TAKING IT TO THE LIMIT EXTREME SPORTS
KEVIN MAXEN MAKING GAY HISTORY
TAKING IT TO THE LIMIT EXTREME SPORTS
KEVIN MAXEN MAKING GAY HISTORY
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 8
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Volume 11 Issue 8
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KYLIE MINOGUE SETS UP RESIDENCY IN VEGAS PADAM, PADAM AT THE VENETIAN MUSIC PGS 48-50
COVER RUGBY CHAMP & LGBTQ+ ALLY BEN COHEN NEXT GOAL IS ON FILM
COVER EXTREME SPORTS
TAKING IT TO THE LIMIT
FEATURE
KEVIN MAXEN MAKES HISTORY
1ST OUT PRO SPORTS COACH
PSP FOCUS
DINAH 2023
THE LADIES HAVE LANDED
STAGE
PS CULTURAL CENTER BRINGS BROADWAY TO THE DESERT BROADWAY’S BEST OF THE WEST
MUSIC
KYLIE MINOGUE SETS UP RESIDENCY IN VEGAS PADAM, PADAM AT THE VENETIAN
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Ben Cohen, the Rugby champion and longtime ally of LGBTQ+ rights, is making his acting debut this summer in Patterns, a new LGBTQ+ series acquired by TLA Releasing, streaming now on Dekkoo.
“When I first read the script for Patterns, I knew I needed to be a part of the series as it spoke to my life-long allyship with the LGBTQ+ community,” says Cohen, who in 2011, launched the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to combat bullying of children who might be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. “Also, I have always been a bit curious about appearing in front of the camera as an actor. The first scene I filmed for Patterns was even more nerve-wracking than when I played for England the first time!”
The British camp comedy incorporates mini narratives to explore several unique themes that make up the lives of LGBTQ+ people and its allies, including family dynamics, coming out, dating, therapy and surviving an existential crisis. Each episode tells its own distinct story, but all episodes take place in the same universe so that a minor character in one episode may reappear as the lead in another and vice-versa.
“Patterns was created to be a reflection of everyday queer life and how we navigate different social circles at work, with friends and family, behaving differently within each circle we frequent,” the director, Rex Glensy, explains. “The beauty of the series is that it explores this dynamic with humor and heart.”
Ben Cohen plays himself, starring opposite Rufus Gleave, a kid actor and dead ringer for Kit Connor, who masterfully plays a young gay boy who idealizes the rugby champion. Ben Cohen helps to lead him out of his inner turmoil.
Other episodes in the series tell a range of stories. There is the tale of Lionel, played by hunky newcomer Jack Armstrong, who loves the company of other men and becomes obsessed with his pizza delivery man and the saga of narcissistic Foster, played by Rufus Shaljean, whose love of self leads to unexpected consequences.
The fun of Patterns is seeing lead characters in previous episodes reappearing in the periphery of later episodes and watching as minor characters take the lead in their own stories.
The season ends with a surprise eighth episode that neither Glensy nor Cohen wishes to reveal. “It’s a special gift for viewers who make it to the end,” the director laughs. He also hints at more Patterns ahead. “We have developed the narratives for all the characters in Patterns and how they link together and there are still quite a few stories to be told.”
Visit www.Dekkoo.com
In the British camp comedy series, Patterns, Ben Cohen plays himself, starring opposite Rufus Gleave, a kid actor and Kit Connor look alike, who plays a gay youth who idealizes the rugby champion. Ben Cohen helps the young man through his inner turmoil.
Other episodes in the series tell a range of LGBTQ+ stories. Through mini narratives, the series explores several unique themes including family dynamics, coming out, dating, therapy and surviving an existential crisis. Each tells its own distinct story, but all episodes take place in the same universe so that a minor character in one episode may reappear as the lead in another and vice-versa. He admits he has long been a bit curious… about appearing in front of the camera as an actor. We spoke with him from his home in the UK.
Late last year, you revealed that your anti-bullying foundation, StandUp, might be forced to close. What is the current status of your charity?
Ben Cohen: We’re closing the foundation, unfortunately. Donations began drying up during the pandemic and then the costof-living crisis came along, and people don’t seem to have the money to support us.
Disposable income is what charities like StandUp depend on.
Ben Cohen: Yes, and sadly, there is little going around these days. People are concentrating on putting food on their tables and paying for air conditioning for their homes. This is a real pity because StandUp is needed now more than ever.
It has also been reported that you are currently suffering from tinnitus. Is that true?
Ben Cohen: Yes, I’ve had it for some time. Even when I was playing rugby, although then, I used it to my advantage by blocking out unnecessary sound. These days, my condition really can be a pain, but I’ve learned to live with it, and it gives me a daily challenge to overcome.
Ben Cohen: I have hearing aids, but I don’t wear them too often because I hear too much when I have them in. It can be overwhelming and often gives me a migraine.
Let’s move on to acting. You make your big debut in the new queer series, Patterns, this summer!
Ben Cohen: It’s exciting! I’ve always wanted to give film a try.
How did you prepare for the role?
Ben Cohen: (Laughing) I didn’t! I seriously kind of jumped into it two feet first. No acting lessons or anything.
Is there a reason you chose to make your acting debut in Patterns?
Ben Cohen: The director, Rex Glensy, has been a friend of mine for a long time. He approached me with the news that he and his writing partner, Asad Moghal, were developing a series around LGBTQ+ stories and they had this role that they thought I might be perfect for. I jumped at the opportunity because it aligns with a lot of stuff that I’m passionate about and have long been involved in.
Like LGBTQ teen issues?
Ben Cohen: Yes, one of the episodes I’m in involves a coming out story. In real life, I’ve heard so many horrible coming out stories. The character in the film, Liam, who is a teenage boy in the process of coming out, sees me as a role model and with a little help from me, can be true to himself. Self-belief and honesty are core values that I believe in, and this project reflects those values.
Are you playing yourself in the series?
Ben Cohen: Well, I play a version of myself as imagined by a teenage boy. The character Ben is this boy’s superhero and appears at random when the boy most needs him. And for the rest, you’ll have to watch it.
Have you been bitten by the acting bug, Ben?
Ben Cohen: I don’t know. It was incredibly nerve-wracking having to remember lines, emotions, movements, and all of that. Playing rugby for England was much easier! But honestly, I absolutely loved it. The production took great care of me. Being on set was so much fun. Rex was wonderful and very supportive. I can still hear him saying after a few takes, “those weren’t your lines, Ben.” It was so hard to stick to the script! I’m sure the outtake reel is hilarious.
Does George Clooney have anything to worry about?
Ben Cohen: Realistically, I’m not going to be the next Bond or anything.
What are your future plans?
Ben Cohen: Retire from acting, for one. (Laughing) Actually, at the moment, I’ve just finished filming a TV documentary for ITV and I’m going to be involved in another fun TV project for charity. But my real focus is on Kristina.
That was my next question! After a pretty public divorce, is it true you’re about to tie the knot?
Ben Cohen: It has not happened yet, but probably in the near future. We are happy where we are at the moment.
Is it true she’s turned you on to veganism?
Ben Cohen: Kristina is vegan, and I tried it for a while, and enjoyed it. I enjoy a greater diversity in food. Overall, I love different and healthy foods including my latest not-so-guilty pleasure, NOMO chocolate. It’s vegan and delicious!
Can we do a lightening round, Ben? That’s where I ask a question and you answer with one or two words.
Ben Cohen: Sure!
