This Week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings: We have holiday benefits for our furry friends with the Wreath Auction, Paws 'n' Claus, and Yappy Hour; plus a ribbon-cutting for Runway in Cathedral City, a Singalong to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, McCallum Theatre's Annual Gala, Outbook Club, Unwined: An Elevated Wine Tasting Experience, and an LGBTQ+ Social Media Seminar! There is also a Toy Drive at Wang's, a presentation on Hep C at The Center, and some great choral and theatre selections coming up!
 

Wreath Auction at 849

On Monday, December 3 from 5:30–7:30 p.m., it's time to deck your halls with the 24th Annual Wreath Auction at Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge, benefiting The Center and the PS Animal Shelter. All wreath sales will be split between both great causes. More info

Paws and Claus 

On Wednesday, December 5 from 5:30–7:30 p.m., The LGBT Center of the Desert presents Paws and Claus 2018 at Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge. This Winter Social will help stock the pet food pantry of The Community Food Bank @ The Center this holiday season. Because sometimes hungry families include hungry pets…  Pet food items will be collected at the entrance. More info

Yappy Hour at the Riviera

Animal Samaritans presents Palm Springs Yappy Hour on Thursday, December 6 (and the first Thursday of every month) from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the Riviera Palm Springs Hotel & Spa. This pet-friendly Happy Hour for dog lovers and their friends is held in the private Chiki room and well-behaved, leashed, socialized dogs are welcome! Humans without dogs welcome too. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and wine with admission. More info

“Runway Dining, Drinks & Drag” Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – December 4th
 

The Cathedral City Economic Development Department, the City Council, and Owners Richard and Eric Altman invite you to join them for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new “Runway Dining, Drinks, & Drag” restaurant that has been built in front of the CCBC Resort Hotel in Cathedral City. The new restaurant offers a well-appointed 2,560 square-foot restaurant with a 568 square-foot outdoor patio dining area. Musical entertainment by famed singer Keisha D. and celebratory reception featuring the Altmans' famed white chocolate bread following the ribbon cutting. More info

Sing Along to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

On Wednesday, December 5, from 6:00–9:30 p.m., Among Friends presents the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Singalong beginning their Sing Along Series, bringing back favorite musicals and singalong movies to the big screen. Cocktail Party (come in costume if you want) at 6:00 p.m, and screening of the movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Lyrics will be provided. (digital and paper). More info

McCallum Theatre Annual Gala

On Wednesday, December 5 from 8:00–10:00 p.m., the McCallum Theatre presents their Annual Gala, a magical evening featuring Trisha Yearwood and honoring the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and its President Ronald M. Auen. Get tickets

LGBTQ+ Social Media Seminar

An informative social media http://gaydesertguide.com/events/lgbtq-advanced-marketing-tips-techniques-for-2019.htmlseminar, LGBTQ Advanced Marketing – Tips & Techniques for 2019 will be presented by Matt Skallerud, owner of Pink Banana Media and Brad Fuhr of Gay Desert Guide on Thursday, December 6 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. at Oscar's Cafe and Bar. The presentation will touch on the key topics of micro-targeting the LGBTQ community online via banner ads and Facebook, as well as delving in the world of LGBTQ bloggers and influencers. More info

Unwined at On the Mark Fine Foods

On the Mark Fine Foods and Provisions presents Unwined: An Elevated Wine Tasting Experience on Thursday, December 6 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. This full hour of wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres includes an official “On The Mark” wine glass, and a different wine and food pairing presented every 10 minutes. Sip, mingle, and create new friendships! Get tickets

Outbook Club + Mixer

The Outbook Club + Mixer is presented the Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Palm Springs Library on Wednesday, December 5 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Outbook is an LGBTQ book club and mixer, and to join simply pick up and read the current month’s selection. Local book critic and columnist J. Corbett Holmes leads discussions around each month’s book. December's selection is The Rules Do Not Apply, by Ariel Levy. More info

Common Misconceptions about Hepatitis C

The LGBT Community Center of The Desert and Eisenhower Health presents: Common Misconceptions about Hepatitis C on Wednesday, December 5 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at The Center. Join Don Gardenier, NP to learn the importance of being screened for HEP-C and the latest treatment options available. This is a FREE event but space is limited. Registration is requested. More info

Toy Drive at Wang's

Wang's in the Desert, BearCules Events & Mr. Palm Springs Leather contestants are joining forces to collect gifts for kids in need at their Christmas Toy Drive on Friday, December 7 from 4:00–10:00 p.m at Wang's. Please donate an unwrapped gift for a boy or a girl! Toys will be distributed by the Palm Springs Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. More info

 

Weekend Theatre

Don't miss these festive and fun local theatre productions–now playing!
 

The Sound of Music, presented by Desert Theatreworks, opens this weekend, running from December 7–23. 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 through December 23. It’s Christmas Eve at Joan Crawford’s Brentwood mansion and Joan, Christina, and Christopher are awaiting the arrival of Hedda Hopper for a very special live radio broadcast. Unfortunately for Joan, she’s about to receive a houseful of celebrity guests, including Judy Garland, Katherine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, and Ethel Merman, just to name a few. They sing and dance their way into your hearts! Get tickets
 

Hairspray is presented by Palm Canyon Theatre through December 16. It's 1962 and teenagers Tracy Turnblad and her friend Penny Pingleton are avid Corny Collins fans. A chance to dance on the show is publicized, Tracy jumps on the opportunity. But not everyone is happy with Tracy's joining the show. The show's manager, Velma von Tussle, will do anything to oust Tracy, even if it has to include Tracy's friends Seaweed and Motormouth Maybelle. Get tickets

Modern Men present “Cool Yule”

Under the direction of Dr. Stan Hill, Modern Men – Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus present “Cool Yule”, with the Big Band stylings of Doc Porter’s Film Festival Band on Saturday and Sunday, December 8 & 9 at the Jewish Community Center. This performance of Holiday Music for the 2018 -2019 season also features guest artists Harmonic Voices, under the direction of Mark Austin. More info

Men in Tights – A Holiday Spectacular

Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus launches their 20th Anniversary Season with “Men in Tights – A Holiday Spectacular.” from Friday, December 14 through Sunday December 16 at the Palm Springs Art Museum Annenberg Theater. In the first act, the chorus will present songs and dances to transport you to the Renaissance when knights were bold. “Christmas in the Cloisters,” Boar’s Head Carol,” “Sing We Now of Christmas” and “Gloucestershire Wassail” music from the time of Camelot will have you experiencing holidays with a king and his court.  After intermission you will step into the modern world and celebrate “A Long Christmas Dinner”, “Ring-A Ling-A Disco”, Stomp The Halls” and enjoy a country western “Dreydl, Dreydl. The chorus is especially pleased to present the choral premiere of “Christmas In Palm Springs” arranged for the chorus by accompanist Joel Baker. Get tickets