Last week was a tough one. Maybe it was the heat that got me thinking about the many months ahead where we tend to shelter in place. Or maybe it was the barrage of crazy news, not-so-good news about immunity after infection, and seeing local protesters recklessly and mistakenly calling for business as usual. Believe me, my business is hurting and I can’t wait to have our customers back open with something to advertise! Our new task force will be meeting this week to look at how and when to reopen. Until then, we’ll hunker down in the heat and say “c’est la vie!
A shout out to Jimmy Boegle, my good friend and journalist who’s also been ranting a bit in his daily newsletter (which link to on GayDesertGuide.LGBT). He’s also a regular on our #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast. This Thursday, Mike Thompson from the LGBT Center joins us along with Dr. Laura Rush.
We’re also updating Carryout and delivery restaurant lists on a regular basis so check out our Dine & Sip section for the latest LGBTQ friendly places to support! And look for our weekly TakeOut ShoutOut in Thursday’s newsletter. Share this with your friends and thanks for your support of GayDesertGuide.LGBT.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
Eisenhower Health: Walking Indoors and Out
Join Eisenhower Health and the LGBT Community Center of the Desert via Zoom on Wednesday, April 29 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. for The Health Benefits of Walking Indoors and Out. Ken Zaparinuk, DPT will discuss how walking improves fitness, cardiac health, creates less stress on joints, and can prevent weight gain. But did you know it also alleviates depression and fatigue and improves mood? More info
Evening for Equality
Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. – Join Equality California and special guests Congresswoman Katie Porter, Angelica Ross, Jason Mraz, Billie Lee and Jai Rodriguez for an evening of conversation and entertainment as they raise critical funds to support the organization’s work to ensure LGBTQ+ Californians have access to the resources they need to navigate the COVID-19 public health crisis and land on their feet. The format will be a mix of live conversations and entertainment streamed on Equality California’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels. Registration donation requested. More info
Vocal Technique Masterclass
CVRep is helping you stay engaged and entertained with Theatre Thursdays, this week featuring Susan Benkin’s Vocal Technique Masterclass on Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. A must-attend for any singing enthusiast, this hour-long live virtual class will focus on breathing, resonating, addressing tension, and choosing the right material. This complimentary masterclass is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their vocal techniques and will give you the ongoing tools to continue to hone this talent! Register here
Next up in the Theatre Thursdays series: Broadway Musicals: Showstoppers from the Impossible Dream to Send in the Clowns! with Glenn Rosenblum on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. More info
LIVE Fundraisers for LGBT Centers
On Friday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m. PDT, the cast and crew of Queer As Folk will reunite for their 20th Anniversary, and to raise funds for Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers, including our local member center The LGBT Community Center of the Desert. Look for a special appearance by guest star Rosie O’Donnell as well.
More info
Virtual Cinema at Palm Springs Cultural Center
The team at the Palm Springs Cultural Center has been working hard to create a way for you to enjoy their curated programming via Virtual Cinema, which gives you the ability to view new films that are Palm Springs premieres, along with favorites from film festivals in the comfort of your own home. New this week: Straight-Up, the story of a gay twenty-something whose fear of dying alone leads him to a baffling conclusion: he might not be gay after all. [View Trailer] and Get your V-Ticket
Now you can enjoy your virtual screening with your favorite movie theater concessions with the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Camelot To Go, with their famous Camelot Popcorn, plus combos with drinks and candy, too. Available Thursday–Saturday from 4:00–8:00 p.m. Call 760-325-6565 to order.
Genuine Movie Theatre Popcorn Curbside Pickup
Mary Pickford Theatre – D’Place Entertainment is also making available freshly popped Movie Theater Popcorn Friday & Saturday, from 5:00–7:30 p.m.. Guests can get their fix of movie theater popcorn and a selection of other movie night snacks (drinks, candy) with convenient curbside pickup. 100% of proceeds go to support staff at D’Place during the COVID-19 shutdown. Email and phone ordering ahead of time with pre-payment is available. More info
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 42 is Now Available
From the comfort of their own homes, hosts John Taylor and comedian Shann Carr, Dr. Laura Rush, Gay Desert Guide Brad Fuhr and CV Independent editor Jimmy Boegle are joined by Project Angel Food’s Richard Ayoub, DAP’s Darrell Tucci and the McCallum Theatre’s Jeffrey Norman! ”Take out shout outs” feature some of our favorite restaurants offering curbside pickup and takeout!
[Listen] or [Watch]
This week’s Take Out Shout-Outs include: The Tropicale, Mary Pickford Theatre – D’Place Entertainment, Dickey’s BBQ Pit, The Purple Room Supper Club, and V Wine Lounge.
Palm Springs Art Museum at Home Activity
Get inspired this week by the art of Geza Vandor, with the Palm Springs Art Museum’s At Home Activity. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, this activity is inspired by the nature found all around us to make photogram-like prints by exposing paper and objects to the sun. A project especially suited to our weather in the desert! Learn more.
#GivingTuesdayNow is May 5
#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on Tuesday, May 5 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Various non-profits and charities are providing opportunities for action and community support, such as Desert AIDS Project‘s encouragement to support local restaurants with “Take Out. Give Back,” or giving in gift amounts that support DAP’s work for everything from providing PPE to delivering at-home nutrition for clients, and caring for patients in their COVID-19 clinic. Learn more
Virtual Events at The Center
Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBT Center of the Desert continues to connect people, using the technology of group-meeting platform Zoom, which you can use on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s just a taste of the programs they are hosting:
Social Caring in the Face of Quarantine with Alexis Ortega – Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Chair Yoga with Lynn Simonson – Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Monday & Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Games, Friends and Fun with Lorenzo Taylor – 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m.
LGBTQ Community Survey
If you haven’t already, please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. Think of it as the gay census! [Click here] to start the survey