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Mariah Hanson Mariah Hanson is the founder and CEO of the world-famous “Club Skirts Presents The Dinah,” the largest lesbian event in the world and the original version of the modern Dinah Shore Weekend of festivities in Palm Springs. More than an event promoter, Mariah is an avant-garde business entrepreneur, who in a span of two decades, has created an unsurpassed cultural and social phenomenon, which has become one of the largest and most important economic tourism boosters in the City of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Mariah, whose past philanthropic endeavors have included a two year term on the Board of Equality California and several years on the “Women’s Night” committee for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, continuously utilizes The Dinah as a platform to mobilize the LGBT community around humanitarian projects and social issues. She’s lent her support to various charity causes and activist movements such as GLAAD, NOH8, LOVE IS LOUDER, The San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Community Center, The Women’s Building, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Jon Sims Center, Ladies Philharmonic, Uhuru Movement, HRC, Lyon Martin Health Clinic, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center, and Equality California. Hanson will be honored on December 5th with the prestigious “ATHENA Leadership Award” from the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce for her tremendous contributions to Palm Springs. KB: Mariah, you’re from the Bay Area (Mill Valley in Marin County). But in 2008, felt drawn to relocate to Palm Springs full-time. Why? MH: After producing the Dinah here for so many years, I’d absolutely fallen in love with Palm Springs. It made sense to own a home there as I felt I was already such a connected part of the business community. I wanted to make it personal as well. I cared about the city and wanted a voice there. Mariah Hanson with one of her horses KB: And I understand you’re an avid equestrian who has four horses at your ranch in Garner Valley. What sort of riding do you do (and can I join you sometime)? MH: Yes, I moved to Garner Valley so as to be able to have the horses on property and just love riding through the mountains around Palm Springs. I mostly do trail riding, but I have a hidden desire to just pack up the horses and drive off into the sunset, and become a perpetual horse camper the rest of my life. I’ve seriously thought about it. And, yes, you can join me anytime! KB: You first launched “Club Skirts Presents The Dinah” 24 years ago in Palm Springs. What gave you the idea, and why Palm Springs? MH: I was a nightclub promoter 26 years ago and as such I was gaining experience in event planning. Small Dinah Shore Weekend parties were cropping up around the golf tournament, but they were not at all of the stature that they should be. Or at least I thought so. So, armed with only the bravado of youth and a couple of novel ideas, I broke into the burgeoning market, offering a different concept of the weekend potential and the rest is history. KB: And you’ve built an impressive empire in the process—from a small, one-night event at the Palm Springs Art Museum with 1,500 participants to booking lavish locations at deluxe hotels over five days with some 15,000+ attendees and major corporate sponsors. Did you have any idea of the tour-de-force it would become? MH: After I booked the Palm Springs Museum, I took a risk and took over an entire hotel, The Palm Mountain Resort. I was scared. But, we quickly sold out so we added The Estrella (which is now the Viceroy). I remember being so stressed about two weeks prior to the first event. As a green meeting planner, I did not realize the hotel would handle the reservations, so I personally took them all! I was booking rooms and talent, and staff and sponsors and