ACE Palm Springs' Desert Gold Weekend 2

 By Laura Medina

All-vinyl, all-women DJ collective Chulita Vinyl Club hit the decks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday poolside.

The Do-Over return their legendary party to the Commune, bringing a roster of always-incredible talent and surprise guests from around the world. Past years have included the likes of Virgil Abloh, Kaytranada, Questlove, A-Trak (Duck Sauce), Ape Drums (Major Lazer), Busy P, Benji B & more.

Los Angeles based analog culture collective In Sheep’s Clothing took over the Amigo Room curating nightly DJs as well as a beverage program inspired by the former In Sheep’s Clothing Hi-fi bar. 

Hip Hop Artist/Rapper, Chief Keef Collaborates a True Religion Collection for True Religion's 20th Anniversary.

 By Laura Medina

Chief Keef, one of hip hop’s most influential artists, has designed an exclusive collection in collaboration with True Religion as part of the brand’s year-long 20 th anniversary celebration. This partnership comes at the height of Chief Keef’s decade-long influence in the music industry and ten years following the release of the 2012 song, “True Religion Fein”. True Religion and Chief Keef have been synonymous since the release with the artist vocalizing his adoration for the aspirational brand, making this collaboration a must for the fans who support both the artist and the True Religion brand.

Keith Farrelle Cozart, better known as his stage name, Chief Keef, is an American rap artist, songwriter, and producer who began his career as a teenager in Chicago. Today, he is credited with popularizing drill music and is considered one of today’s most influential musicians. He records and produces music for his own label, Glo Gang.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to collaborate with True Religion,” Chief Keef said. “I actually wore head-to-toe True Religion to my first show and when this opportunity came about, I jumped on it. Designing clothes is becoming a real passion of mine and the bold colors and fun prints of this collection truly reflect my personality.”

Chief Keef brings “True Religion Fein” to life through bold graphic hearts and skull and bones imagery, across a collection that features a t-shirt, hoodies, joggers, denim jeans and jackets, and beanies. As part of the launch, True Religion and Chief Keef will host a VIP event in Los Angeles. The collection will launch on Truereligion.com on May 5, as well as at select UK retailers, including Brown’s, Farfetch, and Brother 2 Brother.

“Our collaborations are a result of authentic partnerships. And when you think of True Religion you think of Chief Keef, because the brand and the artist have become synonymous,” said Zihaad Wells, SVP, Creative Director for True Religion. “Chief Keef is such an icon and has been one of the biggest supporters of the brand for the last decade. The idea that he would design a collection for us following the 10 year anniversary of ‘True Religion Fein’, and to have it coincide with our 20 th anniversary, was just too perfect an opportunity to pass up.”

True Religion, an iconic premium streetwear apparel brand founded in 2002, became famous for its signature stitch and a combination of design techniques that dramatically changed the silhouette of the typical 5-pocket jean, making the brand particularly recognizable in the early aughts. Today, True Religion continues to inspire newness with bold embellishments, innovative designs, and creative partnerships like theirs with Chief Keef. The brand has fully positioned itself in the streetwear community by partnering with brands like Supreme, but it’s the collaborations with emerging designers and artists such as Madeline Kraemer, Elijah Popo, and Bluboy that allows the brand to flex its diversity in creative processes such as upcycling and repurposing. Additionally, True Religion has begun to partner with aspiring creatives to produce and direct shoots—granting opportunities to rising talent all over the world.

"The Gracias" Creator, Jeff Valdez Threw an Open House at His House, Celebrating It Being on HBO Max, Like Family.

 By Laura Medina

There isn't anything like knowing you made it when you managed to have HBO Max throw you a premiere party at your own house in Beverly Hills 90210.

Yep, you heard right!

Jeff Valdez, the man behind "The Brothers Garcia" and now, "The Garcias" threw a second premiere at his own home, up in Beverly Hills 90210.

It felt like family because over twenty years since "The Brothers Garcia," the cast and crew reunited for "The Garcias," they morphed into a second family for Jeff.

For this scribe, it was an honor and a perk to be invited into his home, to watch Episodes 1 to 5, sitting on his couch and in his outdoor fireplace lounge in his backyard.

