The biggest lesbian party in the world - get the lowdon from Founder Mariah Hanson

To round up our feature of the month on International Women's Festivals we spoke to Mariah Hanson, founder of The Original Dinah Shore Weekend (aka The Dinah) shortly after the amazing 24th event, the biggest lesbian party in the world attracting in the regional of 15,000 women. 
Read about our experience at the 2014 party.

Planet London (PL): 24 years is a long time to run a festival; for anyone who hasn’t been – what should they expect and how has it evolved over the years?
Mariah Hanson (MH): It's the wildest and certainly the most fun filled five days imaginable. You can expect meeting thousands of women from all over the globe, as excited as you are to have the time of their lives. Expect top notch entertainment, seeing your favorite artists close up and personal and then don’t be surprised when after the concert they come on to the dance floor and party all night. Many have and we expect will keep on living up to the tradition that 'What happens at The Dinah, stays at The Dinah ;)
PL: No other event gets 15,000+ lesbians in one place every year, How do you keep the event fresh & growing? 
MH: I stay on top of the latest trends in music and we don't toy too much with the basic structure of the event. Basically we are five days of the most amazing girl parties imaginable.

PL: The introduction of the film festival has been popular, will the continue and will you be adding more similar events to the schedule?
MH: We are still growing the film festival and like to focus on our new endeavors before we add new options. That said, we have also added celebrity poker.
 
PL: This year was a stellar line up, with the L Word reunion, plus first timers Mary Lambert and Tegan & Sarah to name a few – how did it feel to have such top level entertainment? 
MH: We have top level entertainment every year. Past alumni have included Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, India.Arie, Salt and Pepa, Ke$ha, Natasha Bedingfield, Dev and The Cataracs, Colbie Caillat. At The Dinah, you can always expect amazing acts ;)
 
PL: So how on earth are you going to make the 25th Dinah Shore bigger and better? You’ve set quite a bar this year… 
MH: I'm thinking ... I'm thinking.

TEGAN AND SARA, MARY LAMBERT, EVE AND IGGY AZALEA HEADLINE THE EPIC CLUB SKIRTS DINAH SHORE WEEKEND THE BIGGEST LESBIAN EVENT OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD!

More than 15,000 women from all over the world are once again expected to gather in Palm Springs, CA, to attend the biggest lesbian event of its kind in the world, Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend -  the original Dinah Shore Weekend - slated for April 2 to April 6, 2014 (www.thedinah.com).

Celebrating this year its milestone 24th Anniversary, The Dinah is a one-of-a-kind destination where women of all ages, interests, ability, relationship status, cultural background and profession come together for one big giant celebration of the community.  A life changing experience offering lesbians the opportunity to express themselves, to be who they truly and gain a tremendous amount of self worth. 

The Dinah is also a unique five-day affair of lesbionic luxury and fun complete with epic pool parties, unique high-profile nightlife events, celebrity appearances, live performances, a famous celebrity Dodgeball game, a film festival, a Celebrity Poker Tournament, philanthropy, the hottest women, the best DJs, and so much more.

Turning this year again the city of Palm Springs into the ultimate entertainment hub, the 2014 Dinah Entertainment Roster delivers an epic slate of Top Ten Billboard headliners that make up one hell of a line up - one of the greatest in The Dinah's history.

Headlining this year is Lesbian cult favorites Tegan and Sara. The pop sensation duo will bring their “Heartthrob” world tour to The Dinah with an exclusive concert on Saturday, April 5 at "The Black Party" at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The twin sisters have been on an unstoppable meteoric rise since the release of their 7^th studio album “Heartthrob” and the massive success of their lead single "Closer". Their Dinah performance marks the first time the pop stars perform at an all lesbian event.

Also headlining the "Black Party" is female rap titan Eve. The Grammy-Award winning rapper will perform her slew of music anthems including "Satisfaction," “Who’s That Girl”, "Gangsta Lovin’”, and "Let Me Blow Your Mind". Also set to top the bill at the epic lesbian party is hip-hop’s biggest revelation Iggy Azalea who will take center stage at the iconic "White Party", Friday, April 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The Dinah 2014 will also be rocked with special performances from 2014 Grammy nominee Mary Lambert, the voice behind Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ VMA award-winning pro-equality  “Same Love”; Grammy Award-Winning R&B diva, Evelyn "Champagne" King known for her multi-million selling classic old-school smashes  “Shame” and ”Love Come Down”; Thea Austin, the legendary voice of "Rhythm is a Dancer" by Snap!; and power, pop/punk band and stars of “The Real L Word” Season 3, Hunter Valentine, to name a few.

