Arts, Entertainment & Culture Newsletter | October 2025

Hey Beautiful People,

We’re back with the first Updates & Additions — those little gems we couldn’t squeeze into the main newsletter but you absolutely need to know. Think of it as the encore set: shorter, sharper, and still dripping with soul. Get some mental health advice from Dr. Imani Woody. Meet the chef with soul and sass. Learn why Amythyst Kiah cuts straight through to your soul, and meet the diva who just snatched the Peace Prize. Don’t forget we still have the who, what, and where to go in the desert for entertainment!

But first, a personal message from me—because now more than ever, we need to stand up to the madness. When truth is under attack and “otherness” is treated like a crime, we can’t afford silence. The Sunset Music & Comedy Festival is proud to be an official Palm Springs Pride event for women’s programming!

Our artists stand loud and proud, living proof that there is genius in diversity. Each performance is a vibrant reminder that our differences aren’t divisions—they’re the heartbeat of creativity, the rhythm that keeps culture moving forward. When these brilliant artists take the stage, they do more than entertain—they affirm that beauty, power, and innovation flourish when every voice has a place in the spotlight.

At a time when sponsors are pulling away from foundations supporting diversity, and LGBTQ+ events are being defunded, standing on the sidelines is no longer an option. Now, more than ever, we need our friends and allies to show up in person to keep these stages alive. Buying a ticket isn’t just about catching a great show—it’s an act of solidarity, a declaration that art rooted in truth, culture, and inclusion matters. Every seat filled sends a message: we refuse to be erased. Our stories, our music, our laughter, and our love belong center stage.

When you support a show that celebrates diversity, you help sustain the very platforms that give rise to empathy, visibility, and connection. These performances ripple far beyond the stage—they inspire the next generation, empower communities, and remind the world that creativity thrives where acceptance lives. So don’t just applaud from afar—buy the ticket, take the seat, and let’s show the world that we have more in common than we do apart. Music is the bridge that brings us together, the universal language that reminds us who we are—and that we’re all part of the same beautiful song.

With love, rhythm, and pride —

Sweet Baby J’ai

P.S. With a 47% open rate—more than double the industry average of 21%—our newsletter consistently engages readers and proves the strong connection we’ve built with our community. Thank you to our readers — our community partners!

Peace of Mind in a Divided Time

World Mental Health Day was observed on October 10th — but the message is timeless. In a world that feels more divided than ever, we could all use a little guidance on managing the stress and emotional weight we’re carrying. Dr. Imani Woody is here to offer some much-needed wisdom. 

It’s not surprising that during these unprecedented times, anxiety disorders are the highest reported mental health issue in the U.S., with more than 42.5 million Americans claiming to suffer from this illness. We can experience greater mental and emotional fatigue.

We may think that an aspirin, a nap, or a glass of wine will make things better — and sometimes they do. But sometimes they don’t. Just as we might mistake a fractured bone for a simple sprain, our mental and emotional well-being often requires dedicated attention, especially during challenging periods.

The World Mental Health Day, initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization in 1992, was created for times such as these. It aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health.

This year’s theme emphasizes ensuring access to services during crises, highlighting the importance of maintaining support for mental and emotional health. Effective strategies include coping with adversity, developing healthy mechanisms for managing stress, nurturing relationships, and addressing mood disorders.

Ways to Support Your Mental Health:

• Acknowledge how you’re feeling. Notice and name your emotions. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. Talking to a trusted person or seeking professional help can make a difference.
• Participate in calming activities. Try meditation, yoga, or simply quiet time. Limit digital device use when possible.
• Incorporate regular physical activity. Move your body — walk, stretch, swim, hike, or dance — to enhance overall well-being.
• Foster community connections. Build and sustain relationships with your family (biological or chosen), colleagues, and friends. Connection alleviates loneliness.
• Optimize your sleep routine. Create a consistent bedtime ritual: wind down, unplug, and rest in a calm space.