Because with Jeff Valdez, it's all about family.

Accompanying Coachella side concerts, Rolling Stone Live presented by Meta's Poolside Concert & Desert Gold Concert Festival at Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs, Bring Back Music Festival Season.

 By Laura Medina

Real Spring has sprung back!

Coachella Arts, Culture, and yes, the Music Festival returns Easter holiday back to its Spring Awakening/Renewal fertility maypole roots.

Especially with people emerging out of that dark COVID-19 cocoon, people are ready to celebrate sunlight, brightness, and sound while soaking up all-natural Vitamin D.

If you're bummed that you were too late to the party or haven't saved up enough for official Coachella tickets, no fear.

Those in the know, know they're lucky enough to soak up the sun and fun while catching fresh, emerging music acts and talents at these exclusive brand parties, supplies guests with desert/poolside gear.

Rolling Stone, who has been the leading voice of music and popular culture for over 50 years, returns to ARRIVE Palm Springs for its third annual weekend-long festival experience headlined by its pool party concert featuring live performances by Grace McKagan, BLXST and Carwash, DJ performances by James Hype and perennial festival headliner Gryffin. 

  

Rolling Stone will once again partner with Meta to bring its successful Creator House platform to the desert valley. The brands will develop unique and engaging experiences for attendees to explore the products and tools that support creators' storytelling ambitions - including Reels, Meta Quest 2 VR headsets and Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses.

Chilling poolside is a great way to discover acts and talents so fresh, they have yet to hit Coachella.

Guns n' Roses' Duff McKagan's daughter rose up then rocked the poolside stage.

Leon Bridges dropped by Ace Hotel's Desert Gold.

After a two-year hiatus, Desert Gold at Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs, returns for its 13th edition during the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival weekends with an array of programming to bliss the body and muse the mind, including live performances by Sudan Archives and Esty; resident DJs Pangea Sound and Chulita Vinyl Club; a Future Classic night and with Desert Gold mainstay The Do-Over returning for their annual Sunday throwdowns. Los Angeles based Analog Culture Collective In Sheep’s Clothing will take over The Amigo Room at the hotel, curating nightly DJs as well as a beverage program inspired by the former In Sheep’s Clothing hi-fi bar. Ace Hotel & Swim Club will also unveil its new, large-scale mural on the Commune wall from artist Kris Chau. 

Global dance music collective and party-makers Pangea Sound anchor weekend one as resident DJs, with daytime poolside sets Friday through Sunday. Saturday’s Pangea Sound kickback will be hosted by Tribe and EngineEars, before ceding to Los Angeles-based Sudan Archives for her headlining set. 

Pangea Sound is an authentic, highly-acclaimed collective and experiential event series founded on the passion to bring music cultures together. Fusing fresh sounds from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, USA and everywhere in between, Pangea Sound is bridging the gap and creating an all-inclusive environment — this is The Global Sound.

Sudan Archives contains multitudes. She first emerged as an avant-garde violinist who channeled her playing through loop pedals. But she’s also much more than that: a lovelorn songwriter, powerful vocal performer and experimental beatmaker. She’s captivated audiences at festivals around the world with her hybrid sound, playing at Coachella, Pitchfork Midwinter and FORM: Arcosanti, and sharing stages with St. Vincent, Ibeyi and Michael Kiwanuka while touring her trailblazing EPs ​Sudan Archives​ (2017) and​ Sink​ (2018). Sudan’s many identities truly coalesce in her debut album, ​Athena (2019)​: a psychedelic, magnetic take on modern R&B that’s unlike anything else you’ve heard.

Again, if you're bummed out you missed Coachella, don't.

The key to enjoy Coachella Weekends is to book a hotel that throws its own concerts so fresh music can be discovered by you all.  A win-win situation.

Sunday sees The Do-Over return their legendary party to the Commune, bringing a roster of always-incredible talent and surprise guests from around the world. Past years have included the likes of Virgil Abloh, Kaytranada, Questlove, A-Trak (Duck Sauce), Ape Drums (Major Lazer), Busy P, Benji B & more.

