Gay Desert Guide: Week of Aug. 31, 2020 - Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs

September 1 is the start of Fall – meteorologically speaking. But our week going into Labor Day will be another hot one. However, there’s plenty of September events to keep your mind off the heat: Tomorrow gives us choices including Shann Carr’s Virtual Scavenger Hunt, supporting our theatre community with #RedAlertRESTART and the 5th anniversary of Eight4Nine.

Let’s keep supporting our local businesses – from the restaurants like Lulu California Bistro to our retailers like Christopher Kennedy, offering 30% off storewide through today.

#ShopLocal #WearADamnMask #ILoveGay

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide

Shann Carr’s Big Gay Virtual Scavenger Hunt

The Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide presents Shann Carr’s Big Gay Virtual Scavenger Hunt on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. Let’s have some fun at home! Join us for this virtual scavenger hunt where everything you need to win is within your home or apartment. Rolls of toilet paper, potted flowers, photo albums, cleaning products and more are all in play for a hilarious night of fun and conversations! Once we post an item you will have 15 seconds to find it. Each item found will result in points for prizes. You could win restaurant and shopping gift cards valued at $75! As with all our virtual events, all you need is a device with a camera and microphone. No need to download Zoom but it does help. Get tickets

Eight4Nine 5th Anniversary Livestream Celebration

Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge is celebrating their 5th anniversary with a live broadcast from their Facebook page on Tuesday, September 1 at 5:00 p.m. They will be sharing memories with live and pre-recorded appearances from members of the community, and you can participate from home and comment live or create your own video for possible inclusion in the broadcast! More info

#RedAlertRESTART Campaign

On Tuesday, September 1 it’s a RED ALERT for the special events industry – with millions of people now unemployed with no end in sight. To call attention to this, all over the United States, landmarks, businesses, theatres light up RED, and members of the general public are encouraged to put RED LIGHTS in their windows. and to urge Congress to pass the RESTART Act as a vital national stimulus. This Tuesday night, make EVERY neighborhood a “Red Light District.” Please document your own videos, photos and efforts with the hashtags #RedAlertRESTART #WeMakeEventsHappen #WeMakeEvents More info

Outfest Winners and Encore Week

Outfest LA 2020 is bringing back a large selection of its festival film highlights through Labor Day. This historic Encore Week, following its eleven day festival, is set to feature Jury, Programming, and Audience Award recipients. Read the full article for details and for a list of winners [here].

Positive Life Series: Medicare

The Positive Life Series is monthly community HIV/AIDS seminar series presented by HIV + Aging Research Project Palm Springs. On Tuesday, September 1 at 6:00 p.m., Cesar Perez of Bilhartz Desert Insurance Agency will present “Understanding Medicare Plans and Enrollment” More info

PALS Death Cafe

They say “talking about death makes us feel good about living,” and this Thursday, September 3 at from 2:00–3:00 p.m., PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) presents a Virtual version of their Death Cafe. This is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives, or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Just bring your curiosity and your thoughts/ideas about death or dying. More info

Outbook Book Club Returns

The Palm Springs Cultural Center is excited to announce the return of their LGBTQ monthly book club OUTBOOK, starting Wednesday, September 2 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm on Zoom. Connect with your fellow bibliophiles the first Wednesday of every month, starting with “There Will Be No Miracles Here,” by Casey Gerald. Subsequent selections include: “The Crime Writer” by Jill Dawson (Oct. 7), “Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist, and Sexual Renegade” by Justin Spring (Nov. 4), and “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong (Dec. 2). More info

An Evening with Leslie Page

CVRep presents “An Evening with Leslie Page” as part of its Theatre Thursday series on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join Leslie Page for a casual mixture of music and conversation. Accompanied by Nick Sosa on guitar, Leslie will be singing songs from her album, Heart Songs, as well as music that has brought her joy and encouragement in this season. Free event, registration required. More info

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 60

Palm Springs Pride? Park funds? Films? Housing? John Taylor and Shann Carr cover a lot of ground with guests Ron DeHarte of PSPride.org + District 1 City Council member Grace Garner, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com, Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com and “House of Cardin” directors P. David Ebersole & Todd Hughes

[Listen] or [Watch]

**Use discount code GDG10 to save 10% when you order from our podcast sponsor Out & About CBD.**

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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 – Mondays at 11:00 a.m.

