By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 4/11/25 – Desert Legends 2025 Women’s
Weekend wrapped up this past Sunday in Palm Springs, CA, and it was an unforgettable weekend packed with powerful energy, sapphic celebrations, and unforgettable moments. Now in its third year, DL has established itself as the new hotspot scene getaway for older lesbians to celebrate Spring Break in style.
Desert Legends, the premier women’s weekend in Palm Springs, recently concluded its 2025 festivities, offering attendees a memorable blend of sports, entertainment, and community. The event featured activities such as pickleball, golf, pool parties, synchronized swimming, cocktail gatherings, NCAA watch parties, live music concerts, a tattoo contest, a 70s dance party, live DJs, a Sunday brunch, and a spa day.
A key contributor to the event’s success was Kristan Frei, whose exceptional decorating skills transformed the venues throughout the weekend. Her work at Desert Legends was instrumental in creating an engaging and vibrant atmosphere for all attendees.
Targeting lesbian women in their 50’s, 60’s & 70’s, DL creates a vibrant space for self-expression, connection, and community building in the heart of the most iconic desert destinations.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Sisterhood: At the core of Desert Legends is a deep commitment to creating a sense of belonging and empowerment for older lesbian women, and the weekend provided opportunities to connect, unwind, and create lasting memories with like-minded individuals. From cocktail mixers to themed parties, every event was designed to celebrate the strength, diversity, and resilience of this legendary lesbian community. Corday welcomes other queer promoters to join forces and believes in the power of collaboration rather than competition
It all started Thursday night with a well-attended meet and greet at the stylish host location Hotel Zoso. This event marked the perfect opportunity for attendees to begin their weekend and attendees were greeted and signed in before entering the lobby where local DJ Modgirl spun retro house music that set the mood perfectly. The venue’s modern aesthetics, with its sleek design and inviting ambiance, offered the perfect backdrop for the evening’s festivities. The meet and greet allowed both newcomers and returning participants to mingle, make new connections, and reconnect with old friends over cocktails. VACAYA was the obvious title sponsor with a big presence at the Step & Repeat banner and several huge signs advertising their upcoming trips. Platinum sponsor Tailwaggers really stepped up, handing out hundreds of incredibly overstuffed goodie bags packed with high-end dog and cat goodies from their local store. Women-owned detective service Trusted Investigations was also present, offering up a fun “Never Have I Ever” game and free prizes. The iconic Olivia Travel was also in the house as a Platinum Sponsor, and ladies signed up for a chance to win a coveted Olivia trip. The night was filled with laughter, animated conversations, and an overall sense of anticipation for the weekend ahead.
Free whiskey tastings were offered from female-owned Lodestar Whiskey and ladies enjoyed signature cocktails like the Lodestar Legend Whiskey Sour and the Lodestar Iced Tea– delish! See their fabulous recipes https://www.lodestarwhiskey.com/
Susan Detlefsen (aka Gay Douglas, author of “From the Vulva Lounge.” presented a lesbian poetry reading Friday and Saturday morning which was lovely, and quite erotic! Susan (and Diane) also brought in Susan Rukeyser, a published novelist from Joshua tree for the Saturday show. These published authors are an excellent read so check them out if you missed it.
A Swinging Success at Indian Hills Golf Resort
On Friday, the first major Desert Legends event got into full swing with the highly anticipated Golf Tournament at Indian Hills Golf Resort’s South Course. The event provided the perfect blend of competition, connection, and most importantly fun. Set against the breathtaking desert landscape, the tournament attracted women of all skill levels, from seasoned golfers to newcomers just enjoying a round in the sun.
Townies Bagels provided a delicious bagel & cream cheese breakfast spread, ensuring
participants had plenty of fuel for their round. The 5-star South Course provided a stunning backdrop, with clear skies, gentle breezes, and immaculate fairways that made for a perfect day of golfing.
