TheStandard_Vol11_Issue1.pdf

BY ANNA RALUY

PHOTO

COMMENTARY

The Standard Magazine 400 N Sunrise Way #263 Palm Springs CA 92262 760.831.4869

NINO EILETS Publisher LUCIANO McNULTY Editor MAYA KALABIC Art Director

PHOTOGRAPHER

David A. Lee

AND WITH THAT ANNOUNCEMENT IT ALL BEGAN

Wow time sure does fly when you’re having fun, and boy I’ve had a blast. It seems like yesterday that I was pondering on what to do for my next chapter. The chapter that started with a notion and now has turned into, thus far, 10 years of a publication that we are all very proud of. It really has been a blast and an honor to serve our community. If the community and our readers continue to enjoy what we are offering, we will continue doing what we love to do.

Wanting to be anything but your ordinary LGBT Publication and wanting to dispel any preconceived notions of what an LGBT publication was supposed to be, we embarked on developing a magazine that not only reached our gay community, but also to all those who cared to give it a look. We present diverse content that reflects the LGBT lifestyle and culture. Trying to set a Standard among LGBT Magazines, our publication is written and designed for the smart, discerning LGBTQ & LGBTQ-friendly reader who is looking for more than cheap thrills and fluff.

The Standard Magazine feels so excited to enter our 10th year and look forward to many more. Of course, we cannot enjoy such honor and joy without the support and contributions of our loyal readers, advertisers and all our fantastic staff & contributing writers past & present. Thank you all, we couldn’t have gotten here without you.

Nino Eilets Publisher

The Standard Magazine

You got something to say?

Email us to be considered on our commentary page at info@thestandardps.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Martha Tang, Mike Bahr, Roberto Lozano, Grace Dotelli, Stacy Holmes, Greg Stillwell, Dann Foley, Jill Langham & Terri Schlichenmeyer www.thestandardps.com

EDITORIAL CREDITS

:

BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation, Project Publicity, MSN, Reuters, NBC News & Artsy

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

BY JOHN BAYERN

THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS HOLLYWOOD TO PALM SPRINGS

Now entering its 34th year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has a well-established reputation as one of the most prestigious and well-attended film festivals in the country. The Festival has long secured its place on the world stage as the portal for the very best in world cinema, welcoming thousands of enthusiastic filmgoers to Palm Springs every January.

The depth and breadth of the program - all set against the dramatic backdrop of Palm Springs – features more than 180 films from over 60 countries and includes the largest selection Foreign Language Oscar® submissions of any Festival in the nation. In addition to having earned a reputation as a destination festival, the film screenings, special presentations, tributes, and nightly parties that constitute the Festival have a decidedly international flair and make PSIFF a cosmopolitan experience in world cinema. The national and international print and electronic media converge on Palm Springs and generate over 1 billion media impressions worldwide.

PSIFF has also evolved into one of the most highly anticipated preludes to the Oscars®. The Festival’s glamorous centerpiece, the Awards Gala, honors the year’s brightest talents in front of and

behind the camera before a glittering crowd of 2,000 attendees. joins This year’s honorees include Brendan Fraser (Spotlight Award, Actor), Cate Blanchett (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), Austin Butler (Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor), Viola Davis (Chairman’s Award), Danielle Deadwyler (Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress), Colin Farrell (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Bill Nighy (International Star Award, Actor), Sarah Polley (Director of the Year Award), Michelle Yeoh (International Star Award) and The Fabelmans (Vanguard Award).

Past recipients of the Spotlight Award, Actor include Bryan Cranston for Trumbo and Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge. Both went on to receive Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.

“We are beyond excited to welcome back our beloved audience and filmmakers in Palm Springs. We’re especially thrilled to be joined by all four leads of 80 For Brady. The film is brimming with joy and heart, and it’s a perfect film to kick off our 34th edition,” said Artistic Director Lili Rodriguez. “Our programmers have dedicated almost a year to scouting the world for the films that make up this edition. It is our most thematically diverse year yet and I don’t believe you’ll find two movies that are alike. From light entertainment for casual nights out to urgent commentaries that beg for post-screening conversation and beyond, the cinema is there to capture it all.”

1946: THE MISTRANSLATION THAT SHIFTED CULTURE

The word “homosexual” did not appear in the Bible until 1946. Scholars, linguists, theologians, and others have concluded it was a mistranslation, one that has had deadly consequences for the LGBTQ community. Sight unseen, this revelatory film has already been fiercely attacked by Christian conservatives.

CASA SUSANNA

Tucked away in the Catskills, Casa Susanna was a secretive, summertime oasis for crossdressing men and trans women in the 1950s and early ‘60s. With fabulous interviews and a treasure trove of archival photos, this lovely, often surprising salute to these genderbending pioneers unearths a delicious hidden corner of queer.

EISMAYER

Hyper-macho Sergeant Major Eismayer is the most feared instructor in the Austrian Armed Forces. His fierce masculinity, however, is a protective shell that hides his true nature. When he falls for the openly gay recruit Mario, his carefully constructed world is shattered.

ESTHER NEWTON MADE ME GAY

Cultural anthropologist and proud lesbian Esther Newton was years ahead of her time when she studied Midwestern drag shows in the 1960s, back when academia turned its back on her. Now an icon who has inspired legions of activists and scholars, Newton reflects on her life in this warm, saucy tribute.

GOD SAVE THE QUEENS

Featuring a glittering constellation of Los Angeles drag stars, this audacious and candy-colored comedy follows a quartet of down-ontheir-luck queens who end up stuck at the same therapy retreat. Together they face their respective plights with rapid-fire wit, unexpected poignancy, and a dash of the divine.

MAMA BEARS

In this soul-warming documentary, we meet the brave Christian mothers – indoctrinated by anti-gay bias in their fundamentalist and Evangelical churches – who band together to protect their queer and trans children. At risk of losing their friends and communities, they make the grand leap from prejudice to Pride protests.

MY EMPTINESS AND I

In this searingly honest and emotionally raw coming-of-age story, French

to find love, acceptance and her place in the world as she begins her gender transition in Barcelona.

NELLY & NADINE

Nelly and Nadine fell in love on Christmas Eve in 1944, when they were prisoners in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Miraculously reunited after the war, they went on to spend a rich but hidden life together in Venezuela – a life revealed in diaries and home movies discovered by Nelly’s granddaughter.

millennial dreamer Raphi struggles

his

PUNCH

Trained

is rampant.

WINTER BOY

After a sudden death in the family shatters the well-ordered life of 17-year-old Lucas (Paul Kircher in a starmaking debut), the teen flees to Paris. Full of lust and rage, Lucas hurls himself into sex with older men to process his grief.

