4th of July Fireworks, BBQ’s, Fundraiser, and Stranger Things 3 Premiere, plus Cocktail Theatre with Rob Floyd, Wannabe Spice Girls Tribute, New Restaurant Review: Glitch, “Spring Awakening,” Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Screenings, plus HOT DEALS and Happy Hours!
All American 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and Power Baseball
Come celebrate Independence Day in Palm Springs at the City’s much loved “All American Fourth of July” Fireworks Spectacular, Pool Party and Power Baseball festivities on Thursday, July 4. Residents can head over to Sunrise Park for a picnic and then to adjacent Palm Springs Stadium to watch the Palm Springs Power baseball team take on the Palm Springs Collegiate All Stars at 6:05 pm. Gates open at 5 pm. FREE admission for the fireworks begins at 8 pm followed by the fireworks show at 9:15 pm sharp! Everyone is invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs and sit on the field. To keep cool on July 4th, you can also head over to the pool at the Palm Springs Swim Center, for a special 2 pm pool party. More info
4th of July BBQ and Stranger Things 3 Premiere
Come to the Palm Springs Cultural Center on July 4 from 5:00–8:30 p.m. for a Fourth of July BBQand Fireworks viewing! Seats are available for purchase, along with parking permits for this popular event with a great view of the PS Community Fireworks show. Tickets include bbq meal which includes a hamburger or a hot dog and your choice of a side (coleslaw or potato salad) More info
Click to view Stranger Things Season 3 Trailer
The evening will also feature a FREE big-screen community screening of the premiere of Stranger Things Season 3 from 7:00–8:00 p.m. inside the Camelot Theatre. (Tickets for the BBQ are not required for entry). This Netflix original series is a nostalgic nod to ’80s sci-fi and horror classics has earned 31 Emmy nominations, including two for Outstanding Drama. The Palm Springs Cultural Center will continue the FREE Community Screenings of Stranger Things Season 3 on Thursday nights starting July 11 through August 15 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. (2 episodes with intermission). More info
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Seasons 1 and 2) will also be shown in a series of FREE Community Screenings on the big screen at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Sundays starting July 7 and running through September 1, from 6:00–8:30 p.m. It’s the late 1950s and Miriam “Midge” Maisel has everything she has ever wanted — the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent she didn’t previously know she had — stand-up comedy. More info
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Fireworks Remain Illegal in Coachella Valley
Your best options for enjoying fireworks are always to leave it to the professionals. Riverside County has a county-wide ban on personal use fireworks, and if you are found with illegal fireworks you could be subject to a fine and/or jail time. The cities of Cathedral City, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, and Coachella do allow the sale of “safe & sane” fireworks, which are smaller, stay on the ground, and don’t explode in the air.
4th of July Fireworks at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage
View a free Stars and Stripes Celebration fireworks spectacular at 9:00 p.m. set off from the top of the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage. Park and view the fireworks from the south lot of the casino. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. More info
Independence Day Celebration and Fundraiser for AAP–Food Samaritans
Willie Rhine and the team from Eight4Nine will cater the AAP–Food Samaritans Independence Day Celebration and Fundraiser, starting at 7:30 p.m. on July 4 at the O’Donnell House. Admission includes open bar, barbeque dinner, entertainment, and valet parking. Get tickets
Western Xposure’s DadFest 4th of July Weekend
Join the bears in Palm Springs for Western Xposure’s newest event, DadFest, starting Thursday, July 4 and continuing through the weekend at CCBC Resort Hotel. DadFest features Pool parties, naked games and waterslides, and more. Western Xposure creates free-flowing weekend events for bears looking for a friendly and furry time relaxing under the desert sun. Whether you camp, stay in a room, or just come for the day you will surely enjoy the chill atmosphere of Western Xposure. More info
Rob Floyd’s Cocktail Theatre at TRIO
Rob Floyd, resident mixologist on the hit TV show Bar Rescue, is coming to Trio for two performances on Saturday, July 6 at 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. Rob dazzles audience members with interactive adventures with cocktails and stories that create indelible experiences. Each show is an interactive theatrical experience along with some mind-blowing drinks! Dinner at TRIO available before or after show. Get tickets
Saturday Sisterhood of Cinema: Before Stonewall
A special screening for the Saturday Sisterhood of Cinema is taking place Saturday, July 6 at 10:00 a.m., showing “Before Stonewall” at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This documentary investigates national cultural perceptions of homosexuality before the event that launched the modern gay rights movement, looking back on previous decades, particularly in regard to conflicts with police and censorship.Come early for the Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market! Get tickets
Wannabe – A Tribute to Spice Girls
On Friday, July 5 at 8:00 p.m., Spotlight 29 Casino presents Wannabe: A Tribute to Spice Girls, as part of their tribute concert series running every friday night through August 30 in the Spotlight Showroom. When it comes to celebrations, epic dance parties and conjuring up serious 90’s nostalgia, no one does it better than the darlings of Toronto’s cover-band scene. Get tickets
NEW Dine & Sip Review: Glitch
Gay Desert Guide Dine & Sip Reviewer Charles Drabkin has posted a totally rad review of the new themed restaurant Glitch. It’s an 80’s video arcade with food and drinks! When you’ve been binge-watching Stranger Things 3 and want to step back into that 80’s world, now there’s a place you can go. Read the full review.
