Hidden Gems: Meet Bella Barkow of BellaRose Productions, LLC DBA The Dinah

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Barkow.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Arabella (Bella) Barkow is an experienced event producer with a longstanding focus on fostering inclusive, welcoming spaces and experiences for the LGBTQ+ community.

Her career began in Toronto’s late-1990s rave scene, where she discovered a deep appreciation for music, nightlife, and live event production. She went on to refine her skills with a range of Canadian event companies before relocating to Los Angeles, California, in 2012. There, she gained hands-on experience in high-volume venues and pop-up events, developing a practical understanding of audience engagement and large-scale logistics.

Barkow spearheaded speed-dating events for queer persons across Los Angeles while also playing a central role in producing large-scale festivals for the LGBTQIA community. Over her career, she has produced and managed a diverse portfolio of events throughout Southern California including LA Pride, The Dinah Shore Weekend, and the Outloud Festival. Barkow has also served on the Boards of Directors for DTLA Proud and the Off Sunset Festival.

In addition to festival production, Barkow has served as a stage manager for Variety Magazine’s award events twice annually. Her calm, decisive presence backstage has become a hallmark of her work, most memorably when artist Mark Ronson accidentally dropped and shattered his award mid-show. Barkow swiftly ran onstage to collect the pieces and restore the moment, after which presenter Ryan Gosling requested the fragments as a keepsake, an anecdote that has since become emblematic of her professionalism under pressure.

Now, under her newly established BellaRose Productions, co-owned with Rose Garcia, Barkow is guiding the next era of The Dinah after its acquisition, elevating the iconic event as a premier cultural force and community platform within the LGBTQ+ and mainstream festival landscape.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think anyone has smooth sailing on the road to success. In fact, I believe that the most meaningful and enduring ventures are forged in the crucible of adversity. It is the trials and tribulations—the unexpected setbacks, the steep learning curves, and the moments of profound doubt that truly make the journey exciting and the rewards that much greater.

My personal journey has been intrinsically linked to my identity. As a lesbian who came out at the age of 13, I struggled profoundly with acceptance, not just from my immediate family, but also from the broader world around me. I experienced periods of homelessness and even dropped out of high school before I found stability, gained my GED followed by a degree in politics and business in my early 20’s.

Navigating those early years was a constant negotiation between who I was and who I was expected to be. This foundational struggle for visibility and validation, however painful, instilled in me a unique resilience and an unwavering commitment to creating spaces where everyone could feel seen. I really leaned into my queerness when I started to work in the events world. It felt like a natural fit—a space where creativity, performance, and community converged.

My father would often warn me, with a mix of concern and protectiveness, that I should be wary of being pigeonholed. He cautioned that I shouldn’t allow myself to be reduced to the token “gay” producer, fearing it would limit my opportunities in the mainstream events industry. Luckily, he couldn’t have been more wrong. It was that exact specialization, the deep understanding of the queer community and its cultural nuances, specific needs, and vibrant energy, that helped me not only find my niche but dominate it. It didn’t pigeonhole me; it propelled me. It gave me a distinct, competitive edge and allowed me to build a business that was not just profitable, but profoundly authentic and purpose-driven

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BellaRose Productions, LLC is the result of the natural partnership formed between Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia to purchase the 35 year strong Dinah Shore Festival. The team is described as a lesbian Mullet – Business in the front and party in the back. Their unique but complimentary business styles make them the perfect pair to take ownership of this festival.

The Dinah, now produced by BellaRose Production, LLC, is globally recognized as the largest and most legendary female and non-binary music festival in the world. Our core mission is to create a safe, vibrant, and inclusive space where queer women and the LGBTQIA+ community can celebrate life, connection, and music. We are dedicated to delivering a premier entertainment and vacation experience year after year.

The Dinah is an annual monumental 5-day weekend packed with not only non-stop activities, spectacular live concerts, and legendary pool parties with some of the top female DJ tastemakers, but also premier talent in music, film, and television

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We want your readers to know that The Dinah offers a range of packages to suit a wider variety of preferences and budgets. Whether you are seeking a full, immersive experience or flexible ticket options. We want to keep this event accessible and inclusive for the entire community.
Tickets will be released in the next week.
Visit www.Thedinah.com for more information or to sign up for our mailer or SMS messaging.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TheDinah.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedinahshore/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDinah/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClubSkirtsDinahShore
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedinahmusicfestival

Image Credits
Rad Skilz – https://www.instagram.com/iamradskillz/