Hotel Zoso, Palm Springs
September 20, 2008

Story and Photos by Pat Krause

The 2nd Annual LaLaPOOLooza 2008 event was held at HOTEL ZOSO in Palm Springs on Saturday night, September 20, 2008. Last years event was so popular that HOTEL ZOSO was forced to repeat the show again this year. The standing room only crowds were not disappointed. Costumed greeters welcomed guests as they arrived. Some very talented singers performed on the Hotel's main floor stage while the guests ate. This years show was a stand out in terms of costumes and talent.

Desert Star GLORIA GREER hosted a "So You Think You Can Swim" contest with former Olympic Gold Medal Diver, GREG LOUGANIS, acting as Judge for the event. PALM SPRINGS MAYOR STEVE POUGNET along with local TV personalities GIL DIAZ of  KESQ3, CHRIS MILLER of  KESQ3, STEVE SCHILL of KMIR 6 vied for the LalaPOOLooza 2008, “So You Think You Can Swim Medal”. Each contestant had a huge rubber torpedo which they had to hold onto while they swam across the Pool. MAYOR POUGNET, showed he was a great sport, as he was “forced” by his friends to take a spontaneous dip in the pool, not once, but twice, before and then after, the contest.

Drag group LES DAMES DU SOLEIL wore some of the most fantastic costumes for this event. Some members of LES DAMES DU SOLEIL wandered thru the crowd, while others greeted guests at the door. A few members of the LES DEMES DU SOLIEL also acted as announcers and announced many of the upcoming acts.

This years pool side musical event, “LAND OF THE LOST" was produced by WESLEY EURE. Local celebrities RUTA LEE and JOEY ENGLISH acted as emcees for some of the performers. Singer-dancer AUSTIN RAY, along with TOMMI ROSE, the Drag group LES DAMES DU SOLEIL, PALMS SPRINGS SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULANCE, Hollywood reporter BILL HARRIS, and many others performed in this very creative show. The singers and dancers wore some of the most creative costumes I have ever seen, they also performed with comedic dialog in various acts. A human carousel was made with huge cutouts of  large figures of fish, birds, etc. The participants walked around the pool while a ballet artist danced. LaLaPOOLettes along with a group of individual swimmers caused the pool to erupt with splashing water with beautiful as well as funny aquatic maneuvers. The CABALLEROS GAY MEN'S CHOIR performed to their usual high standard of excellence. The evening was blessed with an amazing group of dedicated and talented singers and dancers and they clearly made this show a resounding success.

Another first was the special appearance of the cartoon character "H.R. PUFNSTUF," after a 30 year absence, was arranged thanks to SID and MARTY KROFFT from “KROFFT PRODUCTIONS”.

Another highlight in the show was the Hat Parade and Contest. PINKIE MERINGUE SHIMMER, Miss LaLaPOOLooza 2007, was the emcee. Hats on parade were worn by MAGGIE DOWNS of the DESERT SUN, ANNDEE LASKOE of KPSP 2, DIANE GLASSETT of HOTEL ZOSO, Comedian SHAWN CARR, and MARIA SALAZER of GIRLFRIEND FACTOR. In the Hat Contest, contestants RICHARD SKINNER of JUST FABULOUS, JOHN ABNER of KOFFI, ERIC DUHLSTINE of STREETBAR, MELISSA STRATMAN of HAMBURGER MARY'S and ED CATLETT were spectacular. JOHN ABNER of Koffi won the trophy for this years contest wearing a headdress with several tiers of coffee cups. Comedian BRUCE VALANCH along with GREG LOUGANIS made a special appearance at the end of the show ion highly funny comedic skit. The high standards of this show will surely be an indication that there will be a LaLaPOOLooza 2009.

Several businesses vied to be the winner in the decoration of their sky boxes but the prize ultimately went to JACKIE LEE HOUSTON for her Cosmo Tropic sky box, as the most creative.

The proceeds from this years event will go to benefit a number of local charities, including DESERT WOMEN FOR EQUALITY, DESERT PRIDE CENTER, AIDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, DESERT AIDS PROJECT, GAY ASSOCIATED YOUTH, GOLDEN RAINBOW SENIOR CENTER, and SHELTER FROM THE STORM. All very deserving charities here in our Desert.

For more information on LaLaPOOLoza 2008 and 2009, click here.