After the nearly two year COVID-19 enforced cancellation of most events that we have come to know and love in the desert, we have a full slate of events planned for the remainder of 2021 and 2022 in Greater Palm Springs.
Some of our venues – like the McCallum Theatre – have endured nearly 20 months of a dark stage. As the desert’s premier performing arts venue, the McCallum announced its season over the summer with touring Broadway shows, perennial favorites and some yet to be announced performances. Proof of vaccination will be required and we applaud their decision to do so.
Our local LGBTQ theatre companies have mostly persevered and even thrived with help from generous donors in the community as well as government assistance. Key among them is Desert Rose Playhouse, which found a new home in the former Zelda’s Nightclub space in the Sun Center. They remodeled, reallocated the treasure trove of left-behinds and have now opened the space. A perennial holiday favorite, “Christmas with the Crawfords” will return in December. There are also comedy shows and other live performances in addition to their self-produced shows.
Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, returns to its humble home at the Palm Springs Women’s Club for a series of 4 plays that are sure to delight audiences and result in more awards. We understand a new home is in the offing to allow more people to see their shows.
Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre or “CV Rep”, as it is known locally, opened it new space in Cathedral City not long before the pandemic struck. It had raised over one million dollars to renovate the stage and seating. Now, it too is back for 2021-22 with new productions.
The prodigious Palm Canyon Theatre in downtown Palm Springs will bring to the stage over a dozen Broadway shows in the coming season. Other for-profit and non-profit productions are being announced and GayDesertGuide.LGBT is the place to search by date or venue when you’re going to be visiting.
Palm Springs hosts some of the country’s biggest LGBTQ+ parties and events each year. For women, the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend is back Sept. 29-Oct 3 to restart the calendar. Typically held each spring, the event offers a series of pool parties, nightlife, live concerts, comedy shows, sport-games and social networking opportunities. The Dinah celebrates the tapestry of women around the world, attracting some 10,000-plus participants from all over the globe. The lineup this year includes something for all ages – from Macy Gray to CC Peniston.
Questions have arisen about the future of White Party since the death of founder Jeffrey Sanker. While details are scarce, our sources tell us that the circuit party will continue and is currently set for Apr 29-May 2, 2022.
IBC, the International Bear Convergence, brings an international following of “critters” from otters to pups, bears to silver foxes for a weekend of pool parties, live shows and camaraderie among this community. Its scheduled weekend is Feb. 24-28, 2022.
Palm Springs Pride is back after just one year off the calendar. Many prides around the country have taken two years off – both 2020 and 2021 – as fears of COVID-19 kept organizers shifting plans for the typical June event. Our weather in Palm Springs dictates a later Pride celebration to beat the heat and this year, Palm Springs Pride is set for Nov. 6-7, with the parade on Sunday and the two day festival happening on the streets around Palm Canyon Drive.
April 1-17 and 22-24, Coachella (The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival) showcases popular and established musical artists as well as emerging talent. One of the largest music festivals in the world, in 2022 Coachella will feature 150+ acts performing on multiple stages. The lineup will drop in January.
The following weekend, Stagecoach, the “country cousin” of Coachella takes to the stages at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
Greater Palm Springs boasts 350 days of sunshine each year and is easily accessed by air via PSP, the Palm Springs International Airport. 11 airlines now offer seasonal and full time service to more than destinations in the USA and Canada. New service on Southwest started earlier this year.
To plan your trip and learn more, visit https://visitpalmsprings.com/palm-springs-visit/gay-palm-springs/