the vanguard of developing stories from a female perspective.

Yet, as much as Bharoocha loves and is inspired by Brian de Palma and Alfred Hitchcock, Bharoocha, who has a real sweet spot for women’s entertainment, is focused on one thing only: telling stories women will relate to.

She is currently working with her brother Ahmed on her pilot “Corned Beef and Curry” - a show about a mixed religious family, which she says might be the secret weapon to fighting hate in this country.

She’s also looking to turn her short film Hairpin Bender into a feature film, which she hopes to shoot this summer, and in the meantime, continues to strive to live by her motto” MAKE COOL SHIT! Bharoocha’s Sprinkle shorts can be seen at: http://www.maureenbharoocha.com/sprinkles-shorts/

MARCH 2017 17

FEATURE

BUILDING COMMUNITY AND BREAKING BARRIERS THE DINAH 2017

BY MONA ELYAFI

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend (aka The Dinah) continues to make its presence felt across our country and around the world by raising the visibility of women in all facets of life, from artists, to comics, to filmmakers, to athletes and beyond.

For over a quarter century Mariah Hanson - founder and producer of the largest lesbian event in the world - has not only been delivering epic good times to lesbians, but has as well continuously been moving the needle with her ongoing commitment to amplifying, championing and celebrating women’s voices and talent via The Dinah.

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KEALA KENNELLY, BUTTERSCOTCH, JULIE GOLDMAN AND GINA YASHERE

The growth and longevity of the event – a worldwide cultural phenomenon is all the more astonishing and remarkable at a time when lesbian bars, spaces, festivals and publications are rampantly vanishing all across the country.

world champion and a finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent; singer, songwriter, rapper Tysh Hyman who penned songs for top-notch artists like Alicia Keys, Diddy, Kelly Rowland and Kanye West; rising pop star and Latin hip hop artist Lady Cultura.

This is why, now, more than ever events like The Dinah are necessary to reconnect our community. The Dinah is entirely produced by women, for women, and that is a powerful statement in today’s climate.

Championing and perpetuating the rise of women DJs behind the decks, The Dinah will also put the spotlight on some of the top female DJ tastemakers including DJ Kittens and the dynamic duo known as Stevie Trickz.

Kicking off at the close of Women’s History month on March 29th and wrapping on Sunday, April 2, the Dinah 2017 will celebrate and honor the trailblazing women in the Arts, Sports and Entertainment industry who have achieved historic firsts.

“Now more than ever, it is enormously important to celebrate and raise the visibility of women breaking glass ceilings especially within our own community because we need to be reminded that we are strong, capable, united and powerful in a time when our voices, especially spoken in unity, are needed more than ever before.” says Mariah Hanson.

The 27th installment of the Dinah is already expected to be one of the major highlights of the 2017 Palm Springs festival season with a powerful all-female line-up covering the entire gamut of the entertainment spectrum including sports, music, fashion, comedy, film & TV. The incredibly inspiring women slated to perform at The Dinah in 2017 include: world surf champion now turned cutting edge DJ Keala Kennelly who not only made a big splash playing herself in the 90s cult movie “Blue Crush” but also made history for female surfing winning the first women’s big wave contest at the Nelscott Big Wave Classic in 2010; Butterscotch, the first female beatbox

On the comedy front, the always politically incorrect stand-up comedian Julie Goldman, one of the most hilarious, provocative and familiar faces on Bravo’s “The People’s Couch” and the “Vanderpump Rules” will up the volume on your laughter. She’ll be joined by British comic Gina Yashere, who broke onto the American comedy scene with her appearance on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and the wildly hilarious Erin Foley who has been taking the comedy scene by storm across the nation.

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend is going back to the decade that brought us the ultimate best in dance music with two of the biggest club legends of the 90s: Cece Peniston and Black Box. Bringing their timeless repertoire of empowering, feel good and very contagiously catchy radio hits & nightclub staples to the largest lesbian event in the world, these two iconic Top Ten Billboardcharting dance/club recording icons are readying to raise Palm Springs’ temperature on Friday, March 31.

CeCe Peniston, who was just crowned one of the 100 Top Dance Club Artists of all Time by Billboard magazine, continues to be a fixture on the club scene with her chart topping international commercial hits “Finally”, “We Got a love Thang” & “Keep On Walking”.

MARCH 2017 19

FEATURE

CECE PENISTON

One of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play, Peniston scored five number one hits in the chart within three years. Her signature song “Finally” became one of the biggest dance singles, selling 3 million copies worldwide.

Keeping the groove going, Black Box will take us back to the Poetic Justice-style braids and slick fashion of the 90s with their massive international classics “Everybody everybody”, “Ride on Time”, “Strike It Up”, “I don’t know anybody else”, and “Fantasy” (a revamp of the Earth, Wind And Fire hit) all part of their seminal album “Dreamland”, considered one of the strongest and best known dance albums of the 90s.

The Dinah is all about celebrating our diversity and individual uniqueness. Black Box’s high-energy unifying-themed song “Everybody” completely mirrors that philosophy and lifestyle. It is appropriately fitting that the hit single has lived almost as long as The Dinah. It is certainly the theme song for this year’s 27th Anniversary of the event.

CeCe Peniston and Black Box have been keeping millions of fans dancing beneath disco balls and neon lights all over the world for 3 decades now.

Their highly anticipated live performances will most definitely push the Dinah over the edge to skyrocketing explosion for what is already billed to be the party of a lifetime.

“The Dinah has always stood for living out loud in celebration of our unique and incredible lives. This year we are bringing that message up a few notches,” says Hanson.

These are women who have taken a chance, shaken offstereotypes, fought adversity, and broken the glass ceiling in their respective professional fields paving their own ways.

Because that is what the Dinah has been and continues to be about: living out loud breaking barriers!

For more information about The Dinah go to: www.thedinah.com

MARCH 2017 21

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BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED…

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

The box was too small for a toaster.

There was no pony in there, no new car, not even a stuffed animal. The box was too small for all that, but it held so much more: dreams, ideas, happiness, congratulations! And if you’re lucky, your wise new fiancé tucked “Before I Do” by Elizabeth F. Schwartz in the box with your beautiful engagement ring.

So you put a ring on it, made the proposal, and now you’ve got a wedding to plan. It’s all quite exciting, but slow down a minute. If you’ve grown up thinking that this day would never come, then you might not have thought about what marriage entails.

“LGBT people,” says Schwartz, “have not lived in a world with premarital guidance for LGBT couples. We have suffered systemic exclusion…”

Just because you can be married now is no reason that you should, she points out. Yes, you’re in love, and yes, you’ve been together forever but now’s the time to be sure you know exactly what you’re in for. That starts by asking yourselves a series of difficult but important questions.

