Oscar's Palm Springs drag show marks ten years of fun and community service

Oscar's is a fun gig for both full-house audiences and performers, who rake in tips and work hard for them. The "Bitchiest Brunch" features emcee Anita Rose, whose delightful banter always packs the house.

OSCAR'S HIGHLIGHTS: DRAG, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, FRIVOLITY, SLY HUMOR, A HIT WITH SELL-OUT CROWDS

 

Editor's Note

This story was updated July 17, 2026

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

The Carpe Diem Kids"

Oscar's in downtown Palm Springs, is at the heart

Anita Rose, emcee at Oscar's popular drag shows, wears a huge blonde wig and poses with a smiling Cookie during intermission at the popular Sunday Bitchiest Brunch" shows in Palm Springs.

of this interesting and diverse city, a mecca for the rich and famous, a place for sun, golf and R&R, and a well known gay and trans-friendly town.

Oscar's producer, owner and entrepreneur Dan Gore took over the enterprise in 2016 and has become a popular figure in town, a generous humanitarian staging benefits for food banks and other charities, and sometimes dressing in his own drag and whizzing onto the stage on a zip line for the popular "Bitchiest Brunch" performances on Sunday.

Popular emcee since the brunch's beginning in Palm Springs is Anita Rose, who came to town because of Oscar's long, proud history as a gay friendly village.  In the 1970s and 1980s during the AIDS crisis, Palm Springs welcomed gay men to seek refuge. Hundreds of people were treated at its medical centers where living costs and medical care were more accessible and cheaper than in New York  or San Francisco.

Miss Bee Hiven takes a few green kudos from happy fans

When the dancers' bosoms are full, the tip overflow goes into a money box carried by a rover.

THUS, THRU THE YEARS, the city developed a strong reputation as an LGBT-friendly destination.

The greenbacks roll in during a performance, as dancers and agile gymnasts shake, rattle, roll, do splits, kicks, spins and turns for tips. Here Luna Lafierce collects gratuities while dancing with guests and miming all the time.

Today, the Palm Springs area has a flourishing LGBTQ base, and Oscar's celebrates that. We love to visit the venue.  It's lively, friendly and fun.  People smile and laugh. It's an oasis of kindness, acceptance and folks just out to have a good time. Many gay couples choose this desert city for their elderly years. Part of the weekend's proceeds go to the area's LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, which provides a welcoming environment for all members of the community.

Oscar's paves the way for understanding.

John Eltinge was born William Dalton and was a   famous 1920s drag queenplaying in New York and London. He performed for King Edward II.

Dancing with audience members is part of the fun at Oscar's with quick costume and wig changes. Here's Luna Lafierce again with a new hairdo.

Wigs are big, boobies are sometimes pointed, and a good time is had by all, here with Diamond Evvon performing for a sold-out Oscar's house.

 SAYS GORE, "There's a real need for a platform for this caliber of entertainment." Does Oscar's have its detractors?  "Oh, sure," says Gore. "But of the skeptics who come in for a show, 70 per cent leave changed and accepting; 30 per cent just don't get it or buy it." 

Part of the fun at Oscar's is tipping the dancers. Here a bride-to-be offers tips from her dress. Below, Oscar's is aglow for an evening show.

Oscar's Palm Springs Highlights

Oscar's -- named for a favorite dog -- is known for its programming diversity which welcomes both straight and gay audiences for its drag cabaret. Besides funding to the LGBTQ Center, Oscar's is also a generous donor to other Palm Springs activities and organizations.  On Christmas Day, Gore and his staff offer a free holiday meal with all the trimmings.  "Anyone can come and it's always packed," he says.  Other ways Oscar's gives back is through contributions to the local food bank, to Boys and Girls Clubs and other civic enterprises. Plaques of gratitude are framed inside with a wall of Hollywood performers who have visited. "We try to be generous to the community," says Gore, in the spirit of "giving back."

A visit to Palm Springs isn't complete without spending an evening—or a lively Sunday afternoon—at Oscar's. Whether you're enjoying an incredible brunch show, dancing under the desert sky, or catching an intimate performance by a nationally known entertainer, you'll quickly understand why this venue has become a local institution. Dan Gore's vision has helped transform Oscar's into one of the Coachella Valley's premier entertainment destinations while continuing to support the local community through charitable events and partnerships.

If you're looking for an authentic Palm Springs experience with energy, occasional x-rated banter and top performers, Oscar's should be at the top of your itinerary.

Tickets and info:

oscarspalmsprings.com

Cookie and keller with charming Gentoo penguins at Bluff Cover in the Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas to the Argentine people.

UP NEXT:   We're on the penguin trail. From a popular Palm Springs drag show to penguins, we're at the tip of South America photographing those enchanting penguins. Depending on your source, there are either 17 or 18 species of penguins on the planet, 5 of which live in Antarctica. Another 4 species live on sub-Antarctic islands. We saw four species, and observed three up close and personal on a recent trip to the Antarctic. Penguins are charming, resilient and adorable. They were the main reason we traveled thousands of miles, cruising from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to see them and other wildlife.

We hope you'll enjoy our upcoming story, remembering to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a unique spin on travel, nature, performance, family, the arts and more. www.whereiscookie.com