Party Island or Deserted Island?
Ben Cohen: Party.
Hands or feet?
Ben Cohen: Both are useful.
Cook in or eat out?
Ben Cohen: Depends on the company.
One word, Ben! Summer or winter?
Ben Cohen: Summer.
Chocolate or crisps?
Ben Cohen: Depends on my mood.
Ben! Boxers or briefs?
Ben Cohen: A boxer brief.
Weights or Cardio?
Ben Cohen: Cardio.
Book or movie?
Ben Cohen: Audio book.
One thing you can’t leave the house without.
Ben Cohen: My phone.
For more information on Patterns, visit Dekkoo.com.
There has been an explosion in popularity in adventure activities over the last decade or so. With more and more people seeking to experience thrills from sports as an escape from the grind of daily life. Action sports are now more accessible than ever before, with clubs and centers popping up everywhere. Extreme sports are all about the thrill. For some people, it’s for pure fun, and for others it’s about testing the limits of what is humanly possible. To whatever degree, extreme sports all carry a certain wow factor, giving them a unique sense of appeal.
Jumping from a Building, Antenna, Span, or Earth (BASE) and free falling at over 100 mph is a thrill that is difficult to match. Unpredictable wind gusts, proximity to other buildings, and short period of time to deploy the parachute are some reasons why BASE jumping is a favorite to many adrenaline junkies. Not to mention it’s illegal. One of the most dangerous types of extreme sport.
Here’s a different type of trust fall. Take a long piece of rope, attach one end to your harness and the other end to the edge of a cliff or bridge, then JUMP! You’ll enjoy a stomach-turning free fall, followed by a giant pendulum ride that swings you back and forth for several minutes.
Jumping from a high structure and entrusting a large elastic rope around your ankles to break your fall is quite counter intuitive. But, if you can talk yourself into taking the plunge, you’ll have a near out of body experience to brag about.
Hydrofoiling is a subset of a variety board water sports using an underwater wing that elevates the board above the water surface reducing friction and providing more control. It has been used in a range of sports such as kite foiling, surf foiling, SUP foiling, wake foiling, windsurf foiling and is even used in sailing.
Combining a standard paraglider wing with a harnessed mounted motor. Also known as PPG, the two types of paramotors are foot launch and wheel launch.
Being towed on skis behind a horse. One of the more dangerous types of adventure sport.
Translated as ‘Iron Way’ it used fixed ladders, bridges, wires to assist climbing. Participants are protected by clipping onto a cable along the route. Via Ferrata is great fun and challenging and should be included on any list of adventure sports!
One of the most dangerous types of extreme sport! If you have a friend that is obsessed with flying and an addiction for adrenaline, buy them a wingsuit! These futuristic suits allow BASE jumpers and parachuters to more effectively steer their direction of travel and achieve maximum hang time in the air. Some people even use their wingsuits to “fly” along cliffs and hillsides, giving them a greater sense of speed and flight.
Take a giant inflatable ball, jump inside the middle, and roll down a hill. Some people have gotten very creative with zorbing, turning it into a giant game of bowling or reenacting the runaway boulder scene from Indiana Jones, better run fast!
Also known as dirt boarding and offroad boarding, mountain boards take on all types of terrain, and are sometimes used to do tricks or even downhill races. Kind of a cross between skateboarding and snowboarding.
Also known as free running, parkour is the art of moving over obstacles as quickly and efficiently as possible. No equipment needed; parkour can be practiced practically anywhere. The bigger the obstacle, the greater the risk.
A lovely combination of speed skating and hockey, where four people wearing pads and hockey skates race down a track made of ice. Steep hills, tight turns, jumps and rollers make for a very exciting scene. Oh, and there’s really only one rule, first one to the bottom wins.
Riding a custom-made board down a road at speeds up to 60 mph, using only your shifted weight to steer and relying solely on your feet to stop. Street luge brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “road kill”.
As if hitting raging rapids isn’t enough, some kayakers choose to push the limits of what a plastic boat (and human) can endure. Press your luck and dive headfirst off a waterfall. Good Luck!
Scaling up massive ice formations either on frozen waterfalls or snow-covered mountains. Ice climbing open’s itself up to all kinds of risks, broken chunks of ice, avalanches, even falling to a cold death.
Highlining is a form of slacklining (basically tightrope walking on a strap) at elevated heights. Enthusiasts set up at the tops of trees, between buildings, even across ravines and canyons. In the event of a slip up, the only thing keeping you from plummeting is a simple harness and rope attached to the line.
Mess with the bull and you get the horns, for real! For most people Running of the Bulls is a “fun”, nerve racking experience that will leave a bank of memories for endless conversation. For an unfortunate few, it means a trip to the hospital, or perhaps worse.
Climb a rock formation without any other type of assistance or support besides your climbing harness. If you slip/fall, the only thing keeping you from tumbling down to the bottom is your safety rope and the clips anchored into the rock; better hope they’re secured!
Volcano boarding is a violent sport that is dangerous beyond imagination. Have you ever wondered how it is to be like to race down an active volcano? If yes, this is the kind of sport for you. The participants wear safety suits and ride up an active volcano and slide down at a very high speed, either standing or sitting.
Athlete Ally believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Our mission is to end homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
Athlete Ally is proud of our history in working to create LGBTQI+ inclusive athletic environments, and of our efforts to mobilize athletes, teams and leagues to use their platform to champion equality. Learn more about our work throughout 2021 in our 2021 Annual Report.
Some of our recent victories have included:
Creating the landmark campaign, Principle 6, which successfully lobbied the International Olympic Committee to include sexual orientation in the Olympic Charter.
Co-authoring the NCAA’s first-ever policy and resource guide on LGBTQ issues for all coaches, athletes, and administrators.
Working with the NBA, NCAA, and ACC on their historic decisions to move the competitions from North Carolina in the wake of anti-LGBTQ law HB2.
Launching the historic Athletic Equality Index: a first of its kind ranking of the LGBTQ inclusiveness of collegiate athletic departments. www.athleteally.org
Hudson Taylor was a rare breed of division one wrestler and thespian. As a three-time All-American wrestler at the University of Maryland, he was ranked 2nd in the country heading into his senior season. He was, in addition, a theatre major, and the two worlds couldn’t have been more different on the topic of LGBTQ respect and inclusion. In theatre, Hudson had friends and classmates coming out and being accepted and welcomed. But on the wrestling mat, homophobic and sexist rhetoric and actions were rampant.
To stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community and confront the marginalization of LGBTQ people in sport, he decided to wear an LGBTQ equality sticker on his headgear. Though he encountered criticism from his teammates, he received national media attention and thousands of emails from parents and closeted athletes encouraged by his advocacy. That got Hudson thinking… if he could achieve that impact as a wrestler, in a sport that isn’t the most popular, what if he had been a football player, a team, or an entire league.
This experience inspired Hudson to launch Athlete Ally.
NCLR’s Sports Project aims to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender players, coaches, and administrators receive fair and equal treatment—free of discrimination. Founded in 2001, the Sports Project has litigated cases on behalf of LGBTQ athletes and coaches, advised schools and athletic associations, and convened key coalitions to combat homophobia and transphobia in sports. NCLR co-founded and participates in a coalition of LGBTQ sports leaders from across the country that works to combat anti-LGBTQ bias in sports. The coalition brings together college and professional athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, political figures, LGBTQ advocates and sports organizations to examine best practices, troubleshoot common problems, and develop strategies to tackles anti-LGBTQ bias at every competition level.
www.nclrights.org
You Can Play Project believes that fostering athletic environments free of judgement and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression is crucial to keeping people safe, as well as protecting the business of sports.
