It is President’s Day as I write our early week blog – ironic after the proceedings over the weekend. But I am reminded of the Monty Python skit and song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. We’ve placed it in our Featured Videos below. Eric Idle memorably performed that for the closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics.
The song seems fitting today if you take a look at the lyrics. Heck, you might even want to whistle along to start your week. As you listen, you can finish reading my blog for today with a look at what’s happening around Greater Palm Springs this week.
Where has Bryan Gallo gone? We answer that question on the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast this week. (He’s fine!) I do hope you’re listening each week. We premiere it live on Facebook each Friday at 11 am, and you can subscribe via your favorite podcast platform.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
Celebrating Black Voices
The Desert Stonewall Democrats present Black History in the Coachella Valley – Celebrating Black Voices on Tuesday, February 16 at 6:00 p.m. The confirmed panelists include singer and humanitarian Keisha D, Indio’s Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon, writer and Palm Springs Library Trustee David Jax Kelly, and a special message from Palm Springs Councilmember Grace Elena Garner. Join on Zoom and celebrate Black History Month! More info
Healing Circles
The LGBTQ Center of the Coachella Valley presents Healing Circles: Helping Restore Body, Mind, Soul and Relationships from Racial Injustice, for 10 weekly sessions starting Monday, February 15 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. This is a free, closed group (not drop-in), for persons of color. Facilitated by Christopher Rios, AMFT, and Leo DeOliveira, AMFT, via HIPAA-compliant Zoom calls, the group will provide a safe space and support for the processing and healing of racial traumas and injustices. More info
Great Outdoors Adventures: Yosemite High Sierra Camps
The LGBTQ Center and Great Outdoors present Yosemite High Sierra Camps – A Unique Yosemite Backcountry Experience on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. You will see and hear about backcountry glamping and some of the most scenic trails in North America. Understand why so many hikers apply for the lottery and hope to get a chance to stay in the camps and hike the trails. Join veteran Yosemite High Camp hikers sharing their experiences. More info
Broadway Showstoppers – Classic Moments
CVRep’s Theatre Thursday presents Broadway Showstoppers – Classic Moments on Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Returning to the virtual stage with an all-new show, Glenn Rosenblum will present some of the most classic moments on Broadway! Free event, registration required. More info
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Join Miguel at the LGBTQ Center of the Desert for Jugando Con Orgullo LGBTQ Game Night, a virtual Zoom Scavenger Hunt on Friday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. More info
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My Dirty Valentine: 2021 HUMP! Film Festival
What a fun way to celebrate love! Dan Savage’s all-new 2021 HUMP! Film Festival, a livestream event happening on various dates now through March 6. (Follow our link for the schedule) features short dirty movies—each less than five minutes—created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one just for this festival! It’s a carefully curated program with a cornucopia of body types, shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes. HUMP! celebrates creative sexual expression and wants to change the way you see—and make and share—porn. Get tickets
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.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Fifty+ Fit with Lynn Simonson – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.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.
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.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Fridays at 2:00 p.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 84
Join us for a Facebook Live where we will debut the latest episode of the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast at its new time, Fridays at 11:00 a.m.! This week: Happy Valentine’s Weekend! John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and GayDesertGuide.com Brad Fuhr are joined by #ILoveGayPalmSprings regulars Dr. Laura Rush and Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com + Bob Wills of GrandCentralPalmSprings.com + actors Mandahla Rose & Haviland Stillwell from the Revry.TV series BIFL …and longtime pal TV host Bryan Gallo stops by to talk about his podcast Do Your Part. [Listen] or [Watch]
The #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast is broadcast on Facebook Live at its new time, Fridays at 11:00 a.m.! Our podcast is brought to you by We Are Palm Springs, inviting locals to support local business!
The I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast is also 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)
Now available on iHeartRadio too!
LOOKING AHEAD
Buying Property in Puerto Vallarta – Free Webinar on National Margarita Day
Monday, February 22 is National Margarita Day, so make your favorite flavor of margarita and dream of living in Mexico! The Agency’s Poncho Davalos will guide you through the steps needed and answer questions in Buying Property in Puerto Vallarta, a one-hour Facebook Live from 5:00–6:00 p.m. Learn about living in Puerto Vallarta, it is easier than you think – and affordable. More info
Nasty Women of the Metropolitan Museum
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and The MenEvent.com present Nasty Women of the Metropolitan Museum on Saturday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m. Throughout history, there have been nasty women—feisty path-breakers who make themselves heard. From an entire gallery dedicated to a female Pharaoh to paintings by and of famous suffragettes, the Met has a surprisingly rich collection of women who ruled, frightened, patronized, and politicked—in short, role models for today’s liberated woman. Learn about the powerful, ambitious, and intimidating women hanging on the walls of the Metropolitan! Get tickets
LGBTQ Tour of Provincetown
Join the Fun & Games Dept. of Gay Desert Guide and TheMenEvent.com on Sunday, February 21 at 11:00 a.m for a virtual LGBTQ Tour of Provincetown with Andrew Lear. This little fishing village at the end of Cape Cod is also one of the most fabulous LGBTQ resorts in the world. Smoldering as a burgeoning artists’ colony in the 1890s, the cover on its gay and lesbian social scene was blown off in 1915 when the Bohemians of Greenwich Village made Provincetown their summer headquarters. For over a hundred years it has welcomed partiers, artists, lesbian entrepreneurs, gay retirees, and everyone in between. Get tickets