Mariah Hanson, under her Club Skirts Marquis, created the world famous Dinah Shore Weekend in 1991. Credited as the original founder of The Dinah by leading LGBT press, Mariah originally produced The Dinah at the world-renowned Palm Springs Modern Art Museum. Mariah’s first Dinah was sold out, packing every room of the museum, where partygoers drank martini’s while surrounded by tens of millions of dollars worth of art.   Mariah also booked entire hotels so that they were 100% lesbian occupied, brought in national sponsors, popular national recording artists, and kept all events in walking distance.   The simple but daring concept, of creating a lesbian world within the city, catapulted the Dinah to international fame.  Today, The Dinah is considered the largest lesbian event in the world.

Mariah has received the coveted key to the Palm Springs city, presented by openly out Mayor, Ron Oden in 1998. She has appeared in Out 100 list of influential lesbians, received numerous awards and accolades, including the nationally renowned Athena Award, a Legacy Award by Palm Springs Pride and a Lifetime Achievement award by The Coachella Valley LGBT Community Center. She received an Achievement Award with Lily Tomlin by NCLR in 2015 and has been voted #36 most eligible single lesbian by lesbian.com.

Mariah began her entertainment career in 1988 when she debuted Club Skirts, originally as a Sunday night dance club for San Francisco/Bay Area women. She quickly branched out to a Saturday night dance Club, The Girl Spot, which reached international status, and was open for 15 years!
In 1996, Mariah brought the Dinah concept to Northern California, and The Monterey Women’s festival was born. A mini-Dinah, The Club Skirts Monterey Women’s festival was held for seven years. In 2003, Mariah bought The Cherry Bar in San Francisco and presented a seven day a week lesbian nightclub concept to San Francisco. She sold it in 2006 to focus solely on the Dinah and partnering with girl nightclubs around the country to spread the Dinah word.

Mariah completed two terms on the Board of Equality California, the non-profit organization that was pivotal in winning the marriage equality battle in California. She has served on the “Women’s Night” committee for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Both organizations are past charity recipients of The Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend.

Mariah has always believed in giving back to our community. Past recipients have included The San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Community Center, GLAAD, The Women’s Building, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Jon Sims Center, Ladies Philharmonic, Uhuru Movement, various lesbian film projects, HRC, Lyon Martin Health Clinic, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center, many gay and lesbian politicians, Yes on S, Yes on K, & More! Mariah thinks giving back is important. Do what you can!