AAP – FOOD SAMARITANS ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF MICHAEL CHILDERS’ HOLLYWOOD DINE AND DISH
The sauciest airing of dirty laundry you never knew you needed
PALM SPRINGS, CA – July 31, 2025 – AAP – Food Samaritans is thrilled to announce the return of one of Palm Springs’ most talked-about events: Hollywood Dine and Dish IV: Tinsel Town Tales Too Hot to Print. The star-studded evening will take place at 6 PM on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at a private estate in Palm Springs.
Presented by legendary producer and acclaimed celebrity photographer Michael Childers, this exclusive benefit blends fine dining, laughter, and scandalous storytelling to raise critical funds for AAP’s food voucher program, which supports low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses.
The lineup is as dazzling as ever, featuring drag icon and performer Coco Peru, beloved TV star and comedian Caroline Rhea, and six-time Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch. And, of course, Childers himself will be serving up juicy behind-the-scenes tales from the golden age of Hollywood — stories so spicy even TMZ wouldn’t dare air them.
“When Michael first created this event for us in 2013, we were overwhelmed by the response,” said Mark Anton, Executive Director of AAP – Food Samaritans. “Since then, audiences have been dazzled by Jackie Collins, Judy Tenuta, Ruta Lee, Sharon McNight, and the incomparable Bruce Vilanch. This year promises to be even more outrageous, salacious, and hilarious.”
Guests will enjoy premium cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, and a gourmet dinner with a dash of old-school Hollywood magic. It’s a rare chance to experience a night of celebrity dish, comic confessionals, and high-voltage glam in an intimate setting.
Now celebrating 34 years of community service, AAP – Food Samaritans continues to provide essential nutritional support to some of the Coachella Valley’s most vulnerable residents.
“This is more than a night of laughs,” Anton added. “It’s a fabulous fundraiser that directly helps people live healthier lives with dignity and respect. And it’s one of the best parties you’ll attend all year.” Event sponsors include Tom Gleeson State Farm and Scott Histed Architectural Properties.
Tickets are $500 per person or $750 per couple. Space is limited and this event always sells out. The venue address will be provided upon RSVP.
For tickets or more information, please CLICK HERE or call 760-325-8481.
About the stars:
MICHAEL CHILDERS
Michael Childers was a founding photographer for Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. After graduating from UCLA, Michael photographed more than 200 magazine covers including GQ, New York, Esquire, and English and Italian Vogue. Michael created 150+ album covers and film posters and won two Art Direction Awards for the movie posters for Terminator and Siesta. The Palm Springs Art Museum presented a forty-year retrospective of Michael’s work, Icons and Legends in 2003. In 2006 La Dolce Vita: The Photography of Michael Childers was exhibited by the LA Film Festival. Michael has been producing live theater shows for the last 30 years including 18 years of the hit sold out show, One Night Only, here in the Coachella Valley. Michael’s work may currently be seen at the Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery in Palm Desert, California
BRUCE VILANCH
Bruce Vilanch jumped at the opportunity to come to Palm Springs and visit all the people he used to be able to walk to visit in L.A., provided he could get past their security codes and killer wolfhounds. And that last part hasn't changed. You may know him from his years as a Hollywood square, just to the left of Whoopi, if that's possible, or from the 25 Oscar shows he co-wrote, winning Emmys for a pair of them, or from starring on Broadway as a singing, dancing Baltimore housewife in HAIRSPRAY, or from his headshot that hangs just outside the men's room at Sherman’s Deli. Seriously… art imitates life. Come dish with us. You'll have fun.
CAROLINE RHEA
Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role as "Hilda Spellman” from the hit series Sabrina the Teenage Witch and her numerous comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central and Showtime. She voices the Mom, “Linda Flynn Fletcher” on Disney’s hit series, Phineas and Ferb. She has starred in many films including Hallmark’s A Mrs. Miracle Christmas as Mrs. Miracle and most recently she has a recurring role on NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez. She has hosted her own talk show and has been a regular panelist on the game shows Funny You Should Ask, Match Game, Name that Tune, and Hollywood Squares. She performed this year in Scotland at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, and recently filmed her seventh comedy special at the Sydney Opera House. Caroline tours comedy clubs throughout the world and still makes time for hosting and serving as an auctioneer for numerous charities.
COCO PERU
Miss Coco Peru (aka Clinton Leupp) has been a household name in the LGBTQ+ community for 35 years. She began her career as a downtown favorite in NYC’s cabaret world. Since then, she has spread the word of Coco in her numerous award-winning one-person shows across the globe as well as appearances on TV and Film. TV: Dead End- Paranormal Park (Netflix), Will and Grace - Recurring Role (NBC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS), Arrested Development (FOX) and two stand-up comedy specials on LOGO. Film: trick, To Wong Foo… and the cult classic Girls Will Be Girls. With over 17 million views on Youtube, Coco has become a viral sensation on social media. Coco’s long history of passionate activism, unflagging support of the LGBTQ+ community, unhoused youth and fierce dedication to AIDS-related charities earned her the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Board of Directors Award. IG: @misscocoperu