by kevin perry
Struggle yields strength. Every time we battle through adversity, we emerge more fabulous than before. Coming out of the closet, enduring a bad breakup — heck, even the act of being born is traumatic. But in each of these occasions, we overcome the tumult, catch our collective breath and wail our independent voices to the world.
Pride parallels our journey from strife to survival. The first fest erupted in 1970 as a commemoration of the Stonewall uprising, so Pride is indelibly linked with chaos catalyzed into progress.
In other words, it’s a real riot.
“Pride Under the Pines (PUP) feels like the old-school Pride festivals,” PUP board member Niels Kosman said. “The community really comes together from all different corners, and nooks and crannies, and there’s variety in the people that attend, from younger people to older people, people with dogs, people with kids. And they all connect up in Idyllwild on this mountain. And it feels very together, community-driven, community-supported, especially in times like these, where the world seems spinning out of control sometimes. It’s so nice to see all these people come together celebrating their Pride.”
Fellow board member Jeremy Taylor agrees.
“When you look at what’s going on in Florida and you look at politics, I think we all thought we were all moving ahead in life. We all could be confident and safe. And as you’re seeing what’s going on in today’s world, it’s not. And that’s exactly why gay Pride is still really as important as it was 25 years ago,” Taylor said.
There’s safety in numbers, which is why most queer events flourish in populous, diverse areas, but small-town inclusion can be elusively reclusive.
“We’re lucky that we live in Palm Springs, where it’s a very gay-friendly community,” Taylor said. “Since this is in Idyllwild, which is 55 minutes from Palm Springs, it attracts people from Riverside, Temecula, Beaumont. So other areas where there are a lot of GLBQT people that live in these communities that really don’t have the same resources and bars, and activities like we do here . . . But also, our Pride will bring in people from LA, San Diego, Palm Springs. So, it really is like the melting pot where everybody gets to come together.”
We’re officially ready to melt, so let’s light it up!
“The biggest, really cool part of it is that we offer a bus from Palm Springs to Idyllwild that’s hosted by a local radio morning host, as well as Shann Carr, a comedian. And then we also will have a drag queen on there, and the beverages are being provided by the PS Bottle Shop. And of course, the hosts of the bus are planning games and activities to do on the bus to get you up there. And that bus will arrive at Pride. They’re there all day. And then you also will be seeing the movie screening of Behind the Candelabra, and the bus brings you back to Palm Springs.”
All aboard for empowerment! In addition to benefiting the Idyllwild Arts Academy, Pride Under the Pines will be giving back to our fierce four-legged friends (and we’re not talking about sexy bears, exclusively).
“A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter to support their costs, and to support the animals and their housing,” Kosman said.
Additionally, the festival’s headliner is planning to take our love to the next level.
“Everybody really remembers the song Like a G6,” Taylor said. “Dev recently has been recording new songs that she’s going to preview at our Pride Festival, and I think they’re really going to be big hits, and more people will probably hear them this coming fall. So the people who come to Pride Under the Pines will be the first ones to hear this music.”
Every great experience deserves a soundtrack that slays. Dev’s tunes are poised to embed themselves in the formative tapestry that weaves us together, thread by thread, and beat by beat.
“A lot of us who have gone to Pride for years,” Taylor said. “Those are some of our favorite memories that we hold onto, memories that we create at Pride festivals and/or when we meet new friends. It seems like a lot of your really good friends that you cherish in life, you meet at festivals like Pride events.”
Friendship transcends concerts, bars and hookups. Our chosen family keeps us laughing, keeps us safe and keeps us truly happy. Belonging beckons from beyond the mountains, through the crisp fall air, and Under the Pines. Get ready to get wild in Idyllwild!
Pride Under the Pines in Idyllwild will take place Saturday, October 7 from noon to 9 p.m. prideunderthepines.com
POP STAR DEV HEADLINES PRIDE UNDER THE PINES
You create intoxicating, immersive songs. Could you discuss how they connect you to the pulse of the audience?
I love providing a space that people can feel fun, sexy and safe in, and I feel like my music and live shows do that. It’s pure enjoyment and positive high energy that connects me to the audience when I’m on stage or recording.
When did you first fall in love with the LGBTQ community?
Well, I always dated very gender fluidly growing up, so the community has been a safe space for me since I was younger. But I’ll never forget performing at my first Pride show/gay bar in NYC back 2009 and thinking, “This is me. These are my people. Let’s fucking go!” And it has been a full fledge love affair ever since.
What do you wish to convey to the crowds at Pride Under the Pines? What energy do you hope to get back from the fans?
Happiness. I just want people to smile, and jump around and feel themselves lol!
Without spoiling (too much), could you give us a teaser of what to expect at the Idyllwild festival?
I play a lot of high energy songs. I love to chat with the crowd, and I’ll be performing anthems hopefully some people remember and recognize.
What does community mean to you? How does music reflect and amplify what’s happening in society?
It means everything. From family, to culture, to our neighborhoods and villages we surround ourselves with and immerse ourselves in. I think music has always been a mirror and a portal. It’ll reflect what you may or may not want to see, it also can provide an escape to another world.
In this current climate, why is it so important to be a vocal ally for your LGBTQ fam?
Well, being someone who has loved openly and fluidly, I’ve always understood how I want and like to be treated and represented, so I want to fight for the good treatment and representation of others. Always.
Closing thoughts. Anything we missed, any shout-outs you want to share, anything our readers simply must know?
I want to say thank you for having me at Pride Under the Pines! I love you all! And I have new music coming out so follow me on IG @DevEsCaliente to stay up on it.