They work to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. They achieve this by creating a community of allies that is able to foster a true sense of belonging. This becomes possible when sports teams sharpen the focus on the person’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
83% of fans surveyed believe an openly gay person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event.
24% of LGBTQ youth say they play a school sport, compared to 68% of all youth.
Speaking with our partners to evolve locker room and spectator culture, consult on inclusion policies, build stronger fan engagement and increase participation in sports among LGBTQ youth. Through our work we provide safer access to sports, as well as create bridges between sports brands and the LGBTQ community.
www.youcanplayproject.org
In keeping with the theme of our annual sports issue, I wanted to remind our readers that living well is not a spectator sport. It is a get in there, do the work, have fun and be your best kind of activity.
I have said many times here in these pages and to our clients, living well takes an effort. There is no such thing as effortless living. Now, before I scare you out of reading further, let me be very clear that the effort does not have to overwhelm you, or become obsessive. Like enjoying your favorite sporting pastime, there are many ways of engaging in the fun, enjoyment and satisfaction that you can derive from your effort.
To further the analogy, think of living well in terms of your favorite sport. Sometimes you want to get in there and get in the middle of the action, and other times you want to be a spectator, or sit back and watch on TV with a good snack and drink by your side. Well, creating a home that is your personal sanctuary and your space to share and enjoy with family and friends, is a worthwhile endeavor. And, just like being the best you can be at your chosen sport, your home takes initiative, practice and courage. So, get in there and show yourself (and those around you) what you are made of!
The easiest example I can offer this month is the ever-popular game room, man cave, or theater for watching your favorite pastime. The world of the mancave has become cliché and the games room, a tired brother of the family room. What I like to offer my clients is a fresh and personalized take on that room where you need comfort, a big TV, a great sound system and ample room for friends and family to join in. It is not a scrimmage; it is a team sport which is best shared!
For starters let’s talk about how to achieve the very best viewing experience.
• High quality, Hi-Def televisions are abundant and affordable today. Buy the very best you can afford. There is nothing like the picture quality when viewing any sport. Feel like you are out on the field with your team.
• Sound is everything. Again, theater or surround sound systems are easily sourced and affordable today. I got mine on Amazon.com. The one thing to keep in mind is that you will still have to find a place for the
subwoofer. It is still a component that needs to be properly placed for the best sound quality. I always keep that in mind when selecting the furniture piece/ pieces that will inevitably be under and around the screen.
The final element to the picture “show” is to be sure that you place your big a screen at the optimum height and away from possible glare. There are a few things I like to keep in mind.
• First, I have never found an appropriate height fireplace that you can mount your TV above. There are two issue with every fireplace installation. The first is the heat that rises from the firebox which can destroy your screen. The other issue is height. If you have to look up to see your screen when seated, then you know it is placed too high. This trend seems to have become somewhat of the norm but, that does not make it safe or comfortable for viewing.
• Second is the issue of glare. Most of us have homes with ample, if not abundant light. it is the number one request in new homes and renovations. Let the light in! I agree and I love it but, it can wreak havoc on your viewing pleasure. When possible, choose an installation away from your windows. If you don’t have a choice, then be sure to have window treatments that will reduce or eliminate the glare on your screen. Draperies, shades or blinds will do the trick and if you really want some “cool” factor, make those treatments electric to open and close from your seat. In the past that option was a big and costly job. Today, manufacturers offer a myriad of options that are rechargeable motors. They are easy to install and each charge lasts a long time.
Now for the décor. If you have been a loyal reader, then you should already know that as a designer, I have never liked “kitsch” decorating. I want my clients to live in spaces that tell their story. I want them to have homes that are personal and speak to who they are and what they love. Even when creating a specific space like this, I still want you to think outside the box.
I love a framed jersey as much as the next guy. For me, I still want them personalized. Instead of the jersey from your favorite player, why not frame your kid’s jersey or alongside that legend you already have hanging. Go for matching frames and bold matt
colors and hang them in a grid pattern on the wall to add more visual interest by creating a secondary pattern. Then, why not sacrifice hanging them over a sofa and instead, choose a wall where you can fill it with your memorabilia. Think baseboard to crown molding. It creates a much greater impact and creates conversation when you share it with your friends.
My opinion has always been that when you are designing or decorating with a theme in mind, like sports, you don’t have to be too obvious. Like any other room in your home, forget the easy choices and take a deeper more personal approach to your selections…and have some fun! For instance, indoor-outdoor turf is an amusing way to cover a floor or create an area rug. It has the added advantage
The goal is to be personal. Let your mind wander, be creative in your thinking. You will have a room that is fun, handsome/beautiful and a pleasure to use and share. Your home should reflect who you are and it doesn’t have to be cliché. You can’t get it wrong when you make choices that please you. Make it yours, choose what you love and, as always, Live Well!
Designer Dann
www.foleystinnette.com
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Kevin Maxen becomes the first male coach in US men’s pro sports to come out as gay publicly.
“I don’t want to feel like I have to think about it anymore. I don’t want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing, or why I am living with someone else. I want to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live, but I also want to just live and not feel fear about how people will react.”
He also revealed that he has been in a two-and-a-half-year relationship with his boyfriend Nick. He said he found the courage to come out from the support of his family and friends.
“It wasn’t until recently – and with the immense love and support of my family, my friends, colleagues and peers, and the courage and sacrifice from my partner – that I realized I have the right and responsibility to love and be loved, and that maybe sharing this will
hopefully give someone else the strength to accept their own life and take control of their own story.”
Maxen joined the Jacksonville Jaguars last year as an associate strength coach. The entire coaching staff, including Maxen, played a role in the team making it to the playoffs after back-to-back seasons of being the worst team in the league.
His decision to come out publicly furthers his status as a trailblazer in the field of sports. As a Jewish black man, he has always stood out among the crowd.
“As a Black Jew who has dated both men and women, who has been a strength coach at the highest level of professional football, I’ve learned that how I look, what I believe in, and especially who I am physically or emotionally attracted to should not impact the way
I or other people view my worth. And It should certainly not dictate what I feel I am capable of accomplishing.”
Based on the reaction from the team, he need not have worried about coming out sooner, as owner Shad Khan said to ESPN:
“Kevin is a Jacksonville Jaguar through and through, and a key member of our football team and community. I look forward to seeing Kevin next week at training camp, and hope that he comes to work each day during camp and through the season feeling confident, free and at peace.”
Kevin Maxen was also helped by Carl Nassib, who made history as the first openly gay active NFL player. He now joins the ranks of other coaches like Katie Sowers with the San Francisco 49ers and Curt Miller of the WNBA.
While Maxen’s announcement is a first for a male coach, NFL players have come out previously. Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted when the then-St. Louis Rams selected him in 2014. A few female coaches in U.S.-based leagues have come out publicly, including Katie Sowers, a former assistant with the San Francisco 49ers.
Maxen said he no longer felt comfortable hiding his sexuality or his boyfriend of two years.
He was spurred on to come clean about what he felt after attending Jacksonville Jaguars events where other members introduced their family or partners and he could not.
“You have other coaches who have significant others, and they’re talking about their significant others,” Maxen said. “And I felt guilty that I couldn’t do the same thing, that I was letting myself down.”
In men’s pro sports, he has made history. One hopes others will see his example and find the strength to live their truths.