A Fun and Inclusive Atmosphere: What truly stood out about the Desert Legends Golf Tournament was its inclusive and welcoming vibe. The tournament attracted women of all skill levels, from seasoned golfers to those simply looking to have fun and enjoy the experience. It wasn’t about who could swing the hardest or putt the most precisely—it was about having a good time, supporting one another, and celebrating the community spirit of Desert Legends.
The event, a scramble format, was designed to be fun and relaxed, with plenty of opportunities for participants to interact and connect, whether on the green or in the clubhouse. Women shared laughs, exchanged tips, and cheered each other on, making it a truly special part of the weekend & festivities.
Friendly Competition and Prizes: While the atmosphere was laid-back, the competition was still fierce! The tournament featured several fun challenges, including longest drive and closest to the pin, along with 2 putting contests ensuring that there was something for everyone to strive for. The friendly rivalry was palpable, but so was the spirit of encouragement, as participants celebrated each other’s achievements. As the day progressed, the excitement built, with participants eager to see who would walk away with the coveted trophies and prizes.
The Winning Foursome from Long Beach, CA shot a 59 on the Par 72 course
An Afternoon to Remember: After 18 holes on the link attendees gathered for a festive and luncheon that featured an array of raffle prizes and a live auction hosted by the one and only John Taylor of KGAY, one of the events media partners.
Much to everyone’s delight was the surprise appearance of celebrity golfer, and LPGA legend Amy Alcott! Known for her incredible career, including her multiple major championship victories, Alcott’s presence was a major highlight, and especially poignant considering she designed the very course the Legends golfers just finished playing—the iconic Indian Canyons South Course! Alcott brought her world-class charm and power to the luncheon, and told several personal stories, making it even more special for the attendees.
Final Thoughts: Desert Legends 2025 Women’s Weekend Golf Tournament at Indian Hills Golf Resort was not only a day filled with friendly competition, empowerment, and connection— This amazing work done by tournament co-chairs, Lisa Bassi and Bev Barrett along with the LGBTQ Center of the Desert. —it was also an incredible fundraising success, with all the funds raised throughout the day going directly to support the amazing work done by The LGBTQ Center of the Desert. $10,947.10 = GRAND TOTAL raised for charity by Desert Legends 4/4/2025
Golfers returned to Hotel Zoso just in time to join the hundreds of women already there for the Cocktail Kickoff and Watch Party.
NCAA Final Four Women’s Basketball Games where on the big screen TV while DJ ModGirl ran sound. At every commercial break, Corday hosted the Game of Throws, where contestants attempted to sink plastic balls in a trash can hoop placed 10 feet away. The game was a big hit as ladies lined up at every game break for their chance to win a price– $25- $50 and $75 gift cards and prizes and also included wine generously provided by Coomber Winery.
A Night to Remember: Corday Concert & Tribute to the 70s + Comedian Fiona Goodwin: kicked off in grand style at The Fillmore Room with an opening set by comedian Fiona Goodwin. Known for her sharp wit and unapologetic humor, Goodwin was intent on getting the crowds’ attention as she seamlessly blended comedy with the spirit of the weekend before the show began.
Desert Legends founder Corday was the performer Friday night and brought in her full band to present a one-of-a-kind multi-media show with audio and video projection. Corday started the show with a powerful rendition of “Feeling Good” and then performed her own original songs along with synchronized videos. “It was a lot of work to prepare,” Corday explains. “Some of the music videos were videos I have already produced, and I love having an opportunity to show those. It’s another great way to tell the story of the song, and as a theatre major, I love producing music videos!” Corday’s songs and videos “Lollipop”, “Shoulda Left Sooner” (starring comedian Suzanne Westenhoeffer) and “Dragonfire” had especially big impacts on the crowd.
After the original set, Corday transported the audience back in time with her Magic 70’s concert, paying tribute to the music, culture, and energy of the 1970s. In addition, videos she produced showed retro iconic images from the 70s, capturing the essence of the decade with songs like “Pinball Wizard,” “You Can Do Magic,” Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice,” as well as songs from the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Zeppelin, Toto, and her crowd-rousing rendition of Zep’s “Whole Lotta Love”.