Once you’ve gotten that (perhaps uncomfortable) part out of the way, be sure that any past relationships are completely and legally finished and “do not create confusion with multiple statuses with multiple people.” Know what paperwork you need in order to proceed, and what questions you’ll be asked as you’re filling it out.

This pre-wedding period is a good time to talk to a financial expert, a tax consultant, and a lawyer. Don’t trust word-of-mouth to protect your finances; the laws in your state may horrify you, if wedded bliss goes bust. Talk about debt: how much each of you has, and how you perceive it. Educate yourself on insurance coverage, asset protection, pre-nups, and estate planning.

And if all this preparation makes you start to think that maybe marriage isn’t such a good idea after all, Schwartz says it’s okay.

There are valid reasons for not taking the plunge, and there are alternatives. One of them may be a much better fit for you.

Getting engaged is such an exciting time. Putting the brakes on everything isn’t the most romantic notion, but it’s maybe the most prudent. “Before I Do” explains why.

Though she says her advice in this book is appropriate for anyone, author Elizabeth F. Schwartz focuses more on gay and lesbian couples, as well as trans individuals and their prospective spouses. She does so, in part, because she feels that they’ve only seen marriage “on the fringes.”

That somewhat sets this book apart from the thousands of other wedding-planner books on bookshelves; what really makes it different, however, is that Schwartz admits her no-nonsense words may talk prospective brides and grooms out of having a wedding.

Truth: readers who might’ve somehow taken marriage lightly before will absolutely be convinced otherwise.

“Failure to plan has terrible consequences,” says Schwartz, and this book erases that omission. Read “Before I Do,” though, and rest assured that you can toast one another smarter.

“Before I Do” by Elizabeth F. Schwartz, afterword by Jim Obergefell c.2016, The New Press $14.95 / higher in Canada 220 pages

MARCH 2017 23

THE AMAZON TRAIL

LOVE SONG

BY LEE LYNCH

The only one who got any treats this Valentine’s Day was the cat. As my sweetheart said, now that we’re getting old and fat, we need to think of new ways to celebrate loving occasions. So, we treated ourselves to an iRobot Roomba 650. More expensive than a red heart full of chocolates, but oh, so rewarding, so low calorie.

Could we afford this luxury robot? It was on sale and we had a gift card. Did we need it? No, my sweetheart actually likes vacuuming. Did she think it was just another gadgety toy that caught my eye? No, I barely saw the robot until she had it up and running.

Don’t believe everything you hear about lesbian family roles.

I admit; the Roomba was my idea. At the Left Coast Lesbian Literary Conference last year, I overheard a literary dyke enthusiastically praising the product and its sale price. I emailed myself a reminder to check it out. My sweetheart was not excited, but I foresaw a future which included making all sorts of messes—

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repotting plants, constructing signs for protests, eating crumbly nonfat crackers—without guilt or the anticipation of cleaning up with a loud, heavy, inadequate trump-like device.

She sings. Not my sweetheart, but the little helper she named Vic the Vac. You put Vic on the floor and she sings a happy fluty sound that makes us think she’s thrilled to be doing her job. She’s grateful to us for setting her free, free! And she sets about her duties assiduously. All we need to do, besides empty her nether parts, is keep out of her way. Vic does a better job of cleaning than the best of the big vacuums we’ve tried.

Of course, as with any new—would you call her a pet—there are moments of panic. The robot comes with an electronic thingy that creates a virtual barricade to keep her out of areas where you don’t want her marauding. (An electronic wall anyone?)

But seriously, when Vic gets stuck under a bookcase, my

sweetheart longs, and I quote, to be able to program Vic with messages like “owie” when she’s stuck, or “uppie” when she‘s done and wants to be carried home from behind her barricade to her charging station. My sweetheart also wishes we could teach Vic to say, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing,” to signal that her canister is full. As if that were an issue, we turn her on to do her happy dance whenever we see a spot. Our home hasn’t been this consistently clean in ten years.

How is our robot a fit gift for Valentine’s Day? For one thing, it frees up some together time. Time that, these days, is so tethered to the necessity of political activism. Instead of walking the beach hand in hand or sitting close by the (gas) fireplace, remembering falling in love and our wedding, we’re calling senators from coast to coast to beg, thank, or encourage them to save the America we love.

It was kind of romantic, though, that first protest march we attended together. We live in a place that is about as populous as half a neighborhood in my hometown of NYC. The Women’s March was anticipated to draw, at most, a couple hundred residents. As we waved our signs at passing motorists, people kept streaming toward us. Whole families, singles, packs of friends, all genders,

all colors, packed the front of City Hall in the rain; sixteen hundred of us, several of who came from our 55+ neighborhood. A ninetysix-year-old woman in a wheelchair waved her sign, grinning her head off.

We held hands, my sweetheart and I, as we marched along the Coast Highway, the only coastal route from Mexico to Canada. Our little adopted town, where we have made our home, wasn’t standing still for the coup of ignorance in our capitol.

The police and volunteers were, if not friendly, competent. They might have been scared of our unprecedented numbers. Some of the drivers who passed shouted obscenities and made emphatically offensive gestures. There was one man with a sign supporting the Bundy brothers’ occupation of Malheur National Forest. We protesters were peaceful and did not engage.

The discouraging part, as my college roommate, who marched in NYC, said, was, “What now?”

Romantic activism, hardly a new form of courting and togetherness, is in our future. As are dieting, more walking in the rain hand in hand, and perhaps celebrating Valentine’s Day in our living room with a waltz or a rumba to the happy love song of the Roomba.

MARCH 2017 25

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PSP FOCUS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S DESERT SPIRIT XXVIII GALA

BY KELLI BIELLO

The American Cancer Society Desert Spirit XXVIII Gala March 26, 2017 will be Pineapples to Palms Hawaiian Hula Party held at the exclusive Dick Heckmann estate in Rancho Mirage.

“This will be a very fun, laid back Hawaiian-style Desert Spirit Gala and inspirational evening at an elegant private estate,” said Melissa Neiderman, advisory gala chair. “The program will be surrounded by our incredible restaurants serving delectable dishes for the main course. The short program will lead into an evening of dancing. Join Event Chairs Gayle Keagy and Renae Madore and host restaurateur Drew Davis from Catalan Mediterranean Cuisine for a delicious and fun night,” Neiderman said. Palm Springs entertainer Alfie Pettit, a cancer survivor, is the honorary chair.

Tickets for the 5:30 p.m. gala are $300 per person and tables of 10 for $3,000 are available.

Erin Burnham, owner of Smokin’ Burgers restaurant in Palm Springs, a stage four breast cancer survivor will be honored with the ACS Celebration of Life Award for her advocacy in the war against cancer. “Erin and her husband Huey are two of the most generous and giving people in Palm Springs,” Neiderman said. “They are forever hosting events at their restaurant to raise money for the

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American Cancer Society and other charities.”

