If you are in San Francisco to celebrate Pride, then head to the largest and hottest party in town. Be part of celebrating your Pride and your Freedom on Saturday June 28, 2014.

Help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the amazing Armory Building with San Francisco legends like Club Universe and Fresh topped off by Kink.Com.

The 40,000 sq ft Drill Court will be turned into the dance party of the decade.  Featuring DJs Alyson Calagna, Shane Stiel and from Madrid Sr Edu with special effects that only these promoters can dream up. This is the premiere event of the SF Pride weekend and tickets are going quickly with VIP already sold out. VVIP and GA are still available.

For those VIPs and VVIPs there will be dungeon tours, Edwardian Suites on the top of the building, and special performances by Kink actors and models.  Uber has provided a special code to make sure you get there and home safely.

The Armory was built in 1914 and housed not only thousands of soldiers but cavalry horses as well.

Celebrate like only you can - Join us at The Armory For more information contact:
[email protected] For Tickets - http://www.showclix.com/event/SanFranciscoPrideAtTheArmory/tag/mb-email-sf

By Contributing Writer, David Duran (@TheeMuki)
Originally and exclusively published in Connextions Magazine Issue 14.

Ah, Beverly Hills, the place where the rich and famous live. The beautifully manicured streets, lined with high-end shopping and obnoxious tour busses passing by, trying to catch a glimpse of a celebrity. We’ve all seen it on television and on the big screen, but most of us have not ventured to actually visit and stay the night. With so many great shops and restaurants inside the city, visitors shouldn’t quickly dismiss the opportunity to lodge themselves in Beverly Hills.

Originally constructed in 1927 and established the first boutique hotel in Beverly Hills, the Crescent Hotel is dead center in the best spot of the city. Directly across from the original MCA studios, the property played host to the studio’s stable of actors, giving this place a very colorful history. It’s also just two short blocks from Rodeo Drive and some of the best shopping in the world. The property is art deco architecture with an abundance of modern luxury. Having recently completed a full interior renovation, the Crescent, with its historical past, has been contemporized to fit the needs of the current traveler.

Entering the new mini lobby of the hotel, guests are warmly greeted and made to feel more than at home. With extremely personalized attention, guests are escorted to their room, either on the first or second level. Each of the 35 rooms is unique in size, as the older property has been reconfigured throughout the year. Individually decorated to blend together and reflect the layered history, each room stands out on its own. The headboards in Grand King rooms and Prime Queen rooms feature digital art prints designed by Oliva Villaluz, while Petite Queen rooms feature locally designed upholstered and built-in headboards. Each room offers inviting warmth in a comfortably scaled setting with Libeco Belgian linens, down pillows and quilted throws. Sleek concrete bathrooms are outfitted with plush towels, kimono-style yukata robes, and slippers. Additionally, each bathroom features skin-friendly seasonal and organic custom blended Crescent Hotel bath amenities.

The hotel offers a lounge with a palm-lined terrace for warm Southern California days, and an indoor-outdoor fireplace for candlelit evenings. The bar features classic as well as unique cocktails, small production wines and a good selection of craft beers. Cocktails like the Honey Bee, made with Honey Bourbon, maple, citrus and soda, and the Earl, made with Earl Grey Tea infused Gin, simple syrup and lemon juice, are among the favorites. In addition, there is a restaurant, currently open for breakfast and dinner, and run by Executive Chef Diana Hernandez (Soho House, Hotel Bel Air), who has created a guilty menu, that will not fit into the typical Beverly Hills starvation diet. From truffle fries to the most mouth-watering burger you can get in the area, Chef Diana is making sure that with the property renovations completed, her kitchen and menu were not left behind in the race to modernize the hotel.

The Itty-Bitty Room
Hidden within the 35 guest rooms are two, very itty-bitty gems. Each totaling just 130 sq. feet, including the bathroom, the two rooms are the area’s hottest rooms. Each is beautifully decorated and provides the same amenities as a standard room, but just in a tighter space. It’s the perfect room for a quick overnight guest, a local who might need a place to crash after a night out, or a super budget traveler. With a year-round rate of $99, the two rooms are in high-demand. The two rooms are not available to the general public on traditional hotel booking sites. If interested in an itty-bitty room, guests must call the hotel directly. The remaining 33 rooms range from $159-$249, still a steal for Beverly Hills.

1LIFE Festival is the first large-scale Electronic Dance Music Festival produced for the LGBT audience.

Official national and international release of festival information with phase three DJ lineup announced.