The second weekend of programming kicks off Thursday night, April 21 with record label Future Classic throwing a party in the Amigo Room. All-vinyl, all-genre, all-women DJ collective Chulita Vinyl Club will hit the decks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday poolside. Saturday’s headlining performance comes from Los Angeles-based Esty, whose Estyland EP came out in February 2022. The Do-Over will rejoin to close out the proceedings on Sunday. 

From Friday through Sunday across both weekends, the hotel is pleased to welcome In Sheep’s Clothing to The Amigo Room. The ISC crew will take over the space, programming a rotating roster of DJs and contributing a drinks menu featuring cocktails from their beloved hi-fi bar in Los Angeles. 

Levi’s® and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with Hydration by Liquid I.V.

 By Laura Medina

Neon Carnival made its triumphant return and descended upon the desert night sky to illuminate once again on Saturday, April 16. The coveted after-party celebrated its 11-year anniversary exclusively on weekend one of the highly-anticipated desert festival. With continued involvement from the biggest names in entertainment and consumer lifestyle, including the return of iconic denim brand Levi's®, back to headline the event alongside Mexico’s original luxury tequila, Tequila Don Julio. This year’s exclusive invite-only fête welcomed new brand additions, including Liquid I.V., DIRECTV, Monster Energy, new Smirnoff Neon Lemonades and PathWater to the festivities. 

• Leonardo DiCaprio hasn’t missed The Levi’s® and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with hydration by Liquid I.V since the party’s “inception.” He arrived rocking a Kansas City Chiefs hat and hung out with friends who all enjoyed Tequila Don Julio 1942. 
• Megan Thee Stallion caught everyone’s attention when she arrived in a full pink outfit and made her way to her VIP table at The Levi’s® and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with hydration by Liquid I.V. where she celebrated her first Coachella performance earlier in the night.
• Lili Reinhart, Vanessa Morgan, and Camila Mendes settled into their VIP table near the famous Ferris Wheel at The Levi’s® and Tequila Don Julio Present Neon Carnival with hydration by Liquid I.V., where they sipped on Tequila Don Julio 1942 and danced around the risers with their entourage including Zoey Deutch.

 

And for the first time this year, Neon Carnival went digital with two exciting opportunities. Levi’s® and Neon Carnival regular, Paris Hilton, hosted the Neon Carnival experience in the metaverse in “Paris World” on Roblox. To celebrate the much-anticipated return of Neon Carnival as well as Tequila Don Julio’s sixth consecutive year as a sponsor of the most coveted after-party, artist and photographer Jose Silva, who has been capturing all the action over the years, has compiled some of his most epic photos into an exclusive NFT.

The six limited edition NFT’s gave holders a glimpse into the hottest event of the season with Tequila Don Julio and unlocked tickets to this year’s Neon Carnival which is otherwise invite-only. Returning to its permanent home located at the Desert International Horse Park, the sprawling equestrian center welcomed back festivalgoers to its all-grass knoll spanning three football fields, featuring carnival-style games and exhilarating amusement park thrills. No strangers to Neon Carnival, world-renowned DJs Ruckus and Kayper, returned to the scene to keep the party going late into the night along with newcomer Mel DeBarge, reining from New York City. Conceptualized by LA’s original nightlife maven, Brent Bolthouse, and produced by Best Events, the duo has created the unrivaled outdoor dance party that is widely recognized as one of the most sought-after parties on the planet, attracting the entertainment industry’s elite year after year. 

 

Levi’s®, the brand that revolutionized American fashion with their iconic 501® blue jean, returned for their fourth consecutive year as a co-presenting sponsor, and lighted up the sky with their Levi’s® branded Ferris Wheel. Co-presenting sponsor, Tequila Don Julio, returned for their sixth consecutive year as well, serving up craft cocktails from the Airstream Speakeasy and celebrated with Don Julio 1942 bottle service in VIP. Wristband pick-up was orchestrated by Liquid I.V. who also kicked off their on-site Neon Carnival presence with a fully branded bumper car installation emblazoned with neon signs and a steady supply of their exclusive festival-flavored Hydration Multiplier. In addition, DIRECTV, offering the best of live TV and On Demand on all your favorite screens, transported partygoers to new dimensions and took over the VIP tent.  

