By Valerie Milano, Senior Editor
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/13/26 – As Palm Springs prepares for the highly anticipated Marilyn 100 celebration weekend, comedian and queer entertainment icon Shann Carr is adding her own signature blend of comedy, camp, and cultural storytelling to the festivities with Marilyn’s Morning After SNARKitecture Bus Tour.
The special event, taking place Sunday, May 31, following Palm Springs Pride’s Marilyn Monroe Guinness World Record gathering, promises more than a standard celebrity home tour. Carr’s version delivers what she lovingly describes as “tea with sugar and shade”, an interactive, laugh-filled deep dive into the hidden queer and female-driven history of Palm Springs.
Speaking with The Hollywood Times via Zoom from what she called “sweaty Palm Springs,” Carr explained that the tour was inspired by both her admiration for Marilyn Monroe and her desire to uncover stories that traditional tours often ignore.
Click below to see our exclusive interview:
“I’ve taken every tour there is to take, and nobody’s ever telling you about any of the women in the history,” Carr said. “So this inspired me to add that to the story and kind of lead with it.”
Carr, a veteran comedian with more than 40 years in queer entertainment, has spent nearly three decades living in Palm Springs. Her extensive experience performing on gay cruises, at LGBTQ+ conventions, and across queer nightlife culture gives her a uniquely insider perspective on the city’s evolution.
The “morning after” theme embraces the playful spirit of the Marilyn 100 weekend. Guests are encouraged to arrive in Marilyn-inspired outfits, Rat Pack glam, or simply comfortable sweats and sunglasses, whatever feels appropriate after a night of celebration.
“I think it’s funny if we look a little hungover,” Carr joked. “I don’t want to disrespect Marilyn, but they partied, so it’s the morning after. A little tongue-in-cheek never hurt anybody.”
But beneath the comedy lies extensive historical research and genuine reverence for the women who helped shape Palm Springs’ cultural landscape.
One of the tour’s major highlights will be the story of Edie Adams and Pat McGrath, who operated Desert Night, one of Palm Springs’ earliest lesbian-friendly resorts, beginning in 1968. The property later became Queen of Hearts and remained a beloved gathering place for decades.
“Even before the boys had their hotels, Edie Adams and Pat McGrath had this cute little resort,” Carr explained. “The stories they must have after decades of running a hideaway for queer people, I find that inspirational.”
Carr also plans to spotlight lesser-known historical figures such as Dr. Florella White, one of Palm Springs’ first physicians in 1913, whom Carr described as “pioneering, independent, rugged,” and emblematic of the strong women often left out of mainstream local history.
Marilyn Monroe herself, of course, remains central to the experience.
Carr shared fascinating details about Marilyn’s Palm Springs connection, including the often-repeated myths surrounding homes supposedly owned by the actress.
“She never owned a house here,” Carr clarified. “There’s absolutely no real estate record of that. She did rent a home here for one summer in the last year of her life, but people love the mythology.”
She also discussed Marilyn’s discovery at the famed Racket Club, itself a fascinating part of Palm Springs history.
“The Racket Club was created because ethnic people and actors weren’t welcome at the big fancy resorts,” Carr noted. “Palm Springs was a hiding place. Behind every hedge, there was a story.”
For Carr, Marilyn Monroe’s enduring legacy goes far beyond glamour.
“She was a glass ceiling pusher,” Carr said. “She proved you could be brilliant and still be underestimated because of your looks. She was thoughtful and sexy and funny and vulnerable, the whole package.”
That blend of beauty, intelligence, and resilience is part of why Carr believes Marilyn still resonates a century later.
“She would be idolized today just like she was then,” Carr said. “Any generation — she would still be the whole package.”
The comedian also spoke candidly about Palm Springs itself, a city she loves deeply, even while recognizing its quirks.
“We’re smart, we’re bossy, we’re a little elitist and snarky,” she laughed while describing local audiences. “There’s definitely an undercurrent of ‘Get off my decomposed granite, you whippersnapper.’”
At the same time, Carr emphasized the importance of unity within the LGBTQ+ community, something she feels has shifted over the decades.
“I came out in the ‘80s when everybody was together,” she reflected. “That’s why my anthem has always been ‘Better Together.’”
Ultimately, Carr hopes the tour becomes more than just sightseeing. She wants it to feel like a shared community experience filled with laughter, memories, and connection.
“Come dressed as Marilyn, come dressed in sweats, come with your own gossip,” she said. “Let’s just have a good time.”
Marilyn’s Morning After SNARKitecture Bus Tour departs Sunday, May 31 at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. from in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. A portion of proceeds benefits Palm Springs Pride.
For tickets and information, visit Shann Carr Official Website.