1LIFE Festival is the first large scale LGBT electronic dance music festival in American history billed as 'America’s First Gay Massive'.  The main event Saturday July 5th is set to take place at the iconic National Orange Show Fairgrounds, only 40 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles and will be going 14 HOURS strong from 4PM-6AM during Independence Day Weekend. 1LIFE will gather friends from all around the globe and provide three main stages with over thirty electronic dance artists, over fifty cast members, carnival rides, art installations, vendor villages & more TBA! The extensive line-up has a variety of well-known DJ’s who play world renowned LGBT events & some of the world’s most prominent mainstream electronic dance DJ’s and producers; a lot of whom are making their first­-ever appearance at an event focused on a LBGT audience! The production value and overall vibe is geared to exceed the expectations of any electronic dance music festival enthusiast and at the same time is designed to provide a welcoming care-free environment to anyone who is a part of or supportive of the LGBT community.
 
Phase three of the artist announcements were released on Saturday March 15th .The first two phases released in February & March. List of DJs and producers to date: Robbie Rivera,   Chus+Ceballos,   Antoine Clamaran,   Maor Levi,   Tom Stephan aka Superchumbo,   Oscar G (of Murk),   Tony Moran,   Bent Collective (Danny Verde & Steven Redant),   DJ Paulo,   Mark Eteson,   Kristina Sky,   Nitrous Oxide,   Victor Dinaire,   Greg Downey,   Hector Fonseca,   Alex Acosta,   Nacho Chapado,   Alyson Calagna,   Cajjmere Wray,   Wayne G,   DJ Alexander,   Manny Lehman,   DJ Phil B,   Kevin Wild,   Eddie Elias,   Alain Jackinsky, Novaspace,   Swedish Egil,   Eddie Martinez,   Big Kid,   Dan De Leon and more to be announced soon. This international group of artists combined has charted dozens of Billboard #1 dance hits, and come from all around the world to play at 1LIFE Festival. Headliner DJ set to be announced in coming weeks.
 
“The LGBT community has always been at the forefront of dance music. It’s time for a world-class festival that focuses on serving that community while recognizing the diversity of the LGBT dance music audience.” - 1LIFE Festival
 
The brilliant creative minds behind the largest monthly themed gay event in Southern California Momentum as well as The 420 Festival, Love Groove and other large electronic dance music events in Southern California created 1LIFE Festival with the focus of providing the LGBT community an event similar and comparable to other well-known electronic dance music festivals. With the strong support of the National Orange Show Fair Grounds welcoming and inviting the LGBT community to get to experience an unforgettable night, this 14 HOUR festival’s hours are from 4PM to 6AM, notable as the first time a dance music event at the National Orange Show Fairgrounds to go past 2AM in many years. Weekend festival passes will include admission to giant pre-parties and post parties in the city of Los Angeles on July 4th and July 6th, creating a full 3 day event weekend centered around the festival. Every attendee will be participating in being a part of a moment in history as the 1LIFE Festival will be ‘America’s First Gay Massive’ the first large scale electronic dance music festival event produced for the LGBT community.
 
“As we gather & dance together to the sounds of the music & the beat of the night, we spread our message by sharing Peace, Love, Unity, Respect & celebrate equality which make us all part of 1LIFE & 1LOVE.”- 1LIFE Festival
 
A host hotel will be announced soon. 1LIFE highly recommends ticket holders to transport to and from the NOS Center by utilizing the 1LIFE’s continuous shuttle services to the festival grounds with pick up/drop off locations in from throughout Southern California in Los Angeles, Orange County & San Diego starting at $25.00. Weekend & Shuttle passes for purchase on Flavorus (www.flavorus.com/event/1LIFE-FESTIVAL/226767) Lots of on-site parking for those who choose to drive. Full transportation & hotel details will be available soon on www.1lifefest.com.
 
 
About The 1Life Festival

1LIFE Festival is the first large scale LGBT electronic dance music festival in American history billed as 'America’s First Gay Massive'.  The main event Saturday July 5th is set to take place at the iconic National Orange Show Fairgrounds, only 40 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles and will be going 14 HOURS strong from 4PM-6AM during Independence Day Weekend. 1LIFE will gather friends from all around the globe and provide three main stages with over thirty electronic dance artists, over fifty cast members, carnival rides, art installations, vendor villages & more TBA! The extensive line-up has a variety of well-known DJ’s who play world renowned LGBT events & some of the world’s most prominent mainstream electronic dance DJ’s and producers; a lot of whom are making their first­-ever appearance at an event focused on a LBGT audience! The production value and overall vibe is geared to exceed the expectations of any electronic dance music festival enthusiast and at the same time is designed to provide a welcoming care-free environment to anyone who is a part of or supportive of the LGBT community. Event website: www.1lifefest.com Ticket page www.flavorus.com/event/1LIFE-FESTIVAL/226767
 
About The National Orange Show Fairgrounds

The National Orange Show Fairgrounds, also known as the National Orange Show Events Center, is a historic and iconic 120-acre indoor and outdoor special events facility in San Bernardino, CA, approx. 60 miles from Los Angeles. The grounds include a quarter mile speedway, a one acre lagoon and six event venues that span 150,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space, which totally can accommodate over 40,000 attendees plus parking for 8,000 cars. The facility derives its name from its role as the home of the National Orange Show, an annual fair since 1911 that promotes the California citrus industry. The Fairgrounds is located at 689 South E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408. More information can be found at www.NOSevents.com.