Also to be honored with the Spirit of the Mission Award are two outstanding local doctors: Monica Khanna, M.D. is the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center. Dr. Janet Ihde is Medical Director of Women’s Health at Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Khanna has practiced Radiation Oncology in the Coachella Valley for over 20 years. She earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville Medical School and her post-graduate training from LAC-USC Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center.

Among her honors and awards are Soroptimist’s International Award for “A Doctor Making a Difference” and City of Palm Desert’s Athena Award. In past years, Monica Khanna has chaired the Eisenhower Medical Center Cancer Committee, served on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society and Desert Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Ihde has practiced Surgical Oncology in the Coachella Valley for 20 years, specializing in cancer of the breast, endocrine system and melanoma. Dr. Ihde is board certified in General Surgery and Surgical Oncology. She completed surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and she was an Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Dr. Ihde also

PSP FOCUS

ALFIE PETTIT, ERIN BURNHAM, DR. MONICA KHANNA AND DR. JANET IHDE

was Chief Resident, General Surgery at LLUMC and she earned her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

Among her honors and awards is Loma Linda’s Golden Scalpel Award for Outstanding Surgeon of the Year. In addition to caring for her patients, Dr. Ihde chairs a weekly multidisciplinary pre-treatment conference where physicians come together to discuss breast cancer patients’ treatment options. She also helped launch a breast cancer high-risk clinic at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition, she gives public talks on cancer prevention and treatment, and helps further the causes of local organizations including the American Cancer Society, Gilda’s Club and Desert Cancer Foundation.

Popular and Emmy-Award winning KESQ News Channel 3 Anchor Karen Devine will be the emcee/hostess. And as some more TV star power is John Callahan, best known for his role as Edmund Grey on “All My Children”, will be the auctioneer for a fantastic live auction. “We are also very proud to have KESQ News Channel 3 as our TV media partner, The Desert Sun as our newspaper partner as well as The Standard Magazine to help us in the fight against cancer and to raise much needed funds for research and to help local cancer patients,” Neiderman said. “ KESQ News Channel 3 is honored to serve as the official TV

Media Sponsor of this wonderful Desert Spirit Gala because it is for a cause that seems to touch everyone who lives here in the Coachella Valley,” said Michael Stutz, cancer survivor and general manager of KESQ News Channel 3. “It is part of our commitment to showcase the important events that occur in this community and demonstrate the generosity of our residents who contribute to the fight against cancer.”

Other media sponsors include the bi-weekly arts and entertainment Live Magazine, Luxe Magazine, Alpha Media Group and social media’s MyCityEveryDay. The American Cancer Society offers services and programs in the desert, including free transportation for cancer patients, free wigs, free lodging and free counseling for cancer patients and their families as well as fund cancer research. These services can be scheduled using the toll-free number: (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org IF YOU GO American Cancer Society’s Desert Spirit XXVIII Gala Pineapples to Palms Hawaiian Hula Party When: Sunday March 26 5:30pm Where: The Dick Heckmann Estate in Rancho Mirage.

Tickets: www.desertspirit.net.

MARCH 2017 29

NCLR PALM SPRINGS GARDEN PARTY — APRIL 1, 2017 —

Join us in Palm Springs for NCLR’s annual Palm Springs Garden Party on April 1st!

At the event you will hear about our incredible NCLR legal team and work to advance full equality for the entire LGBT community. Join event Co-Chairs Barbara Carpenter and Gary D. Soto along with NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell. This year we are excited to be honoring The LGBT Community Center of the Desert. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Event Details Saturday, April 1st 5:00PM Champagne Cocktail Reception For Sponsors of $500+

5:30PM Garden Party

The fabulous Pond Estate in Palm Springs, CA Event address provided upon RSVP by e-mail.

RSVP and reserve your spot today! www.NCLRights.org/GardenParty

Learn More Visit NCLRights.org/GardenParty to learn about sponsorship opportunities and purchase tickets. For questions regarding the event, contact Corporate Relations & Events Manager Dani Siragusa at Events@NCLRights.org or 415.365.1309.

— THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS — Co-Chair: Larry Colton & John McCoy | Larry Fulton & David Vogel | Geoff Kors & James Williamson Co-Host: Gordon & Sally Atkinson | Club Skirts Dinah Shore | Carol Dunlap & Meredith Miller/True Value Palm Springs Pamela Genevrino & Ginny Foat | Lynn Hammond Catering | Robert Van Roo | WorkOUT Gym Premier: Brett Gilbert & Glenn Troost | Andy Linsky | Gary D. Soto & Matt Tully | Darrell L. Tucci/Desert AIDS Project Partner: Perry Eisman & Peter Lichtenthal | Joan Elliott & Gloria Kapp | David Ewing | Chris Heritage/Heritage Legal, PC Gary Hiatt & Fred Ross | JR Roberts | Corey Routh | Joy Silver and Atma Wiseman | Brian Webb VIP: Carol and Mike Balasa | Michael Bullock | Cheryl Callaghan & Lisa Middleton | Ruth Debra & Sherry Fulton Beth Edwards & Cindy Solomon | Emily Freeman | David Freedman | Lulu California Bistro Michael Marcheschi & Barry Skown | Denise Montiel | Nadine Navarro & Margaret Norris | Jeffrey Norman | Jaime Rook SMRI | Mimi Su & Donna Shepherd | Michael Valeo Friend: Salim Alama | Scott Beloved & J. Eric Shay | Susan Burnside | Barbara & Renae Carpenter | Frank Goldstin & Paul Clowers Diane Ross SPONSOR LIST AS OF 2/26/17

Media:

Sponsorships, tickets and more: NCLRights.org/GardenParty 30 THESTANDARDPS.COM

PSP FOCUS RED HOT & RICH

FEATURING THE MUSIC AND LIFE OF COLE PORTER BENEFITTING AAP / FOOD SAMARITANS

Chicago’s legendary pianist and orchestra leader Stanley Paul will bring his lively and fascinating show “Red Hot & Rich” to the Coachella Valley on Friday, March 10 with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. at Heather James Fine Art, located at 45188 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert. Throughout Paul’s fivedecade career, he has been fortunate to have enjoyed intimate moments with dozens of music and entertainment legends, including Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, Gloria Swanson, Carol Channing, Liberace, Joan Crawford, Ethel Merman and Oprah Winfrey among many, many more. In this West Coast premiere performance, Paul will feature more than 30 legendary Cole Porter songs in a fast-paced and stunning presentation that presents the songs in the manner in which they were originally produced. Limited tickets for this event (which includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and show) are $125 and may be purchased by calling 760-325-8481 or visiting aidsassistance.org. All proceeds will benefit AAP – Food Samaritans.