On the comedy front, “The Dinah Comedy Night” hosted by Suzanne Westenhoefer will be headlined by Fortune Feimster of E! "Chelsea Lately". The loveable Southern comic will be joined by Last Comic Standing alumni, British comic Gina Yashere and stand up’s fastest rising star, Erin Foley.

Returning this year is the “Celebrity Poker Tournament” with all proceeds going to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Celebrities joining the poker tables include Jill Bennett ("Second Shot"), Chef K (ABC "The Taste"), Guinevere Turner ("American Psycho"), Ari Fitz ("MTV The Real World Ex-Plosion"), Gloria Bigelow ("Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious"), Tracy Ryerson ("The Real L Word"), and Brittany Wiener (Bravo "Millionaire Matchmaker") among many others.

Also coming back is The Dinah Film Festival presented by OML, held on Friday, April 4, at 8:00 p.m at the Hilton Hotel. Produced by award-winning filmmaker JD DiSalvatore  (the producer of Shelter, Marine Story and Elena undone, to name a few), the Dinah film Festival will showcase a variety of quality lesbian films including “Little Horribles”  "Nikki & Nora", "Kiss Her I'm Famous", "Dyke Central", and the short film "Secrets & Toys", among others.  

New this year is the "Battle of the DJs" hosted by Dinah's resident DJs Lezlee, Asha, Lisa Pittman, Saratonin and Amara. The competition held over two-days will feature some of the best DJs on the West Coast!

If that weren’t hot enough, did we mention the exclusive L Word Pool Party? 

Hosted in association with Showtime, The L Word Pool party will be held on Saturday April 5 at the Hilton Hotel. 

L Word iconic stars, Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig will, respectively, step back one more time into their famed Alice Pieszecki and Shane McCutcheon shoes for an exclusive meet and greet hosted from 2:30pm to 5:00pm in the grand Ballroom.  As this year marks the 10^th Anniversary of the official television debut of The L Word, Club Skirts and SHOWTIME are proudly commemorating the nostalgia of a memorable era in lesbian culture that celebrated out loud our “girls in tight dresses who drag with mustaches”!

The epic five-day world-renown weekend is already making a lot of noise and is well on its way to be the biggest Dinah EVER. 

You'd never seen anything like it yet … this is going to be an unforgettable year!

For all the latest updates, the full Dinah 2014 schedule of events, entertainment line-up, as well as hotel information, tickets and VIP package options please go to: www.TheDinah.com

Follow us on Twitter: @dinahshore

Connect with us on Facebook: Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

To book your place on this amazing weekend, check out our deals and packages

Sun, Glamour, & Lesbians like you - Planet London brings you The Original Dinah Shore Weekend #WIN

Planet London is very pleased to announce that we are a preferred Media Partner for The Dinah 2014 - the biggest all-girl event in the world

*** Line up Update ***

The Dinah Comedy Night brings together three of the most acclaimed female stand up comics, Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 8:00pm at The Palm Springs Convention Center, in what is poised to be an unforgettable evening of hilarious stand-up comedy. 

Fortune Feimster, who landed her writer/performer spot with "Chelsea Lately" six months after her appearance on "Last Comic Standing" where she was a semifinalist, will be joined by another Last Comic Standing alumni, British comic Gina Yashere, and stand up’s fastest rising star, Erin Foley.

***Getting to The Dinah***

We'd already secured you an EXCLUSIVE 25% off Platinum tickets to this major event in the lesbian calendar and now we're delighted to offer you a chance to WIN 2 free VIP tickets when you book your Dinah Shore Travel and Accommodation Package with us and Diva Destination.
- Go straight to booking!

Read about our experience at The Dinah 2013 - amazing acts, parties, film & WOMEN. 

The 2014 Original Dinah Shore Weekend is set to be as celeb-packed and sun soaked as ever. Names already announced include funny woman Fortune Feimster. We met Jill Bennett there this year. Enough said. 

Events to expect are the infamous Wet and Wild Pool Party and the classic Friday night 'White Party'. Saturday is The Main Event which has seen performances in the past from Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. Expect big names!

And as for Palm Springs? This beautiful desert town, just 2 hours drive from Los Angeles, full of pools, hot springs and 20,000+ lesbians with NO attitude - what more could you want from a sun-filled break?

(2013 Trailer)

We spoke to Mariah Hanson, Founder of Club Skirts and the modern day Dinah Shore Weekend, to find out why the lesbians, bi and queer women of the UK should go to Palm Springs in April.

The Dinah began in Palm Springs over 20 years ago and continues to go from strength to strength. We wondered what makes this event stay at the top of it's game. Mariah says "We try to think outside the box and present an event program that at its base is a huge party, but on many different levels is unique, cutting edge, and broad reaching...We are growing it to become a reputable music festival and film festival as well as insuring we remain the world's largest lesbian party."

