The stay at home order will be lifted! That opens the door for our restaurants to again offer outdoor dining first and foremost. But it also allows what we know has been happening anyway – restrictions on leisure travel are also lifted.
It is a huge boon for our region as we enter peak season and will help save many of our small businesses. The order covers indoor salon services as well.
So will we have “OPEN” signs turned on this week. It’s going to be a good time to head to our HOT DEALS section and pick up a few gift cards from local restaurants and retailers.
On Thursday’s podcast, I’ll be talking with Dean Levine from Blackbook on our #WeArePalmSprings segment. Subscribe to get each Thursday’s new edition for our look at LGBTQ life in the Coachella Valley.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
Info-A-Go-Go 2021: Tuesday & Wednesday
Pandemic or no pandemic the 4th Annual Info-A-Go-Go will take place in 2021 with a new twist. The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents a virtual Info-A-Go-Go from 1:00–2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 26 and 27. This event is a one-stop-shop for all things LGBTQ+ in the desert. Our community has so many amazing activities to become involved with and this is an opportunity to explore them all in one place…virtually and safely! Connect virtually with organizations such as: (just to name a few): The LGBT Sanctuary Palm Springs, PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors}, The L-Fund, Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC, Great Outdoors – Palm Springs, Desert Business Association, Brothers of the Desert, and Dezart Performs. And yours truly, Gay Desert Guide, will be presenting on the 27th! More info
THIS WEEKEND: Gossipy Potluck and Recipe Swap with Comedian Shann Carr
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Gossipy Potluck and Recipe Swap with Comedian Shann Carr on Sunday, January 31 from 1:00–2:00 p.m. on Zoom. Bring the recipe that has gotten you through Covid and swap, laugh and gossip and play with other Queerish people for an hour! Get tickets
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Mental Amusements from Dezart Performs
The first live streaming event from Dezart Performs is award-winning mentalist Vinny DePonto, welcoming you to “Mental Amusements,” his magnificently crafted carnival designed exclusively for the virtual stage. Imagine having your mind controlled, your secret thoughts revealed and predictions made about your imminent future — all through the screen and from your own home! Performances extended through Sunday, January 31, with performances Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Check out the trailer [here] and get tickets [here].
Meditation and Intuition Development Group Begins
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert is launching 8 weekly sessions of a Meditation and Intuition Development Group, starting Monday, January 25 at 2:30 p.m. By finding our inner gifts and tools to access a quiet peaceful place using meditation techniques, we can better achieve our goals in life. With this new program, Barbara Lippert will guide you to a peaceful place and access your own spiritual intuition and help better understand what can work best for you. More info
The Reunion Project: COVID-19 and Vaccinations
The Reunion Project Webinar Series presents COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccinations: What Those of Us Living with HIV Need to Know on Tuesday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m. Interact with an inspiring panel of long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS, and learn the most up-to-the-minute information about COVID-19 from the National Institutes of Health. [Learn more] Panel includes:
- Waheedah Shabazz-El, HIV Long-Term Survivor, Philadelphia, PA
- Vanessa Johnson, HIV Long-Term Survivor, Washington, DC
- Moises Agosto, NMAC, Treatment Director, Washington, DC
- Reginald Brown, Board Member, VOCAL-NY
- Dr. Carl W. Dieffenbach, National Institutes of Health, Director of the Division of AIDS
Estate Planning for the LGBT Community
Sean K Heslin, a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, and Christopher Heritage from Heritage Legal PC will present a Zoom Estate Planning Seminar on Wednesday, January 27 at 12:00 p.m. When it comes to your estate, even if you’ve taken no action at all, you have an estate plan. Your “default plan” may be determined by the laws of your state. Learn strategies you may want to consider with planning your estate, including: how your assets are distributed, who will take care of your minor or special-needs children, and who will make medical or financial decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself. More info
‘The Clean House’ Virtual Staged Reading
CVRep’s Theatre Thursday presents The Clean House ~ A Virtual Staged Reading Presented by Whittier Trust on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. This staged reading will be directed by Joanne Gordon and comprised of stars Liana Arauz as Matilde, Valarie Stanford as Lane, Debra Cardona as Virginia, Christopher Shaw as Charles, and Elizabeth Swain as Ana. The Clean House is whimsical, touching and hilarious. A serious career-oriented doctor, Lane, has hired the quirky Brazilian Matilde, as her maid. The only problem is that Matilde hates to clean – she longs to be a comedienne. Sarah Ruhl’s enchanting play reminds us that there is laughter to be found in life’s messes. Free event, registration required. More info
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.
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 81
Join the celebration as we go from MAGA to GAGA with John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com, and Dr Laura Rush. Special guests: Willie Rhine of Eight4Nine.com, Mel Mason from declutteringspaces.com and political activist Joy Silver of joysilverforcalifornia.com. [Listen] or [Watch]
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
Wed Feb. 3: Star Trek Virtual Speed Dating for Men with Alexander Rodriguez
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Game Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Star Trek Virtual Speed Dating with Alexander Rodriguez on Wednesday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m. Set your phasers to stunning and join us for an evening that’s destined to be out of this world! Join other gay, single Star Trek fans for warp speed dating sessions, fun ice breakers, and Star Trek Trivia. BYORA – Bring Your Own Romulan Ale. Bonus points for wearing your Starfleet issue gear! To not join us would be illogical. Get tickets
Sat. Jan 30: Joan of Arc and Women in Power in 15th C. France
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Joan of Arc and Women in Power in 15th Century France on Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. Joan of Arc was a powerless woman who understood her country’s situation better than any of the powerful men, managed to get them to listen to her, and got punished for it in the end. And she has been inspiring women to speak out and fight for their ideas since the 15th century. Learn her inspiring story, and the other surprisingly powerful women in this key period. Get tickets
Sun. Jan 31: Shocking Double Lives of Iconic Gay Artists
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Shocking Double Lives of Iconic Gay Artists on Sunday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. From Caravaggio to Andy Warhol, many gay artists had double lives. This talk will focus on iconic artists who created mainstream work, which they showed openly, as well as provocative gay work, which they hid or destroyed. An hour-long virtual talk by Ignacio Darnaude, will reveal stunning examples of how these artists’ complex sexuality had a crucial impact on their life and work. We guarantee that you’ll never see them with the same eyes again. Get tickets