At most alternative publications, the “Best Of” is the biggest issue of the year. Advertising reps and readers tend to love “Best Of”; editors tend to loathe it.
Well, we’ve just brought you our second annual Best of Coachella Valley—and while I am indeed an editor, I don’t loathe this issue at all. In fact, it was a lot of fun to put together.
Of course, most alt-paper “Best Of” issues are much bigger and more complex than the Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016. That’s not to say there isn’t some heft and complexity; we do have more than 115 readers’ choice categories, as well as a half-dozen staff picks, and an excellent feature on The Flusters, the group voted Best Local Band. But compared to, say, LA Weekly’s Best of L.A., this “Best Of” is tiny. But it’s bigger than last year’s Best of Coachella Valley. Next year’s will probably be even bigger. Such is life at a (thankfully) growing, 3-year-old alternative publication.
While I can (and do) quibble with some of the readers’ choice results, I am quite pleased overall. A LOT of readers voted this year; thank you for that. This year’s winners are more geographically diverse, too; there are more eastern-valley businesses taking home awards.
Anyway, I’ve done enough babbling about the “Best Of.” Let’s talk about a party instead—and celebrate the winners of the Coachella Valley Independent’s Best of Coachella Valley 2015-2016!
Join us at Bart Lounge—the winner of Best Nightclub and Best Bar Ambiance in the readers’ poll—at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15. Everybody and anybody (21+) is invited. Admission is free! At 7:15 or so, we’ll kick off our brief awards ceremony. After that, Best Local Band winner The Flusters will take the stage.
Before and after, enjoy the sounds of Best DJ finalists Alex Harrington and Tommy Locust!
Email me if you have any questions. See you there!
Around 8:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 1, Equality California field manager George Zander and his husband, Chris Zander, were leaving Hunters Nightclub on Arenas Road in downtown Palm Springs. They were holding hands when an unidentified male began to shout anti-gay slurs at them. The man then walked away.
When the Zanders reached the corner of South Calle Encilia and East Tahquitz Canyon Way, the man returned with an accomplice and attacked them.
In the resulting scuffle, Chris Zander suffered a concussion, as well as cuts and bruises. George Zander, 71, was knocked to the ground and suffered a broken hip.
On Thursday, Nov. 12, Palm Springs police announced they had arrested Keith Terranova, 35, of Palm Springs. On Dec. 1, police announced they had in custody the second suspect: Christopher James Carr, 30, of Desert Hot Springs. Among other things, the two are charged with committing a hate crime.
The attack hit close to home, for all sorts of reasons, here at the Independent. Editor/publisher Jimmy Boegle is a friend of George, and both Boegle and assistant editor Brian Blueskye play in the same softball league as Chris. We felt the need to do something to help.
With the help of Chill Bar, we assembled a benefit show, hosted by activist and counselor Richard Noble. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Paulina Angel—a good friend of the Zanders—kicked off the event, and was followed by ukulele master Johnny Elsewhere. The Flusters—just voted the Best Local Band by Independent readers—then played a full set. Finally, Haunted Summer also played a full set, wowing the decent-sized crowd.
All of the performers played for nothing or next to nothing; they have my eternal gratitude. Thanks also to everyone who donated raffle prizes, including Desert Rose Playhouse, Dezart Performs, the Desert AIDS Project, Lola’s Signature Touch, Gay Desert Guide, Contempo Lending, Jeffrey Norman and our gracious hosts, Chill Bar and Jacob, Anya and Kevin. (Forgive me, please, if I missed anybody.)
Thanks to donations and raffle proceeds, the show raised $564—a modest but helpful sum. The proceeds were given directly to the Zanders, to assist with their mounting medical bills.
Below are some pictures from our benefit show, by Tommy Locust.