So much so, that The Dinah and Mariah recently won a business award for Palm Springs. Mariah says "The Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has a huge financial impact on Palm Springs.  We are considered one of the city's signature events and certainly are one of the top five largest citywide events. Palm Springs loves its lesbians!... 

"The city, dubbed "the new Gay Mecca", boasts more gay and gay-friendly restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, retailers and other businesses than any other one gay destination in the world.  Nowhere else in the world do lesbians get such a strong sense of community, solidarity and acceptance, feeling as much as home within the walls of the event as anywhere else on Palm Springs' playground. We truly couldn't have found a better city/community to host The Dinah - Palm Springs is a magical place where unforgettable memories, comraderies and unbreakable bonds are created and cherished forever."

And Mariah's been there since the beginning. What keeps her coming back year on year to ensure the event continues to be the highest quality for all lesbians and queer women, whatever their taste. "I try to create a weekend that stays on the cutting edge of music, fashion and trends. So for me it's different every year and exciting to present.  For instance, when everyone wanted a picture on their facebook page by Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley - the photographers/ creators of the NO H8 campaign - we brought them out to The Dinah to photograph our all weekend and make that wish come true." Mariah recounts. In her spare time, Mariah is an avid trail rider, with four horses. "By night a fashionable event entrepreneur. By day, a cowgirl!"

And 2014 sounds like it might be one of the best years yet, Mariah compares it to previous front runner, 2009, and previous talent on the line up..."Lady Ga Ga was the oddest and certainly one of the most talented. Katy Perry was the friendliest. Salt and Pepa were the greatest as far as flawless concert production. But they all were great. This year reminds me a lot of 2009 when we had the perfect line up. We're expecting one of our best years." Mariah's (and I'm sure most women's) dream act on the Main Event Stage, would be P!nk - maybe one day she'll succumb to our request.

For Mariah, it's a no brainer that the lovely UK lesbians should want to attend "Why not? Across the pond, an oasis of women, wine and song awaits. Plus, your accents are the best chick magnet alive. Again, WHY NOT?????"

Will we see you there? Follow the official facebook page for updates and announcements.

Just added to the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend Line Up

LA REID, PHARRELL WILLIAMS & JERMAINE DUPRI’S NEW PROTÉGÉ

LEAH LABELLE

JUST ADDED TO CLUB SKIRTS DINAH SHORE WEEKEND LINE-UP.

The Former American Idol Contestant, Now Music’s New “It” Girl

Is Ready To “SEXIFY”

The Dinah’s Monte Carlo Party!

PALM SPRINGS, CA – Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has just announced the addition of Leah LaBelle to its 2013 Entertainment line-up.

Building on its reputation as the inescapable venue for new recording artists to breakthrough, in less than 2 decades, Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend – the largest Lesbian event in the world - has positioned itself as a trendsetting event that entertainment industry insiders watch and jockey to book their artists’ performances.

As a MUST DO venue that has proven to be the catalyst propelling new young artist to superstar status, The Dinah was a logical choice for LaBelle’s record Label and agency (CAA), who reached out to Mariah Hanson (founder & producer of The Dinah) for a coveted spot on the 2013 Dinah Talent Roster.

Now following the footsteps of Lady Gaga. Katy Perry, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Kesha, Dev and Neon Hitch (to name a few), who, post-Dinah, have all gone to become Grammy/VMA winners, #1 Billboard charters, and international hitmakers, LaBelle is set to perform during the Dinah “Monte Carlo” party held on Saturday, April 6 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, following the buzz-heavy headlining performance by pop duo Karmin.

Showcasing her sensational voice and flare, the talented young artist will deliver a variety of songs from her new album (due out this year) including the hit single “Sexify” and her new track “Lolita”, produced by Pharrell Williams, which recently premiered on Complex.com.

No stranger to the music industry, Labelle was a contestant on the 3rd season of American Idol, bowing out at a respectable 12th position.  While she certainly made her marks on the TV show, it was her YouTube videos that made her an overnight phenomenon. As a result she landed gigs singing backup for such artists as Jordin Sparks, The Jonas Brothers, Eric Benet and Britney Spears.

The Canadian-born daughter of Bulgarian refugees eventually caught the eyes and ears of L.A. Reid, Pharrell Williams and Jermaine Dupri who signed her to a joint deal with their respective labels, Epic Records, i.am.OTHER and So So Def Recordings.

This former American Idol contestant turned backup singer, turned Youtube sensation (phew!), has now turned music’s new “IT” girl, making a whole lot of noise as a solo artist.

A star in the making Leah LaBelle is about to blow up so make sure you come along for the ride …

To purchase tickets go to: www.TheDinah.com