The concert ended with the obvious 70s dance anthems “Dancing Queen” and “I Will Survive” before DJ Mod Girl took over for a late-night dance party.
Pickleball Tournament at Mission Hills Country Club – A Day of Fun, Competition, and Community
On Saturday, Desert Legends 2025 Women’s Weekend continued its celebration of empowerment and connection with a lively and competitive Pickleball Tournament at the Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs. This tournament brought together women from all over, offering both seasoned players and newcomers the opportunity to enjoy the fast-paced, fun, and highly social sport of pickleball, all while fostering a sense of community. Ginny Alexander was Desert Legends Pickleball Director, and she owns and operates Endless Pickleball based out of San Diego.
This event perfectly captured the essence of Desert Legends, leaving everyone feeling
more connected, empowered, and excited for future events. The tournament was a true success, and we can’t wait to see what next year’s edition will bring. Too many winners in Pickleball to list – 1st, 2nd, 3rd medals for each category; 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, & 4.0 for rotating & fixed, plus blue ribbons awarded to everyone who played Live Ball. Olivia Travel was the Title Sponsor for Pickleball. Two Olivia reps were on hand to help distribute medals and provide raffle prizes.
What’s a women’s weekend in the desert without a Pool Party?
Desert Legends delivered an amazing day of fun in the sun—it was over 77 degrees with mountain views and pool toys galore! DJ XINOVIA hit the decks from LA providing killer beats to pool-goers all day long.
Games kicked off immediately when DL staff volunteer Maryalice Prescott ran the Chip It To Win It golf game. Golfers lined up poolside to attempt to make it on the floating pool green to win $25 gift cards. Beer Pong ensued in the pool with a floating beer pong game, and then Cornhole kicked off with the help of DL staff volunteer Jody Potiker.
Cornholers got serious and brackets ended with a winning couple that took home a
sweet prize from our sponsor Watch Me- Women’s Sports Bar in Long Beach!
The pool area buzzed with energy, becoming a vibrant hub for conversation, swimming, and soaking up the stellar Palm Springs sunshine. The laid-back atmosphere encouraged guests to relax, mingle, and take in the beautiful desert scenery. Among the standout moments was the lively Rubber Duck and Unicorn Relay Contest, leading up to the grand finale: a tattoo competition sponsored by Outer Limits Tattoo. Women signed up in advance for quirky categories like Gayest Tattoo, Best Matching Tattoos, and Best Breakup Story. Emcee Corday kept the crowd engaged, inviting each participant to share their personal story behind their ink before presenting it to the poolside panel of judges.
The Rubber Duck Race brought plenty of laughs, with ten contestants guiding rainbow-colored ducks across the pool. A false start kicked things off, but the second round went swimmingly, and top finishers took home prizes—while everyone got to keep their duck as a memento. The Unicorn Relay, hosted by VACAYA, was chaotic fun. Slippery inflatables made it nearly impossible to stay mounted, turning the event into more of a unicorn “drag.” It wasn’t graceful, but the determined crew made it work, and the crowd loved every minute of the hilarious spectacle.
A Showstopping Performance: The highlight of the Pool Party was the stunning synchronized swim show presented by Wet Swim Show.
This sextet of talented athletes put on an awe-inspiring routine, combining graceful, fluid movements with impeccable timing to lively music. The performance was a true
spectacle, showcasing the swimmers’ athleticism, creativity, and artistry. As they moved together in perfect harmony, the crowd watched in awe, cheering and applauding their every move.
For the finale, a tip jar was passed and enough was raised to earn a special BONUS routine the swimmers did topless! NO cameras were allowed so you had to be there to witness that stunning encore! Needless to say, the crowd, LOVED it…
(Photo: Jody Potiker)The synchronized swimmers’ routine was a beautiful reminder of the power of collaboration, precision, and artistic expression—qualities that resonate deeply with the Desert Legends mission of empowering women and celebrating the beauty of individuality and community. It was also a fun and playful way to bring something unique and unexpected to the pool party, making it an unforgettable moment of the weekend and truly left the audience mesmerized.