WEEKEND THEATRE
“Spring Awakening” Opens
Palm Canyon Theatre presents Spring Awakening from July 5–14. The musical features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. It is based on the German play Spring Awakening (1891) by Frank Wedekind. Set in late-19th-century Germany, the musical tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of teenage sexuality. Get tickets
“Ruthless! The Musical” Continues
Desert Rose Playhouse presents Ruthless! The Musical, through July 14. The show, directed by Loren Freeman and starring Desert Rose Playhouse Artistic Producing Director Robbie Wayne, famously spoofs Broadway musicals from Gypsy to Mame as well as many iconic films including The Bad Seed and All About Eve. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh says “Spot on comic timing, good singing voices and fully committed performances make RUTHLESS one of the most enjoyable shows I have seen in the valley” (Read full review here)…Get tickets
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
On Saturday, August 3, starting at 5:00 p.m.,Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 present their annual Retro 80’s Dance Party. Join us in the front bar of Chill Bar from 5:00–9:00 p.m. with DJ Eric Ornelas and in the back bar with DJ Matt Consola from 9:00 p.m. to close. This is a benefit for Qchella Media and Desert AIDS Project. More info
Happy Hour is 2:00–7:00 p.m. daily at Runway at CCBC, with great specials on both food and drinks for around $3.50 or less! On Thursdays, come early for Happy Hour and stay for Siobhan Velarde – dinner, dancing and music that’s “soulful, silly, sexy and fun” from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Get Happy at Runway
Rio Happy Hour is 4:00–6:00 p.m. Mon–Thu, and 2:00–6:00 p.m. Fri–Sun at Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill. House margaritas, wine, beer, and well drinks are all $5. Stay for dinner and enjoy their unique menu with something for every palate, and don’t miss the amazing tableside guacamole appetizer! Get Happy at Rio Azul
Lappert’s Premium Gourmet Ice Cream has just the refreshing treat you like when it’s 100 degrees in the desert! In addition to gourmet ice cream, you can also get a citrusy Dole Whip, or the always popular award-winning ‘date shake,’ plus shaved ice, smoothies, floats, sundaes, splits, and more! With this HOT DEAL you get $20 of frozen treats for just $10 at either of Lappert’s two locations: Downtown Palm Springs or off the Washington Street I-10 exit in Palm Desert! Get Your Deal
Rick’s Desert Grill offers a huge selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items for all appetites while Rick’s Restaurant specializes in full breakfast or a hot and hearty lunch with huge, hot, and fluffy cinnamon rolls prepared from scratch and the unforgettable and best homemade soups in the valley, just to name a few. With this HOT DEAL, get 40% off with a $25 gift certificate good at either Rick’s Desert Grill or Rick’s Restaurant for just $15! Get Your Deal
Papa Dan’s Pizza & Pasta has been serving the Coachella Valley since 1984. Come see why their dishes are voted “Best of the Valley” Open Sunday – Thursday 10:00 a.m.–9:00 PM – Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Two convenient locations: Palm Desert and Sun City. Learn more
As Palm Springs’ Specialty Marketplace, Bouschet offers a large selection of fine wines, rare liquors, delicious gourmet foods, an amazing menu, exquisite giftware, wine tastings, special events, and Afternoon Tea for Two. Visit the store and meet Dennis and Tommy today! Learn more
