‘To Di or not to Di? That, my friends, is the question!’

Yes, ladies, it is that time of year again to decide whether or not you will be packing up your truck and heading out to the mecca of all lesbian events – Dinah Shore Weekend. Billed as “the largest lesbian gathering in the world,” Dinah Shore will take place April 29 through March 2 in Palm Springs. This year’s event includes an array of nonstop parties featuring bikini-clad grrls, fruity drinks, go-go dancers and more. The celebrity entertainment lineup includes performances from The Pussycat Dolls, Margaret Cho, En Vogue, Kathy Najimi and Mo Gaffney, Amber, and June and Bonnie Pointer (formerly of the Pointer Sisters). Dinah Shore has grown in recent years, in both size and popularity, after being featured on Showtime’s lesbian drama, “The L-Word.” And although it was once based primarily around a golf tournament, Dinah Shore is now more of an event at which to get drunk, be seen and get down with your bad-ass self. In a way, it’s sort of “The L-Word” come to life, but with more tattoos and, thankfully, no annoying Jenny character. Many of the local hotels are already sold out, so if you don’t plan on sleeping in your car, you’d best start looking into shelter ASAP!

Still not sure if you want to make the pussy pilgrimage? In talking with a bunch of ladies about Dinah Shore and the pros and cons involved with attending, here are some of the comments I heard. I suggest considering all aspects and then deciding whether you’re willing to drop the cash…

“Dinah Shore? My girlfriend and I go every year. We wouldn’t miss it.” (Pro)

“I would only go if I had a pass to go for free. It’s too expensive! I could easily spend $1,000 on the weekend.” (Con)

“It’s a great place to find a threesome. Everyone’s looking!” (Pro)

“It’s a meat market. Too many body-conscious women in bikinis sizing one another up.” (Con)

“The pool parties are awesome! I’ve never seen so many women together in one place.” (Pro)

“Last year, the lines were too long. Some people with tickets didn’t even get in to certain parties, or had to wait all night.” (Con)

“It’s not a smart place to go with your girlfriend – unless you’re trying to break up with her and can’t!” (Con/Pro)

“It’s a great place to meet your next ex-girlfriend!” (Pro/Con)

“Everyone’s drunk the entire weekend. There’s nothing else to do except focus on alcohol.” (Con)

“It’s a great place to go and bond with your friends. And it’s a great place to feel comfortable and out as a lesbian!” (Pro)

It’s up to you to make the Dinah decision for yourself. But, like I said, if you’re planning on going, get your accommodations prepared ASAP. And a word of caution before you buy your tickets: The two original promoters of Dinah Shore Weekend, Club Skirts and GirlBar, have split, and are offering separate Dinah events this year. Both promoters’ Dinah Shore Web sites are full of hotel and travel information (www.thedinah.com or www.dinahshoreweekend.com), but when you visit the Web sites above, make sure you are buying tickets from the right promoters for the events that you want to go to!

Have fun… and good luck bathing-suit shopping!

The fifth annual Hillcrest Mardi Gras street party is set to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 6:00 p.m., rain or shine! Just roll on over to University Avenue between First and Fourth avenues, and you won’t be able to miss the wild celebration, which will feature live performances from Tootie and the Lips Girls, Candye Kane and Cash’d Out. Hillcrest Mardi Gras is a 21-and-over event, with the $15 admission fee going to the GSDBA Charitable Foundation and the Hillcrest Association. Tickets are currently available at Column One, Express Tax, Hamburger Mary’s and OutMall, so swing by a location near you to pick up your tickets today! Happy Fat Tuesday!

Don’t forget that the Women’s Wellness Fair takes place this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 18, at The Center. The day’s schedule features low- or no-cost mammograms and breast exams, a healthy cooking class, a yoga class, a partner-massage class and more! The festivities begin at 10:00 a.m., but make sure to sign up ahead of time because space is limited. For more information or to sign up for a day of decadent wellness, contact Claudia at The Center at (619) 692-2077 ext. 206.

This weekend also boasts a few exciting musical appearances. Singer-songwriter Lauren DeRose makes her return at Six Degrees on Friday, Feb. 17, at 8:00 p.m. If you haven’t seen Lauren perform before, do not miss this show! Her unique blend of funk, folk and rock is some of the best music in San Diego, and Six Degrees is a great intimate spot to see her rock out. Trust me, you will not be disappointed! Then on Saturday night, Feb. 18, my hip-hop alter-ego MC Flow will be in full effect, performing at the Voices of San Diego Volume II CD release party at Dream Street in Ocean Beach. If you like tongue-twisting feminist hip-hop, then come check me out! The party starts at 8:30 p.m., the lineup is awesome, and the cover is only $5.

Six Degrees is still kickin’ and celebrating its four-year anniversary this month! Congratulations to all the awesome ladies at the Six! Make sure to swing by on Sunday, Feb. 19, for the Staff Wet T-Shirt Contest (my prediction is that L-Train will be the standout winner!) and the Customer Contest as well. A $100 cash prize is on the line, so wear white and show up early to start drinkin’ the nerves away! Also this month, there will be a special Drag King Show on Friday, Feb. 24, so if you like your ladies with a little bit of facial hair, mark those calendars now. As they say at the Six: “Still here! Where you at?” Support you local lesbian watering hole!

Game Girl at Bacchus House is still rocking out with $2 domestic beers and Bacardi cocktails every Friday night! Don’t miss the Girlz Party on Friday, Feb. 17, featuring a special Latina Drag Kings Show at 10:00 p.m. Sounds hot to me!

Still looking for that special Ms. Right or even Ms. Right Now? You may want to swing by Bourbon Street on Sunday, March 12, when Lavender Lens magazine will be the host of the Speed Dating Party and Kissing Contest! Speed dating is a great way to meet a whole bunch of women without the stress of going on a million awkward and expensive first dates. Sign-up begins at 3:30 p.m. on the March 12 – what have you got to lose? Only your identity as the hottest single girl in town.

And last but certainly not least, don’t forget that there is now a downtown girl-friendly party, Play Girl, at Club Rouge. Play Girl takes place every second and fourth Saturday of the month, and aims to bring together all the ladies – lesbian, straight and bisexual! Shot girls, go-go dancers, drink specials, VIP areas and bottle service are available all night. And if you’re coming from Hillcrest, a free limo shuttle service takes off from Hamburger Mary’s at 9:00 p.m. Swing by on Saturday, Feb. 25, to check out the action for yourself!

Comments? Questions? Events you want me to write about? Just e-mail editor@uptownpub.com. Take care and see you next month!