We go into Christmas week with hope and the promise of a brighter new year. On Sunday, our staffed gathered via Zoom to celebrate with an ugly shirt/sweater contest. It’s a little hard to make out here, but we’re also posting on Facebook and Insta as we don our “gay” apparel.
There are a few holiday virtual events we’re sharing below. And we have a bevy of 2021 Fun & Games Dept. events for you to join in.
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday from the entire GayDesertGuide team!
Stay Safe and Stay Home (except to shop and order carryout).
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
Big Gay Trivia Holiday Cartoons & Movies
On Monday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m., it’s time for another Big Gay Trivia Night brought to you by the Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide and TheMenEvent.com, this time all about those holiday specials and movies we all know and love. Our trivia nights are entertaining, with questions designed to be fun, easy and enjoyable for everyone! Get tickets
Sounds of the Season: At Home Edition
Palm Canyon Theatre‘s annual holiday concert, Sounds of the Season, is presented as an “at home streaming edition” this year: on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 22 and 23, available on demand. Join many of your favorite Palm Canyon Theatre performers for this Holiday celebration: Mark Almy, Brent Schindele, Anthony Nannini, Ron Coronado, Laurie and Ryan Holmes, Paul Grant and Se Layne plus many more including some talented youth performers. Get tickets
Community Drive-In Christmas Eve Service
Join Bloom In The Desert Ministries United Church Of Christ and the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Thursday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. for a Community Drive-In Christmas Eve Service with social distancing and mandatory mask wearing. In a drive-in style evening of virtual celebration and worship, this unique experience is open to people of all faiths and congregations, featuring some of the most recognizable and revered local musicians, familiar carols, Bible stories, and the luminaria display, which will fill everyone with joy this holiday season. Enjoy holiday favorites from Keisha D, Tommy Dodson, Charles Herrera, Jerome Elliott, Charlie Creasy, Mark Richards and Elaine Wang Meyerhoffer. More info
Fun & Games Dept Events in January
Mark your calendar for these Gay Desert Guide Fun & Games Dept. events early in the New Year! We are adding some fun twists to the Virtual Speed Dating format with themed nights hosted by Alexander Rodriguez, and presenting our first in-person event in a long time: a safely distanced “walk in the park” with Comedian Shann Carr, and much more!
- Gay Virtual Speed Dating for Men of All Ages, hosted by Alexander Rodriguez – Fri Jan 8 at 7:00 p.m.
- A Walk in the Park with Comedian Shann Carr…Demuth Park That Is! – Sat Jan 9 at 10:00 a.m.
- Bowties and Bears Virtual Speed Dating, hosted by Alexander Rodriguez – Sun Jan 24 at 1:00 p.m.
- Inauguration Kick Off GAY Game Night Party, with Comedian Shann Carr – Fri Jan 15 at 6:00 p.m.
- Gossipy Potluck and Recipe Swap with Comedian Shann Carr – Sun Jan 31 at 1:00 p.m.
- Star Trek Virtual Speed Dating for Men, hosted by Alexander Rodriguez – Wed Feb 3 at 6:00 p.m.
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Calling all Photographers (And Models!)
We would love to feature local photographers on our #ILoveGayPalmSprings Instagram feed, please [check it out] and direct message us there if you are interested in having your work featured in our gallery! We are especially looking for #MCM (#ManCrushMonday) and #WCW (#WomanCrushWednesday) candidates from the Coachella Valley. We’re especially interested if you’ve done something of note – whether it be volunteering, publishing a book or blog or whatever your connection is to the Coachella Valley.
12 Days of Takeout
It’s been a tough year for small businesses, very much affecting restaurants, but there’s an easy way we can show them some love this holiday season. 12 Days of Takeout is a grassroots online campaign running from December 12–23. To participate, just make a purchase at least once a day from your favorite restaurants and share a pic of your food or the establishment on social media with the hashtag #12DaysofTakeout to encourage others to do the
The Living Desert Reopens
Ten days after temporarily closing under California’s regional Stay Home Order, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is now open again, daytime only, in its capacity as an outdoor recreation facility. With miles of hiking trails and paved garden pathways, guests have the opportunity to pursue physically distanced activity for personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise. Daytime hours, timed ticketing, face coverings, and no indoor spaces are among the precautions being taken. Learn moreVirtual 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.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Conversational Spanish with Guillermo Biro – Tuesdays at 2:00 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.
Making Connections During COVID: Men’s Discussion Group with Arlen Keith Leight, LCSW, Ph.D
1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 76
John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, and Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com are joined by journalist Jimmy Boegle of the newly redesigned CVIndependent.com …the Valley’s favorite Doctor Laura Rush …actress and local businesswoman Christine Tringali Nunes from your friendly neighborhood UPS Store …Robbie Wayne, producing artistic director for Desert Rose Playhouse and Hollywood background actor Cary Lowe talk plays, production, the press, vaccines and helping to lift each other up with laughs and hope and heart! [Listen] or [Watch]
The I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast is now available on Apple TV, Roku TV, Amazon FireTV and Android devices via OutAt.tv. Tune in Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to stream us to your TV! (Also available on demand after it airs).
Now available on iHeartRadio too!
LOOKING AHEAD
New Year’s Eve Gourmet to Go
Celebrate the end of the year and support Brothers of the Desert with their New Year’s Eve Gourmet to Go dinner and dance party on Thursday, December 31 at 8:30 p.m. This four-course gourmet experience will be delivered to your door, featuring: charcuterie and sparking line from Bouschet, salad by private chef Michael Taylor, entrees by 1501 Uptown Gastropub (a new restaurant collaboration between chef Chad Gardner from 533 Viet Fusion and Willie Rhine from restaurant 849), and dessert from chef Andre Carthen. After dinner, the virtual dance party kicks off with house music from famed dance clubs around the country, with entertainment and opportunities to interact with other party-goers. Support Brothers of the Desert in their mission to empower Black gay men and allies, while enjoying a fabulous, safe New Year’s Eve celebration! Get tickets