Visit www.psfilmfest.org/film-festival-2023/gay/queer-cinema for complete synopsis and full schedule of all the films.

by his demanding, alcoholic father (Tim Roth), 17-year-old Jim is a small-town boxing hero training for his first pro fight. But

deepening friendship with schoolmate Whetu, a gay Maori loner, forces him to rethink his sexuality and future in his New Zealand town where homophobia

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FEATURE TRENDS FOR 2023

BY ROBERTO LOZANO

Every year, we challenge ourselves (and each other) to predict all sorts of trends for the year ahead. Rolling out the annual trend forecast is purely done for fun. But there’s a certain level of uncertainty in making educated guesses about what will be in and out when all you really must go off is a gut feeling. Who really knows what 2023 will bring? Let’s see if any of these trends (speculations?) come to fruition. Ranging from tubular total workout weights to male pre-intimacy supplements, to eating sustainably and the next thing in fashion, the 2023 lifestyle trends explore how consumers will be eating, dressing, staying healthy, and what technology they will be using. These trends reflect the changing needs and desires of consumers and will likely shape the way we live and work in the coming years. Here we take a glimpse of just a few of trends for 2023 we are hearing about.

HEALTHY TRENDS

One major trend that is expected to continue in 2023 is the focus on wellness and self-care. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of taking care of their physical and mental health and are seeking out products and services that can help them do so. This includes everything from fitness and exercise products, such as workout weights and yoga mats, to self-care items like essential oils and scented candles.

MUSHROOM MANIA

The heightened awareness of the power of mushrooms will turn more consumers on to seeking ways to increase their mushroom intake for wellness next year, beyond ordering shiitake on a pizza. Functional mushrooms have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that support aspects of health, like sleep, memory, and immunity. This includes turkey tail mushroom, which has been researched for its protein-bound polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system. Some other functional mushrooms to be on the lookout for are lion’s mane for focus and memory, reishi for stress reduction, chaga to reduce inflammation, and cordyceps to increase energy levels.

SOBER-CURIOUS LIFESTYLES

Being ‘sober curious’ is a trend that will continue to go strong in 2023. More people are attempting to change their relationship with alcohol. We are seeing more restaurants and bars offering mocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives. There are also more adaptogenic drinks on the market to replace alcohol. These drinks use different plants and herbs to help your body adapt to stress and other ailments without alcohol. They help with relaxation, boost your mood, and won’t result in a hangover the next day.

SLEEP SYNCING

Sleep syncing is a wellness trend that is gaining popularity. This involves adjusting your sleep cycle to the rhythms of nature (like the sun or moon) and tuning it with your circadian rhythm. Some studies have shown that sleep syncing can help people fall asleep quicker, as well as reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, which are often associated with poor sleep patterns. You can start sleep syncing by setting up a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This helps put your body on a regular sleep cycle so that it becomes more used to waking up and going to sleep at certain times.

MICRO WORKOUTS

Micro workouts are on the rise, evident in the rise of quick, one-minute dances and fitness challenges you find on TikTok. Removing the time barrier to exercise is a major factor in the growing popularity of this wellness trend. This bite-size, low-intensity format makes it easier to squeeze movement into more moments throughout the day. It might include a morning dance with your favorite influencer, a quick set of push-ups and squats before lunch, and an evening yoga session to help you wind down and de-stress. These short takes on fitness add up to big results and are a delightful and fun way to get moving.

FOOD TRENDS

SPIRITUAL WELLBEING

A huge and impactful wellness trend for 2023 is spiritual wellbeing, a term that refers to a person’s sense of connection to something larger than themselves, such as a higher power, a set of spiritual beliefs, or a sense of meaning and purpose in life. This aspect of wellbeing is often associated with feelings of peace, contentment, and inner harmony, and it can play an important role in overall health and wellness. In the past, spiritual wellbeing was relegated mostly to formal organizations, such as religions, but it can also be achieved through one’s own practice.

EXERCISE RECOVERY

Over the next year and beyond, we expect to see a huge emphasis on exercise recovery. This crucial area of wellness started gaining traction this year with the rise of recovery tools like massage therapy guns and air compression boots. Recovery will now be a major focus for gyms and wellness clubs as they seek out unique ways to expand amenities and try to get consumers back into brick-and-mortar fitness.

Grab your fork and knife. Amateur and professional foodies alike highly anticipate the newest food trends, and 2013 will not disappoint. Throughout the country, restaurants and home cooks are utilizing their creativity to make food that satisfies the palate and leaves a lasting impression.

RESTAURANTS THAT FEEL LIKE DINNER PARTIES

During the pandemic, as restaurants shut down and people trusted only their close friends, dinner parties were prevalent. Now, everyone is busier and looking to socialize and meet new people. Enter the dinner party-style restaurant and supper club, which promises to create the party vibes for you with communal tables and food served family-style. Even if a dinner party restaurant doesn’t open in your town, expect to see restaurants incorporating elements that bring people together like communal tables or welcome drinks.

STEAM OVENS ARE THE NEW AIR FRYERS

Sales of combi ovens (ovens that cook with steam and convection) grew globally 10.2% year-on-year in 2022. For the second year running, Zillow found steam ovens to be the number one item to boost the value of a home, with those homes selling for 3.7% more than expected on average. As more appliances integrate steam technology, prices will come down and home cooks will use it regularly, in the same way they adopted air frying.

TAMARIND IS THE INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR

Tamarind is a culture-spanning ingredient that, while native to Africa, is popular in multiple cuisines, including Mexican, Indian and Southeast Asian. The mouth-puckery fruit is often sold as pods or a paste in various sweet-sour-tangy-tart formulations. It’s taking off in the U.S. in sweets, snacks and beverages because Gen-Z’ers just so happen to have a penchant for big, bold, unique flavors, especially ones that are international.

FEATURE

LIVE FIRE COOKING

Live fire cooking is a broad term that refers to cooking food over embers, AKA wood that has burned down into white ash. It’s a method that spans cultures and millennium and includes, among other techniques, grilling, cooking over a campfire and spit roasting. Home cooks are become interested in trying their hand at live fire cooking.

INTERNATIONAL E-MARKETPLACES

Many big box grocery stores have limited shelf space, making international ingredients hard to find — yet there’s high demand. International e-marketplaces are growing and have massive reach and major money behind them. Some, like Weee! and Tocabe are startups, while others are direct to consumer extensions of big brands like Goya, which launched an online marketplace in September to sell its Latin food products directly to the consumer. As shoppers learn about new global ingredients, they continually broaden what they consider to be pantry and fridge staples.