 

Neon Carnival was created by Brent Bolthouse and continues annually during music's biggest festival weekend. For more information, please visit http://neon-carnival.com. 

 

Coachella, Stagecoach, Neon Carnival & Music Festival Season are Back!!!

 By Laura Medina

LA’s original nightlife maven Brent Bolthouse has just announced that Neon Carnival will make its triumphant return and descend upon the desert night sky to illuminate once again on Saturday, April 16. This year’s exclusive invite-only party will be presented by iconic denim brand Levi's®, back to headline the event alongside Mexico’s original luxury tequila, Tequila Don Julio. This year’s celebration welcomes new brand additions, including Liquid I.V., DIRECTV, Monster Energy, new Smirnoff Neon Lemonades and PathWater to the festivities.

Neon Carnival will make its triumphant return and descend upon the desert night sky to illuminate once again on Saturday, April 16. The coveted after-party is back to celebrate its 11-year anniversary exclusively on weekend one of the highly-anticipated desert festival. With continued involvement from the biggest names in entertainment and consumer lifestyle, including the return of iconic denim brand Levi's®, back to headline the event alongside Mexico’s original luxury tequila, Tequila Don Julio. This year’s exclusive invite-only fête welcomes new brand additions, including Liquid I.V., DIRECTV, Monster Energy, new Smirnoff Neon Lemonades and PathWater to the festivities.

 

And for the first time this year, Neon Carnival is also going digital with two exciting opportunities. Levi’s® and Neon Carnival regular, Paris Hilton, will host the Neon Carnival

experience in the metaverse in “Paris World” on Roblox. Additionally, our longtime partner Tequila Don Julio is getting in on the digital action with a unique update that will drop the week before the party (and might even get you a ticket in), so be sure to stay tuned!

 

Returning to its permanent home located at the Desert International Horse Park, the sprawling equestrian center welcomes back festival-goers to its all grass knoll spanning three football fields, featuring carnival-style games and exhilarating amusement park thrills. No strangers to Neon Carnival, world-renowned DJs Ruckus and Kayper, return to the scene to keep the party going late into the night along with newcomer Mel DeBarge, reining from New York City and a staple in the international party arena.  

 

Conceptualized by LA’s original nightlife maven, Brent Bolthouse, and produced by Best Events, the duo has created the unrivaled outdoor dance party that is widely recognized as one of the most sought-after parties on the planet, attracting the entertainment industry’s elite year after year.

 

“We can’t wait to return back to the desert and celebrate our 11-year anniversary of Neon Carnival. It's been a long two years and we are excited to catch up with some old friends and meet new ones,” said Brent Bolthouse. “ We’ve added international party scene Mel DeBarge along with Kayper and DJ Ruckus to round out the evening and keep partygoers dancing all night long.” 

 

Levi’s®, the brand that revolutionized American fashion with their iconic 501® blue jean, returns for their fourth consecutive year as a co-presenting sponsor, and will light up the sky with their Levi’s® branded Ferris Wheel. Co-presenting sponsor, Tequila Don Julio, is back for their sixth consecutive year as well, serving up craft cocktails from the Airstream Speakeasy and celebrating with Don Julio 1942 bottle service in VIP. Wristband pick-up will be hosted by Liquid I.V. while also kicking off their on-site Neon Carnival presence with a fully branded bumper car installation emblazoned with neon signs and a steady supply of their exclusive festival-flavored Hydration Multiplier. In addition, DIRECTV, offering the best of live TV and On Demand on all your favorite screens, will transport partygoers to new dimensions and take over the VIP tent. 

Lucien Laviscount Just Found Out He's Back as "Alfie" for Third Season of "Emily in Paris," at PaleyFest.

 By Laura Medina

You all readers should had seen Lucien Laviscount's face when Darren Star broke the news that Lucien will be returning as a prominent character for the upcoming third season of "Emily in Paris" during PaleyFest, promoted from recurring character to series regular.

