This week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings: We are very excited to welcome a new LGBTQ radio station, 106.5 FM to the Coachella Valley, kicking off with some fun Holiday music! We also have holiday mixers from the Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage Chambers of Commerce, Roberta Linn LIVE in concert, a Cowboy Dance, and an informative panel discussion on sexual health. WildLights and Robolights are ongoing holiday attractions, as is Snowfall at The Gardens on Paseo. There are also holiday-themed shows at Wang's Drag Brunch, The Purple Room's Christmas and New Year's dinners, and The Sound of Music, always popular during the holidays, is in its final performances this week!
LGBTQ Radio Station Launches at Christmas
On Christmas Eve and Day, December 24 and 26, Qchella Media's new 106.5 FM will be playing some very gay holiday classics and songs you may have not heard before! Everything from Mariah Carey to Donna Summer, Rufus Wainwright to the Weather Girls (just to name a few) will be played for a special holiday-themed pre-launch. Then, at the stroke of midnight on December 26, 106.5 FM will officially launch as a new Coachella Valley radio station serving the LGBTQ community. This new station will also be powered by Gay Desert Guide for all the listings of gay-friendly businesses, events, and attractions in the desert! You can also listen on 1270 AM, and the official launch party will be Wednesday, December 26 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Chill Bar Palm Springs. More info on that here, and be sure to “Like” Qchella Media on Facebook!
Local Chamber Holiday Mixers
On Tuesday, December 18 from 5:00–8:00 p.m., The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce invites you to their December Holiday Mixer and Food Drive. Mix, mingle and spread cheer with the RMCC at PIRCH in Rancho Mirage. Bring non-perishable food items for Well in the Desert. More info
Join the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce for their Holiday Mixer at Eight4NIne Restaurant and Lounge on Thursday, December 20 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. Complimentary appetizers and happy hour drinks will be served. More info
Roberta Linn LIVE in Concert
Oscar's presents Roberta Linn LIVE In Concert on Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. Linn is most associated with the Rat Pack and the Las Vegas Strip, where she was a regular performer with Freddie Bell and the Bellboys in the 1950s and 1960s. From 1949 to 1954, she sang with the Lawrence Welk group, “The Champagne Ladies.” Get tickets
Sexual Health Panel Discussion
The LGBT Community Center of The Desert in collaboration with Borrego Health, Desert AIDS Project and Eisenhower Health present an informative panel discussion regarding PrEP and PEP and your sexual health on Wednesday, December 19 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. They will answer the question: 90-90-90 What Is It and How Does Prep/PEP Help Us Get to That Goal? By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status. 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. More info
Cowboy Dance and Fundraiser
On Wednesday, December 19 from 7:00–10:00 p.m., The Palm Springs Chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association presents a Cowboy Dance and Fundraiser, at Chill Bar. As this is the holiday season, the dance will feature a selection of special holiday music, along with Chill’s selection of drink specials, multiple door prizes, and professional boot black (to keep your size eleven’s looking their best). Ms. Palm Springs Hot Rodeo, Ciana Costa, is undertaking a special drive in support of Toys for Tots in our community. More info
Robolights
Robolights is a massive, colorful display of sculptures and structures artist Kenny Irwin created from recycled materials and draped in 9 million Christmas lights. He began building the display when he was 12 and it now attracts visitors year-round, but especially around the holidays. It has been featured in a number of stories and reports by the national and international media. More info
“WildLights” Continues Daily at The Living Desert
A Million Twinkling Lights adorn The Living Desert Zoo this Holiday Season for WildLights, open daily from December 19 through 24. The holiday spirit shines as guests partake in fun festivities including the popular, sparkling tunnel of lights synchronized to holiday music and life-sized, illuminated desert animal lanterns such as cheetahs and giraffe. Hop on the Polar Express* and take a magical train ride through Gecko Gulch through the falling “snow.” Experience animal encounters and keeper chats, make a s'more*, decorate ornaments, visit with Santa, ride the carousel* and more! Get tickets
Holiday Shopping at Villagefest
With just a week until Christmas, it might not be smart to try shopping online to get your gifts in time for the holiday. Get instant gratification and unique gifts from the heart, sold directly from your local artists and craftspeople at Palm Springs Villagefest, Thursday December 20 from 6:00–10:00 p.m. on Palm Canyon Drive. More info
Snowfall at the Gardens on El Paseo
Come to The Gardens on Friday & Saturday, December 21 & 22, to experience the sights of snowfall and sounds of carolers at Snowfall at The Gardens. 10-minute “Snowfall Shows” at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. will create memories that last much longer. More info
Twas the (Drag) Brunch Before Christmas at Wang's
Join the gang at Wang's for a festive holiday brunch on Saturday, December 22 from 11:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m. This new brunch experience on the heated patio will feature fantastic food, fun holiday numbers, and the unparallelled service and atmosphere for which Wang's is famous. Their drag queens are also your servers and will take care of you from the moment you arrive and will entertain you until you leave. With DJ Galaxy and featuring Diva, Anna Rexia, Candace Camera, Xotica & special guests. Reservations suggested. More info
Holiday Theatre Wrapping up This Weekend
The Sound of Music, presented by Desert Theatreworks, runs its final performances this week: December 19–23. The holiday favorite features classic songs like “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Do-Re-Mi.” The story is based on the actual life of Maria von Trapp, who leaves an Austrian convent to serve as governess to the children of a widowed naval officer. Get tickets
Christmas with the Crawfords is presented by Desert Rose Playhouse will be performing SOLD OUT SHOWS through December 23. Congratulations to Desert Rose on their big hit set on Christmas Eve at Joan Crawford’s Brentwood mansion where Joan, Christina, and Christopher welcome Hedda Hopper and a houseful of celebrity guests: Judy Garland, Katherine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, and Ethel Merman, just to name a few. They sing and dance their way into your hearts!
Purple Room Holiday Shows and Dinners
At Purple Room Palm Springs, Michael Holmes' remaining performances of “The Judy Show: Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas” are sold out, but you can still catch Michael performing on Wednesdays with Trish Hatley, swinging to the music of the Rat Pack Era. The Purple Room is also offering special Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners! On December 24 & 25, enjoy a three course Christmas dinner while listing to Holiday Jazz performed by Mark Kahny and Jay Lewis (more info), and on New Year's Eve there will be three seatings featuring a three course dinner. Rose Mallet and Mark Kahny will provide the entertainment for the early dinner shows; the late show runs from 10:00 p.m. to Midnight and includes a champagne toast and entertainment by Sharon Sills. More info
Children of Harvey Milk Book Signing and Reception
Mark your calendars! As part of a worldwide book tour for his new book, The Children of Harvey Milk, Professor Andrew Reynolds will be having a book signing at Just Fabulous and a reception at Eight4Nine on Thursday, January 10th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Part political thriller, part meditation on social change, part love story, The Children of Harvey Milk tells the epic stories of courageous men and women around the world who came forward to make their voices heard during the struggle for equal rights. The book is based on deeply personal and revealing interviews with over ninety elected officials and high-profile candidates from across the globe. Palm Springs, and its leading politicians, play a cameo part in the book with its all LGBTQ council. More info