BETTER-FOR-YOU RECOVERY BEVERAGES

“Recovery” is the catchword that has taken over the wellness industry. It has broad appeal — from mental health to gut biome to post-workout or post-drinking hydration. A bevy of new recovery products, mostly drinks, have better-for-you, plant-based ingredient lists and are designed to help with immediate recovery post workout or drinking.

FASHION TRENDS

Plenty of your favorite designers and brands are already charting their course for next spring, be it through a sneak peek on fashion show runways or showing off current fall collections packed with Easter eggs for future men’s fashion trends. In a few words, there’s no one defining style for 2023 in the menswear world, but plenty of diverse ways to amp up your wardrobe in a unique way— that goes for fans of athleisure, Western wear, workwear, and the resurgence of ’80s and ’90s collections that brands are bringing back for more fun the second time around.

SAY HELLO TO THE ‘80S AND ‘90S

Fashion is cyclical, often to the extreme, and if it’s jarring to think about styles from the ‘90s being mined for trend inspiration, join the club. Big-name long-running brands like L.L. Bean—a company as popular now as it’s ever been – already welcomed back the 1990s with archive collections last year, and those throwback styles aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

GO BACK TO THE WILD WEST IN 2023

To go forwards in matters of style, you’ve got to go back – and you don’t need a Delorean to do it. As with the rugged #menswear revival of the mid-aughts, styles that merge functionality and toughness are roaring back in a big way – and none moreso than Western wear. The style is pleasantly retro, from another era and yet perfectly suited to today’s more casual standards of dressing.

Alexis Gonzalez Ramos, DAP Health Housing Case Manager

BIGGER IS BETTER IN THE WORLD OF MEN’S PANTS

Notably, while slim or slim-straight pants are nearly always flattering on many guys, more relaxed styles in the pants department are having a major moment. Again, think relaxed but don’t go baggy or sloppy— take your proper pant size, pair them with some footwear that delivers some bulk.

TECH TRENDS

Does it seem like as soon as you purchase the latest version of an iPhone, a new and improved one hits the streets the very next day. Technology today is evolving at a rapid pace, enabling faster change and progress, causing an acceleration of the rate of change. We bring you the latest in Tech, hopefully we can enjoy them long enough before the next one arrives.

ANYTHING GOES WITH ATHLEISURE IN 2023

FEATURE

Between the pandemic and a massive shift to working from home, casual performance menswear took center stage in 2020, and 2021, and 2022. And yes, as far as men’s fashion trends for 2023 are concerned, those performance menswear picks aren’t going anywhere. Mainstream brands like Public Rec and upscale trendsetters like the famed John Elliott are going beyond the gym in a big way in that regard, but no one will be any the wiser that you’re insanely comfortable, not stuffed into pre-pandemic-era dress pants.

DENIM ON DENIM

The vote is still out on this trend. However, in the past 10 years, many say it’s too much, too blue. This season, designers proved that its previous popularity was for a reason. By ensuring that both garments had the same denim wash, a striking two-piece set was curated, and an iconic look was revealed. Put together correctly, the look is not too much in any sense, but rather a classic material that layered together becomes style.

COMPUTING POWER

Computing power has already established its place in the digital era, with almost every device and appliance being computerized. And it’s here for even more as data science experts have predicted that the computing infrastructure we are building right now will only evolve for the better in the coming years.

At the same time, we have 5G already; gear up for an era of 6G with more power in our hands and devices surrounding us.

SMARTER DEVICES

Artificial intelligence has played an essential role in making our world smarter and smoother. It is not just simulating humans but going the extra mile to make our life hasslefree and simpler. These smarter devices are here to stay in 2023 and even further, as data scientists are working on AI home robots, appliances, work devices, wearables, and so much more!

FEATURE

DATAFICATION

Datafication is simply transforming everything in our life into devices or software powered by data. So, in short, Datafication is the modification of human chores and tasks into data-driven technology. From our smartphones, industrial machines, and office applications to AI-powered appliances and everything else, data is here to stay for longer than we can ever remember! So, to keep our data stored the right way and secure and safe, it has become an in-demand specialization in our economy.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND MACHINE LEARNING

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has already received a lot of buzz in the past decade, but it continues to be one of the new technology trends because of its notable effects on how we live, work and play are only in the early stages. AI is already known for its superiority in image and speech recognition, navigation apps, smartphone personal assistants, ridesharing apps and so much more.

3D PRINTING

A key trend in innovation and technology is 3D printing which is used to formulate prototypes. This technology has been impactful in the biomedical and industrial sectors. None of us thought of printing a real object from a printer, while right now, it’s a reality. So, 3D printing is another innovation that’s here to stay.

NEW ENERGY SOLUTIONS

The world has agreed to be greener for the sake of its landscapes and the energy we use. This results in cars running on electricity or battery and houses using greener choices like solar and renewable energy. What’s even better is that people are conscious of their carbon footprints and waste; thus, minimizing it or turning those into renewable energy is even more helpful.

VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED REALITY

The next exceptional technology trend - Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), and Extended Reality (ER). VR immerses the user in an environment while AR enhances their environment. Although this technology trend has primarily been used for gaming thus far, it has also been used for training, as with VirtualShip, a simulation software used to train U.S. Navy, Army and Coast Guard ship captains. In 2023, we can expect these forms of technologies being further integrated into our lives. Either could be used to train doctors to do surgery, offer museum goers a deeper experience, enhance theme parks, or even enhance marketing.

Thanks to Forbes & Trendhunter for their contribution to this article

it is our 10th birthday

BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Every kid wants to fit in.

The shoes everyone else has are mandatory and flashing a movie character is key. Same brand of notebook, even the same kind of pens could matter if you hoped to be on the good side of the Popular Kids. Everyone wants to fit in but in the new book, “Plain” by Mary Alice Hostetter, going against the tide can eventually work out fine, too.

The table in the kitchen where Mary Alice Hostetter grew up was a long one; it had to be, to fit twelve children and two parents. The kitchen was the hub of the large Mennonite family, and though her parents never said the L-word, “treats like doughnuts were as clear an expression of love as hearing the words.”

Born in her parents’ bedroom in rural Pennsylvania, Hostetter remembers that there was a strict division between women’s work and men’s work among the pacifist Mennonites. Her father and brothers tended the farm, while her mother tended home and children. And yet, when she was needed, Hostetter was allowed to do “boy’s work,” and it left a heady feeling.

Figuring out her own recipe for soup at age ten was a moment of pride, but Hostetter longed for more. What was it like to have your own bedroom? How would feel to have sunshine on her legs instead of a long dress, for modesty?