selling tickets, all by myself, and I just remember I wanted to crawl under my coffee table and curl into a ball. I have an immense respect for the reservation managers and staff—it’s not easy! But my formula worked and the event truly has far surpassed my wildest dreams, and I love it! KB: You’ve got a great story about the party the first year at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Can you tell us the juicy bits? MH: Paul Zeck, of Zech Properties, was a sort of destination management company, and negotiated a corporate sponsor party for my company at The Palm Springs Art Museum. Shenanigans ensued at the event. A cowboy hat was stolen off a full sized artwork of a cowboy, some girls climbed up to the roof the the sculpture garden, and did a seductive dance. Needless to say, the museum powers that be were not thrilled with my corporation’s idea of a cocktail reception. I understand they re-wrote their corporate benefactor policy thereafter so I could never, never, ever, come back. And I don’t blame them! We’re much better at crowd management than I was that first year, thank God. A pool party at “Club Skirts Presents The Dinah” KB: Next year marks the 25th year of “Club Skirts Presents The Dinah,” which will be held April 2-6, 2014 in Palm Springs. Where will the events be held? Any special surprises planned to celebrate this milestone? MH: As the average age of my customer is 25, I think I might let the milestone pass without much fanfare! But seriously, as always, we have a fantastic event planned: a 5-day one-stop destination and international world-class event packed with non-stop activities, a series of huge pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and more. We’re at The Hilton and it’s fitting to celebrate our anniversary there. Aftab Dada has been a great friend of the event. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with the Hilton staff. KB: You seem to have a knack for discovering new voices—right before they hit it astronomically big (Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, The Pussycat Dolls, Colbie Callait and Ke$ha to name a few). What’s your secret? MH: I have a secret formula that I plug in when looking at new talent. And it seems to work. One of the cool things about the Dinah Shore weekend is that you can see someone like Katy Perry in a small audience and it’s a fun, unique part of the weekend. Offering talent in a platform that’s a very special, one-time-only experience is one of the secrets to The Dinah’s success. KB: Can you tell us who’s on tap for this year? MH: I’ve found someone that, if I can get her, will absolutely blow this up! No contracts have been signed yet, but I’m optimistic that I can get her. Also, I reinvest a portion of the company’s profits right back into the production/talent budget, because I always want to make sure this event always remains relevant in the ever-changing LGBT community. And one of the ways it remains relevant is in its musical offerings. This coming year will be no exception! KB: You also occasionally blog on The Huffington Post’s “Gay Voices.” How did that opportunity come about? MH: I was asked and of course I said yes. What an honor! KB: I read with interest your blog on how much Palm Springs has changed over the 24 years you’ve been producing Club Skirts—from a conservative Republican enclave (“a place where one might imagine a young Rick Santorum might have played a few rounds”) to an emphatically LGBT-welcoming place. To what do you attribute this shift? MH: I think it’s largely economic. Twenty-four years ago Palm Springs in late March was a destination for Spring Break. And Spring Break got out of hand all over. So alternative markets emerged as a great alternative to directions the City had taken that hadn’t worked so well. The new alternative markets were well behaved, spent a lot of money, and were a lot of fun, and the City started to realize the value of