A weekend of wine and celebration in California's Wine Country to benefit Fave to Face Sonoma County AIDS network.

Out in The Vineyard is proud to announce Gay Wine Weekend 2013 in California Wine Country has been selected as one top 20 LGBT events in the world by gaytravel.com. 
 
 About Gay Wine Weekend

Three full days of LGBT events in Northern California's magnificent Sonoma Valley - home to some of the world's most prestigious wines and wineries. Celebrate with world class wine and culinary delights, music and dancing in a private estate vineyard, VIP receptions, wine tasting excursions, champagne brunch and wine auction in one of the most famous luxury wine destinations in the world.

Friday, June 14th 
VIP Host Hotel Guests’ Welcome Reception - 3:00 PM -6:00 PM - El Dorado Hotel on The Plaza
Sonoma Plaza Wine Tasting Passport $25 - 5:00 PM -8:00PM 

Take a walk around the Sonoma Plaza where many Tasting Rooms will be staying open late and offering specials to our Gay
Wine Weekend Guests

Wine & Dine OUT in Sonoma – Winemakers’ Dinners  $95 - 7:30 PM – Lasseter Family Winery and El Dorado
Kitchen; La Crema and The Girl & The Fig; Sebastiani Vineyards and Meritage Martini Oyster Bar & Grille; Peju Province Winery and Saddles Steakhouse and Enkidu Wines and The Epicurean Connection.

Saturday, June 15th
Winery Tours & Lunch $85 - $99- 10AM - 3PM
Tours to some of the best producers in Sonoma and Napa Valleys with the girl & the fig CATERS! box lunches.

Twilight T-Dance - Atwood Ranch, Glen Ellen, CA VIP Reception and T-Dance $150 - 5:00PM – 10:30PM
General Admission T-Dance $80 7:00PM - 10:30PM
 "Après-T" After Party $20 – El Dorado Hotel 11:00PM

Sunday, June 16th
Gay wine auction and recovery brunch - $50 11:00AM
100% of the monies raised benefit Face to Face, Sonoma County AIDS Network
Sunday Pool Soirée - $20 2:30PM - 6:00PM – El Dorado Hotel

Full details and ticket information:

http://www.outinthevineyard.com/events/gaywineweekend2012/

About Out In The Vineyard
Out In The Vineyard is an experiential Wine Country Event and Travel company promoting positive LGBT lifestyles and offering
exclusive, luxury itineraries and events in Wine Country for the discriminating gay traveler and their friends.

www.outinthevineyard.com 

www.facebook.com/outinthevineyard

The Palm Springs You Don't See
By David Perry, Contributing Writer
Originally and exclusively published in Connextions Magazine, Issue 10.

We all know about the White Party and that it’s the go-to backdrop for a skin flick, but aside from parties and porn, what is there to do in Palm Springs?  When I asked that question, I got a lot of blank looks. I wasn’t alone in my preconception of Palm Springs being either a well-tanned/-toned bacchanalia depot or a…um…well, actually, that was it. 

Stepping off the plane into the radiant Sonora Desert sun, I saw right away where the "well-tanned" part came from: This town gets nothing but blue skies 300 days out of the year (it was four days before I saw a cloud).  As I explored, what struck me was a city so infamous in the gay mind could actually be…normal. 

To a point. The city’s loving preservation of Mid-Century Modern architecture, and contemporary interpretations of such, gives Palm Springs a retro-future vibe — one part Mad Men, one part Jetsons. Part of a string of towns studding the Coachella Valley, "PS" really did start out as a bacchanalia depot, coming into existence as a trysting place for Golden Age Hollywood, and welcomed a galaxy of stars escaping Los Angeles’s prying eyes.  With LA two hours away, show biz is never far away in the Palm Springs mindset; sometimes it even towers over you, like the 26-ft. "Forever Marilyn" statue of Norma Jeane herself in all her Seven-Year Itch swooshiness (Marilyn Monroe was in fact discovered here, at Charlie Farrell’s Racquet Club). 

Although several reputable chain hotels are available, I opted for one of the 28 LGBT boutique hotels, and they run the style gamut, from the homey Tortola del Sol to the almost beachy Escape. I checked into the INNdulge (don’t you just love it?). But before you pack, know this: Of those 28 hotels, 26, the INNdulge included, revel in the fact they are "clothing-optional." If you have the idea
that a gay, clothing-optional hotel is a seething hotbed of voluptuous cruising, let’s just dispel the myth — OF COURSE a gay, clothing-optional hotel is a seething hotbed of voluptuous cruising.