Info-A-Go-Go Clubs & Organizations, Bourbon Excursion at The Purple Room, Stonewall Democrats, PLAYclub: The Boys in the Band, Electricity (the play), Center Social at The Riviera, Finding Freedom symposium, Gerald Clarke exhibit and more, plus a Weekend Preview!
Bourbon Excursion at The Purple Room
The Purple Room Supper Club’s popular Bourbon Excursion series continues on Monday, January 20 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. with this month’s featured selection: the full lineup of Maker’s Mark at Frank’s Bourbon Bar. This is the Coachella Valley’s largest collection of rare and premium whiskeys, and this month the excursion will feature: Maker’s Mark, Maker’s 46, Makers’ Cask Strength, Maker’s Private Select, and Maker’s White. Get tickets
The Center’s Info-A-Go-Go 2020
How many times have you heard as an organization or club, “Oh, I had no idea there was a club/org like this in Palm Springs?” Or looking for just the right place to get plugged in and involved in the local LGBT community in the new year? It’s time for Info-A-Go-Go 2020, on Wednesday January 22 from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at the Riviera Hotel. Meet representatives from LGBTQ clubs and organizations across the community and discover where you want branch out in 2020! And of course Gay Desert Guide will be there, stop by and say hi! More info
Danica Patrick at Rancho Mirage Speaker Series
The Rancho Mirage Speaker Series commission brings you “Legends of Sports” for their new series, starting Tuesday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m. when Danica Patrick shares her stories, both personal and professional, at the Rancho Mirage Public Library. Upcoming in the series: Joe Montana will be speaking on February 18, and Chris Evert will speak on March 17. Get tickets
Desert Stonewall Democrats General Membership Meeting
It’s time for the first meeting of the new year for the Desert Stonewall Democrats, on Tuesday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Mizell Senior Center, and the topic will be: “Political Landscape update – how you can get involved.” The invited speakers include Tony Hoang of EQCA and Jerome Braun, a Partnership specialist with the US Census Bureau, tasked with ensuring that typically under-represented groups get counted – this includes LGBTQ folks. Jerome will identify some concrete ways in which members can get involved. More info
Electricity – The Play
Now two and a half years into its record-breaking run, “Electricity” is the longest running play in Palm Springs, and you can catch it Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. from January 21 through March 30 at Oscar’s Bar & Cabaret, as well as select Wednesdays in an immersive version inside a real hotel room at INNdulge, including this Wednesday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. Come see why The Advocate calls Electricity “The Hottest Play in Palm Springs… a MUST see!” Get tickets
Preventing Knee Pain when Hiking or Cycling
The LGBT Community Center of the Desert and Eisenhower Health present “How to Prevent Knee Pain When Hiking or Cycling” on Wednesday, January 22 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Join Kenneth Zaparinuk, Physical Therapist, to learn about the anatomy of the knee joint, different types of pain and the different interventions available. Registration requested for this free event. More info
CVRep’s PLAYclub Presents “The Boys in the Band.”
CVRep presents a new series of PLAYclub (like a book club, but with plays), where you can join PLAYclub facilitator Chris Griffin and other theatre junkies, enthusiasts, and fans for discussion of the great works written for the stage. The first series: Four Gay Plays That Shook the World, starting with “The Boys in the Band,” on Thursday, January 12 at 1:00 p.m.
Get tickets
Finding Freedom Symposium: LGBTQ Recovery, Health, Wellness, and Longevity
The Finding Freedom Symposium takes place Friday and Saturday, January 24 & 25, at the Riviera Palm Springs. The symposium is about bringing forward relevant information for best practices in supporting the LGBTQ community with co-occurring disorders. The conference is open to the community, treatment professionals, doctors, therapists and anyone who is interested in the unique issues facing sexual identity and co-occurring disorders treatment with evidence based practices and LGBTQI specific issues in mental health and addiction. Register Today
Center Social at The Riviera
The LGBT Community Center of the Desert is celebrating a new decade of friendship, connection, and community at their monthly Center Social gathering on Wednesday, January 22 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at The Salon & Ballroom at The Riviera Palm Springs. Come for the awesome vibes and a delicious happy hour. More info
Palm Springs Art Museum Presents Gerald Clarke
Gerald Clarke: Falling Rock is the first mid-career survey and major solo exhibition of contemporary Native American artist Gerald Clarke, presented by the Palm Spring Art Museum now through May 31, 2020. A member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, Clarke utilizes wit and humor to expose historical and present-day injustice, bringing a de-colonial perspective to critical social, economic, and environmental issues facing our world. Learn more about Clarke’s “clever twists” [here] and Get tickets
THIS WEEKEND
Modernism Week: Get Your Tickets Now
The 15th iteration of Modernism Week’s signature festival will take place February 13–23 and highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture. The 11-day festival will feature more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, tours of iconic homes in more than 30 neighborhoods, and the popular Signature Home Tour on both weekends. Also offered are architectural walking, biking and double-decker bus tours, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, garden tours, nightly parties, and a special series of compelling and informative talks. All events are open to the public, and many events are free or low cost, it’s time to get your tickets now!