At fourteen, she struggled with a main tenet of her faith; at fifteen, she accepted that tenet, attended church, and tried to be a good daughter, but life outside the community beckoned. Hostetter wanted to go to college.

Her parents wanted her to wait and see if she might want a family first.

Her growing up was “such a beautiful way of life,” she says, and “I sometimes felt almost proud I was part of that way of life... until I remembered how eager I was to get away as soon as I could.”

In “Plain,” author Mary Alice Hostetter writes, among other gentle memories, of her mother as a storyteller. Can something like that be inherited? Because Hostetter is a storyteller, too – and a fine one, at that.

If you’ve ever been a fan of “The Waltons” or Laura Ingalls Wilder, you have an inkling of the kind of old-fashioned tales you’ll find in Hostetter’s book. Life is quiet on her parents’ farm, she, and her siblings each have two pairs of shoes (one for “good,” one for chores), dinnertime is family time, and modern things rarely appear.

The difference is that Hostetter’s tales are warm, but not cheerful. Proud, but also embarrassed. They chafe with the need to escape, but with one foot still on the farm and despite a quick,

surprise happy ending and another kind of L-word, they leave hanging a wonder of what might have been.

But don’t hang. Instead, enjoy this book and leave it on the table, because you might want to read it again. “Plain” is worthy, and short enough to fit in your schedule now.

“Plain: A Memoir of Mennonite Girlhood” by Mary Alice Hostetter c.2022, University of Wisconsin Press $26.95. 160 pages

FEATURE

PALM SPRINGS PERSONALITY ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ BRINGS A CELEBRATION OF THE DIVINE MISS M TO THE STAGE

Popular (and most times infamous) podcaster, journalist, on-air personality, and former Palm Springs Pride Media Grand Marshal Alexander Rodriguez returns to the stage after a five-year absence (thanks to procrastination and COVID) for an irreverent night of storytelling and song with Unsung Midler, celebrating the great, lesser-known hits of the Divine Miss M from The Rose, For the Boys, and Beaches to her numerous albums and covers.

Called a “truly gifted singer” by the Los Angeles Times, Alexander is returning to his cabaret past with a new collection of almost too hard-to-believe stories and Milder songs sung in his signature style. Cocktails, jazz hands, and sass are in store…nothing is off limits as the host of “On the Rocks” and lead writer for GED Magazine mixes his grab bag of talents for one fun evening on Friday, February 3rd at 7 pm at Oscars Palm Springs (www.oscarspalmsprings.com).

No stranger to Palm Springs, this Los Angeles-based entertainer spent his childhood summers from third grade to college visiting his grandmother’s hotel, El Poco Lodge (now The Andalusian) on Arenas Road. Gifted to his grandmother by original hotel owner Mabel Wagner, who continued to live on the premises, Mabel would recount stories from her friendships with Rosalind Russell, Lucille Ball, and other classic Hollywood personalities to the impressionable Alexander. Alexander would spend many brunches at Melvyn’s, alongside his grandmother who had established friendships with entertainment personalities Cornel Wilde, Delores Hope, Barbara Sinatra, Loretta Young, Eva Gabor, and the regular El Poco Lodge visitor Victor Mature. With a penchant for being a ham, how could Alexander not get into the industry influenced by this circle of Palm Springs’ Hollywood royalty?

As life would come full circle, Alexander’s career has brought him back to Palm Springs as a regular entertainer, serving as an emcee for Palm Springs Pride (and as Media Grand Marshal) and Cathedral City LGBTQ days, hosting events with GED Magazine, The Gay Desert Guide, KGay, and Jeff Hocker Productions appearing alongside popular Palm Springs Queens Rusty Waters, Bella de Ball, Anita Rose, and Rosemary Galore, and at venues that include Hunters, Chill Bar, Hotel Zoso, Margaritaville, The Roost, and more. In addition to serving as the lead writer for Palm Springs headquartered GED Magazine, he hosts the nationally syndicated On the Rocks with Alexander, a weekly talk show that mixes cocktails with celebrities from classic Hollywood, pop culture, TV, screen, and stage. Academy, Emmy, Golden Globe, Tony, Grammy Winners… he’s drunk with them all. He concurrently interviews celebrities for Metrosource National Magazine and the Andrew Christian blog and hosts US of Gay, Metrosource Minis, and The Gay News Guy podcasts. He has traveled the nation serving it up as emcee for numerous LGBTQ events, from Pride celebrations to Go-Go competitions, he’s hosted

them all…how does he keep up with everything? The vodka helps.

As a stage performer, he’s sung at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Upright Citizen’s Brigade’s Inner Sanctum, ESpot, Don’t Tell Mama in LA and NY, Rage Nightclub, and Rockwell Table & Stage. Called a “truly gifted singer” by the Los Angeles Times, he began his singing career as a cantor for 13 years at three churches in Southern California, including the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, with his mother often accompanying him at the piano. He was inspired by Bette Midler at a very early age as his hardworking, single mom, would unwind from her three jobs a week by singing along to the records (yes, records!) of The Divine Miss M. Belting out notes with lyrics that were probably a bit too mature for him, Bette would become a musical companion at key points in Alexander’s life as her new albums would cosmically coincide with his first church solo, going to college, coming out, and entering the industry full time. Seeing Bette live in concert would serve as Alexander’s first celebrity concert ever, and that experience left an indelible mark.

FEATURE

The concert is not a retrospective of Bette, she is barely mentioned in the show. Rather, Alexander is taking real-life, almost too hard-to-believe, stories out of the vault. Told in his signature style of sass and brass, with no sense of political correctness, his stories will be accompanied by his performances of music from Midler’s five-decade-plus career…not the popular music, but her lesser-known and performed material. Did you know she covered TLC’s Waterfalls? The evening promises to be full of laughs, tears, some bad jokes, and plenty of cocktails. This performance of Unsung Midler will be Alexander’s first stop before taking the show to NYC’s The Green Room 42.

Follow Alexander:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/alexanderisonair/ Website – https://www.ontherocksradioshow.com/your-host Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AbsolutelyFabulous007 Metrosource Articles - https://metrosource.com/author/alexrod/

UNSUNG MIDLER AT OSCAR’S PALM SPRINGS

Friday, February 3rd, 7 pm

Tickets: $25 - $40 Ticket website: www.oscarspalmsprings.com/product/unsung-midler/

Clinton

Jake Holt Photography

David A. Lee

Ketchum

Photography

Jake Holt Photography

THE PALM SPRINGS HEALTH RUN & FITNESS EXPO

The Palm Springs Health Run & Fitness Expo is produced by Hocker Productions and is now one of the largest events of its kind in Southern California and is the perfect way to start off the New Year. Join nationally recognized health and wellness speakers, healthy food demonstrations and over 100 vendors showcasing the latest in nutrition, exercise techniques and healthy food booths selling everything from smoothies to salads to vegan specialties on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 8:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. Fun for the entire family!

