Arts & Culture, California, Entertainment, North America, Tourism, USA

The Stars Aligned for Palm Springs Pride / John Cameron Mitchell / Hedwig25 / Jurassic Drag

10 November 2026

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A sold-out weekend of performances at the Palm Springs Cultural Center brought together established names in drag and musical theatre for Palm Springs Pride. The combination of John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig 25th Anniversary Tour and the Jurassic Drag variety show drew significant attention, highlighting the city’s ongoing role as a destination for high-profile LGBTQ+ cultural events.

For local audiences and visitors, the events offered both nostalgia and contemporary appeal, reinforcing Palm Springs’ position as a hub for Pride celebrations and live entertainment. With both shows forming part of the official Pride programme, the weekend underlined the collaborative efforts between producers, venues, and local hospitality partners to deliver headline experiences during a key period in the city’s cultural calendar.

Story Ideas

Human interest

The Role of Palm Springs in LGBTQ+ Cultural Celebrations

The recent Palm Springs Pride events, featuring John Cameron Mitchell and Jurassic Drag, highlight the city's significance as a hub for LGBTQ+ cultural events. This raises questions about how Palm Springs continues to attract major LGBTQ+ events and the impact these have on local tourism and community visibility.

Target audience: who would cover this
Story potential: 7/10

Economic impact

Economic Impact of Pride Events on Palm Springs Tourism

The sold-out Palm Springs Pride events featuring prominent acts like John Cameron Mitchell's tour and Jurassic Drag highlight the economic boost such cultural happenings provide to the local hospitality and tourism industries.

Target audience: who would cover this
Story potential: 6/10

Press Release

Los Angeles, CA - November 10, 2026

The stars lit up the Palm Springs Cultural Center this weekend for a Friday night double-show of JURASSIC DRAG on November 6th, and JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL who stopped by with his worldwide HEDWIG 25th ANNIVERSARY TOUR on Saturday, November 7th. These illustrious stars all stayed at the fabulous Dunes Hotel Palm Springs. All three performances across the two nights were sold out.

John Cameron Mitchell, writer, director, and Tony Award-winning star, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his award-winning rock movie musical “HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH,” gifted the audience hats as a nod to his tour, Palm Springs Pride, and the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The event included a stunning 4K screening of the film, followed by a live Q&A, and a special mini-acoustic performance with Mitchell and guitarist Nicholas Perez. Produced by ThisMyShow Presents and presented by Chris Isaacson Presents in association with Palm Springs Cultural Center as part of a Radiant Works Program of Upright Cabaret, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Cloned from 100% authentic drag DNA, JURASSIC DRAG starred the prehistoric Dino-Divas Coco Peru, Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Varla Jean Merman and was hosted by stand-up comedian Roz Hernandez. Jurassic Drag is one-part musical spectacular, one-part old-fashioned variety show — Jurassic specimens impressed with stunning feats of song, dance, and um… comedy. “Dinosaurs DO still roam the earth,” gasped one bewildered RuPaul’s Drag Race fan — and honey, these dinosaurs devoured the stage.

Jurassic Drag is proudly presented by Chris Isaacson Presents in association with Palm Springs Cultural Center as part of a Radiant Works Program of Upright Cabaret, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“It was a symbolic weekend of partnership, talent, and achievement, working with Jurassic Drag, John Cameron Mitchell (HEDWIG), Palm Springs Cultural Center, and The Dunes Hotel to come together to celebrate and honor Palm Springs Pride 2026,” shared producer/presenter Chris Isaacson. Both shows served as official Palm Springs Pride Events.

Notes to editors

About: John Cameron Mitchell

Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus, How to Talk to Girls at Parties), one of alt culture’s boldest creators brings a hair-raising, hilarious romp of songs, stories, and characters to stage! He starred in Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me, directed Tennessee Williams’ Kingdom of Earth Off-Broadway with Cynthia Nixon and Peter Sarsgaard. He directed the films Shortbus (2006), Rabbit Hole (2010) and How to Talk to Girls at Parties, the latter two starring Nicole Kidman. Recent TV roles include Hulu’s Shrill, HBO’s Girls and Vinyl, CBS’s The Good Fight, and Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle. He stars in, co-wrote, and directed the musical podcast series Anthem: Homunculus featuring Cynthia Erivo, Glenn Close, Patti LuPone and more on Luminary.

About: ThisMyShow Presents

THISMYSHOW PRESENTS is a growing global live event and touring company based in New York City founded by award-winning producer Jeremy Wein. ThisMyShow Presents has produced shows for Emmy winners Kevin McDonald (“The Kids in the Hall”) and Jordan Temple, Tony Award winner Lena Hall, Oscar nominee Jena Friedman, Abbi Crutchfield, Rob Haze, Dave Hill, Yassir Lester, MC Chris, Eddie Pepitone, and Giulia Rozzi. Prior tours have included Sandwiches of History: Live! and 25 Years of Mission Hill with Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein.

About: The Dunes Palm Springs Hotel

A Palm Springs landmark reimagined for a new generation, The Dunes Palm Springs brings fresh energy to the city’s iconic midcentury resort culture. Originally built in the 1960s and thoughtfully revived, the property centers on a sun-soaked pool framed by towering palms. Recipient of Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award, The Dunes is more than a place to stay. It captures what has always made Palm Springs irresistible: bold design, warm sunshine, a sense of escape, and the freedom to slow down and have a little fun.

About: The Palm Springs Cultural Center

The Palm Springs Cultural Center incubates, produces, and encourages arts and cultural programs to leverage the unique power of creativity to open minds, bridge what divides us, and discover what connects us. Their programs include film festivals, farmers’ markets, live performances, art installations, and lecture series—all of which function as creative inspiration points—expanding our learning and building meaningful relationships with the people and the environment around us.

The Palm Springs Cultural Center is a vibrant arts, culture, and community engagement hub. This remarkable institution is more than just a venue; it is a beacon of creativity, education, and entertainment for residents and visitors alike.

About: Mariners Companies, Inc.

Mariners Companies is a Newport Beach, California-based investment and hospitality group specializing in owning and developing distinctive hotels, resorts, and RV communities.

About: Chris Isaacson Presents

Chris Isaacson Presents is a West Hollywood production company led by producer Christopher Isaacson, with more than 1,500 produced events across two decades. Recent work includes the TEILZ music video “Potion,” shot at the Van Dyke estate in Malibu and covered by People, and Dick Van Dyke’s 100th Birthday Celebration featuring Jon Batiste, which People also covered. The company has received three Proclamations from the City of West Hollywood and produced the documentary Studio One Forever, now streaming on Apple TV, Amazon and Netflix.

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