It is a week of social and cultural events that opens with a much anticipated exhibit of women artists at the Barba Gallery in Palm Springs. The June L. Mazer Archives will display a series of photographs from its vast collection of lesbian memorabilia throughout the week at the Palm Springs Women’s Center. There is a food and wine tasting featuring celebrity chef, LaTanya McCutchin, the winner of season 13 of Hell’s Kitchen and a tribute to the Blues at Oscar’s nightclub with The Queen of Texas Blues, Sherry Pruitt and her all female blues band.

PS Women’s Week is anchored by the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival and the L-Fund Charitable Golf Tournament at Mission Hills, two events that draw large numbers of Lesbians to Palm Springs each year. The Jazz Festival opens up with its pre-jazz party on Thursday night, poolside on the roof of the Rowan Hotel. On Friday and Saturday concerts at the Indian Wells Theater in Palm Desert will feature the smooth-jazz sensation, Maysa, along with the popular all-female band Jazz in Pink and from The Voice and the Prince band, the soulful Judith Hill.

According to the executive producer, Gail Christian, what makes this event different is from the usual LGBTQ parties is “while there are plenty of opportunities to drink and dance there are just as many times to reflect on serious issues that concern women. For instance, there is the Body and Soul Experience, a day-long conference on women’s health and a POWER gathering to discuss politics.”

Barbara Carpenter, the Executive Director of the L-Fund, which provides emergency assistance and education grants to Lesbians, went on to say, “another factor that sets this event apart from others is that it is sponsored by the Lesbian community with more than a dozen organizations and a hundred women contributing their time and money to making this a success.”

The L-Fund golf tournament will host 150 female golfers on Saturday, October 5 at Mission Hills Country Club. Spectators are welcome to attend.

The full schedule of events and activities is available at palmspringswomensweek.com