Saturday Evening Main Event: In the evening Comedian Mimi Gonzalez kicked off her set in the Fillmore room by addressing the powerful rally that had taken place earlier in the day, where the voices of the LGBTQ+ community had united in solidarity. She joked about the passion and energy of the day’s events before introducing Corday and Milano to present the prestigious Desert Legends Award ceremony.
Gonzalez’s wit and charm had the audience roaring with laughter, but it was her ability to connect the events of the day to the broader mission of Desert Legends that made her opening truly special.
It was a heartwarming and inspiring award ceremony that recognized two of the most influential figures in the LGBTQ+ community—Robin Gans and Sandy Sachs of GirlBar fame. The two trailblazing women were honored with the prestigious Desert Legends Award for their decades of commitment to creating inclusive, empowering spaces for women, particularly through their iconic GirlBar Dinah Shore Weekend events.
The lights dimmed and the evening continued as the Divas of Rock took over with their high-energy multi-media performance showcasing the best female singers of the 70s and 80s.
This amazing female fronted tribute act brought the house down with sensational
renditions of classic rock anthems performed by an all-star cast of talented musicians and vocalists. Front woman lead singer Lizann Warner presented iconic hits from legendary female rockers Joan Jett, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, and Heart with remarkable percussion– her vocal impressions truly sounded like the real deal! The costuming was equally impressive as Lizann morphed from Stevie to Linda, to Pat to Joan, and only one wardrobe malfunction.
The crowd was on their feet, singing along to hits like “I Love Rock and Roll”, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Barracuda” and more.
The final day of Desert Legends 2025 Women’s Weekend wrapped up in style with a memorable Sunday Brunch at Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs. The champagne brunch was a beautiful combination of relaxation, delicious food, and entertainment, from The Starlets!
The Starlets: Performance: As the brunch buzzed with lively conversation, The Starlets took to the stage, adding an extra layer of magic to the final day of Desert
Legends. This incredibly talented group of performers delivered a dynamic, high-energy show that had the entire room captivated. Known for their stunning harmonies, energetic choreography, and glamorous presentation, The Starlets presenting hits of the 50s & 60s doo-wop and Motown, with choregraphed moves and 3-part harmonies plus great costumes!!
An audience participation request landed our own team member, Beverly Barrett, on stage, for a rendition “Leader of the Pack.” Bev donned a black leather jacket and was the perfect person to take on the impromptu part of “Jenny,” the lesbian motorcycle rider who broke her heart. Bev revved her engine and rumbled “Vroom Vroom” on the mic with great style and charisma. The audience was in stiches!
Their performance was the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern flair, with iconic renditions of beloved songs evoking a sense of joy and celebration. The crowd responded with cheers and applause, and many guests were up on their feet, dancing and singing along to the tunes.
No sooner did the brunch end than the NCAA Women’s Championship Game start in the lobby where all the sporty gals gathered for the final watch party. As y’all know UConn dominated the show and fun was had by all as more Game of Throws ensued!
Silent auction winners were announced Sunday after the championship game and some sweet items were awarded to the lucky ladies, which included VACAYA trip to Australia, Olivia trip to Ixtapa, VW Electric Guitar from the Corday Collection, Lodestar Whiskey Party for 10, Outer Limits Tattoo Swag Bag w/$500 Gift Card, and more– congrats to all the winners!
Simultaneously, the Sunday Pool Party kicked off with DJ Magatron and it turned into quite the finale as everyone converged there after the game ended. It was a bigger turnout than expected, and TWO overtime hours were booked with the DJ to keep things bumping until 6pm!
Other Sponsors:
SMWSLT
Baby Precious
Palm Springs Promote and PS Crave
Coomber Wine
Tello Films
KGAY
DJ Keleez
Monday was a well-deserved recovery day at the award-winning The Spa at Séc-he at Agua Caliente, where Legends gals got a 20% discount on spa services. Agua Caliente had also gifted Desert Legends a one-night stay for their raffle.
Save the dates: April 1–6, 2026
Visit DesertLegends.net for updates and details.