On this World Mental Health Day, remember: you are not alone, and help is available.

If you’re feeling depressed or struggling with your mental health, know that these are treatable conditions. Wherever you are on your life’s journey, prioritizing your mental health can lead to a fuller, more rewarding life.

Be kind to your mind,

Dr. Imani Woody

_—-____________

Dr. Woody is an internationally and nationally recognized thought leader and an advocate for women, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/same gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people. For more than 20 years, she has been a personal and professional coach, assisting people of color and women to live their lives more fully through visioning. She is a proud member of the Coachella Valley Sistahs Network (CVSN)

Rising Star: Amythyst Kiah – The Truth in Her Voice

When I first saw Amythyst Kiah on Jimmy Kimmel in May 2021, I was blown away. She hit something very viseral inside me — a tone that felt ancient and urgent all at once. Over four years later, bringing her to Palm Springs is finally becoming real.

Amythyst Kiah (born in Chattanooga, Tennessee) is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and banjo player whose work bends the edges of folk, Americana, old-time, rock, blues, and country. She’s rooted in East Tennessee but has emerged as one of the most forward voices redefining the role of Black & queer artists in roots music.

She taught herself guitar as a teenager and went on to study Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies at East Tennessee State University — even joining their marquee old-time ensemble.

Her early life held tragedy: her mother died by suicide when Amythyst was 17, and one of her early public performances was singing at that funeral — a moment that shaped both her voice and her purpose. You hear that pain and purpose when she sings her life.

Her breakout moment came with “Black Myself,” recorded as part of the supergroup Our Native Daughters, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Song.

Her solo album Wary + Strange (2021) resonated deeply — critics praised her for blending personal stories of grief, identity, resistance, and healing in a way that feels both intimate and expansive.

More recently, she’s ventured into even bolder terrain with Still + Bright, collaborating with Butch Walker to sculpt a sound that is cinematic and fearless — drawing from Eastern philosophy, nature, cosmic metaphors, and her inner life as an “anime-nerd mall goth.”

Her music, with its deep Southern roots, feels like it’s woven right into our DNA — moaning, mighty, and magnetic. Like Tracy Chapman did more than thirty years ago, Amythyst Kiah reaches straight for the soul. She lays down tracks that don’t just play — they pierce, stirring something ancestral, something alive. This is music that reminds us who we are and why we’re still standing.

On stage, her presence is commanding yet vulnerable. She tosses aside genre constraints and channels ancestral echoes — daring you not just to hear, but to feel. As she steps onto our stage this November, what you won’t see is just a rising star — you’ll see someone who embodies both reclamation and vision.

Don’t miss her show – she steps onto our Palm Springs stage on Friday, Nov 7 at 7PMm Palm Springs Cultural Center!

Chef Spotlight: Tineke “Tini” Younger — Soul in a Skillet

With the changing of the leaves and colors comes that itch to turn the oven back on — the one that’s been off the whole summer while we’ve been living on salads and sunshine. And what better way to welcome fall than with a bubbling dish of mac ’n’ cheese? But hold up — this isn’t your Southern Black grandma’s recipe (though she might just nod in approval).

This one comes from a tiny little white girl who channels her inner “grandma from the wood-pile South” like she’s been cooking soul food her whole life.

Meet Chef Tineke “Tini” Younger, the TikTok firecracker whose baked mac ’n’ cheese went viral — over 100 million views! — and had Gordon Ramsay calling her the real deal. A Next Level Chef contestant handpicked by Ramsay himself, Tini blends Southern roots, creativity, and unapologetic confidence into every bite. Her energy in the kitchen is pure joy — bold, playful, and dripping with authenticity. Whether she’s remixing Sunday classics or showing millions of followers how to keep it “tini but mighty,” Tini proves that food, like music, hits best when it comes from the heart.

And remember, it’s all about the cook — the foot — the humph. You can have the recipe all day long, but if you don’t put your foot in it, your inner Black grandma won’t show up.

