By Teri Kinne and Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/18/26 – Palm Springs has long been home to one of the most iconic gatherings in LGBTQ+ culture: Dinah Shore Weekend, affectionately known simply as The Dinah. What began decades ago as a sidebar to the Colgate-Dinah Shore Golf Tournament evolved into a five-day celebration of music, freedom, connection, and queer joy.
Now, after 35 years under the visionary leadership of founder Mariah Hanson, the festival enters a new chapter. Los Angeles-based producers Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia have officially acquired the festival in a full ownership transition; trademarks, brand assets, mailing lists and all.
And yes, they’re ready.
During our Zoom interview, Teri, who has attended The Dinah since the 1990s, didn’t hesitate to ask the question on everyone’s mind:
How do you honor such a powerful legacy while still evolving?
Rose was clear. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We’re taking the baton and continuing what Mariah created.” Bella emphasized the responsibility they feel toward the generations of women and queer people who came before them, noting that The Dinah has always been about safety, visibility, and belonging. Mariah Hanson remains involved as a consultant, offering guidance and continuity during the transition. As Rose described it, the acquisition felt less like a sterile transaction and more like being entrusted with a family legacy.
Few know that Bella and Rose were initially competing to acquire The Dinah before joining forces. For three months, negotiations unfolded quietly. During Dinah 2025, both women were working the event, Rose hosting on the mic, Bella running production, while rumors circulated that someone else had secured ownership. They believed they had lost the opportunity. Then came the call. They had won the bid. Shock quickly shifted into action. “We just got to work,” Bella said. Their partnership is built on complementary strengths: Rose brings warmth, accessibility, and public-facing charisma, while Bella manages large-scale production logistics with precision. Rose even invested her retirement savings to help secure the acquisition, a testament to their belief in the future of the festival.
Looking ahead, the new ownership is expanding the experience beyond the high-energy pool parties and headlining music acts The Dinah is known for. Plans include solo and singles meet-and-greet activations, more sober-friendly programming, creative and sports-based activities, potential comedy showcases, and continued inclusivity training for staff, including pronoun awareness and respect. Bella emphasized that sexual identity is not a personality trait and that programming should reflect the diversity within the community. The goal is to maintain the five-day utopia Mariah created while deepening connection and accessibility for everyone who attends.
Of course, we asked about headliners. Mariah Hanson had a legendary instinct for booking talent early, artists like Lizzo before major award wins and iconic appearances by performers such as Lady Gaga. Bella and Rose confirmed they are actively pursuing marquee female, queer, non-binary, and allied artists for Dinah 2026. They are aiming to come out strong in this first year under their leadership. While names are not yet confirmed, they promised The Hollywood Times the opportunity to share exclusive news when contracts are finalized.
One surprising statistic from Dinah 2025 underscores the festival’s evolving audience. When Rose asked how many attendees first-timers were, approximately 60–70% of the crowd raised their hands. That momentum is encouraging. Their strategy includes reactivating national and international club partnerships, expanding digital marketing efforts, implementing grassroots outreach, and engaging both Gen Z and Gen X audience, while still honoring the loyal legacy attendees who have supported The Dinah for decades. As Rose shared, one 74-year-old woman returned this year because she thought it might be the final event. It wasn’t. It was the beginning of something new.
Ticket sales for Dinah 2026 will launch within seven days via Eventbrite and the official Dinah website. Bella and Rose will notify The Hollywood Times when headliner announcements are ready for exclusive release. Programming, partnerships, and expanded activations are already in development.
As our interview concluded, what resonated most was not just ambition, but gratitude. Gratitude for Mariah’s trust. Gratitude for community support. Gratitude for the opportunity to steward a cultural institution that has meant so much to so many.
Palm Springs has long served as a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ celebration. Under Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia, The Dinah is not simply continuing, it is evolving with intention, heart, and bold vision.
More information and tickets (coming soon) at The Dinah website here. To keep in touch with Bella and Rose follow their individual socials and here. @thedinahshore
