By Valerie Milano
Media Partner Review
Photos By THT
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/10/25 – Palm Springs Pride weekend delivered no shortage of spectacle this year, but among the most resonant and artistically rich offerings was the Sunset Music & Comedy Festival, held November 6–9, 2025. Curated by renowned jazz vocalist, bandleader, and cultural architect Sweet Baby J’ai, the festival stood out as a bold, women-led, all-queer celebration that fused artistry with activism in a way few events manage to achieve.
More than a lineup, this was a statement, and it landed with both emotional depth and undeniable flair.
Presented by the Sunset Music & Education Foundation, the festival doubled as a powerful platform for visibility, representation, and opportunity, especially for women and queer audiences who have long been underrepresented across national Pride programming.
Central to the festival’s mission is the Foundation’s SMARTS Initiative (Sunset Music & Arts for Students), a program providing underserved youth with instruments, mentorship, and scholarships. From keyboards and horns to guitars and drums, SMARTS empowers children not only to make music but to unlock confidence, academic growth, and long-term possibility.
The Desert Hot Springs High School Band featured local scholarship recipients Jaciel Aleman and Mariah Hernandez, along with the stellar musicians who supported the performances throughout the festival. Their artistry and energy played a major role in shaping the sound and setting the tone for the entire weekend.
It was clear throughout the weekend that the festival wasn’t just celebrating artistry, it was investing in future artists.
Sweet Baby J’ai’s curation was both intentional and thrillingly expansive, offering a cross-genre tapestry that reflected the breadth of women’s contributions to music and comedy.
Thursday’s opening featured Belinda Skinner, Yve Evans, Amber Flame, and Sweet Baby J’ai, delivering a standout tribute in The Roberta Flack Homecoming show at Agua Caliente Casino.
The Desert Hot Springs High School Band — joined by scholarship recipients Jaciel Aleman and Mariah Hernandez — delivered standout performances throughout the festival, supported by an exceptional ensemble of student musicians. Their talent, discipline, and infectious energy not only elevated each moment onstage but helped define the sound and spirit of the entire weekend.
Also, Musical heavyweights included:
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Lady Blackbird, whose smoky, cinematic vocals tore right through the room
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Amythyst Kiah, blending Americana, blues, and Black queer storytelling with fierce authenticity
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Ann Hampton Callaway, bringing her Tony-nominated gravitas and jazz sophistication
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Sandy & Amber Flame, delivering a standout tribute in the Roberta Flack Homecoming show at Agua Caliente Casino
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Holly Near, activist, icon, and honoree of this year’s Sunset Music Legend Legacy of Inspiration Award
Near’s performance, part concert, part intergenerational call to action, was one of the emotional centers of the festival. Her presence threaded the weekend with a reminder that womyn’s music is still a radical act, still a lifeline, still a gathering place.
The comedic trifecta of
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Vickie Shaw
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Jason Stuart
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Mimi Gonzalez
brought exactly the kind of unfiltered, big-hearted chaos the weekend needed. Each delivered distinct energy, from Shaw’s classic lesbian wit to Stuart’s sharp Hollywood humor to Gonzalez’s kinetic storytelling. Together, they added buoyancy and catharsis, a reminder that queer joy is its own political act.
Originally considering different dates, Sweet Baby J’ai smartly aligned the festival with Palm Springs Pride, solidifying an official partnership that amplified LGBTQ+ voices, particularly women’s voices that have too often been sidelined. The timing proved perfect: audiences flowed from Pride events into the festival venues, and the synergy between both celebrations felt organic and necessary.
One of the most visually powerful moments of the weekend arrived Sunday as Holly Near led the Goddess March in the Pride Parade, a convergence of activism, music, theater, and woman-centered solidarity.
A festival of this scale requires more than talent, it requires vision. Sweet Baby J’ai’s meticulous attention was evident everywhere:
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Finalizing the script for the Roberta Flack Homecoming tribute
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Collaborating closely with Holly Near for the award ceremony and her concert
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Coordinating the Goddess March
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Ensuring SMARTS remained at the heart of every performance
Her leadership shaped the festival into something cohesive, intimate, and deeply intentional.
This Pride weekend also coincided with my own birthday (November 9th), making the festival’s celebration of queer brilliance and women’s artistry feel even more meaningful. As a journalist who has covered hundreds of festivals and performances over the years, this particular event carried a rare warmth, the sense of a community creating space for itself, by itself, with an eye toward the future.
The Sunset Music & Comedy Festival was not simply a Pride weekend add-on, it was a standout cultural event in its own right. With its dynamic lineup, sharp curatorial lens, and unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through SMARTS, the festival succeeded on every level: artistic, social, and communal.
It felt like the beginning of a legacy.
As Sweet Baby J’ai said, “Visibility matters. This is our moment to shine.”
And shine it did.
The Hollywood Times continued coverage with our full feature pieces and exclusive YouTube interviews uploaded, see below:
A Night of Powerhouse Performances at the Sunset Music & Comedy Festival – Hollywood Times
Amythyst Kiah: Bridging Roots, Rock, and Resilience – Hollywood Times