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Blood Drive
TU, Aug 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To register online, visit LStream.org/EisenhowerHealth or call 800-879-4484
SUPPORT GROUPS
For information or registration, call the number listed, or visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups
Adults Molested as Children
Every TH, 4 to 5 p.m.
To register, call 760-340-2336
Bariatric Surgery
Second M of month, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
To register, call 760-834-3796.
Bereavement
Every W, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-674-3618.
Breast Cancer Information
Every W, noon to 1 p.m.
To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-834-3798.
Grupo de Apoyo Contra el Cáncer en Español
El primer y tercer miércoles del mes de 1 a 2 p.m. Llame a 760-773-1426 para confirmar asistencia o para más información.
Mended Hearts
Second TH of month, 6 to 8 p.m., Oct to Jun
To register, call 760-770-8390.
Multiple Myeloma and Blood Cancer
First and third TH of month, 3 to 4 p.m.
To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-834-3798
To join online, visit Zoom.us/j/99146440280 and enter passcode 874433
To join by phone, call 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 991 4644 0280 and enter passcode 874433
Prostate Cancer Information
First and third M of month noon to 1 p.m.
To register online, visit EisenhowerHealth.org/SupportGroups or call 760-834-3798.
Type 1 Diabetes: Tools, Tricks and Technologies
Third TU of month
3 to 4:30 p.m., Oct to Jun
To register, call 760-773-1403.
Annenberg Health Sciences Building
Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center
Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center
Eisenhower George and Julia Argyros Health Center, La Quinta
Probst Building
Refreshments or meal available
Virtual option
Phone option
Davin Strong first gained notoriety for being a fitness icon. His chiseled body and commitment to leading a healthy lifestyle captivated and inspired fans and he shared his fitness journey, workout routines, and diet tips on social media, encouraging thousands to embrace wellness.
Behind the scenes, Davin felt an unyielding desire to explore his boundaries and delve into realms less conventional. He realized that his true passion lay in embracing his sexuality and in expressing himself through the world of kink and fetish.
He reached out to KinkMen, a prominent adult entertainment studio known for its high-quality productions within the BDSM and fetish genres. They jumped at the chance to work with the fitness model and this month, Davin Strong premieres in two KinkMen exclusive films, Silent Hill Delirium and Good Little Mouse.
Davin, your scenes in Kinkmen’s Silent Hill Delirium and Good Little Mouse are extreme.
Davin Strong: Being suspended was something I had never done before and being a big guy, that was an intense experience and a good one to check off the bucket list.
Is there anything you won’t do?
Davin Strong: I assume you mean sexually? Well, I top, and I bottom. I have enjoyed sex with people of all gender expressions. I’ve generally always been down to try new things. Overall, I describe myself as a pleasure dom/switch, and a voyeur/exhibitionist. Working with KinkMen has been a great way for me to try out a vast array of sexual proclivities in the BDSM world!
Silent Hill Delirium is based on a popular video game series. Are you a fan of horror?
Davin Strong: I have a ton of respect for the genre as an art form and especially for the Silent Hill series as I sincerely find it fascinating, but truthfully, I am a total chicken shit when it comes to the horror movie genre! I scared myself a bit leaning into the movie and taking on my character. I had to get myself in the right head
space for it. Micah Martinez, the film’s director, did an amazing job all around casting for the scene and helping me to not be such a scaredy cat!
In addition to the steamy sex, you show off some impressive acting chops in the film. Were you given a script or is that all ad lib?
Davin Strong: There was not a lot of script in scene. It’s mostly improvisation. If I remember correctly, before filming, we were told that the underlying theme for the scene was that I was meant to sort of make the other guys face repressed desire and so all the improv I did surrounded that.
In the post credits, you admit that you learned how to yell on set.
Davin Strong: (Laughing) That’s true! I’m soft spoken in reallife. Getting me to yell took a bit of coaching but I figured it out eventually. It took a couple tries. (Laughing)
You go from one scene being the dom to another where you are submissive and tied down. Which is the more enjoyable for you?
Davin Strong: I would say I’m a true switch. I tend to be a little more dominant when I’m having sex with women. With men, especially if I have the right partner, I really enjoy the act of submission. I loved all my scene partners! Dominating Derek (Kage) was amazing because he is gorgeous. Submitting for Dillon and Quin was hot too. I think just because I have never been double dominated by two men before and that was a cool experience! I am always seeking novelty with my kink experiences.
What is something that you have not yet done on film that you would like to try?
Davin Strong: I think I’ve done the gambit of most things, but I still have a few kinks left to try. I have never been sounded (a kink that involves putting a metal rod in your urethra) yet or fisted. I am down for anything.
Have you considered directing your own Kink films?
Davin Strong: I have so many great ideas for kink scenes! For KinkMen in particular, I would like to play with the idea of a handful of submissive men worshiping a demigod or demon! I like story lines that deal with the occult: supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, or phenomena. A scene where a ritual takes place to summon a guy and a whole group, being commanded by a dom, is made to anoint him in oils. Someone is tied up and suspended, someone is on a cross, someone else is tied, bent over something. Bodies everywhere, all being used by one all-powerful dominator! There are so many beautiful men at KinkMen to cast, however, I don’t think any cast could beat the one we had for Silent Hill Delirium!
Will you be shooting any more scenes with Kink Men?
Davin Strong: Hopefully! I’m always eager and forever bugging them to do more scenes. I love getting cast for any and all roles. No one can take a beating like me at KinkMen! And I am a damn good dom, too.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter will have their annual Clear The Shelters event, which will take place on August 12th and 13th. Their goal for the weekend will be to adopt out as many animals as possible.
Join the shelter for their annual Clear The Shelters adoption event! They are currently over-capacity and hope to adopt out as many animals this weekend as possible, with all adoption fees covered by Boozehounds. Come and meet your new best friend and help us find forever homes for our animals. We will be open from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday.
Local radio station KGAY’s morning personality, John Taylor, will be making a Live appearance on Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 10 am to. 12 pm.
Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which operates the city’s animal shelter.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is an open admissions municipal shelter serving the city of Palm Springs and providing programs for animals, pets and pet owners across the Coachella Valley. We believe every animal deserves a loving, safe, healthy environment in which they can thrive. We envision a world where all animals are treated with kindness, compassion, and respect. We transform lives through extraordinary animal care and advocacy. We inspire compassion and positive relationships between the community and animals through direct action and humane education.
We will have the courage and tenacity to:
• Fight for the humane treatment of animals
• Promote our no-kill philosophy.
• Operate with transparency and integrity.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration
• Demonstrate respect and kindness.
For more information, please visit www.psanimalshelter.org
The Dinah has unveiled another epic lineup for its 32nd anniversary, blending mega mainstream and queer headliners and under-the-radar buzz talent into a sensational musical extravaganza.
This September, be it members of the LGBTQ+ community or allies, people from across the globe will once again flock to the Californian desert, packing into Palms Springs’ most iconic hotel, the Margaritaville Resort and Spa, for the world’s biggest, largest, and most renowned annual music festival for queer women, The Dinah.
Taking place from September 20th through the 24th, this year’s inimitable festival promises once again an unforgettable and
distinctive experience of community, acceptance, and pride in a safe space enhanced by an incredible and refreshingly super queer line up highlighting the exciting changing faces of music embodying the LGTQ+ community and slaying the music game.