The racecourse is a USA Track and Field certified 10K and 5K with every registrant receiving timed run, breakfast, t-shirt, registration bag and finisher’s medal. The 1K Fun Run is only $10 and is for kids under 12. Each participant under 12 will receive a bib (NON-TIMED) and a finisher’s medal. Anyone over 12 can register on race day and get the full 5K package, which includes: timed run, breakfast, t-shirt, registration bag and finisher’s medal for only $35.

Special events and areas include: KESQ News Channel 3 Food Challenge with Patrick Evans, Peter Daut and Sandie Newton, Demonstrations, LifeStream Blood Bank Drive, rock climbing wall, walk on water and much, much more!

This world-class event would not be possible without the incredible support of the following companies: Eisenhower Health and Desert Sun (Presenting Sponsors), Bright Event Rentals, City of Palm Springs, Contour Dermatology, Desert Vein & Vascular Institute, Desert Water Agency, Desert Oasis Healthcare, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, Diamond Environmental, EOS Fitness, Gelson’s, Hot Purple Energy, Nature’s Health Food and Café, Palm Springs Disposal Service, 420

Bank Dispensary & Lounge, Running Wild and Townie Bagels.

Also, a big thank you to our phenomenally supportive media sponsors: KESQ News Channel 3 and Telemundo, Alpha Media, Radio 111, Desert Charities News, ESPN 103.9 FM, GED Magazine, Greenblender, Men’s Health, KGAY 106.5 FM, Lamar Outdoor, KNEWS 94.3 FM, Mix 100.5 FM, Runner’s World and The Standard Magazine.

For sponsorships, exhibitor booths www.PalmSpringsHealthRun.com or for press inquiries, please contact Jeff Hocker, Executive Producer, Hocker Productions at 760-409-1530 or jeffhocker1@gmail.com. The Palm Springs Health Run & Fitness Expo is a Hocker Productions event.

REGISTER NOW! Online at www.PalmSpringsHealthRun.com and onsite Saturday, January 28, 2023, starting at 6:30a.m.

A BRIGHT NEW BOISE CONTINUES AT DEZART PERFORMS

Acclaimed playwright Samuel D. Hunter’s “humorous and touching exploration of faith and family” (NYTheatre.com) A BRIGHT NEW BOISE continues the historic 15th season for Dezart Performs of Palm Springs (www.dezartperforms.org). “This clear-eyed comedy (that) will lift your heart” (Time Out New York) runs January 13 – 22 at the Pearl McManus Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. All performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Ticket prices are $39 – $50. Tickets may be purchased online at www. dezartperforms.org or by calling (760) 322-0179. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm.

MODERNISM WEEK 2023 TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place February 16 - 26, 2023, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. On December 1, Modernism Week added more than 40 new events to the 11-day festival schedule that will now feature nearly 350 total events. Tickets for Modernism Week events have been selling quickly since they became available on November 1. Tickets for all Modernism Week events are available at www.modernismweek.com Modernism Week is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, providing scholarships to local Palm Springs students pursuing college educations in the fields of architecture and design; as well as giving grants to local and state organizations for their efforts to preserve modernist architecture throughout the state of California. To receive Modernism Week updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

PSP FOCUS

MODERNPLUS PALM SPRINGS KEYBOARD SERIES

The Palm Springs Cultural Center is pleased to announce the first annual ModernPlus Palm Springs Keyboard Series. The Series, conceived and presented by Dr. Charles Metz and Howard W. Schreiber in association with the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the Palm Springs International Piano Competition, the CV Philharmonic Society and Youth Training Orchestras of America, will take place on three nights - January 17, 18 and 19, 2023. It is built around the private collection of instruments belonging to Dr. Charles Metz.

The centerpiece is a rare modern grand piano, a Bösendorfer instrument, built as one of only six, in 1958 for the World’s Fair in Brussels.

The 1958 Bösendorfer Grand Piano is a mid-century masterpiece both visually and musically. It was restored to its original splendor in 2018 by a leading restorer in Santa Monica, California. Its case is a work of independent sculptural beauty, capturing the angles and architectural lines of mid-century architecture so prevalent in the Palm Springs area.

All three nights of the series will contrast the 1958 Bösendorfer Grand Piano with earlier instruments from Dr. Metz’ collection, including a reproduction fortepiano, and an early 19th century square piano built by a company owned by the composer Muzio Clementi. The intent is to entertain audiences not only with performances on this range of instruments, but to also educate them about the evolution of keyboard instruments over the course of centuries.

For tickets and further information visit www.psculturalcenter.org or at the Palm Springs Cultural Center box office.

DATE EVENT

Jan 5

Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

Jan 6–16 Palm Springs International Film Festival

Jan 16–22 The American Express Golf Tournament

Jan 25 The Center's Info-A-Go-Go

Jan 26 Police & Fire Appreciation Luncheon

Jan 26–29 Southwest Arts Festival

Jan 27–28 Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival

Jan 28 Palm Springs Health Run & Fitness Expo

Jan 28 Art Party 2023

Feb 3–5 Taste of Jalisco Festival 2023

Feb 9-12 Gay Pilot Association's Palm Springs Winter Warm-Up

Feb 16–26 Modernism Week

Feb 17–20 23rd Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show

Feb 17–26 Riverside County Fair and Date Festival

Feb 17–28 Mid-Mod Show & Tiki Party

Feb 18–19 Christopher Kennedy's Midcentury Home Tours

Feb 23–27 International Bear Convergence / IBC

Feb 24–26 McCormick's Exotic Car Auction

Feb 25–26 Desert WineFest

Mar 3–5 Cathedral City LGBT Days

Mar 4–May 7 Desert X

Mar 6–19 BNP Paribas Open

Mar 17–23 Fashion Week El Paseo

Mar 18 Red Dress Dress Red Party

Mar 23–26 Palm Springs Int'l Gay Hockey Tournament

Mar 24–26 Palm Desert Food & Wine

Mar 25 The L-Fund Annual Gala

Mar 25 The Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards / DAP Health

Apr 14–16/21–23 Coachella Weekend 1 & 2

Apr 28–30 Stagecoach

May 11 Harvey MIlk Diversity Breakfast

May 12–14 White Party Global Palm Springs

Sept 20-24 Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

Nov 3–5 Palm Springs Pride

PERSPECTIVE HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL!

BY JILL LANGHAM

As always, I hope this finds you well in Body, Mind and Spirit.