“Stanley Paul is a tremendously talented performer who will be sure to delight the audience with his stunning interpretations of some of the most beloved Cole Porter songs,” said Mark Anton, Executive

Director of AAP – Food Samaritans. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this incredible performance to Coachella Valley residents and we are deeply honored that Mr. Paul, now a resident of Palm Springs, is doing this show as a benefit for AAP – Food Samaritans.”

Talented Stanley Paul will take the audience back to the glamorous lifestyle of Cole and Linda Porter in Paris and Venice in the 1920s to Broadway and Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. In addition to expertly performing dozens of vintage Porter tunes in the manner in which they were originally produced, Paul will share colorful stories about Porter and his incredible career, and will leave the audience mesmerized by the genius that was Cole Porter. As Paul says, “We think Cole would have approved.”

Since it was founded in 1991, AAP – Food Samaritans remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses.

Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller, AAP provides nutritional support to members of the community with low incomes. For more information, please call 760-325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.

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MARCH 2017 33

LEGALLY SPEAKING FROM SARDINES TO SOCIAL MEDIA PROTECTING CONSUMER RIGHTS

BY CHRISTOPHER HERITAGE I’m guessing that when you go out to eat or stop by the local supermarket you don’t research the consumer protection history of that establishment. Do you know whether it complies with consumer safety laws? Do you notice if there is an “A” rating on the door of that charming café? Do you inspect the meat case at the grocer’s for outdated or leaking packages? Probably not.

economy. Harassment by debt collectors when someone falls behind on bills is an especially abusive practice, and it is prohibited.

Charging exorbitant interest rates on credit cards and other loans; hiding fees and penalties in the fine print of a loan agreement; and applying payments first to low-interest portions of loan balances are other prohibited practices.

You shop for clothes at the mall, order books online, open a line of credit at the bank, stop by the hair salon for a quick trim, and make lots of other financial transactions all the time. I’m guessing that if you comparison-shop at all, it is usually to find the best price, not to study the vendor’s consumer rights history.

Various types of harassment and fraud are a result of false or misleading advertising. “Bait and switch” tactics, warranty misrepresentation and defective products are prohibited.

Telemarketing fraud is being reduced through the National Do Not Call Registry, where consumers may bar unsolicited telephone calls from for-profit businesses.

We are so fortunate that federal, state and county agencies protect us in thousands of ways from the perils of diseases and disasters that would otherwise be commonplace.

It is an almost invisible cloak of protection, because we can’t see it, and most of the time we don’t even remember that it is there. But it allows all of us to be as confident as possible in the choices we make every day of our lives.

Consumer rights and protection laws provide a way for each of us to hold sellers of goods and services accountable when they try to take advantage of us. The laws also ensure fair competition among businesses. Products and services purchased in the marketplace are required to be safe and transactions must be fair. The laws target every kind of business practice and product safety issue, including these: Billing errors Credit discrimination Credit reporting issues Debt collectors Food safety Housing discrimination

Identity theft Loans of all kinds Money transfers Unsafe drugs, cosmetics or medical devices Unsafe products, such as toys Warranty and used car issues

Let’s take a closer look at two federal agencies and their responsibilities for consumer protections: The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection deals with unfair or deceptive practices throughout the consumer

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Recent Federal Trade Commission statistics show the top ten complaints filed by consumers are: Identity theft Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries Debt collection Auto-related issues Imposter scams Shop-at-home and catalog sales Tel. and mobile services TV and electronic media Banks and lenders Internet services

The Food and Drug Administration is the agency responsible for the safety of our food, drugs and medical devices. It regulates food ingredients, packaging and labeling; the use, branding and labeling of dietary supplements; the prevention of foodborne illness; and it handles recalls, safety alerts and investigation of food safety incidents.

The FDA manages the development and approval process for drugs; handles drug safety issues; and is responsible for emergency preparedness for bioterrorism and natural disaster events. And it handles the development process and safety of medical devices such as cardiovascular, cosmetic and dental products; implants and prosthetics; and obesity treatment devices.

Food is probably of the most interest to everyone, because we all have to eat all the time. A recent article identified food safety issues that are of the greatest concern right now:

Foodborne illness is the most prevalent risk with food. Food poisoning affects nearly 80 million Americans every year, and at least 300,000 are hospitalized. More than 5,000 of these people die. It is likely that the causes of such astonishing figures are lack of good education about food preparation and safety; and the increase in high-density, low-sanitation livestock facilities and other practices, which spread diseases rapidly.

Food contaminants are of real concern. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium are sometimes found in food, and can cause serious illness. Pesticides are other contaminants that are hard to avoid because they are used in so many agricultural operations in fruit and vegetable production, and in animal feeding.

Antibiotic resistance has been building up as farmers use more and more antibiotics to prevent udder infections that dairy cows often suffer when being treated with growth hormone. The widespread use of antibiotics increases the likelihood of antibioticresistant diseases and infections in all of us.

The FDA studies, develops processes, inspects production facilities and manages safety alerts and recalls. They are our first line of defense against food disasters.

How about those sardines? For the most part, they are safe to eat.

The FDA has strict rules in place for every type of sardines from canned to marinated, and they cover everything from manufacturing, supplying and processing to importing and exporting the tasty little fish.

Federal agencies welcome complaints and want to be advised of consumer rights issues. You may order or download a free copy of the Consumer Action Handbook in English or Spanish. It is a good resource for tips about your rights, how to file a complaint, and the contact information for government agencies and for customer service departments at many national corporations. Order a copy online at: www.usa.gov/handbook This article is part of an ongoing series of articles pertaining to legal issues relevant to the LGBT community, and is intended for general information purposes only – not legal advice. Christopher Heritage is an attorney in Palm Springs and San Diego, who focuses on LGBT estate planning, domestic partnerships, same-sex marriage, probate, trust administration, and bankruptcy. He welcomes questions and comments and can be contacted at 760-325-2020 or at chris@heritagelegal.com

MARCH 2017 35

FITNESS

GESUNDHEIT!

BY JILL LANGHAM

It’s March here in Palm Springs and it looks as if it will be one of the best springs in years with all the seasonal rain we continue to have. Allergies are running rampant and people all around me are constantly sneezing, coughing and blowing their nose. This makes me think a lot about airborne illnesses and cross contamination. I work 6 days a week in World Gym, Palm Springs and can honestly say that this has been the worst allergy season that I have ever seen.

