The Dinah returns for its 32nd year of good times and connections
MELISSA WHITLER | Contributing Writer
editor@dallasvoice.com
Starting next week, on Thursday, Sept. 21, the 2024 version of the largest queer women/lesbian/non-binary event in the world begins at Margaritaville Palm Springs. For the 32nd year, The Dinah is hosting five days of sun, fun and music, starting with an open, free pre-party on Wednesday Sept. 20.
Thursday night is the official opening party featuring emerging artists such as Xana and Keeana Kee. Friday will kick-off with the first pool party, hosted by The Real L Word’s Rose Garcia, with the Black and White Ball that evening. Saturday includes another pool party and as well as the star-studded Hollywood Party.
The event caps off with the Lucky Sunday Pool Party and a final closing party at the Reforma Nightclub, featuring performances from artists like Mariah Counts. The weekend will also include celebrity dodge ball and raffles with a chance to win an inclusive Dinah package for next year.
The Dinah always turns out quite a crowd, with people coming from all across the world to attend.
This will be the event’s second year at Margaritaville, a personal favorite of Mariah Hanson, the founder and producer of the event. It’s the perfect place to host such a large musical event as it’s steeped in old Hollywood history, she said. Originally called The Riviera, the resort features two pools, six dining options and a beautiful ballroom, perfect for partying.
While it takes a team to put on such a festival, Mariah Hanson is the mastermind behind the event.
She’s grown up with The Dinah, planning the first one in 1991 before she was 30 years old. It’s a fitting career for her, as she grew up in a family that valued activism and had open conversations about inequalities. Hanson describes her mother as a very fierce woman who planted the seeds years ago for her to be doing this kind of work. Yet her mother also cautioned her from taking too much credit. Hanson is incredibly thankful for the women on her team, saying she couldn’t do it without them. And her family is very supportive; some have even worked on the event and many have attended over the years.
While The Dinah is essentially one big party, it has become more music focused in the last 15 years.
Hanson says finding artists is very different now. Rather than searching and reaching out to people to perform, Hanson was approached by 75 percent of the artists this year. She finds that “young people are approaching their music proudly and authentically, as emerging artists are out and proud and not worried about getting pigeonholed with one identity label.”
Hanson sees the event as a platform to make a difference and support LGBTQ artists who may not yet be getting the recognition they deserve in the industry. The Dinah prides itself on finding up-and-coming LGBTQ artists, and an artist’s inclusion in the lineup can change the trajectory of their whole music career. Hanson stresses how the queer community is making a difference in artists lives, as “even those who don’t attend the event are looking at the lineup and listening to the artists, which translates increased streams and sales.”
In addition, the artists gain exposure as many agents and managers attend the parties.
But The Dinah is more than just a music festival or an excuse to party. Hanson emphasizes the power of the event to create and connect community. You can find anything you’re looking for at The Dinah, she says, whether it be new friends or shared experiences or just affirmation. It’s meant to be a very diverse, inclusive space, and has been so since the beginning.
While The Dinah may cater to queer women, Hanson stresses “it’s never been 100 percent women.”
Anyone who wants to come is welcome. Women can bring their gay friends, trans and gender non-conforming people are welcomed, because “who are we to say no, to police someone’s identity or experience?” Hanson said. She recalls an agent of an artist who thanked her for being trans inclusive, because he used to attend The Dinah as a lesbian but now has transitioned to live as a trans man.
Hanson also emphasizes that female is being redefined, and she wants the event to lead with tolerance and acceptance.
These values are especially important in our current political climate with our community under attack across the country. While The Dinah is taking extra precautions to keep attendees safe, Hanson wants the event to model the kind of accepting environment we want to see in the rest of the world.
“We need to be part of the solution,” she said, adding that her team believes that their mission is to produce more than just a party, but a life-changing event where people of all different backgrounds come together and get along.
Another part of that solution is corporate sponsors. Hanson has found that most sponsors come back every year, which she believes contributes to the normalization of our community in society. “By openly acknowledging and supporting this event, sponsors are sending a message to society that this is ok, we support this community,” Hanson said.
And even after the COVID-19 pandemic, The Dinah is stronger than ever. Hanson believes that there is no substitute for that real-life connection, and the event provides the perfect environment for people to find that. Her favorite part of the whole event is looking out on a sea of women and seeing all the smiles. “It’s so inspiring, and it makes me so happy that people are showing such support,” Hanson said.
To buy tickets and for more information, go to TheDinah.com/