these markets. So long-term relationships started to develop—for instance, at one time, I had a 10-year contract with the Wyndham. And then economics drove the liberal transformation. As more diverse markets visited, they then started buying second homes here, and now the base is so welcoming and a great vehicle of what a city should be like and stand for. What a wonderful group of people we have driving the direction of the City of Palm Springs! So welcoming, tolerant, open and diverse. Kudos! Mariah, setting out for a ride KB: Please describe for us a favorite day spent in Palm Springs. MH: Oh that one is easy! Did you know that, in springtime, there’s a beautiful palm tree-lined creek that runs throughout the Indian Canyons? I saddle up and head out and ride with my friend Corky. We pack a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, some great sandwiches from Gelson’s and we ride for a few hours then tie up, have lunch and wine, overlooking this amazing valley, then we head back. It’s heaven. KB: Sounds like it! Mariah, what is it that you love most about the community of Palm Springs? MH: I feel like Palm Springs, the community I work in, is like a second family. I have never felt so supported in my life. I cherish this place and look forward to many more years producing one of its LGBT signature events. I am very proud to work and live here and be a part of such an amazing community.
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Mariah Hanson Is Mariah Hanson an bunaitheoir agus POF an domhain-cáiliúil "Club Sciortaí i láthair an Dinah," an ócáid leispiach is mó sa domhan agus an leagan bunaidh den Dinah Shore Deireadh Seachtaine nua-aimseartha de festivities i Palm Springs. Níos mó ná tionscnóir imeacht, tá Mariah fiontraí gnó avant-garde, atá i réimse de dhá scór bliain, chruthaigh feiniméan cultúrtha agus sóisialta unsurpassed, atá anois ar cheann de na boosters turasóireachta eacnamaíoch is mó agus is tábhachtaí i gCathair Palm Springs agus an Ghleann Coachella. Mariah, a bhfuil a anuas iarrachtaí daonchairdis a bheith san áireamh téarma dhá bhliain ar Bhord California Comhionannais agus roinnt blianta ar an "Oíche na mBan" coiste haghaidh an Los Angeles Aerach agus Leispiach Center, utilizes leanúnach an Dinah mar ardán a shlógadh an bpobal LGBT ar fud tionscadal daonnúil agus ceisteanna sóisialta. Tá sí ag a tugadh ar iasacht a tacaíocht le cúiseanna carthanachta éagsúla agus gluaiseachtaí gníomhaí, mar shampla GLAAD, NOH8, IS LOVE Louder, An Aerach agus Ionad Pobail Leispiach, Foirgneamh na mBan, Ionad Náisiúnta um Chearta Leispiach, Jon Sims Center, Ladies Fiolarmónach, Uhuru Gluaiseacht San Francisco, CGC, Lyon Clinic Sláinte Martin, Los Angeles Aerach agus Leispiach Ionad Pobail, Comhionannais agus California. Beidh Hanson bheith onóir ar an 5ú Nollaig leis an iomráiteach "Gradam Ceannaireachta ATHENA" as an Seomra Palm Springs Tráchtála cuid ranníocaíochtaí ollmhór chun Palm Springs. KB: Mariah, tá tú as an Limistéar Bay (Gleann an Mhuilinn i gContae Marin). Ach i 2008, bhraith tharraingt chun athlonnú go Palm Springs lánaimseartha. Cén fáth? MH: Tar éis a tháirgeann an Dinah anseo ar feadh na mblianta an oiread sin, ba mhaith mé tar éis titim go hiomlán i ngrá le Palm Springs. Rinne sé ciall chun féin bhaile ann mar gur mheas mé go raibh mé cheana féin den sórt sin a cuid bainteach de chuid an bpobal gnó. Bhí mé a dhéanamh go pearsanta chomh maith. Cúram mé faoi na cathrach agus theastaigh guth ann. Mariah Hanson le ceann de na h capaill KB: Agus tuigim go bhfuil tú ar facilities avid a bhfuil ceithre capaill ar do feirm i Garner Ghleann. Cén saghas marcaíocht a dhéanann tú (agus is féidir liom a bheith leat éigin)? MH: Sea, bhog mé go Garner Ghleann ionas go mbeidh siad in ann a bhfuil na capaill ar mhaoin agus díreach grá marcaíocht trí na sléibhte ar fud Palm Springs. Is féidir liom marcaíocht rian den chuid is mó, ach tá mé a mhian i bhfolach