One of the ways that I have personally dealt with this issue is to keep well hydrated. I also use a nasal wash everyday to keep my sinuses moist. There are numerous types of these washes and they can easily be found at your local drugstore. I began using the wash 20 years ago when I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I had no idea that I had allergies until I woke up one morning and tried to walk to the bathroom. I’ve always been someone who jumps out of bed when my alarm goes off and that morning was no different. But, this time as I was taking my first few steps, I went crashing into bedroom wall. I had no balance and as a former nurse, just knew that I had a brain tumor! I’m serious about this. People in the medical field have too much information and the simplest symptom quickly becomes the worse case scenario. I immediately asked my then boyfriend to take me to urgent care leaning on his arm, as I was unable to stand up.

I was floored when the doctor told me that I had severe allergies, as I had never experienced what I believed to be allergy symptoms.

But, boy was I mistaken. Earlier, that spring, I remembered hearing high pitched ringing in my ears. I’d be talking to a customer in the store that I co-owned, when suddenly one of ears would stop up as if someone had put their hand over my ear. It was usually followed by the high-pitched sound. I would continue to help the customer, pretending that nothing was happening. A few minutes later, both symptoms would be gone and I would forget about them until it happened again. This went every couple of weeks but I just passed it off as a “fluke” and went on about my business. I’ve never been someone who had a runny nose, even when I got the flu, instead I had a chronically dry nose and every couple of years would get a sore in my nose from the dryness which would eventually go away. The only symptom I had was sneezing which, would typically got going when I walked out of a building and went into the sun. I would automatically start sneezing and most of the time sneezed 5 or 6 times in a row and then it was over! I never had itchy, watery or blood shot eyes, nor did I blow my nose or get sinus infections, so there is no way I had this “allergy” problem!

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When I heard commercials on T.V. talk about allergy medications, I didn’t listen because those symptoms and problems didn’t relate to me, or so I thought. So, when this E.N.T. Doctor told me I had bad allergies, I was shocked. I told him I had a hard time believing that my dizziness was due to allergies until he helped me understand exactly what was happening in my sinuses. I was experiencing dizziness because my middle ears were totally clogged, affecting my balance, which is why I crashed into the wall. He prescribed an over the counter decongestant that he said would un-clog my ears allowing me to walk naturally again. He also told me I needed to use the decongestant every day during allergy season and then encouraged me to buy a nasal wash and to use it every day year round, which I have done for the last 20 years. I rarely use the decongestant unless I hear the high-pitched sound in my ears which I did last week, so I’m back on my over the counter med. Hopefully, you don’t suffer from allergies, but if you do, I hope some of what I’ve shared will help you deal with these symptoms! Happy Spring!

Got questions or need help? Feel free to contact me. Jill is a Certified Personal Trainer with over 40 years experience, an NPC bodybuilding & Figure competitor, and winner of 21 Trophies, 9 of which are First Place, a motivational speaker, author, a graduate of E.S.T and has experience in Chemical Dependence, Hormones, Individual & Group Therapy.

Contact jill@jilllangham.com; Facebook account is under Jill Langham.

Phone 760-218-1527

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MARCH 2017 39

FILM

MEN AT WERQ

BEAUTIFUL MEN STRIKE A PRECARIOUS POSE IN “RAYE”

BY MAX JIMENEZ “As children, we are taught to dream that we can be anything we want to be in this world,” says gay film director Steven L. Coard.

“We’re never told about the dangerous road we might have to travel in the quest to reach our dreams.”

In his latest film, Raye, an African American man moves to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a high fashion supermodel.

One night, by chance encounter, Raymond “Raye” Buckley (played by Gary Lavard) meets model agent Hardie Noon (played by Shawn Singleton). With help from Hardie, Raye becomes a modeling sensation, eclipsing his nemesis, America’s former top male model, Vester V. To hold his crown, Raye must learn who he can trust in the dog-eat-dog industry of high fashion modeling.

“I originally came to NYC to become a model,” reveals Coard, who also stars in the film as Vester V. “I was constantly told I wasn’t attractive enough or fit enough or that I didn’t have the right proportions. I would go on endless casting calls only to be left broken inside.”

His most horrific experience was when an agent offered to represent him but it turned out the agency was an escort service.

Coard eventually quit modeling. “I wasn’t strong enough to make it in the industry,” he admits. “I grew sick of the rejection and I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t know myself and truthfully, I believe that if I had been successful, I would have spiraled down a dangerous path.”

Giving up on his dream would become his biggest life regret, he says, but it would also inspire him to make a film loosely based on his experience. “I wanted to make a film that was almost a male version of Diana Ross’ Mahogany,” he says. Mahogany tells the story of Tracy Chambers, a poor African American model who gets discovered and becomes a household name, celebrated for her beauty.

Coard took his idea to Kaylee Fleckney, a screenwriter he had worked with previously on the film, Heartbreaks and Soulmates.

Together, they wrote the first draft of what would become Raye.

“Kaylee did her magic, editing the script and adding the final details to polish up the story.”

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He chose Gary Lavard, an actor in Heartbreaks and Soulmates, for the lead role, because, “He is such a talented actor who is always eager to work and make art. Plus, Gary’s easy to look at,” he adds with a smile.

When it came to casting the other leads, Coard searched for ethnically diverse actors with real body types that would be relatable to viewers watching the film. “I wanted to show that models are not clones and that any body type can be successful in modeling.”

STEVEN L. COARD

He saved the role of Vester V for himself because he saw playing a villain as a challenge. “I can play a nice guy all day long but playing a scoundrel is something new for me,” he explains.

The hardest part was bringing likability to the character. “I wanted viewers to love to hate him.”

Raye is being distributed by Color of Love Production Studios, an award-winning production company founded by Coard that specializes in creating stories about the LGBTQ community of color.

Previous films include Heartbreaks and Soulmates and last fall’s critically acclaimed romantic comedy, Don’t Marry Griff.

Raye continues some of the major themes from Don’t Marry Griff. In both films, men of color are chasing their American dreams.

“And without giving away endings for either, karma turns out to be a beeeotch in both,” laughs Coard.

Coard wears several hats at Color of Love Production Studios.

He is writer, director, producer, and oftentimes actor. “I love it all,” he says. “I love directing and producing because I call the shots and if the project isn’t a success, I can only blame myself. I love acting because I can be a part of the cast, making memorable characters like Vester V that may live on through time.”

Steven L. Coard may have missed out on his supermodel dream but his new aspiration is to create a place where LGBTQ talent of varying disciplines can work together in a supportive environment to create exciting visual projects. “The Color of Love Production School for Film, Theatre, and Scriptwriting,” he announces.

“I believe anything is possible. If you want something bad, you can’t let anything stop you. My love for theatre and acting has allowed me to do things I never would have thought possible for someone like me. I am proving to myself every day that with hard work and sacrifice, yes, it’s possible to get all I ever wanted in this world.”

Raye is available now at https://colorofloveproduction.com.