PaleyFest audiences were furthered treated when Lucas Bravo is nothing like his character, Gabriel.

Lucas objectively explained that Gabriel's and Camille's relationship is constantly drifting apart and that they always split apart as soon they make up then get back together.

Creator, Darren Star explains that Gabriel's and Camille's on-and-off relationship was created to add spark to the series while explaining in real life, there are couples that need to separate to have space and air in order to gain energy to come back together.

Since the show celebrates French culture, we have to talk about the clothes.

Out of all the adorable Emily wardrobe, Lilly said it was the ruffled red dress that best expresses Emily adjusting to French culture, a fashion show at Versailles.  That one moment, that one chance to go all out.

For Ashley, her half-Femme gown/half-tuxedo drag out that was her character's turning-point outfit.  Pat Fields got the outfit costumed made by The Blondie then suggest Ashley wears a half-mustache on the tuxedo side, the first episode of Season 2, "Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi?"  Now, that's pure couture.

David Lynch's "Inland Empire" Remastered with his "Rabbits."

 By Laura Medina

For y'all David Lynch fans, here's a great way to spend a whole afternoon or a whole late night, his "Inland Empire" is back, remastered with his horror shorts, "Rabbits" is glued as dream sequences.

This mega package is about an established actress making a comeback, who ends getting lost in character.

When this was first made then released fifteen, this was Terry Crew's dramatic debut.

Get lost with David Lynch.

Nickelodeon's "The Brothers Garcia" Have Grown Up Into HBO Max's "The Garcias" with Families of Their Own."

 By Laura Medina

Nickedodeon's "The Brothers Garcia" one of the first English-speaking Hispanic cast and sitcom specifically aimed at English-speaking Latin audience in the early 2000's, is returning April 14th on HBO Max, with Hispanic and blended ethnicity Millennial families of their own, as the multi-generational "The Garcias," The Garcias | HBO Max Originals

The teen and tween children of "The Brothers Garcia," has grown into Millennial family men and women, heading their own families, running their own app companies and searching for more app ideas and opportunities as they struggle to hold onto their Hispanic heritage as All-Americans as they and America develop and evolve together into what it means to be Latin and American as they blend traditions and culture with their own blended families.

As George Garcia (Bobby Gonzalez) questions if he's "Mexican" enough as a Mexican-American, his younger brother, Carlos Garcia (Jeffrey Licon) is trying to forge new ways of family traditions with his Korean-American wife, Yunjin Huh Garcia (Elsha Kim) and their Mexican-Korean American children as his mom, Sonia Garcia (Ada Maris) is struggling to adapt her traditional Mexican Catholic traditions to her daughter-in-law's spiritualism as these two ladies fight in how to raise the two Mexican-Korean/Hispanic-Asian American daughters.  This is the absolute reflection of America now, a blending of the two most prominent and rising demographics in America, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans growing and blending together, that is uniquely and realistically All-American.

All this happens during a summer family vacation in a spacious vacation house in the Mexican Riviera, while the only Garcia girl, Lorena Garcia (Vaneza Pitynski) is a busy and racially and sexually harassed local tv weather reporter, who's forced to send her son away to his brothers' families and cousins in order for him to have a vacation.  While Carlos discovered new business opportunities with the snotty All-Mexican preppies next door, big brother George is slighted by the Mexican preppies and his Mexican wife, as a Mexican-"American," George feels he's not "Mexican" enough.  This existential identity crisis is a wide-ranging and wide-spreading identity-crisis that the majority of first-generations are experiencing right now.

"The Garcias" tackled these deep issues with humor.

Wait until the last and final biting tenth episode, "George's Nightmare," where George grasping and wrestling with cultural and ethnic-identity questioning accumulated into a nightmare seriously tackling derogatory Mexican stereotypes.  His nightmare about what it means to Hispanic, mocks these insulting stereotypes.  But according to the creator and producer and director, Jeff Valdez, these derogatory stereotypes are still so sharp. that it hurt one of the actors that made her cry during rehearsals and during breaks.  However, this harmful issue still needs to be tackled, so people anywhere on the Hispanic/Latin spectrum, can be reassured that they're not alone in identity-tackling while breaking then progressing beyond stereotypes that been holding all sorts of people back.

