DAPUPDATE REVIVALS BACK ALLEY EVENT 2021 SHINES A LIGHT ON LEATHER COMMUNITY BY JACK BUNTING This community is ready to start coming out again, and the numbers prove it. The Revivals Back Alley After Dark event brought in $13,000.00 for patient services at DAP Health, more than double from last year’s, and $3,000 more than the team’s goal. In its first collaboration, cosponsoring was Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert (PSLOD), a significant fundraiser for HIV and health equity in the Coachella Valley. PSLOD will also host Palm Springs Leather Pride Weekend, from October 28-31. Event organizers and partners say After Dark’s healthy turnout is a sign that people are feeling safer and eager to re-connect with others. “These sales numbers are unheard of,” says Revivals volunteer Mark Musin. Eager for the hunt, 278 shoppers didn’t mind queuing up at the Palm Springs Revivals for almost three hours before doors opened at 6 p.m. More than 700 shoppers had made purchases by closing time. Very little was left after two hours and more than 1,000 clothing items, including leather jackets, chaps, vests, and hats were scooped up. It was easy for shoppers to fill containers with leather and other treasures after finding them neatly displayed on racks by friendly volunteers who offered sizing and selection advice. This included an impressive amount of revamped and shiny leather shoes and boots. Check-out lines never stopped moving, and volunteers engaged customers to collect hangers and help guide them as they finished. VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE After Dark brought together 30 volunteers from all four Revivals stores, ten more compared to last year. “We all like working together so much,” says Mark. “It was a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to see each other and even for some to meet for the first time.” When Mark saw volunteers from other Revivals locations working so naturally with the Palm Springs team to straighten and restock items, plus help customers, he knew it was all worth the effort. “It’s about the community they love to serve, and it’s the camaraderie they share,” he says. “It had them all joining in, and they did a great job!” SAVING BEST INVENTORY FOR BACK ALLEY EVENT Leather themed clothing and gear is always costly, and many find
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exploring the subculture intimidating. But at Revivals, shoppers were able to pick up leather chaps for $20 used, instead of $400 new. Leather jackets were plentiful and started at $10 instead of $500 new. Harnesses, suspenders, and belts sold out in the first ten minutes. Special toys for grownups, gay literature and nude magazines, movies, and framed art that need new homes wind up at Revivals year-round. Saving them for an appropriate and safe venue like After Dark means that these items can be re-used, and members of this community continue to enjoy great care from DAP Health. The idea for Back Alley After Dark was born over three years ago as Revivals Stores took a stand on recycling and decided that tossing donations that were considered too racy was not an option. And the more Revivals talked to the community it serves, the more it learned this gently used merchandise is in demand in a valley where economic disparities abound. “We live in a desert mirage of two valleys,” says Steven Henke, director of brand marketing at DAP Health and in charge of marketing and communications for Revivals. “There are lucky folks with great jobs, who can afford to buy new leather gear and brand new anything they want, and there are other folks who need to find things on a budget.” With Revivals After Dark, anyone who wants to be part of the leather community or even just buy the look can find truly affordable deals, he says. “That is so on-brand for DAP Health, because we are all about