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MUSIC

BLONDE LEADING THE BLONDE IN DANCE AGAIN

BY MIKE BAHR

PHOTOS BY JOHN McRAE

“It’s as if Major Lazer and Ace of Base had a love child,” says Bielfield about “Dance Again,” his new high-energy club track with drag superstar Courtney Act. Biefield is an American opera tenor with a five octave range. He was trained at Juilliard and has performed in productions with the New York City Opera and The Metropolitan Opera. “Growing up, I was always told that I could not be both a classical musician and a pop performer,” he continues. “I believed it, too, until I realized that music is all inclusive and non-divisive in nature. I want to show the world my versatility and to make the music I have always wanted to create. ” Written by Bielfield and Courtney Act and produced by Bielfield and Jhay C, “Dance Again” is a heart breaking yet sweat inducing song about getting over a lost love. Unlike Beilfeld’s previous tracks — “Boom and Bust,” “Kings and Queens” and “Frequency”: all of which leaned toward an 80’s mod vibe — “Dance Again” mixes modern electronic elements with retro sounds to create a unique club sound all its own.

“Courtney was the big inspiration for this song. I wanted to write a song specifically for her voice. Something special that brought out her vibrant spirit and girlish innocence.”

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Bielfield first met Courtney Act last year, backstage at a music festival. “I immediately knew I needed to work with her,” he remembers.

“A week or two later, we came face to face again, at a concert where she introduced me to the stage. After the show, I invited Courtney to a Mexican restaurant, got her wasted on margaritas, and I charmed her into joining me in the recording studio.

They got to work on something that would resonate on today’s pop radio. “We wanted a song that would stir emotions, not necessarily full on jumping ‘round the house craziness, but something to get people moving.”

“Where my classical career is a more traditional expression of art and society, pop is where I get to explore my personal life situations and intimate feelings.”

He admits his classical training sometimes sneaks into his pop production. Before recording “Dance Again,” Bielfield had Courtney Act lay flat on the floor in the booth to do the vocal exercises he was taught at Juilliard. “Oh, the look she gave me,” he laughs.

Bielfeld’s “Dance Again” featuring Courtney Act is on iTunes now.

For more information, visit bielfield.com.

SOCIAL COMMENTARY

BLACK IS THE COLOR OF LOVE

BY DR. STEPHAN M. SCOGGINS

St. Patrick’s Day? That’s the only thing that readily comes to mind for the month of March. Well, I suppose we can celebrate a one-month anniversary from having fallen in love on Valentine’s Day.(smile) Other than spraying my hair green and going to a local pub for green beer, what else can we do?

Here is an idea? What about if we use this month to SAVE some money? That’s green. (smile) I’d like to share what my spouse and I have done for YEARS and it really works, well.

Although we start this process on January 1st, it can also be utilized as a spin off from last month’s “love month”. We use a heart-shaped box that we affectionately refer to as, wait for it….wait for it… the “love box”.(smile) Now, let me explain the rules and the rationale.

The “requirement” is for each of us to put $1.00 into the “love box” every night before going to bed. There are specific guidelines. You must put a dollar in each night, not $30 or $31 for the month. Several experiences and lessons are shared from this process. First of all, we quickly get to determine, Can we both keep our word to the rules? For some couples, this is where the first red flag is identified. Because of the lack of commitment, and in some cases, respect to the relationship, one or both want to be short distance runners and just put the money in for the month or maybe even the year and be done with it! Isn’t that an analogy to, “hit it and quit it?”(smile) Here is a beautiful reality. Each night that you are putting your respective dollars into the “love box” you are thinking about your partner; thinking about how you AGREED to the process; thinking about how your partner can count on you and that you won’t let them down.

Another reality is, “If you can’t count on each other to keep your word for saving a dollar, how can you count on each other to keep your word for your contribution to a mortgage or a new car? I don’t care how harsh it seems, however, if you can’t depend of someone to keep

their word for a dollar, then you would be upset at the wrong person when they don’t keep their word on hundreds or thousands of dollars. We must never forget the late, great Dr. Maya Angelou when she said, “When people tell you who they are why won’t you believe them?”

Brace yourself! Look at this exciting result.

If you each save $1.00 each night for the year, you two will have accumulated $728 in the “love box” in 364 days. Hmmm, I wonder why I calculated that at 364 days? Here’s why. On New Year’s year, since we started on January 1st and continue until December 30th, we open the “love box” and have $728 to spend, wait for it….wait for it…for ONE NIGHT!!(smile) Trust me when I say that $728 is a lot of money to blow for one night of fun. The possibilities are endless. You can go to the airport and fly anywhere that a plane is leaving in one hour that will be within your $728, leaving money for a hotel for the night, dinner, money or whatever. Here is the other fun part. When you enjoy the person that you are with, does it really matter WHERE you go?

And if all else fails, if you have been lying to yourselves about the quality of your relationship, use the $728 on a damn therapist! Let’s help establish a culture of LOVE. Encourage each other to take a chance on love.

We would like to ask all of our many readers to email us at info@ BlackIsTheColorOfLove.com and tell us, “What are some FUN and EFFECTIVE ways that you save money? We will post the responses in the next issue, however, will maintain your confidentiality.

Please accept this personal invitation to visit www.BlackIsTheColorOfLove. com and learn about educational and scholarship opportunities for people of all ages, people of all races. As a nation, we MUST change our culture, our learned behavior, so that it can reflect an expression of love in ways that we have only dreamed.

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the3D’s RESTAURANTS WANG’S IN THE DESERT 424 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.WANG (9264) www.wangsinthedesert.com NATURE’S HEALTH FOOD & CAFE 555 S Sunrise Way Suite 301 Palm Springs, CA 760.323.9487 www.natureshealthfoodcafe.com SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com RÍO AZUL 350 S. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.992.5641 www.rioazulpalmsprings.com AZUL RESTAURANT 369 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.325.5533 www.azultapaslounge.com TINTO 1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.323.1711 palmsprings.tintorestaurant.com COPLEY’S ON PALM CANYON 621 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.9555 www.copleyspalmsprings.com

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DINE | DRINK | DANCE { Coachella Valley } WORKSHOP KITCHEN & BAR 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.459.3451 www.workshoppalmsprings.com LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com POMME FRITE 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.778.3727 www.pomme-frite.com DISH 1107 N. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.322.7171 www.dishcreativecuisine.com THAI SMILE PALM SPRINGS 100 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.864.8746 www.triopalmsprings.com THE TROPICALE 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA 760.866.1952 www.thetropicale.com

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS

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

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com

BIRBA 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.5678 www.birbaps.com

TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

CHEEKYS 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.7595 www.cheekysps.com

PURPLE ROOM 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.322.4422 www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

EL MIRASOL 140 E Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.323.0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com RICK’S RESTAURANT 1973 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.416.0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.3776 www.pinocchiops.com

CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Road PS 760.327.1079 STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road PS 760.320.1266 www.psstreetbar.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com SPURLINE VIDEO LOUNGE 200 Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760.778.4326 www.spurline.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY GET HIM ON THE LINE where palm springs Eats Try For Free

800-960-6843 707 N Palm Canyon Dr 760.864.8746 | TRIOPalmSprings.com

Ahora en Español /18+

For advertising inquiries please contact Nino@thestandardps.com TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE STANDARD PLEASE GO TO THESTANDARDPS.COM If you are an artist and would like to be considered for our ART VIEW - Artist Profile, please email us at info@thestandardps.com.