“The Dinah is as much about celebrating our queerness unfiltered and in the most authentic way as it is about elevating the inspiring new young queer voices of the moment – the queer idols of tomorrow – who are bettering the lives of the LGBTQ+ community and allies around the world,” says Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of The Dinah.
Making their highly expected Dinah debut is a new generation of queer artists bubbling up and developing new sounds defining the major music trends. The future is queer!
Not only are queer talents more and more visible but they are also on top.
And there’s no better proof of that than the emergence of Princess Nokia.
The electrifying gender-nonconforming queer NY Rapper and newest star to be is set to deliver an explosive headlining performance on Saturday night, September 23. The Harlemborn rapper, self-proclaimed “disruptor”, Arista signee rose to prominence with her 2017 studio album 1992 Deluxe. Her single “I Like Him” racked up nearly 200,000 TikTok creates, becoming the singer’s first single to earn an RIAA gold certification. Continuing to reverberate throughout both the queer community and the music underground, Princess Nokia released her latest EP, i love you but this is goodbye, this past March, taking an intimate look at the journey from heartbreak to self-love. Quietly rising up as a voice the game needs, Princess Nokia continues to rap for all the right reasons. And with new music on the way, her Coachella debut this spring, her contribution to an upcoming benefit album alongside Taylor Swift,
and a hometown show at Madison Square Garden with Haim all set for 2022, the possibilities are truly endless for Princess Nokia.
Re-invited to perform for The Dinah 2023 is Doechii, one of today’s most magnetic rappers, who will take centerstage as the headliner on Friday night, September 22. Doechii rose to prominence in 2021 with the viral success of her song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” on Tik Tok in 2021. She signed with Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records in 2022 releasing her sophomore EP, She/Her/Black Bitch.
Bringing their timeless repertoire of empowering, feel good and infectious radio hits to The Dinah mix on Friday night is 90s dance floor icon, Black Box. Black Box have been keeping millions of fans dancing beneath disco balls and neon lights for 3 decades now with their dance floor staples “Everybody Everybody”, “Ride on Time”, “Strike It Up”, “I don’t know anybody else”, and “Fantasy”all part of their seminal album “Dreamland”, considered one of the strongest and best-known dance albums of the 90s.
Among the weekend’s high points will be the Dinah’s legendary pool parties showcasing a string of galvanizing queer emerging performers. Get your swim on!
Making pool party dreams come true is Phem, one of the most prominent up-and-coming queer indie genre-defying singers, scheduled to perform poolside Saturday September 22. The LA native singer/songwriter was featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, Galore. 1883, Euphoria magazines as an ever-rising icon within the alternative space. Phem has receive commercial and critical success throughout her career as she has released songs with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, Iann Dior, and Steve Aoki. Cementing her star power amongst the industry, Phem just concluded a world tour with Avril Lavigne and is gearing up to hit the road again in the fall. Look for her new single, “Ikea”, this summer.
Xana, another captivating queer rising pop powerhouse and Latvian-born New York based lesbian fashion model turned pop star Keeana Kee are slated to take the Sunday Pool Party by storm and close out the roof-raising 5-day event.
Continuously renewing its commitment to give rising talent a platform to be seen and heard, the Dinah will be showcasing two artists as part of its “Emerging Artist Contest”. Created as a commitment to the community to offer queer women and non-binary talents coveted stage time and exposure, the two winners (TBA soon) will headline the opening and closing parties at Reforma Palm Springs.
With an impressive repertoire featuring some of the past three decades’ most influential superstars, not to mention prominent spots on hugely popular TV shows including Showtime’s The L Word, ABC’s Jeopardy! Hulu’s Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne and more recently, Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Queer Love, The Dinah has certainly assured its place in the pop culture canon. Yet, the event continues to make history making phenomenal strides on LGBTQ+ representation, capturing year after year the vibrant, bold, and unfiltered groundbreakers fearlessly pointing fresh ways forward and showing off in spades how to change the music industry game.
The longest running music festival for queer women, The Dinah is an event that legends are made of. Not just a party, it is a life changing experience that lasts a lifetime. Whether first timers or Dinah veterans anticipate Instagram feeds to be inundated with festival fashion, red carpet glamour, pool party selfies and live stories of spellbinding DJ sets (#FOMO Alert!).
2023 is already poised to be the most audacious, daring, and boldest Dinah ever.
An absolute MUST experience!
For more information and updates go to: www.thedinah.com
Aug 5-6
Aug 11–13/18–20
Aug 12-13
Long Beach Pride
Splash House August Weekends 1 & 2
Laguna Beach Pride
Aug 16 Animal Samaritans DOGust Birthday Bash
Aug 17–20 Big Bear Romp
Aug 18 Out on the Mountain @ Magic Mountain
Sept 10 Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival 2023
Sept 20–24
Sept 22-24
Club Skirt Dinah Shore
Gay Days Anaheim
Sept 23 8th Annual Aging Positively Conference
Sept 28-Oct 1 The Desert Jazz Festival
Oct 5–8 Joshua Tree Fall Music Festival
Oct 6 Singing with the Desert Stars
Oct 7 Pride Under the Pines 2023
Oct 7 Drag Me To Giving Under The Stars
Oct 8
Coachella Valley Filipino Festival
Oct 11-13 2023 CA Economic Summit: Coachella & Imperial Valleys
Oct 14 Evening Under the Stars
Oct 14
Oct 19–22
Oct 20
Oct 26–29
Oct 28
Oct 29
Nov 3–5
Paint El Paseo Pink 2023
Modernism Week - October
LGBTQ Center Gala, Center Stage 2023
PS Leather Pride
Desert AIDS Walk 2023
Palm Springs Halloween on Arenas
Palm Springs Pride
Nov 8 Michael Childers' One Night Only
Nov 15
Nov 17-19
3rd Wednesday Speaker Series: AIDS Memorial Quilt
Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon & Food Truck Festival
Dec 3 14th Annual Men of the Desert Fashion Show
Jan 4-15
Feb 15-25
Mar 4–17
Mar 23
Apr 12-14/19-21
Apr 26-28
Palm Springs International Film Fest
Modernism Week
BNP Paribas Open
One PS Picnic and Community Expo 2024
Coachella Weekend 1 & 2
Stagecoach 2024
On the triple-digit-hot day that was Thursday, April 27, some 12,000 local foodie philanthropists chose to keep cool by showing their community pride and participating in Dining Out For Life® at breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night. And “cool” they indeed all were, sporting the badges of honor — those meaningful, orange and yellow “I Dined” lapel stickers — they earned by joining in a great cause on behalf of DAP Health. A total of more than $270,000 was raised in Greater Palm Springs, making this one of the best showings ever for the Coachella Valley.
DOFL is the annual, North America-wide gastronomic fundraising event that has not only collected more than $100 million for communitybased HIV/AIDS service organizations since its inception in 1991, but perennially encourages those who may not know their HIV status to get tested so that they may be connected to the care they need to thrive.
Every year since 2005 (save for 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19 derailed best-laid plans), Greater Palm Springs has participated in the all-day/all-night affair during which the owners
of many Coachella Valley restaurants, bars, cafés, and bakeries donate anywhere from 30 to 110% of their entire day and evening’s receipts — not just the profits — to the popular effort.
Each year, Greater Palm Springs not only joins more than 50 local nonprofits that partner with “2,400+ participating restaurants, 4,100+ volunteers, and 300,000+ diners to raise over $4.5 million for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and Canada,” per DOFL National’s website, but makes a rather valiant individual showing. In 2022, 68 desert restaurants participated to raise $207,000 — more than San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and other large urban centers — to make ours the secondmost-successful market on the continent.