a phacáil suas díreach na capaill agus tiomáint amach i luí na gréine, agus a bheith camper capall suthain an chuid eile de mo shaol. Shíl mé dáiríre faoi. Agus, tá, is féidir leat a bheith in éineacht liom ag am ar bith! KB: Sheol tú an chéad "i láthair Club Sciortaí An Dinah" 24 bliain ó shin i Palm Springs. Cad a thug tú an smaoineamh, agus cén fáth Palm Springs? MH: Bhí mé tionscnóir club oíche 26 bliain ó shin agus mar sin bhí mé taithí i pleanáil imeacht fháil. Cuireadh páirtithe Deireadh Seachtaine Shore Dinah Beaga cropping suas ar fud an tournament gailf, ach ní raibh siad ag gach ceann de na stature gur chóir dóibh a bheith. Nó ar a laghad shíl mé sin. Mar sin, armtha leis ach an bravado óige agus cúpla smaointe úrscéal, bhris mé isteach ar an margadh burgeoning, ag tairiscint coincheap éagsúil ar an acmhainneacht deireadh seachtaine agus tá an chuid eile stair. KB: Agus tá tú tógtha ar Impireacht suntasach sa phróiseas-ó, imeacht beag aon-oíche ag an Ealaín Músaem Palm Springs le 1,500 rannpháirtí a chur in áirithe áiteanna lavish ag óstán deluxe thar chúig lá le roinnt 15,000 + freastail agus urraitheoirí corparáideacha móra . An raibh tú aon smaoineamh ar an turas-de-bhfeidhm a bheadh sé a bheith? MH: Tar éis Chuir mé an Músaem Palm Springs, ghlac mé i mbaol agus ghlac os cionn óstán ar fad, an Saoire Palm Mountain. Bhí mé scanraithe. Ach, a dhíoltar muid amach go tapa mar sin chuir muid an Estrella (atá anois Fhear Ionaid an Rí). Is cuimhin liom a bheith béim chomh thart ar dhá sheachtain roimh an chéad imeacht. Mar pleanálaí cruinniú glas, ní raibh mé realize go mbeadh an t-óstán a láimhseáil na forchoimeádais, mar sin ghlac mé go pearsanta iad go léir! Bhí mé seomraí agus tallann, agus an fhoireann agus urraitheoirí áirithintí agus ticéid a dhíol, go léir ag mé féin, agus is cuimhin liom ach bhí mé a crawl faoi mo tábla caife agus curl i liathróid. Tá mé meas ollmhór do na bainisteoirí agus an fhoireann áirithinte-sé nach bhfuil sé éasca! Ach d'oibrigh mo fhoirmle agus an ócáid go fírinneach dul thar i bhfad mo aisling wildest, agus is breá liom é! KB: Tá sé agat ar scéal iontach mar gheall ar an bpáirtí an chéad bhliain ag an Músaem Ealaíne Palm Springs. An féidir leat insint dúinn an giotán juicy? MH: Paul Zeck, de Zech Airíonna, bhí saghas cuideachta bainistíochta scríbe, agus idirbheartaíocht páirtí urraíocht corparáideach do mo chuideachta ag an Músaem Ealaíne Palm Springs. Shenanigans ensued ag an ócáid. Goideadh hata cowboy as saothar ealaíne meánmhéide iomlán ar cowboy, climbed roinnt cailíní suas go dtí an díon ar an an gairdín dealbhóireachta, agus rinne damhsa seductive. Ní gá a rá, ní raibh na cumhachtaí músaem a bheith thrilled le smaoineamh ar mo chorparáide ar fáiltiú cocktail. Tuigim ath-scríobh siad a mbeartas sóghníomhach corparáideach ina dhiaidh sin mé riamh d'fhéadfadh, riamh, riamh, teacht ar ais. Agus ní féidir liom an milleán orthu! Táimid i bhfad níos fearr ag bainistiú slua ná mar a bhí mé go chéad bhliain, buíochas le Dia. Páirtí linn snámha ag "Sciortaí Club i láthair ag an Dinah" KB: marcanna bhliain seo chugainn an 25ú bliain ar " Sciortaí Club i láthair an Dinah , "a bheidh ar siúl Aibreán 02-06, 2014 i Palm Springs. Cá mbeidh na himeachtaí ar siúl? Aon iontas speisialta pleanáilte le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an chloch mhíle? MH: Toisc go bhfuil an meán-aois de mo chustaiméirí 25, I mo thuairimse, d'fhéadfadh mé in iúl an chloch mhíle pas a fháil gan údar i bhfad! Ach go dáiríre, mar i gcónaí, ní mór dúinn ócáid iontach pleanáilte: 5-lá scríbe aon-stad agus ócáid idirnáisiúnta den chéad scoth a lán le gníomhaíochtaí neamh-stad, sraith de pháirtithe ollmhór linn snámha, siamsaíocht oíche, ceolchoirmeacha beo, seónna greann, agus níos mó. Táimid ag an Hilton agus tá sé fheistiú chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar ár chomóradh ann. Aftab Dada Tá cara mór ar an ócáid. Táim ag tnúth le