COMING UP NEXT MONTH

EVENING UNDER THE STARS MARCH 2017 45

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EVENTS CALENDAR

MAR 11 LGBT CENTER RED DRESS/DRESS RED EVENT Voted Most Fun Non-Profit Event, Red Dress Dress Red is the only dance party where you can expect queens, bears, femmes, studs, and everything in between serving up fabulousness and dancing the night away amongst TV personalities, philanthropists, and politicians.

The only requirement? Rock a sassy red dress or a snappy red pant-suit in support of The Center. For tickets visit www.thecenterps.org

For info visit www.operaartspalmsprings.org or call 760-323-8353 DBA EVENTS FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.DESERTBUSINESSASSOCIATION.ORG

CHILL BAR PALM SPRINGS A warm and fabulous twenty first century modern venue located on Arenas, suited with multi faceted rooms for any celebration.

The gorgeous island bar is surrounded by hi-definition video entertainment and a comfortable designer lounge. Chill on the patio enjoying music and refreshing beverages with friends after a game of pool, or come by and say hello to our friendly staff. Open for business seven days a week. Get out of the heat, and come join us! Happy Hour (From Open to 7pm) and Late Happy Hour (From Midnight to Last Call) $4 Well Drinks, $2.75 Bud Light & $1.50 Chill Lager. www.chillbarpalmsprings.com

ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TG MONDAYS. TRANSGENDER SOCIAL EVENT Every second Monday of the month, Transgender Social Hour discussing advocacy, transitioning & HRT. Allies, respectful admirers, and transgender umbrella all welcome. Portion of proceeds to benefit the Raina Chessman Fund. For more info www.transcc.org

MAR 11 2017 CHALK ART FESTIVAL Professional and student artists will create chalk masterpieces on the sidewalks, with live music, hands-on art activities for children and much more. Proceeds from the event go to the Palm Springs SunUp Rotary Foundation and Arts in the Schools of the Palm Springs Unified School District. For further info visit www.palmspringssunuprotary.org

MAR 19 FESTIVAL OF OPERA & ART. PALM DESERT CIVIC CENTER PARK Free to the public. Lots of pre-music festivities also featuring the Desert Winds Freedom Band. Hours 1pm to 6pm. Bring your blankets, chairs and umbrellas. Art exhibits curated by the La Quinta Art Association.

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PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM The Palm Springs Art Museum offers free admission every Thursday night from 4-8 p.m., sponsored by the City of Palm Springs. This provides an excellent way to start a trip to the City’s VillageFest, the popular weekly street festival held every Thursday night along Palm Canyon Drive. www.psmuseum.org

THE SUNDAY BAND W/ SPECIAL GUESTS. PAPPY & HARRIET’S PIONEERTOWN The Sunday Rock + Roll Service is a Pappy and Harriet’s institution celebrating the healing powers of music and community!

Every weekend the club’s favorite singers and players get together and trade songs.

Come join us to see Victoria Williams, Gar Robertson, Carol Ann Crandall, Damian Lester, Bob Furgo, Rachel Dean, Ryan Norman, Caleb Winn, Danny Frankel and other talented locals performing for your drinking and dancing pleasure. With a come-as-you-are vibe, Sundays have seen great special guests like Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks, Rickie Lee Jones to name a few. www.pappyandharriets.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR

CARNIVAL CABARET. OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR. PALM SPRINGS Carnival Cabaret is a high-end female impersonator revue.

This production has traveled throughout the country with performances in casinos, theaters and for corporate events. Carnival Cabaret features the world’s most amazing cast of men who perform as famous women. You will not believe your eyes! Veteran TV and film actor James Gypsy Haake, who holds the record for the oldest working female impersonator in the world, hosts the show. Haake is 83 years old and has been seen in films and television since the 1980s. Shows run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dinner show seating begins at 6:30pm. Show only seating begins at 7:30pm. Showtime is 8pm.

Tickets start at $29.95.

Tickets: carnivalcabaret.ticketleap.com

THE SCORPION ROOM AT CHILL BAR Every Thursday night at 8:00 sharp. Hosted

by Pinkie Meringue Shimmer with a rotating cast of fabulous drag stars from all over Southern California. Wonderful show people, photo ops and audience participation, and wonderful drink specials.

RETRO ROOM LOUNGE Every Saturday night at 10:00 until 11:30.

Drag stars and show people. Tons of fun and amazing hand crafted cocktails.

OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs on the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon, Oscar’s has a huge outdoor patio with lots of umbrellas for shade and misters to keep you cool, too.

You can beat the heat any time of year and enjoy the views of Palm Springs. On Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 2pm, enjoy a $9 Bottomless Mimosas (juice included), a single $2 mimosa or a $5 Bloody Mary with brunch, during which both our full breakfast and lunch menus are available. Also join us for Sunday Funday Weekly Tea Dance 4pm-Close! Live entertainment weekly visit our website for details. www.oscarspalmsprings.com

LIPSTICK AT COPA Thursday nights at Copa just got a little hotter with a new show at the new showroom inside Copa. The Hot New Lipstick show is a raucous affair where the audience is encouraged to participate in singing, clapping, dancing, partying and celebrating special events. Featuring performances by Charles Herrera, Pinkie Meringue Shimmer, Marina Mac, Sassy Ross, Dion Khan, and Cherilyn, and emceed by the fabulous Bella Da Ball, this show will not disappoint. For ticket info and schedule of performers visit www.coparoomps.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUBS® Palm Springs, Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club, has been leading the way in full-out fun for 16 years now! And we keep it pumping, making it better for you all the time with our unparalleled event line-up. We enjoy having

the desert’s most sought-after and friendly DJs, full-on themed events, and a staff that has it all without the attitude. And of course, we are proud to hold the longest happy hour in the entire Valley. Remember: Size Matters.

Come by for our happy hour from 10am- 7pm.