2023 is upon us and each new year provides us with an opportunity to start fresh and I for one am looking so forward to doing exactly that. 2022 was a year of self-discovery. I want to put this new knowledge to good use.

Through micro-dosing with mushrooms last February, I learned that I could go out without first altering my mind. I learned that I could go to events or parties and not drink or overeat to have a good time. I learned that I don’t have to go out dancing every weekend but can instead stay home or if I go to a bar, can talk to the members of my community rather than always be dancing. I learned that the Barracks and Tool Shed are very welcoming to me doing just that.

I learned that it is time for me to switch gears and focus on my long-lost dream of being a fashion-designer and stop being a circuit girl, well at least for the near future. :)

I learned that the world has changed because of COVID and that it will never be the same. To move with that change, I must let go of what was and see what is.

I have made my feelings about the direction I feel our city and the world at large is heading as well as its effect on the Gay community. I have offered to be part of the solution if it is shared with me.

I am always fascinated by cultures worldwide and as a result, I watch a lot of international shows on the streaming channels. I sadly was ill during the Christmas Holiday and watched way too much TV. One show that I really enjoyed was called “Daughter from Another Mother.” While watching it, I came across a particular scene where two women, one of whom identifies as bisexual, are discussing and planning a future party that they will be hosting which will include many members of the LGBTQIA community. The show is Mexican and has subtitles in English. I was unable to determine if the person doing the translations is a native Mexican; a member of the LGBTQIA community or perhaps an American, but regardless thought that the context was quite interesting. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Here is the text:

“You know what idea I came up with for the party?

Hmm?

A drag show. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

No, it’s just a party, it isn’t Gay Pride. The next thing you know you’ll want to decorate the place in rainbow flags and glitter balloons!

What’s wrong with that? The gays will love it!

That’s exactly what the problem is. Your ideas about the LGBT community are a little bit outdated.

No, they are not. I’ve read a lot on the subject.

Do you even know what LGBTQIA stands for?

Lesbian…. Gay…Bi………oh, alright

What are your ideas for the party then?

Just to throw a party that is cool and normal with tasty food and cocktails; a place that’s beautiful with a good DJ.”

In other words, a normal party. Your idea is a major cliché!”

There are so many feelings that came up for me when I heard the conversation. On one hand, I love that the show is attempting to educate the masses on the acronym LGBTQIA, it’s a start. However, as I dissected the rest of the script, I was unsure.

On one hand, the statement, “The gays will love it!”, felt somewhat patronizing and is again lumping the community into one big sector. But when the “Bi” gal says, “Just to throw a normal party………” I felt even more put off. What is a normal party, anything that is non-gay? But it’s the second part of her sentence, “… that is cool with tasty food and cocktails; a place that’s beautiful with a good DJ,” describes every Gay Party I’ve ever had the pleasure to attend! So, can someone help me out here?

And for the record, not all gay parties have a drag show, or that all gay men love drag shows!

But it’s the last line, “Your idea is a major cliché!” is the one that really got to me and exemplifies what I have been trying to say for

the last few months. Gay culture is so much more than rainbow flags and glitter balloons, isn’t it?

To me the cultures consists of men and women, many of whom have a sensitivity to both female and male characteristics and express those attributes freely without shame or embarrassment. But it seems that all the letters in LGBTQIA comes down to sexual preferences which truly have nothing to do with acceptance in my book. I don’t want to be sexualized by anyone, nor do I want to decide about you based on who and how you choose to share your intimacy with. It’s really none on my business or yours. To repeat myself from earlier articles, I prefer to spend time with individuals who have good energy, period! The organs between their legs don’t matter to me if that person is kind, loving, respectful and aware of their surroundings and can act accordingly. If they also happen to have a good sense of humor and take pride in their appearance

and hygiene, even better. But that’s just me!

Here’s hoping that you will enjoy this first month of 2023: are slowing down for amber lights and can go with this new flow. We had B.C., A.D., and now we have P.C. (Post-COVID).

Jill, your fashionable Dancing Queen!

XOXO

WELLNESS

5 WAYS TO REFRESH YOUR ROUTINE FOR THE NEW YEAR

BY GRACE DOTELLI

With the start of a new year just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to have a refreshed perspective on our health and well-being so we can continue to improve ourselves day by day. The new year brings new possibilities when it comes to our wellness routines, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. If you’re feeling unsure how to get started or which goals to set for the year, registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk is sharing five expert tips on how to have a refreshed routine for the year that focuses on nutrition and health while incorporating her favorite snack, almonds.

Maggie Michalczyk believes that wellness starts from within, including fueling her body with the proper nutrition that makes her feel good. Maggie shares how to refresh your wellness routine while keeping nutrition top of mind for the new year, allowing you to live your best life.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

It’s easier said than done, but keep it simple! Eating healthy can feel daunting - do you change everything that you’re eating, do you follow the latest trends? One simple and realistic strategy I recommend is to start by adding more nutrition to the meals and snacks you’re already eating. Here are a few examples: top yogurt and oatmeal bowls with almonds, add a handful of greens to things like smoothies, stir frys and omelets, or add a side salad to go with any main dish.

SNACK ON HEALTHY WHOLE FOODS

There are so many options for snacks these days, but not all are created equal. Snacks that contain protein, fiber and healthy fat, and are low in sugar, will keep you satisfied and energized throughout the day. Almonds contain 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber along with 13 grams of “good” unsaturated fat and 1 gram of saturated fat per serving, making them a great well-rounded snack, plus there are many ways to enjoy them to keep things fun.

NOURISH YOUR SKIN FROM WITHIN

With so much emphasis on the perfect skincare routine, one thing often overlooked is supporting our skin from within with foods that contain essential skin-benefiting nutrients like almonds. A handful of almonds provides 50% of your recommended daily value of vitamin E in one serving, which helps protect skin cells from damaging effects of free radicals caused by pollution, UV rays, cigarette smoke and other factors.

PRIORITIZE YOUR MAGNESIUM INTAKE

Most of us are not meeting the daily recommended amount of magnesium in our diets. The good news is almonds can help. Almonds are an excellent source of magnesium, which aids in the production of energy in the body as well as supports a healthy immune system. I add almond butter to my breakfast toast, topping my salad with almonds, or simply snack on them throughout the day to reap the benefits.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

Pick up a plant food (think fruit, vegetables or nuts like almonds) at the grocery store or farmers market that you’ve never tried before and challenge yourself to try it. Not only does this help keep things fun and fresh in the kitchen, it also adds more nutrition to your diet, helps to improve gut health and can help improve your relationship with food.