ceiliúradh cloch mhíle seo leis an bhfoireann Hilton. KB: Is cosúil go tú go bhfuil knack do fionnachtain nua guthanna-ceart roimh bhuail siad é astronomically mór (Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, An bábóg Pussycat, Colbie Callait agus KE $ heicteár a ainm a lua). Cad é do rúnda? MH: Tá mé foirmle rúnda a breiseán mé i nuair a fhéachann ar tallann nua. Agus dealraíonn sé a bheith ag obair. Ceann de na rudaí fuarú mar gheall ar an deireadh seachtaine Dinah Shore é gur féidir leat a fheiceáil duine éigin cosúil Katy Perry i lucht féachana beag agus tá sé ina spraoi, cuid ar leith den deireadh seachtaine. Tá tallann thairiscint i ardán go bhfuil an-speisialta, taithí aon-uaire a-ach ceann amháin de na rúin rath an Dinah ar. KB: An féidir leat insint dúinn a tá ar sconna don bhliain seo? MH: Fuair mé duine éigin go, más féidir liom a fháil léi a bheidh, buille fíor seo suas! Uimh conarthaí sínithe go fóill, ach tá mé dóchasach gur féidir liom a fháil léi. Chomh maith leis sin, reinvest mé cuid de bhrabúis na cuideachta ceart ar ais isteach sa bhuiséad léiriúcháin / tallann, mar ba mhaith liom i gcónaí a dhéanamh cinnte an ócáid seo fós i gcónaí ábhartha sa phobal LGBT a bhíonn ag síorathrú. Agus tá sé ar cheann de na bealaí tá sé fós ábhartha ina tairiscintí ceoil. Beidh an bhliain seo chugainn bheidh aon eisceacht! KB: Tá tú freisin bhlag ó am go chéile ar "Voices Aerach." An Huffington Post Conas mar a tháinig an deis sin a thagann faoi? MH: Bhí iarr mé agus ar ndóigh, a dúirt mé yes. Cad onóir! KB: Léigh mé le hús do bhlag ar cé mhéad Tá Palm Springs athrú thar na 24 bliain atá tú a tháirgeadh Club Sciortaí-ó ar enclave Poblachtach coimeádach ("áit ina d'fhéadfadh duine a shamhlú óg Rick Santorum a d'fhéadfadh a bhí roinnt babhtaí ") go dtí áit emphatically LGBT-fáilteach. Chun cad a dhéanann tú tréith seo athrú? MH: Sílim go bhfuil sé den chuid is mó eacnamaíoch. Fiche ceithre bliana ó shin bhí Palm Springs Márta déanach cheann scríbe le haghaidh Spring Break. Agus fuair Spring Break as láimh gach cearn. Mar sin, margaí eile a tháinig chun cinn mar rogha eile mór le treoracha a thóg an Chathair nár oibrigh chomh maith. Bhí na margaí nua malartacha behaved maith, chaith a lán airgid, agus bhí a lán de spraoi, agus thosaigh an Chathair a bhaint amach ar an luach na margaí. Mar sin, thosaigh caidreamh fadtéarmach a fhorbairt-mar shampla, ag aon am amháin, bhí mé conradh 10-bliain leis an Wyndham. Agus ansin thiomáin eacnamaíocht an claochlú liobrálacha. Mar cuairt ar na margaí níos éagsúla, thosaigh siad ansin cheannach tithe dara anseo, agus anois tá an bonn sin fáilteach agus feithicil iontach ar cad ba chóir a bheith cosúil le cathair agus fág ar feadh. Cad grúpa iontach de dhaoine againn ag tiomáint an treo na Cathrach na Palm Springs! Mar sin, fáilteach, fulangach, oscailte agus éagsúil. Kudos! Mariah, ag leagan amach le haghaidh turas KB: Déan cur síos dúinn ar an lá is fearr leat a caitheadh i Palm Springs. MH: Ó go bhfuil ceann éasca! An raibh a fhios agat go bhfuil, san earrach, níl pailme álainn crann-lined Creek go ritheann ar fud na canyons Indiach? Mé diallait suas agus ceann amach agus a thiomána le mo chara Corky. Pacáiste againn buidéal Sauvignon Blanc, roinnt ceapairí mór ó Gelson agus turas againn ar feadh cúpla uair an chloig ansin cheangal suas, tá lón agus fíon, breathnú amach ar an ghleann iontach, ansin ar aghaidh muid ar ais. Tá sé ar neamh. KB: Fuaimeanna sé an-mhaith! Mariah, cad é go bhfuil grá agat an chuid is mó mar gheall ar an bpobal de Palm Springs? MH: is dóigh liom mhaith Palm Springs, an pobal mé ag obair i go bhfuil, cosúil le teaghlach eile. Riamh Mhothaigh mé tacaíocht a thabhairt dóibh i mo shaol. Cherish mé an áit seo agus táim ag tnúth le blianta fada a tháirgeadh níos mó ar cheann de na himeachtaí shíniú LADT. Tá mé an-bhródúil as a bheith ag obair agus ag maireachtáil anseo agus a bheith ina chuid den phobal iontach.