OutRight Party in Palm Springs
Outright Action International presents a special event to learn more about their work on Sunday, January 26 from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the home of Eric McLaughlin and Ken Seeley. OutRight advances equality and human rights for LGBTIQ people around the world, especially in places where they face extreme discrimination, persecution, and violence. Local OutRight Board members and supporters will gather to hear the latest news and stories from their global movement. Featured speaker is OutRight’s Executive Director Jessica Stern, who is an expert on international LGBTIQ human rights. There will be an opportunity to make a donation to OutRight at the event. More info
Palm Springs Black History Annual Awards Gala
The Palm Springs Black History Committee will host its Annual Palm Springs Black History Awards Gala, at the Palm Springs Air Museum on Saturday, January 25 from 6:00–10:00 p.m.. The Awards Gala is the Palm Springs Black History Committee’s way of recognizing those individuals, groups, local and corporate businesses who have contributed to the success and achievements of African Americans and our society. More info
Dame Joan Collins at Palm Springs Speaks
Palm Springs Speaks presents Dame Joan Collins on Sunday, January 26 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at the Richards Center for the Arts. The English actress, author and columnist made her stage debut at the age of nine, trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London, working in film and television for decades. In 1980 she landed the role of Alexis Carrington on Dynasty, which made her an International superstar. Collins will discuss her amazing life and career and share some fascinating backstage stories from her many years in Hollywood. Get tickets
The Best of Stage & Screen from Coachella Valley Symphony
On Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 p.m., the Coachella Valley Symphony presents “The Best of Stage and Screen” at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theatre. The Symphony will perform, with guest artists, vocal selections from the stage and screen, including a musical suite from the Disney film Aladdin and music from the television series Game of Thrones. Also, enjoy a taste of James Bond through the years, with music from Goldfinger, Skyfall And Live And Let Die. The concert will conclude with the third and fourth movements from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral Symphony. Get tickets
The Southwest Arts Festival Indio 2020
Now in its 34th year, The Southwest Arts Festival® will once again be held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio from January 23–26. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by Travel Magazine, the festival includes traditional, contemporary, and abstract fine works of art and quality crafts from 250 of the most accomplished artists from around the world. This year’s festival will feature live music, with pottery, glass and fine art painting scheduled to be on display. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of dining and beverage options while casually walking the grounds. Get tickets
The L-Fund Gala
The 2020 L-Fund Gala (a sold out event) will take place Saturday, January 25 at the Renaissance Hotel. Trailblazers receiving honors include: Kate Kendell – Bobreta Franklin Community Service Award, Robin Tyler – L-Fund Visionary of the Year Award, Andrea Meyerson – L-Fund Visionary of the Year Award, and Elizabeth Wholihan – Ambassador of the Year Award. More info
Art Party 2020
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents Art Party 2020 honoring Jim Isermann on Saturday, January 25 (sold out event). Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Alexander Girard: A Designer’s Universe at Palm Springs Art Museum through March 1, 2020 and featuring a special performance by artists of The Joffrey Ballet. More info
Theresa Caputo Live!
Theresa Caputo, from TLC’s hit show, Long Island Medium, will be appearing live at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage on Saturday, January 25 at 8:00 p.m. Theresa will share personal stories about her life and explain how her gift works. She will deliver healing messages to audience members and give people comfort knowing that their loved ones who passed are still with them, just in a different way. Get tickets
WEEKEND THEATRE
It’s the final weekend of performances for Beehive, The 60’s Musical, while Camelot continues, and we have a review of Those Musclebound Cowboys From Snake Pit Gulch!
The Palm Canyon Theatre presents Camelot through Sunday, February 9. An idealistic young King Arthur hopes to create a kingdom built on honor and dignity, embodied by his Knights of The Round Table. His ideals, however, are tested when his lovely queen, Guenevere, falls in love with the young Knight, Lancelot and the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. Music by Lerner and Lowe with such songs as “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “I Loved You Once in Silence,” “The Lusty Month of May,” and of course, “Camelot.” Get tickets
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Those Musclebound Cowboys From Snake Pit Gulch running through Sunday, February 9. This new world premiere musical is about NYC Private Investigator who disguises himself as Femme Fatale Daisy LaFleur and heads out west during the height of the Gold Rush of 1849 to solve an open murder case and claim jumping scheme. He journeys to the wild and wooly town of Snake Pit Gulch where men are men and the mail order brides ain’t comin’! With no other women in the lawless and dangerous town of Snake Pit Gulch, the local cowboys have discovered that loving each other is simply the natural way to go. Get tickets
Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh calls Musclebound Cowboys “a very gay, very silly, and VERY entertaining musical,” with “…fun songs, snappy dialogue and some killer jokes and sight gags.” Read his full review [here].
Desert Theatreworks presents Beehive, The 60’s Musical through Sunday, January 26. Relive the heyday of pop queens like Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin to glamorous girl groups like The Supremes and The Shirelles as Beehive pays tribute to a time on the charts when women artists were all the buzz. This retro revue is packed with timeless tunes like “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “One Fine Day” and “Respect,” as well as authentic costumes, and plenty of wigs! Get tickets
Renée Taylor – My Life on a Diet
Renée Taylor – known to millions for her role on The Nanny as Fran Fine’s food-obsessed mother – looks back on a life full of memorable roles and just as many fad diets in her show My Life on a Diet, on Sunday, January 26 at the McCallum theatre for two performances: 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Taylor dishes out juicy anecdotes about — and weight loss tips from — Hollywood legends such as Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando and Cary Grant. By sharing her highs and lows – on and off the scale – as only she could, Renée Taylor proves how the ability to laugh will get you through it all. Get tickets
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast
Be sure to listen to our twice-weekly podcast, the I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast, where hosts John Taylor and Shann Carr, and your “Gay Desert Guide” Brad Fuhr take you for a ride around Greater Palm Springs with LGBTQ+ things to do, places to go and people to meet! Listen Now