“It’s so important to me to start off every new year feeling refreshed and energized. For me, I like to look at how my snacks are benefiting my overall health. I’m all about keeping it simple, which is why one of my go-to snacks is almonds. They are the perfect snack to take while on-the-go, given their mix of protein, fiber and fat, keeping me energized throughout the day,” says Maggie.

Are you ready to upgrade your wellness routine in the new year? As Maggie states above, it’s all about starting small and knowing what you put in your body. Visit almonds.com for more information and follow @californiaalmonds for inspiration on how to nourish your well-being in 2023!

MUSIC

QUEER POP/ROCK BAND HYPHEN HYPHEN RELEASES NEW ALBUM, C’EST LA VIE

BY MARTHA TANG

“Call My Name” is a new powerful extract of their upcoming album C’est la Vie, out January 20 2023 along with a live video - a cinematographic universe which makes us rediscover the acrobatic and remarkable voice of front singer SANTA.

Having already performed more than 500 concerts in Europe, Hyphen Hyphen already took the next step and seduced the American public with their performance at Summerstage Festival in NYC this year. Following up with an international tour in 2023, it seems quite certain that this new album and the collection of infectious songs has the potential to cross borders and to excite a worldwide audience.

ABOUT HYPHEN HYPHEN

Four years have passed since Hyphen Hyphen’s second album, the brilliant HH, entirely written and self-produced by the band. And what a roller coaster these four years have been... with the trio going from a spectacular sold-out tour (nearly 200 gigs in two years) to quarantine and isolation, imposed by the global pandemic. For a group that has long built its reputation on stage and spent week after week on the road, this return home could have been fatal. But it turned out to be quite the opposite: forced into isolation, the band managed to turn these successive lockdowns into an opportunity to reset and refocus on the thing that has connected them for more than ten years: a genuine love for music, performance and songwriting.

“When we recorded our previous album, it was all about showing we could be producers. For this one, it was about showing that we are musicians. Everything was recorded live in the studio. We really wanted to get back to the soul of the band. “ In a nostalgic (but by no means backward-looking) approach, the trio started by immersing itself in the back catalogs of bands and artists from the ‘70s, from Fleetwood Mac to America, via Bruce Springsteen. Then they got down to writing the third chapter of their own discography, the aptly named C’est La Vie, and made the crucial decision to slow down and take their time.

The time to travel back and forth between the ICP studios in Brussels (where Hyphen Hyphen created their first record) and their personal studio in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, fitted out DIY style during the first French lockdown. And the time to work on writing, thanks to their meeting with Glen Ballard, with whom the trio co-

wrote two tracks. A collaborator of Alanis Morissette, Katy Perry and Michael Jackson, the American and Grammy award winner played a key role in this new episode.

“Glen was working on music for series and films and was living in Paris at the time. Our meeting with him was remarkable. He showed us how he wrote and suggested that we approach things in a simpler way and be more direct in the expression of our emotions. It was the first time we had let someone into our trio, but it felt very natural.” Other guests have also joined the adventure, such as mix engineers Mark “Spike” Stent (Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, etc.) and Dan Grech (Lana del Rey, Moby, and more), marking the first time either of them had worked with a French artist. Armed with such an impressive cast, this third album is also the most personal for Hyphen Hyphen, who admit that its creation has been a way of overcoming the unprecedented personal upheavals experienced in recent years.

What quickly becomes clear is the quality of the trio’s impeccable songwriting and their ability to carve out melodic gems with the potential to be instant classics, like the irresistible first single Don’t Wait for Me, cowritten with Glen Ballard. We also rediscover Santa’s vocal acrobatics, more stripped back than ever (on Call My Name and Symphony, where she channels Kate Bush in style). Reconnecting with the energy of live shows (Too Young, Help Yourself), the band has successfully put together a dazzling display of pop music, combining sensitivity, dance, melancholy and hedonistic vibes. In it, they learn to live with their ghosts (Help Yourself), revive their first punk loves (Lie!), invite us to let go (Own God) and accept our flaws and quirks (Cry Cry Cry).

Always with a touch of humor (Voices in my Head), they excel in the art of making intimate lyrics impactful for everyone. “ For this album, we wanted to move towards music that is more universal, which we can therefore promote abroad. This has been our strategy from the start, to try to get closer to our dream, step by step; guided by a desire to win people over.” And today the band is focused on winning over the West. Having already performed a handful of concerts in Europe, Hyphen Hyphen is ready to take the next step. This fall, the trio will travel across the Atlantic to seduce the American public, followed by a big European tour in 2023. And it’s clear to see that this new album and its collection of infectious songs will certainly make their mission easier.

TAI’AYSHA UNVEILS REMIX FOR ‘SORRY’ FEATURING REMIX BY DANNY VERDE

BY MARTHA TANG

Multi-talented Dominican-Cambodian singer, songwriter, and dancer Tai’Aysha has shared a rework of her second single “Sorry” - featuring remix by DJ and producer, Danny Verde.

The new single, “Sorry” is available now via Icon Music Group / Atlantic Records. Produced by female songwriting duo Nova Wav (Beyonce, Pop Smoke, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj) the instantly infectious track is joined by a tropical and sultry visual directed by Cameron Dean. Watch the video for “Sorry”.

“Sorry” follows Tai’Aysha’s breakthrough debut single, “One Night Ting (feat.Saweetie)”.. Co-written and co-produced by GRAMMY® Award-winner Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor (Drake, Burna Boy, John Legend) alongside hit-making duo Money Well Spent – comprised of Verse Simmonds (Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Justin Bieber) and Akil “Fresh” King (Brandy, Beyoncé, Teyana Taylor) – “One Night Ting” proved an ideal embodiment of the Boston-born, Miamibased starlet’s effortless confidence and sensuality. The track – which interpolates a sample of Shabba Ranks’ 1992 dancehall classic, “Ting A Ling” – joined by an equally hot music visual streaming now at YouTube HERE following its exclusive premiere via PEOPLE.com. In addition, Tai’Aysha lit up clubs and dancefloors with exclusive new spins on “One Night Ting” by remix masters Gentlemen’s Club and Bloom Line, both available now at all DSPs and streaming services.