HBO Max's "The Garcias" is an All-American show.

John Legend's Concert by Ashley Furniture & Pandora, "ASHLEY x PANDORA PRESENT HOME ON TOUR'

 By Laura Medina

John Legend's Pandora concert celebrates home with Ashley Homes.

Since John and Chrissy Tiegen are all about home, with Ashley Furniture's help, Ashley gave away home swag to make your home more chic.

Free stations of succulent plant swag but the cocktail infuser kits swags and the diffuser kits were just as popular as John Legend...

At the Diffuser Kit swag table, lucky guests to a free John Legend concert were equally lucky in crafting their own free, personalized diffuser, picking from five different fragrances with a coconut oil base with their pick of five different diffuser jars and two colors of lids; that they can mix with beige and black reeds.

John Legend, Ashley Furniture, and Pandora are all about bringing it home, while improving it with a succulent plant, while chilling over your customized diffuser and your own home-made cocktail or mocktail.

Blowfish Malibu Shoe's Blow Out for Their 4Earth collection for Spring-Summer 2022.

 By Laura Medina

Blowfish Malibu team celebrated the launch of our 4Earth collection for SS22 at a new hot-spot in Hollywood, Grandmaster Recorders. Friends, editors, and many more gathered to check out the new line, snag a new pair of shoes for themselves and enjoy drinks and bites on a rooftop under the iconic Hollywood sign. To learn more about the 4Earth project, you can do so HERE. Fun fact: every pair of shoes in this collection has an upper made up of recycled plastic bottles and for every pair sold, $1 is donated to the non-profit Oceana.

TIFFANY HADDISH SURPRISES HER BEST FRIEND WITH A DAZZLING MAIN FLOOR MAKEOVER IN APRIL 18 EPISODE OF HGTV’S ‘CELEBRITY IOU’

 By Laura Medina

 Tiffany Haddish, the Emmy® Award, GRAMMY Award® and BET Award winning comedian, actress, producer and author, will give her best friend of 20 years a special home renovation in the Monday, April 18 season premiere of HGTV’s Celebrity IOU. Airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and also available to stream on discovery+, the episode will spotlight Selena, who is like a sister to Tiffany and has been a lifeline for her through the highest and lowest points of her life. Working with real estate and renovation experts Drew and Jonathan Scott, Tiffany will surprise Selena with a breathtaking update to her kitchen, living area and guest bathroom.

“This is my best friend and someone that I care about tremendously,” said Tiffany. “I love how we take care of each other and this is my way of taking care of her.”

Selena’s dated home has some character, but with two children and multiple pets, she needs major upgrades to increase its durability, functionality and style. Arriving armed with big design ideas to elevate Selena’s spaces, Tiffany will swing a sledgehammer to knock out cabinets, help tile the new bathroom floor and hand pick modern finishes for the renovation.

“My friend deserves the best,” added Tiffany. “She sacrifices for so many people and she does such awesome things for others. I feel like this is the least I could do for her.”

Celebrity IOU spotlights Hollywood A-listers who wield sledgehammers and pick up power tools to help an extraordinary person in their lives get the renovation they need. The series features Drew and Jonathan and their celebrity friends as they inspire, entertain and bring fans to happy tears with deeply personal stories of gratitude. Working together with the Brothers, the celebs get their hands dirty to surprise their deserving friends and mentors with the stunning home overhauls. Celebrity IOU is produced by Scott Brothers Entertainment, with Drew and Jonathan as executive producers.

Fans are invited to visit HGTV’s digital platforms for additional fresh content from the new season of Celebrity IOU. Fans can connect with the series at HGTV.com/Celebrity-IOU and by following @HGTV and #CelebIOU on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram for extra show content and updates. Drew and Jonathan also will share more from the new episodes on their social channels at @mrdrewscott (Instagram, Twitter) and @jonathanscott (Instagram, Twitter). In addition, viewers can watch the episodes on HGTV GO the same day and time as the TV premieres—Mondays at 9 p.m.