Number one was Denver. But since our Indio-Cathedral CityPalm Springs 2022 metro population came in at 487,000 — versus the winning city’s nearly 3 million — it’s clear that, when a per capita perspective is taken, Palm Springs actually was number one in community pride and generosity.
For 2023, with 72 establishments participating, every effort was made for DOFLGPS to officially take that top spot by encouraging diners to make more than one meal matter. Until all the beans are counted, we’ll patiently wait to find out if we succeeded in that goal. Either way, the day and night were smashing successes, with an inaugural Arenas Bar Crawl held the night before — at Blackbook, Chill Bar Palm Springs, Dick’s on Arenas, Hunters Nightclub, QuadZ Video Bar, and Streetbar Palm Springs — shedding an additional spotlight on the culinary benefit.
“FARM has been participating in DOFL since Mark and I took over [in 2017],” says Liz Ostoich, a power restaurateur who, with her husband, owns a total of four eateries. “Tac/Quila started participating just a few days after opening in 2019. That was brave, but we pulled it off. The Front Porch and Clandestino opened last fall, so this [was] their first year.” And why is being part of the fun so important to Liz and Mark? “We believe that being part of a community means investing in people, lifestyle, and infrastructure,” she continues. “DAP Health is an easy choice for investment, as this important organization cares about the whole of the person, meeting our residents where they are, and providing comprehensive health care wrapped in grace and compassion.”
“In the ’80s and ’90s, I lost two brothers and too many friends to HIV/AIDS,” says Palm Springs power diner Melissa Lundgren, who has dined out for life for the last 12 years — first in Nashville, and here for the last five years. As usual, in 2023, Lundgren spread the word high and low among family, friends, and co-workers, urging everyone to get their head in the game. “I so appreciate all of the AIDS service organizations that have worked so hard to get us to this point where the disease is no longer a death sentence. I will continue to dine out for life until there is a cure.”
“At its heart, Dining Out For Life is a win-win community event where people get together with friends to feast for the greater good,” has said DAP Health CEO David Brinkman. “Each year, I’m awestruck not only by the generosity of our participating restaurateurs, but by the enthusiasm and pride of our deeply committed desert dwellers. What a genius way to have fun while giving back.”
Naturally, DOFLGPS would not be the smashing success it always is without the generous support of sponsors such as Gilead, and Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa of the Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation.
Let’s talk steaks. Steaks that are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Perfectly aged, hand-trimmed, one-of-a-kind steaks that are GUARANTEED to be perfect, every single time. These aren’t just steaks. These are Omaha Steaks. THE
All summer, MrMan.com has been pitting Hollywood’s best male sex scenes ever filmed against each other in what they are calling the Summer SexXx Games. They started with 64 famous scenes, broken up into two general categories: mainstream scenes with big celebrity names but no real sex, and authentic sex scenes from independent gay cinema.
Mainstream highlights found in the initial roster of competing scenes included Alexander Skarsgard and Ryan Kwanten’s implied oral sex in True Blood, Harry Styles and David Dawson’s steamy scene in My Policeman, Murray Bartlett and Lukas Gage’s viral moment in The White Lotus, and Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu’s incredible hookup in a field in God’s Own Country. Explicit highlights included the iconic threesome in Shortbus, retro gay porn superstar Casey Donovan’s wild antics in Boys In The Sand, and Madonna’s ex, Tony Ward, actually masturbating in Hustler White.
Bartlett and Gage’s scene was quickly booted in the second round of voting, as were Skarsgard and Kwanten. Harry Styles,
arguably one of the biggest celebrities in the world right now, didn’t even make it past the first round. His scene with and David lost to Hustler White.
So, what can we glean from the result of the Summer Sexxx Games? Big celebrity names are no match for real sex on film. Of the four scenes that remained in the fifth round of voting, three featured real sex. The fourth scene, Sense8 star Max Riemelt’s simulated gay sex in Free Fall, made it to the fifth round but was voted out of the sixth and final round of voting.
As studios become increasingly comfortable featuring gay male sexuality in their big budget projects, perhaps they should take a lesson from the independent gay film industry and add a bit of authentic sex in their films. According to MrMan.com, it is what gay men want in cinema.
Watch all competing Summer SexXx Games scenes at https://www.mrman.com/bracket
We want to thank our exceptional care teams for your hard work, dedication and compassion which, once again, have earned Eisenhower Health recognition from U.S. News & World Report. In addition to being named a Best Regional Hospital, we were recognized for high quality care in the following categories:
• Aortic Valve Surgery
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Colon Cancer Surgery
• Diabetes
• Heart Attack
• Heart Bypass Surgery
• Heart Failure
• Hip Fracture
• Hip Replacement
• Kidney Failure
• Knee Replacement
• Lung Cancer Surgery
• Pneumonia
• Spinal Fusion
• Stroke
We look forward to another year of caring for the Coachella Valley and to adding new treatments and services to enhance your care and comfort. Our gratitude goes out to the many community members who choose Eisenhower to help them get well and stay well. Thank you, one and all — you are the inspiration for what we do.
Learn more about our accreditations and recognitions at EisenhowerHealth.org/Awards
We’re proud to be honored in 15 categories. But caring for patients is an honor in itself.
Staying cool and hydrated, I hope. This is the first summer in 10 years that I have stayed in Palm Springs, and I must confess that it could be a lot worse! I believe you all remember me writing about the long Covid symptoms that I was having which really affected my ability to be outside in the heat.
There were days and even weeks that my pulse standing still was racing up to 133 and my blood pressure was hovering between 160/100 up to 190/110! It was very scary for me, and I really was uncertain as to whether I was ever going to go back to my previous state of health.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I received a message from my Apple Watch telling me that my walking pulse rate had lowered itself over the last 19 weeks from 113 down to 102! That was the best news ever.
Simultaneously, I had noticed that even being out in the 119-degree temperature, my pulse stayed at 108 and that was after having 2 champagnes and dancing. So, I asked myself why I thought that had happened and began tracking the changes I made. I wanted to share with you what I’d been doing over the last few months thinking that it could benefit you, too.
First off, I had started to do lymph drainage sessions at a spa specializing in treatments related to the lymph system. You see your lymph system is like a vacuum cleaner that cleanses our body by essentially escorting toxins out of the body. After all the sitting around we all did during Covid and the lack of regular weekly dancing really wreaked havoc on my body, making my lymph system pretty stagnant. As a result, the first treatment really made a huge difference. It was not only visible, but my mood and energy, instantly soared. I was so pleased. But when I went back two weeks later at their recommendation, I saw very little change.
I decided to be a little more pro-active and made it my priority to increase my water intake significantly, thinking and knowing that dehydration and the lack of movement will absolutely make your lymph system sluggish. I just added in more bottles of filtered pH water and began doing twice a day cardio session to make sure I was not only getting my steps in but was also giving my heart a more active cardiovascular workout. I just double checked, and my first lymph appointment was on March 4, and I received the notification from Apple 20 weeks later which is right on point as the first appointment was 19 weeks earlier.
I was suddenly seeing changes in my body which I had slowly forgotten about as your body makes subtle changes all the time which we don’t always see or appreciate. I hadn’t really noticed that I could no longer see the indentations under my arms in what’s known as the axilla or arm pit. If your lymph is freely flowing, you should have deep valleys under both armpits, which are quite sexy once noticed. But mine were far from that! However, after several weeks they started showing up again and were slowly becoming noticeable viable.