Yes, that’s right: 9 hours long! For a list of all events and specials visit www.huntersnightclubs.com

SUNDAYS “The Playgirls” at Toucans Tiki Lounge featuring Tommi Rose. Performances at 8 & 10pm.These darling Divas of drag really deliver with their very own brand of entertainment to packed houses. Special guests appear weekly. DJ in the sound booth. Every Sunday Complete list of events www.toucanstikilounge.com FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS VISIT OUR MEDIA PARTNER, GAY DESERT GUIDE. CLICK ON LOGO

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EVENTS CALENDAR

MAR 30 - APR 9 MAR 15 - 18

STARGAYZER FESTIVAL AUSTIN, TEXAS The Stargayzer Festival is an annual 3-day celebration of LGBTQIA music and performance, held in Austin, Texas on March 15-18 2017. For 4 days and 4 nights, Austin will be host to a vibrant, all-inclusive festival community focused on showcasing LGBTQIA musicians and performers. Stargayzer will deliver the finest LGBTQIA musicians, dj’s, mc’s, drag performers, visual artists, comedians and performance artists from around the globe. www.stargayzerfest.com

WICKED QUEER, LGBT FILM FEST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS The Boston LGBT Film Festival presents the past, exhibits the present, and develops the future by supporting and displaying LGBT media works that challenge, encourage, and educate through the medium of the moving image and the power of queer cinema. www.wickedqueer.org

APRIL 1 - 3

EUREKA SPRINGS SPRING DIVERSITY WEEKEND EUREKA SPRINGS, AR Out in Eureka is the voice of LGBT Eureka Springs, providing ongoing information about events, services, lodging, art, dining, and nightlife for gay visitors. The tiny Ozark Mountains community of Eureka Springs (population 2,100) has one of the highest per-capita gay populations of any little town in the country.

More info at www.outineureka.com

APR 1 - 2

MAR 25

TAMPA PRIDE 2017 TAMPA, FLORIDA This is one of the newest Pride events in the Southeast. A colorful Parade and a Street Festival of over 180 vendors in the historic Ybor City also know as GaYBOR District!

Over 40,000 attendees experienced the fun and joy of a true Gay Pride Festival. www.tampapride.org

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PHOENIX PRIDE PHOENIX, ARIZONA Phoenix Pride unites and engages individuals and organizations to empower, educate and support the Arizona LGBTQ Community; and promotes a positive image in the Valley of the Sun and throughout Arizona through community activities and services. Featuring over 150 entertainment performances on 5 stages and over 300 Exhibitors showcasing a huge variety of food options, shopping opportunities and community resources. www.phoenixpride.org

APR 6 - 9

BEARS, BIKERS & MAYHEM GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Bears, Bikers & Mayhem is the first large event in the US to combine the Bear, Leather, Fetish, Motorcycle and Puppy Communities. Since its inception, BBM has had the singular goal of being an event at which men who enjoy any or all of these communities will feel welcome, meet other likeminded men and, most importantly, have an incredibly fun time. www.bearsbikersandmayhem.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR tropical islands. A unique Gay sailing vacation with 20 nude Gay men. Let our Gay skipper guide you over the Caribbean seas, and discover the beautiful Islands of St. Martin, St. Barth and Anguilla! www.gaysail.com

MAR 30 - APR 9

MAR 18 - 25

EUROPEAN GAY SKI WEEK FRENCH ALPS The amazing resort of Avoriaz will host European Gay Ski Week. This is one of the most distinctive Alpine ski resorts you will probably ever visit; perched high on a rocky promontory it looks down over the cliff edge towards Morzine and beyond.

Situated at the center of the Portes du Soleil it falls within the Chablais region of the Haute-Savoie. The Avoriaz slopes are amazing, with variety for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. A broad selection of accommodations, suiting all budgets. The club nights, will be bigger and better than ever. More International Cabaret Artists & Performers than ever before. Many varied ‘Après’ activities that will keep everyone busy and entertained from dusk till dawn. www.europeangayskiweek.com

MAR 31 - APR 3

RUBBOUT VANCOUVER, CANADA 2016 is the 25th installment of the Vancouver Rubbout party weekend for men who like rubber and fetish. We want to encourage all the rubber men out there to wear their sexiest sports gear to the weekend events; preferably in rubber, though Lycra and leather will also conjure up images of hot sweaty muscular men giving their all to win the game. Further info at www.rubbout.com

MAR 11 - 18

GAYSAIL EXCLUSIVE CRUISE ST. MARTIN & ST. BARTH A luxury Gay nude exclusive sailing cruise that starts and ends in St. Martin. White sandy beaches with palm trees and tropical sun. Snorkeling and diving between coral reefs and exhilarating sailing between

prioritize the voices and work of those most marginalized within our queer communities.

We also welcome films from queer people that don’t explicitly have a ‘queer’ focus.

It combines queer cinema with group discussions, workshops, and talks, raising awareness about current issues of relevance to the community, along with other activities. www.leedsqueerfimfestival.co.uk

MAR 24 - MAR 26

LEEDS QUEER FILM FESTIVAL YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND Creating a space to showcase queer cinema with a focus on independent and DIY films.

We aim to screen films that elevate and

TASTE SENSATION FOOD & WINE TOUR NORTH & SOUTH ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND This tour of New Zealand’s North and South Islands is designed for up to 12 LGBT travellers who are also food and wine lovers! If you enjoy trying new foods that are locally sourced, seasonal, fresh, sometimes wild caught or hunted from the oceans or the bush, accompanied by some unique locally produced wine or craft beer, then you’ll fit right in on this trip. www.newzealandawaits.com

Our international media partner, FNQ Magazine, www.fnqmagazine.com Cairns gay lifestyle and travel publication that gives Australia and the world a taste of gay life in the tropics, sponsors the International Calendar. www.go2gaycairns.com

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PHOTO REWIND STEVE CHASE HUMANITARIAN AWARDS PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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PHOTO REWIND STEVE CHASE HUMANITARIAN AWARDS PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

MARCH 2017 51

PHOTO REWIND IBC 2017 PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCKYFOTOS.COM

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PHOTO REWIND IBC 2017 PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCKYFOTOS.COM

MARCH 2017 53

PRESENTING SPONSOR

SCARLET

PRESENTS RUBY

Red

Saturday March 11

MARK HAMILTON JUAN FRANCISCO

ROSE

Dance Party

Red

RICK HUTCHESON ROB KINCAID CHARLES ROBBINS DAMON ROMINE

MARY SUE SHELBY ALLEN

WILL COOK ROB MORRISON

MEDIA SPONSORS

outlook DESERT

BENEFITTING

The

CENTER

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

For more information, please visit our website at www.thecenterps.org or call 760.416.7790

54 THESTANDARDPS.COM

MARCH 2017 55

THE 24TH ANNUAL

56 THESTANDARDPS.COM