Tini’s Viral Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 lb cavatappi (or elbow macaroni)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter, then whisk in cream, evaporated milk, Dijon, and seasonings.
3. Slowly add half the cheeses, stirring until smooth and melty.
4. Fold in the pasta until fully coated with that creamy goodness.
5. Pour into a greased baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and sprinkle a little paprika on top for color.
6. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until golden, bubbly, and irresistible.
7. Let it sit a minute before diving in (if you can stand to wait).

Try it — write to us and tell us what you think!

We See You: María Corina Machado

Who is this woman who snatched the Nobel Peace Prize right out of Trump’s tiny little hands? Meet María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s iron butterfly — elegant, fearless, and absolutely done with dictators.

She’s been called the most dangerous woman in Venezuela — not because she carries a weapon, but because she carries truth. Machado has spent decades staring down Nicolás Maduro’s regime, demanding democracy while her friends were jailed, her allies exiled, and her every move tracked. When the threats got too close, she disappeared — hiding in safe houses across the country, whispering plans through encrypted messages, keeping the resistance alive from the shadows.

But make no mistake — she never ran. When she came up for air, she came roaring back, leading a movement too powerful to silence. Her courage became the spark that reignited Venezuela’s push for freedom, and now, the world has crowned her with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her “tireless struggle for democratic rights.”

Born in Caracas, a mother of three, and a trained engineer turned activist, Machado isn’t waiting for permission to lead — she already is. She’s building alliances, rallying the people, and plotting a roadmap out of oppression. She knows change doesn’t come from behind podiums; it comes from the streets, from the people who refuse to bow.

“Power doesn’t hand you freedom — you take it.”

So here’s to María Corina Machado — the woman who turned hiding into strategy, fear into fire, and a nation’s pain into purpose.

We see you, hermana — may your courage echo far beyond Caracas.

The Sunset Music & Comedy Festival is four days of music, laughter, and Pride magic! LOUD & PROUD

Nov 6 – Opening Night at Agua Caliente Casino: Roberta Flack: A Homecoming with Yve Evans, Amber Flame, Belinda Skinner, & comedian Mimi Gonzalez.

Nov 7 & 8 – Palm Springs Cultural Center spotlights Lady Blackbird, Ann Hampton Callaway, Amythyst Kiah, and Holly Near, plus comedians Vickie Shaw & Jason Stuart.

Nov 9 – Wrap it up with the Pride Parade March, led by the legendary Holly Near!

Produced by the Sunset Music & Education Foundation — dedicated to creating a just and inclusive world where music bridges generations, sparks learning, and opens doors to opportunity. Your support amplifies underrepresented voices, provides scholarships and mentorship, and places instruments in the hands of young musicians in underserved communities — ensuring the next generation has the tools to thrive. Every ticket sold sustains community programs that keep the music alive and the future wide open.

Get your tickets before they sell out! Spread the word!

Tickets & info: www.sunsetmusic.org

On the Red Carpet This Month

You can put your gown and crown on with your fluffy slippers and watch these shows on TV, or we’ve included some local red carpets where you’ll want to dust off those spiked 4-inch heels (size 13 for the queens) — or wear whatever makes you feel fabulous. The cameras will find you either way.

October 17 — 52nd Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards

Pasadena hosts daytime TV’s behind-the-scenes honors, from talk shows to culinary arts. The Young and the Restless headlines the nominees.

October 19 — 27th Fangoria Chainsaw Awards

Horror’s goriest red carpet premieres on Shudder. Sinners and The Substance top nominations.

October 23 — 33rd Billboard Latin Music Awards

Miami lights up with Latin powerhouses. Bad Bunny storms the night with 28 nominations.

October 30 — 2025 UK Music Video Awards

London’s Magazine venue salutes the best in global music video craft. FKA twigs leads with nine nominations.

October 18 — COPE’s 25th Anniversary & Awards Gala

Held in Palm Springs, this gala includes a red-carpet reception, cocktail hour, dinner, and awards ceremony — a milestone celebration for this local nonprofit.

