The Dinah Shore festival was every queer woman’s fantasy; an overwhelming sea of intertwining people sensually dancing, mingling and giggling with each other, making me wonder – am I in heaven on earth?
It was my first Dinah, one that I had long-waited to attend since my teen years watching The L Word as a budding queer woman, and it was well worth the wait. The festivities were held in the perfect setting of sunny Palm Springs, California – bikinis, babes and booze, what more could a girl ask for? Not only was the crowd alone a visual feast, but the performers also had my head spinning, as I caught a range of mind-blowing acts from Kodie Shane & Leikeli47 on Friday to Dorian Electra & Daya on Saturday.
From day to night the schedule was jam-packed with performers, comedians and DJ’s, because at The Dinah there’s no rest for the wicked. Being the largest lesbian festival in the world meant the crowd was swarmed with international imports, who had flown in to excitedly participate in what could be a once in a lifetime trip. I made friends with a couple of fellow Aussies, one who was such a dedicated punter that she got a Dinah tattoo on her leg post-festival (free festival access next year for her, I think!). By the end of the weekend I was on a natural high – I had met some of my favourite performers, made new friends and was left with everlasting memories that I couldn’t wait to relive. Here’s to Dinah 2020 – see you there.
Photos by Mars Arayza @mars.arayza
Review by Sahar Nicolette