Tai’Aysha – whose bright personality shines through in her official VLOG, Tai’Aysha: A Day in the Life of Me, as well as her appearance on Complex’s “The Daily Drift on Twitch”– has spent much of her summer lighting up LGBTQ+ Pride events across the country, including New York City’s annual PrideFest and NYC Youth Pride event at Rumsey Playfield at Central Park. A free spirit in the truest sense, the Boston-born and Miami-based Dominican-Cambodian beauty radiates confidence, speaks without a filter, and moves through R&B, pop, bachata, merengue, reggae, and hip-hop moods with a nimble and natural elasticity tailor made for the dancefloor. Tai’Aysha started dancing almost as soon as she could walk. Growing up, she lit up every room she walked into and started modeling post-high school. In between a day job at a flower shop, her dance videos gained traction as she built an audience of hundreds of thousands on Instagram and local buzz from her home city. Seeing the bubbling local excitement,

Icon Music Group founder Steve Morales (Enrique Iglesias, Céline Dion, Beyoncé) felt prompted to reach out. He recognized her talent as a dancer and believed it indicated a certain “tone” as a vocalist. Turns out, he was very right. After one Miami session, he signed her to Icon Music Group and recorded with her at a prolific pace. Within a year, she inked a deal with Atlantic Records. Inspired by Lauryn Hill, Rihanna, and Sade, Tai’Aysha has cultivated a simmering, seductive, and scorching signature style of her own.

“My music should make you feel fun, excited, and sexy,” Tai’Aysha says. “When you listen to me, I hope you’re like, ‘I want to be her friend.’ I’m here for you to know you’re confident, cool, and sexy. That’s it.”

Connect With Tai’aysha on Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Q&A

GO GO DIEGO! DIEGO BARROS IS TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM IN 2023

BY MIKE BAHR

2023 will be the year of Diego Barros. Known as the ‘Magic Mike’ of Brazil and often referred to as one of the world’s sexiest men, Diego has over one million followers on Instagram and a very popular OnlyFans account. In 2023, the Brazilian bombshell aims to step out from behind the social media lens into the real world, performing more live shows!

He will be in Washington DC on January 12th to kick off the KINETIC: KINK parties over MAL weekend. As the drill sergeant of BOOTCAMP party, Diego will gear up men for the next three days of sinful debauchery.

Then, on March 2, Diego will make his way down under for WorldPride 2023 in Sydney! Diego will perform two nude shows at Anaconda, part of the Daywash Events. Fans will have the opportunity to meet-n-greet with him after the shows.

We chatted with Diego Barros from his home in Brazil.

What was it like growing up in Brazil?

Diego Barros: I grew up in Araçatuba, São Paulo. Home life was good. My family and I were very close. Still are, in fact. I remember doing lots of family activities together, especially over weekends and on holiday. I was a very shy kid, but I had a good group of friends and we would study together and occasionally, go clubbing. I was also a boy scout and I loved camping.

Were you a good student?

Diego Barros: Honestly, I wasn’t very good at studying. I was good enough to finish my exams but I caused my poor parents a lot of headaches.

What led to your career as an adult performer?

Diego Barros: I’ve always been very into provocative Moulin Rouge-style cabaret shows. I remember when I was a kid I watched the movie Striptease with Demi Moore. I fell in love with that film! That’s why in a lot of my strip shows, today, I dance to the song “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics.

How would you describe your unique brand of strip tease?

Diego Barros: It depends on the vibe the crowd is giving me. I will usually get completely nude if that’s what the crowd wants me to do.

What are the best and worst parts of the job?

Diego Barros: The best part about taking my show on the road and performing live is that I get to meet and connect with all of the people that have been following me for years. It’s really a thrill. As far as the worst part of my job… I don’t know? Maybe the jet lag?

You reveal a lot on your OnlyFans. What are examples of things you will not share?

Diego Barros: I do my best to keep my page fun and fresh but I won’t do anything that involves my hole.

Tell us what you plan to do in DC at the Kinetic: Kink event over MAL Weekend.

Diego Barros: I can’t wait to be in DC! I am going to get my recruits in shape for three days and nights of kinky debauchery. The capitol will never be the same after I’m done with it.

Then you’re off to Sydney for WorldPride!

Diego Barros: It will be my Sydney debut! I love Daywash events. Their Candyland parties and Pound Parties are elaborate spectacles. WorldPride will be even bigger and better than ever because Daywash is partnering with the Matinee Group. I’m

planning two shows at the Anaconda party and let’s just say, my anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, hun.

Who has the hotter guys, Australia, or the USA?

Diego Barros: I never pay any mind to nationality, race, body type, or any of that. For me, it is all about the chemistry and how you ride my big fat cock.

Do you have a secret talent?

Diego Barros: My tongue can play sweet music inside a tasty hole.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Diego Barros: Doing what I love in life, which is exactly what I am doing.

What is your greatest fear?

Diego Barros: My greatest fear is something tragic happening to someone in my family and my not being able to arrive in time to say goodbye.

What is your most treasured possession?

Diego Barros: My dog.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Diego Barros: I don’t think it’s great to dwell on our negatives. Putting myself out there on social media, I get judged by people for everything. No one is perfect. We all have to work with what we have.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Diego Barros: Those who take themselves too seriously.

What are your plans for the rest of the day?

I have to go to the gym later today but first, I’m going grab lunch and then take my dog to the park for a long walk. See, adult performers, we’re just like you!

Don’t miss Diego Barros perform live on January 12 at Kinetic: Kink in Washington DC and March 2 at Daywash Events, part of Sydney WorldPride.

the3D’S DINE | DRINK | DANCE

RESTAURANTS

GRAND CENTRAL

160 La Plaza

Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.699.7185 www.grandcentralpalmsprings.com

KOFFI NORTH (3 Additional Locations)

515 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.2244 www.kofficoffee.com

BOOZEHOUNDS PALM SPRINGS

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

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

TAC/QUILA

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

PS AIR BAR

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

TOWNIE BAGELS

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

ON THE MARK

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

SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com 849 849 N Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 www.eight4nine.com

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

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

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

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

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

EL MIRASOL

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

RICK’S RESTAURANT

1973 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262 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

BLACKBOOK BAR

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

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB

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

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

CHILL BAR

217 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.1079 www.chillbarpalmsprings.com

STREETBAR

224 E. Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 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

QUADZ

200 S Indian Canyon Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326

AMP SPORTS LOUNGE 68-718 E. Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.699.7090 www.ampcatcity.com

ROOST BAR LOUNGE 68718 E Palm Canyon Dr #203 Cathedral City CA 92234 760.507.8495 www.theroostcc.com

ONE ELEVEN BAR 67555 E Palm Canyon Dr A103 Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.3111 www.oneelevenbar.com

BARRACKS BAR 67625 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.464.0957 www.barracksps.com

RUNWAY 68300 Gay Resort Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.7800 www.runwayccbc.com

REFORMA

333 S. Palm Canyon #2 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.902.6630 www.reformaps.com

DICK’S

301 E Arenas Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.0753 www.dicksps.com

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PHOTO REWIND

DESTINATION PSP PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE

PHOTO REWIND

DESTINATION PSP PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A LEE