The sun is shining, the grass is green,
The orange and palm trees sway…
Ho ho ho! 'Tis the season, folks, so don your gay apparel as we head into the holiday weekend. If you'll be staying in or visiting Palm Springs for Christmas, check out the Dine channel for all the places to go for delicious Christmas feast you don't have to make – or clean up after – yourself. You deserve it!
Here's some of the news and events on the horizon we want to wish you along with your Merry Christmas, twelve lords a-leaping, and two front teeth.
Brad Fuhr Among Honorees at PS Human Rights Commission Community Awards
Our very own Brad Fuhr is to be honored for his contributions to the community by one of the desert's leading advocacy groups. The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission will present its annual Community Service Awards to seven remarkable community leaders and organizations for “Promoting Universal Human Rights Close to Home” on Monday, Feb. 12.
The Commission's announcement says:
Founder and publisher of the Gay Desert Guide. Brad aligns business goals and initiatives with causes and social issues that benefit the wider community. From supporting and promoting youth housing, access to health services along with a variety of social services, Fuhr is always there to lend a hand.
The 3 p.m. ceremony will be held in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The public is invited to attend. Here's a link to the full press release
TryOUT Tuesday at Tool Shed Palm Springs
Tool Shed is wishing you a Happy Boxing Day on Tuesday, December 26. 
Specials include:
Skyy Vodka drinks $4.00 (12 oz)
Bud Light draft $2.00 if you wear anything with leather or boxers!
Food provided by Peabody’s including club sandwiches, chips & salsa and their famous greek & Cobb salads
Win one of two prize packs including #ILoveGayPalmSprings tank, $25 bar tab and more! Everyone who comes by gets a BOGO card for their next visit (Buy One, Get One Free)
Come by for a special happy hour post-Christmas. A great night to meet new friends and check out food from Peabody’s.
Bust Into the New Year With Dirty Little Secrets Burlesque (and Prime Rib)
Can't make up your mind on what to do to ring in 2018? Usher in the New Year with the excitement of Burlesque! Enjoy over-the-top entertainment of Dirty Little Secrets, a vintage-themed party, showgirls, prime rib dinner, and a private fireworks viewing celebration at midnight. (Dinner 9PM | Show 9:30PM | Fireworks Viewing Celebration 12AM )
Tickets include the Live Burlesque, Boylesque, Comedy, and Variety-style Entertainment, Prime Rib Buffet, Dessert Bar, 2 Glasses of Champagne (and one more for the midnight toast), and other party favors.
See the "Get Small" Exhibit at Geras Tousignant Gallery
The Geras Tousignant Gallery has a new exhibit you won't want to miss: "Get Small", a tiny curated exhibit of miniature works by Gallery artists. The show runs through January 15th.
Founded in 1998, the Tousignant Gallery features works by artists "the cutting edge of their craft, whether it be through paintings, photography, sculpture, fine glass, & art objects."
Get information and catalogue here.
Chicago's boiMAG Palm Springs Issue Powered by GayDesertGuide
Palm Springs is the star of the new January issue of the Chicago Life and Style magazine boiMAG. Better yet, the publishers of this print (yes! Print! I know!) and online monthly worked with us at GayDesertGuide to fill the pages with interesting, useful, and fun content about our fair city and the LGBT lifestyle. Included are a brief history of Gay Palm Springs and rundowns of the big annual LGBT events from Pride to White Party to International Bear Convergence, and ten great gay resorts to consider when planning a winter visit.
Second Screening of "The Freedom to Marry" Documentary Added After Sellout
Rich Weissman and J.D. Horn, through a donation from the Richard Norris Weissman Trust and in partnership with GayDesertGuide and the Palm Springs Cultural Center, present the Palm Springs premiere of the highly acclaimed documentary, "The Freedom To Marry".
The original 6:30pm screening quickly sold out, so a second screening has been added at 1:30pm the same day. Lead documentary subject Evan Wolfson and other notable guests will host a Q&A session at both screenings, and Modern Men's Chorus and the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus will perform. The event celebrates the unveiling of the new Palm Springs Cultural Center name on the building and new lobby.
"The Freedom to Marry", a full-length feature film by Eddie Rosenstein, tells the epic, nail-biting, untold story of how same-sex marriage became law of the land follows Evan Wolfson, the architect of the movement, and his key colleagues on this decades long battle, culminating in the dramatic fight at the U.S Supreme Court. More than the saga of one movement's history, the film is the inspiring tale of how regular people can actually win – and how activists can effectively change the minds and laws of the nation.
HAPPY HOUR FINDER
Streetbar
Happy Hour at Streetbar, on Arenas, is known for their Top Shelf daily specials, from Makers Mark to Grey Goose to Jack Daniel’s! You can guarantee to be served by a staff member who will know your name and your drink by the third visit. Streetbar is also known to provide fabulous entertainment!
Retro Room Lounge
The Retro Room in Palm Springs will transport you back to the days when cool was created. We’re talking Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack kinda cool. They feature karaoke nightly in an intimate and retro atmosphere and they have a full bar with featured specialty cocktails featured nightly. Diva and Friends, a fun-filled Drag Show, takes the stage every Saturday night and is a show not to be missed!
At Watercress Vietnamese Bistro you can enjoy surprising new takes on Vietnamese, Thai and other Asian delicacies. With this hot deal take 40% off the entire menu! Drop in and choose from a variety offerings that include vegetarian and vegan options. Patrons who eat at Watercress Vietnamese Bistro say they love the plating of Garlic Butter-Soy Shrimp or Wok-fried Steak Cubes as much as they enjoy the taste. They have happy hour 7 days a week from 3pm-6pm in the bar and patio.
Stop in and see what everyone’s talking about!
Thai Smile is a Palm Springs gem in the perfect location, conveniently located just a block away (if that) from Arenas! The menu offers healthy, high-quality flavors from Thailand. They have a full bar and happy hour specials too! With this deal, you can enjoy $50 worth of delicious food and drinks for only $35!
Did we mention that these Hot Deal treats also make perfect stocking stuffers and last minute gifts?! Get them here.