Zumba for Beginners with Shaun Samaro – Mondays at 10:00 a.m.

Knit Together with Doug Morris – Mondays & Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Dating and Sex in the Age of COVID with Arlen Keith Leight LCSW, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Conversational Spanish – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.

Virtual Beginner Tap with Keith Mottola – Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

Prostate Cancer Support Group – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

Trans Tuesdays with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Men’s Chat with Stuart Huggins – Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.

Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]

Write that Memoir

Have you always wanted to write your story, but just didn’t have the time or support? How about having both right now? This four week series starting Thursday, September 3 at 4:00 p.m. may be a good time to finally let your story fly! Ronni Sanlo, Ed.D. will walk you through the process over the course of four easy sessions. Get a good jump-start on your memoir. A portion of your registration fee will be donated to The LGBT Community Center of the Desert. More info

THIS WEEKEND

Big Gay Bear Hunt Virtual Speed Dating Rescheduled

Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept and TheMenEvent.com present the next in our series of fun, casual Virtual Speed Dating events: Big Gay Bear Hunt Virtual Speed Dating, has been moved to Tuesday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Speed dating has never been more fun! We will make introductions, and you go on several short one-on-one dates (each lasting 5-6 minutes) then mingle with everyone with a fun game and have real conversation about dating. You could end up with a date, a friend or a business connection. This event is exclusively for Gay Men Of All Ages who love Bears! (see our other speed dating events for other ages and themes). Get tickets

Drive-In Experience at Palm Springs Cultural Center

House of Cardin comes to the Palm Springs Cultural Center Drive-In Experience on Friday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. [Get tickets] This rare peek into the genius of Pierre Cardin is helmed by Palm Springs filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes and they just joined us for Episode 60 of the I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast! [Listen] or [Watch]. The Palm Springs Cultural Center is planning a Labor Day weekend of great documentary films, including House of Cardin, Miracle in the Desert (The Story of the Salton Sea), and Chuck Berry. Get tickets

KGAY 106.5 Virtual Summer Concert Series – Emily West

Gay Desert Guide is pleased to be a Media Sponsor of KGAY’s 106.5 Virtual Summer Concert Series. This virtual concert series is designed to keep you entertained and safe this summer, while benefiting our local artists. The series is hosted by Ben Patrick Johnson and Shann Carr. This Sunday, September 6 at 5:00 p.m. the featured artist is Emily West, and future performances include: Bill Lohnes on Sept 13, and Kristine W on Sept 20. Get tickets

Drive-In Concerts on the Mesa

In these trying times, we can all use a little bit of music to lift our spirits and remember that this too shall pass. While in-person concerts seem impossible right now, there’s one way it can work: in your car! Every Saturday and Sunday at sunset, Jacqueline and Jeremie Levi Samson present a socially-distanced Drive-In Concert Experience at the Mon Petit Mojave ranch, a 15-acre private property located on the Yucca Mesa in Yucca Valley, CA. The shows are free but tips are accepted. More info

More Fun & Games with Shann Carr

The Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide, along with TheMenEvent.com, has more fun virtual events coming, hosted by Shann Carr, from Trivia and Game Nights on Tuesdays to Speed Dating Saturdays where you could meet a date, a friend, or a business connection!

Speed Dating Events (also hosted by Shann):

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

While many of us have been staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Palm Springs Police Department is reminding everyone who does need to drive to do so while sober. Impaired driving continues to be a problem. Driving while impaired is illegal, whether it is alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or marijuana. Palm Springs Police Department will have additional officers on patrol from Aug. 21 through the Labor Day weekend (Sept. 7) looking for suspected impaired drivers.

Read Our Guide for Dining Out in a Pandemic

Gay Desert Guide’s food writer, Charles Drabkin, is a gourmand, gastronomist, and restaurant lover striving to attain some sense of normalcy after months of sheltering at home. He’s been dressing up in smile-inducing costumes for the Farmers’ Market but has missed one of his greatest pleasures: dining out. But he’s been venturing out again and come up with some useful ground rules for keeping perspective about dining out in our “new normal” reality, starting with “The food has to be worth it.” Read the full article