October 25 — Best of Desert Community’s Choice Awards

The Desert Sun’s annual event rolls out the red carpet to honor the Valley’s best businesses and organizations. It’s where the movers and shakers gather — and where your voice matters. Nominate your favorites (you could even win $250) — and don’t forget to show some love for the Sunset Music & Comedy Festival while you’re at it.

Who’s Rolling Into Town – October Edition

For those of you tuning in from outside the desert — Detroit, St. Louis, D.C., Miami, Denver, and beyond — here’s the tea: Palm Springs isn’t just palm trees and poolside cocktails, it’s a full-on destination where the world comes to breathe in the warm desert air and vibe to the soundtrack of the season. We got it like that! And baby, the season is gearing up fast. October is when the nights cool just enough for sequins to shimmer, leather jackets to slide out the closet, and the stages to catch fire with headliners who turn this little desert town into a global music stop. And make no mistake — when Diana Ross takes that stage, it won’t be a drag queen, but the real Queen. Period. Dot! Add a little Seal to seal the deal, and the desert is officially dressed to thrill.

The Headliners

Diana Ross – Saturday, Oct 12 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 8 PM. A living icon bringing Motown magic and more. [Tickets](yaamava.com)

Seal – Saturday, Oct 19 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 8 PM. Soulful vocals and classics like “Kiss From a Rose.” [Tickets](fantasyspringsresort.com)

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters – Friday, Oct 17 at The Show, Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, 8 PM. Actor-musician with his band delivering roots-rock, Americana, and vintage soul. [Tickets](aguacalientecasinos.com)

Pat Metheny – Sunday, Oct 27 at McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, 7 PM. Jazz guitar virtuoso with an unforgettable night of music. [Tickets](mccallumtheatre.org)

Zakk Sabbath – Thursday, Oct 30 at The Show, Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, 8 PM. Rockers led by Zakk Wylde bringing real, heavyweight Sabbath covers and original energy. [Tickets](aguacalientecasinos.com)

Mammoth WVH – Friday, Oct 31 at The Show, Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, 8 PM. Wolfgang Van Halen’s project — original music and arena-ready rock. [Tickets](aguacalientecasinos.com)

What’s Up With the Locals?

Sure, the big names roll through and light up the marquees, but it’s the homegrown talent that keeps this desert humming. October brings a new season of late-night swing, patio grooves, and supper-club sass — the kind of sounds that make you cancel your early morning plans. From torchy ballads to straight-ahead jazz and a little gospel grit, these Valley artists aren’t just holding it down, they’re turning it up. And here’s the real tea: this is the groove you don’t have to fly in for — you live here for. Check out Pride in Paradise: Local fundraiser for The Center’s Food Bank & L-Fund with red-carpet reception

Who’s at The Roost Lounge in October

• Marisa Corvo – Powerhouse vocals “At the Keys,” blending pop and soul.
• Sherie Ray Parker – Smooth mix of soul, pop, and Broadway flair.
• Gennine Jackson Francis – Classic standards with a velvet finish.
• Jai Rodriguez – Serving up sass and sparkle with his “Tricks-N-Treats” show.
• Patrice Morris – Gospel grit and jazz polish lighting up the room.

What’s Happening at the Palm Springs Cultural Center

• Leanna + The Jazz Collective – Tuesdays, 5:00–7:30 PM on the 2nd Floor Jazz Series. No cover (2-drink minimum).

What About The Purple Room?

• Rose Mallett – Tuesdays, 6:30–9:30 PM. Smoky torch songs in an intimate supper-club setting.
• Darci Daniels / Charles Herrera / Michael Holmes – Wednesdays, 6:30–9:30 PM. Swing and Rat Pack vibes, desert-style.
• Jérémie Levi Samson – Thursdays, 6:30–9:30 PM. Cabaret meets jazz with a Parisian flair.