The other symptom that I feel is both mis-understood and misinterpreted is lymph around our waistline which takes on a very jello-like consistency, that is if the jello hasn’t yet been set up. It looks watery and has cellulite-like characteristics which most everyone is
disgusted by to the degree that they send very negative energy to their midsection or call themselves fat slobs and cover it up with belts and loose clothing to pretend it’s not there! At least I can say that is what I used to think, feel, and do!
But once the lymph nodes and lymph system are externally assisted by massage, the lymph finds the exit through our bladder and intestines and the area suddenly looks and feels much different. The skin appears tighter, bloating is gone, and the watery appearance is diminished.
This last phase took about 15 weeks in my case, but once I added in dry skin brushing (DSB) my midsection began to take on a much more youthful appearance and looks much sleeker.
I began DSB back in 1990 having learned about it from a former boyfriend, who learned about it in Switzerland at a retreat. I began doing it daily and did so until about 7 years ago when one
day, I just decided to forgo it and never picked it up again till 3 weeks ago. Oops! Good old self-care.
You see self-care is a full-time job and like all jobs requires me to dedicate time and effort to achieve my goals, so it’s up to me to follow through, especially because I am so very pleased with the results. Wish me luck or better yet, join me on my journey and let’s see what we can accomplish.
I try to remind myself that everything that I do that is positive for my body is my way of thanking it for all that it does for me every day, 24/7 and has been doing for the last 24,881 days! But as I always say, that’s my perspective, what’s yours? XOXO
Jill, your sleeker, Dancing Queen
Last Thursday, the Chino Valley School Board of Education voted 4-1 on a controversial Parental Notification Rule in which makes it mandatory for teachers and staff to out their students to their parents if they identify as Transgender or want to be referenced by their chosen pronouns. The Board of Education has now found themselves in a very clear position to be subject to many lawsuits that can be brought on by students, parents, as well as many LGBTQ organizations.
Back in 2011, one of the first pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 48: FAIR Education Act, was signed into law by Gov. Brown, this Bill places a ban on classroom instructions and other school activities that promote discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 2 years later, Assembly Bill 1266: School Success and Opportunity Act was signed into law, which extends gender identity and gender expression discrimination protection to Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming K-12 Students in Public Schools.
In a swift move, the Chino Valley Board of Education had violated both bills, and thus discriminating against LGBTQ students in the district. By doing so, this opens a panic and a heightened threat against the wellbeing and mental health of students, which could potentially lead to students dropping out of school, or worst, Suicide. Not many kids feel comfortable with coming out to parents, and kids are a whole lot smarter than what society gives them credit for. Youth are understanding the way of the world, as well as their own identity as a human being.
At the age of 5, I had a clear idea about the world around me, as well as who I was. I recognized that I was born in the wrong body, and what I was didn’t align to what I felt about myself spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I really wish that I knew someone that I could have turned to and talk about what I felt, it was hard going through my youth worrying about a secret that I couldn’t share and it tore me up inside, which caused me to develop social anxiety issues. But if I knew that I could have gone to my teacher or a school counselor, to talk about it, I feel that things would have been a whole lot different.
Today, we have educators that are now trained in Childhood Development, that have since been updated to include LGBTQ Youth. Youth now have the option to talk to a school counselor or their favorite teacher, without worrying of a trust being broken. But its people like Assembly Member Bill Essayli, a GOP politician, who wants to make a name for himself by trying to get a bill passed, that had already died in committee, as well as died as a resolution at the Riverside County Board of Education in April, established at other Counties and Valleys in California. And for what? He’s not thinking about the youth that’ll get hurt in the process, it is not about the parents, of which, if parents today are as understanding, then there shouldn’t be any problem; but this is all just to get his name out there, to be one of the new faces in the GOP that can create problems with the LGBTQ community.
I just have one thing to say to Bill Essayli: Bring It, because the LGBTQ Community in California is mighty and well organized. For more info contact;
Paulina Angel, Executive Director Trans Community Project / (760) 537-0444www.transcommunityproject.org
Twitter @transcp / Instagram @transcommunityprojectThe Palm Springs Cultural Center is proud to present a new music series featuring performances by some of today’s most popular Broadway entertainers. Entitled “Broadway’s Best in the West,” and Executive Produced by Dr. Tom Truhe, the series kicks off on December 9th with powerhouse singer and Tony® Award nominee, Megan Hilty.
Hilty, who made her Broadway debut as Glinda in “Wicked,” also received high praise for her portrayal of Doralee Rhodes in Broadway’s “9 to 5: The Musical.” On stage, she has been honored with nominations for Lead Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Awards and L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards.
A star of both stage and screen, Hilty is perhaps most recognizable for her portrayal of seasoned triple-threat Ivy Lynn in NBC’s musical drama “Smash.” In addition to “Smash”, her television credits include Bravo’s dramedy “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce”, Hulu’s “Difficult People”, the final season of CBS’s “The Good Wife,” as well as “The Good Fight” for CBS All Access. Hilty also recurred on “Braindead” for CBS as well as ABC’s hit series “Desperate
Housewives”. In 2013, Hilty starred on the NBC series “Sean Saves the World”. She recently finished filming the first season of “The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh” for Freevee, and her solo concerts continue to sell out and receive critical acclaim across the country.
“When we first started talking about the series, said Dr. Tom Truhe, Executive Producer, “we immediately thought of Megan Hilty, and we are just thrilled to have her opening the series for us. She’s a dynamite performer, an audience favorite, and working with her is an absolute pleasure!”
“Broadway’s Best in the West” will continue on Saturday, January 20th with Tony® and Grammy-nominated actor and singer Jeremy Jordan, who is best known for his portrayal of Jack Kelly in Newsies on Broadway, as well as his many roles on television including series regulars on CW’s “Supergirl”, NBC’s “Smash” and Disney’s “Tangled.” Most recently, he was Seymour in the New York production of the iconic Little Shop of Horrors. Additional Broadway credits include Bonnie & Clyde (Theatre World Award), West Side Story, Waitress, American Son, and Rock of Ages.
“Jeremy ‘s voice is nothing short of stunning,” Dr. Truhe continued, “He has this four-octave vocal range, and the ability to present it with an amazing amount of power and versatility.”
Jordon will be followed on Saturday, February 17th by Grammy Award-nominated actor, singer and songwriter Cheyenne Jackson. Jackson has most recently been seen in “Call Me Kat,” as well as starring in the four-part LGBTQ+ docuseries “Equal,” the “Saved by the Bell” reboot and Kenny Ortega’s hit series, “Julie and the Phantoms.” On and Off-Broadway, he has starred in “The Performers,” “The Most Happy Fella,” “8,” “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Damn Yankees,” “Xanadu,” “The Agony and the Agony” and “All Shook Up.” Additionally, he was part of the premiere cast of “Altar Boyz,” “Aida,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “On the 20th Century” and “The 24-Hour Plays.” Last summer, Cheyenne returned to his Broadway roots for a limited 10-show engagement of Sydney Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS.
