top of page

the DINAH 2019: recap

Highlights from the largest queer girl party music festival in the world.

Written by: Kylie Condon I April 23, 2019

5F0E537A-1D7F-4CE2-B0D9-625958F27414.JPG

This year’s Dinah Shore Weekend was definitely one for the books!  Queer women and allies showed up in droves to sunny Palm Springs, California for the five-day long event.  The annual queer girl party music festival drew in thousands of attendees and top-notch talent from all over the world making for one of the largest and most memorable Dinah’s yet.

A3F29451-D97A-41F0-A80C-998666154EF0.JPG
1C55C5ED-BE89-4BFF-8E15-90CD70542BC8.JPG
500F3408-6F60-4FF6-8686-B5A0DCF0E638.JPG

THE PARTIES
 

Each day at the Dinah is divided into two main events: the daytime pool parties at the Hilton Palm Springs and the nighttime dance parties at the Palm Springs Convention Center.  Walking into the pool parties is like walking into a big queer female Coachella, except there’s a refreshing pool instead of dust caking your body.  For the weekend, women of all shapes, sizes, and styles overtake not only the pool area, but also the hotel itself.  Talented DJs blast fun pool-time beats while attendees can be found dancing, mingling, and making out.  Nearly everyone has a drink in hand and is having a good time.  Once the sun begins to set and the sunburn settles in, everyone heads back to their rooms for a quick shower and change then it’s off to the next event: the night parties.  It’s always impressive to see how nicely your fellow attendees can clean up after a long day of drinking in the sun.  Walking into the Palm Springs Convention Center, you’re reminded a little of Prom (except everyone is gay making it 100x better than your actual prom).  DJs play your favorite club hits while attendees dance with their girlfriends, friends, or hottie they met earlier at the pool.  All leading up to the main event of the night, the headline performances.  On Friday night, Brooklyn rapper Leikeli47 turned up the party with her rhymes and signature ski mask.  Saturday night brought Grammy Award-winner, Daya, to the stage.  She put on a flawless performance and thanked the crowd for being so inspiring and crucial to her own coming out process.

F5BC9089-83A7-43A3-BF72-081E1CB0A65B.JPG
pic.JPG
FFD3A424-A04C-4B0B-B2E9-D1AD4125C670.JPG

THE PEOPLE
 

The attendees at the Dinah were very diverse, coming in for the event from all over the world.  One thing they all had in common though was their excitement for an event that provided such a strong sense of community.  A first-time Dinah virgin from New York told me she traveled to the event because she missed the queer community.  “In big cities, everyone just kind of sticks to their own circle, but Dinah feels like the equivalent of a giant block party.  Everyone is looking to connect and just have a good time.”  This spirit of making friends rang true when I spoke with a woman from Los Angeles who was attending her third Dinah.  “I love having a place to celebrate every year that’s fun and inclusive where I get to know people I otherwise might never get a chance to meet.”  There were even some long-time Dinah veterans present.  When I asked one what brought her to the Dinah she told me, “I’ve always wanted to attend Dinah since watching the L Word from my dorm room in college.  Now it’s my eighth year attending!”  Whether the reason for attending was celebrating with a girlfriend, old friends, or in search of making new ones, this year’s Dinah provided a reminder that the queer female community is still around and stronger than ever.  With queer female bars constantly disappearing, having a safe space is more important than ever and year after year, Dinah Shore Weekend provides that guarantee… see ya next year!

CEF3C5F0-08E4-47EB-8D5B-EE7A37DA50B9.jpg
bottom of page