COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

2022 PALM SPRINGS PRIDE FESTIVAL

SHOWCASING DIVERSE SLATE OF LGBTQ ARTISTS AND MORE

Todrick Hall, Pussy Riot, Tanzer, Polartropica, Jake Zyrus and Ballet Folklorico Proyecto Trans Latina will top the 36th annual Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival lineup from Tuesday, November 1 through Sunday, November6 in downtown Palm Springs.

A highlight of Pride Week, the festival will celebrate and embrace the region’s diverse LGBTQ community.

Todrick Hall, the fiercely independent pop cultural phenomenon, will headline on Saturday and set the stage for a diverse group of queer performers in the festival lineup.

Conceptual artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova, the founding member of Pussy Riot, a global feminist protest-art movement, will be the headliner on Sunday. Pussy Riot stands for gender fluidity, inclusivity, matriarchy, love, laughter, decentralization, anarchy and anti-authoritarianism. Nadya, the lead member, was sentenced in 2012 to two years’ imprisonment in Russia following an anti-President Vladimir Putin performance.

Direct from Australia, singer, DJ, artist and proud queer community member Tanzer will also perform Saturday. Tanzer is known for her cinematic, high-glamour escapist works that are intensely powerful and darkly humorous.

The Truly Vodka Main Stage will open Friday night with Dash Radio’s Tropical Oasis featuring the community’s best-emerging talent. The Tropical Oasis features Los Angeles-based galactic dream pop artist Polartropica, who were recently crowned LA Weekly’s Best Indie Pop Band. With songs described as a gumbo of soul, funk, pop, and camp, Tolliver joins the lineup that includes Lucy and La Mer with their message of self-acceptance and positivity. Glass Battles, the West Hollywood-based electronic rock/ pop band with a grungy edge and an appearance by Sassy Ross and host Bella da Ball complete the Friday lineup.

Other highlighted acts include Filipino pop star and transgender icon Jake Zyrus and the award-winning indie rock trio BETTY. Ballet Folklorico Proyecto Trans Latina, a group of six trans-identified women, will showcase their highly choreographed and colorful traditional Mexican Folklorico. In addition, the new Oscar’s Pride stage on Tahquitz Canyon Way will feature Keith George — The Boy George Experience, performances by Mimosa Men, Bitchiest Brunch and others.

“Pride Week is a time for our community to gather in celebration. This is our time to be seen, be heard, and empower those on a path of discovery,” said Ron deHarte, president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride. “The Pride platform reflects the diversity in our community and serves as a demonstration of resistance. Resistance to discrimination, resistance to hatred, resistance to fear, and violence.”

The Festival will be free to attend. It is supported by Gateless Tickets, a great way to give back by donating to the local nonprofit Pride organization. Donations help keep Pride free and accessible to everyone. pspride.org

SAY GAY AT PALM SPRINGS PRIDE

The colorful and festive Palm Springs Pride Parade will step off in the Uptown Design District on Sunday at 10 a.m. It will travel south through downtown, ending at the entrance to the Pride Festival. Spectators are encouraged to gather along the palm-lined streets to cheer and support local organizations, activists and themed floats along historic Palm Canyon Drive.

Four individuals and one national organization will serve as the Grand Marshals. Recognizing their achievements and community service, PFLAG has been named the National Grand Marshal. Rev Benita Ramsey is the 2022 Parade Grand Marshal. Willie Rhine has been honored as the Community Grand Marshal and Chef Andre’ Carthen is the Celebrity Grand Marshal.

This year’s Palm Springs Pride theme is Say Gay as a challenge to fight extremism at the ballot box this November.

“Say Gay is a theme, it’s a political statement, it’s a call to action. Mobilize your friends, family, neighbors and workplace to vote for politicians that stand up and fight for LGBTQ rights. Say Gay No to politicians taking away control of our bodies and silencing teachers from recognizing the existence of LGBTQ+ people to their students,” deHarte said. “In facing adversity and staring directly at the threats to our rights, we gather in protest and celebration. In doing so, we knock on the door of justice and fight for our freedom.”