The final concert in the 2023/24 edition of the “Broadway’s Best in the West” brings Broadway darling (and classically trained soprano) Laura Benanti to the stage on Saturday, March 16th. Benanti, who is a Tony® Award-winner (Gypsy) and five-time Tony® Award nominee, took Broadway by storm at the age of 18 as Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. She subsequently starred in ten more Broadway shows (musicals, straight plays, comedies and dramas)
including INTO THE WOODS, NINE (opposite Antonio Banderas), GYPSY, SHE LOVES ME, MY FAIR LADY, and Steve Martin’s METEOR SHOWER opposite Amy Schumer and Keegan Michael Key. Her television roster includes Hulu’s LIFE & BETH, created by and starring Amy Schumer, the hit series YOUNGER, HBO Max’s GOSSIP GIRL reboot, and the upcoming second season of HBO Max’s THE GILDED AGE. Benanti has also made widely acclaimed appearances on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT as Melania Trump.
“The uber talented quartet of Broadway singers gracing the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s stage in “Broadway’s Best in the West” have among them the following nominations and awards from “The Great White Way”: 7 Tony nominations, 10 Drama Desk nominations, and 10 Outer Critic Circle nominations...with wins in each of the three categories.” Dr. Truhe said. “Also, all four of them have extensive television and movie credits that have garnered multiple nominations for Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards. “Broadway’s Best in the West” is going to be this season’s “Hot Ticket.”
Tickets to all four concerts in the “Broadway’s Best in the West” series are available at www.psculturalcenter.org/pscc/broadwaysbest-in-the-west
For additional information, call: 760-292-2140
The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas is unveiling details surrounding its new nightlife sensation, Voltaire, the elegant, intimate, artistfirst venue opening November 3 with the announcement of its first headliner, pop sensation, Kylie Minogue. Blurring the lines between an intimate club, concert, and non-stop entertainment venue, Voltaire will usher in a new destination nightlife scene with Minogue at the forefront in an exclusive U.S residency that comes on the heels of her smash hit “Padam Padam” and upcoming “Tension” album release.
Voltaire is the uniquely inspired vision of producer Michael Gruber: an interactive night out with some of the world’s biggest superstars in an intimate, 1,000-seat setting where anything can happen and no two evenings are the same. Voltaire is the pregame, main event, and late-night after party rolled into one – an experience currently unmatched in Las Vegas that unlocks a new evening out that is elevated, transformative, but most of all, fun.
“Voltaire will lead a revival in high-caliber nightlife giving guests an unexpected night out, but also the opportunity to see some of their favorite artists in an intimate way,” said Patrick Nichols, president and chief executive officer of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
Voltaire unveils an evening that never has to end, filled with non-stop entertainment including top DJs, cabaret, burlesque by an incredible cast of performers and headline talent. For Voltaire’s inaugural act, Gruber looked no further than Minogue, whose global superstar status transcends generations. “Everything about Kylie reflects the essence of Voltaire. Her music is fun. Her spirit is infectious. And she’s at the top of her game, which makes this a truly special moment for fans to connect in such an intimate environment,” said Gruber.
“The spirit of Voltaire is one of pure, authentic fun. It’s one I resonate with as a pop artist. My new album Tension is all about the space where the intimate and universal come together and Voltaire represents just that,” shares Minogue.
The venue’s opening on November 3 kicks off the Australian pop icon’s first Vegas Residency where she will perform tracks from her highly anticipated release “Tension,” alongside many of her greatest hits including “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” and “All The Lovers.”
Some of the most creative minds in fashion and design were tapped to bring the concept to life. With couture costumes from
stage to floor developed by a world-class designer who has created looks for stars from Beyonce to Mariah Carey and of course, Kylie Minogue herself. The heavy couture influence lends the entire evening an unforgettably glamorous lens.
The space itself brings to life an immersive key-hole themed room design, centered around modern-day art deco fantasy by Emmy and Tony Award winning production designer Derek McLane, who has an incredible array of credits for shows such as the “Moulin Rouge” and “MJ on Broadway,” the Academy Awards, and most recently as designer for the 2023 Met Gala.
“I really wanted it to feel like an escape from the environment of the casino floor. Something that felt like a completely different world. An intimate, exciting, and inviting world,” says McLane.
“The creative team has designed an environment where people can get up and dance at their tables and revel in the night,” shares Minogue. “That’s what Voltaire is and I can’t wait to perform in this intimate and exciting setting.”
Capping at 1,000 people, it’s a venue to come out and lean in. The prevailing theme, Belle de Nuit, or Beauty of the Night is evocative of veils and mystery, of come-to-play, and dress-toexpress. A simple but memorable table service includes select indulgences from fine spirits and champagne to caviar and cookies - and an atmosphere where guests can truly connect.
Tickets, tables, and packages for Kylie’s opening show and ongoing residency go on sale August 9, 2023, and are available for purchase at voltairelv.com.
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas comprised of The Venetian and The Palazzo features all-suite accommodations. The iconic resort’s experience is marked by a commitment to sophisticated play and light-hearted luxury, with world-class restaurants from celebrated chefs; the rejuvenating Canyon Ranch spa + fitness; a five-acre pool and garden deck inspired by the Italian Riviera including TAO Beach Dayclub, a Balinese-inspired tropical oasis; two landmark casinos and a poker room; TAO Nightclub, and unparalleled retail experiences at Grand Canal Shoppes.
A premier events and conference center, the resort is home to more than 2.25 million square feet of meeting, exposition, and convention space. The Venetian Resort offers Grazie® Rewards, a resort-wide loyalty program that provides guests with access and benefits based on their activities throughout the resort and casinos, including slots, table games, hotel, food and beverage outlets, and retail.
The world’s most anticipated entertainment venue, Sphere at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas opens September 29, 2023, with U2:UV Achtung Baby Live for 25 shows through December. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is the only place fans can get the full experience with concert and hotel packages including preferred seating. Sphere is a next-generation venue that will redefine the future of live entertainment.
The Venetian® and other trademarks are used under license. The names and brands mentioned above are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Kylie’s glittering career has seen her amass sales of over 80 million records worldwide, 5 billion streams and 8 UK No 1 albums. Her multiple awards include 3 BRIT awards, 2 MTV awards and a Grammy. She is the only female artist to score a No 1 album in five consecutive decades in the UK. In so many ways she stands alone in the pop arena – a superstar artist whose constant reinventions and explorations keep her firmly rooted in the present whilst defining and celebrating much of our collective past. 2023 sees the release of Kylie’s brand-new studio album, ’Tension’, a record of euphoric, empowered dance floor bangers and sultry pop cuts. ‘Tension’ is eleven tracks of unabashed pleasure seeking, seize-the-moment, joyful pop tunes. Discussing the album, Kylie said:
“I started this album with an open mind and a blank page. Unlike my last two albums there wasn’t a ‘theme’, it was about finding the heart or the fun or the fantasy of that moment and always trying to service
the song. I wanted to celebrate each song’s individuality and to dive into that freedom. I loved being back in the studio with my collaborators but was also able to benefit from remote recording, which we have all got used to. My mobile studio never left my side for a year and a half! The album is a mix of songs I have written and songs which really spoke to me. I would say it’s a blend of personal reflection, club abandon and melancholic high. Making this album helped me navigate challenging times and celebrate the now. I hope it accompanies listeners on their own journeys and becomes part of their story.”
The first track from the album to be released, ‘Padam Padam’, has become an instant global sensation after Kylie debuted the brand-new song on American Idol in May. The track is a runaway success, charting across the world and taking the number one spot on the UK Big Top 40 for several weeks. TikTok users across the world have embraced the track with millions of fans using the song for their own creations. There’s even been calls for “Padam” to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary!
If you are an artist and would like to be considered for our ART VIEW - Artist Profile, please email us at info@thestandardps.com.
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