DBA Mixer at Museum of Ancient Wonders, Luminary Luncheon with Jerry Mathers, Lalo Guerrero Tribute at Jazzville, Rainbow Night at Playoffs, Eat Well/Do Good at Eight4Nine, Stonewall Garden’s 5th Anniversary, Classes at The Center, and a look ahead to the weekend!
Happy Chinese New Year 2020
The Chinese New Year began on January 25 and 2020 is The Year of the Rat, which promises prosperity, for the rat represents a quick mind with the ability to gather resources and save for the future. May you have a year of great intelligence, resourcefulness, and adaptability!
DBA Networking Mixer at Museum of Ancient Wonders
The Desert Business Association is holding a mixer at one of their non-profit members, the Museum of Ancient Wonders (MoAW) in Cathedral City on Monday, January 27 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Take a step back in time and appreciate their exhibitions of replicated and genuine treasured artifacts from the world of ancient civilizations and scientifically produced laboratory-cast fossils of important discoveries of prehistoric life. More info
CVRep Luminary Luncheon with Jerry Mathers
Join CVRep for another installment of their Luminary Luncheon series on Tuesday, January 28 from 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. when radio host DanMcGrath will interview Jerry Mathers in an Actors’ Studio-style setting. “Leave It To Beaver” entered the hearts and homes of America in 1957. The show made Jerry Mathers, “The Beave,” an icon for more than 60 years. Q&A with the audience to follow. Get tickets
Lalo Guerrero Tribute at Jazzville Palm Springs
Jazzville presents a tribute to the legendary Lalo Guerrero with an 8-piece band on Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Wang’s in the Desert. Lalo was a Mexican-American guitarist, singer and farm labor activist best known for his strong influence on today’s Latin musical artists. This incredible evening will feature music from Lalo’s early Cha Cha and Mambo days to some of his biggest Latin hits in both Spanish and English. His son, Mark Guerrero, will be a guest musician in the show. Get tickets
Rainbow Night at Playoffs Sports Lounge
It’s the last Wednesday of the month, and that means Rainbow Night returns to Playoffs Sports Lounge in Desert Hot Springs, starting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29! Come for the munchies and cocktails, cocktails, cocktails, then your fabulous hostess Anita Rose and her girls will start the show around 8:00. More info
Eat Well/Do Good at Eight4Nine
On Wednesday, January 29, Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge will host the first Eat Well/Do Good of 2020, benefiting Sanctuary Palm Springs, a LGBTQ+ Transitional Housing Program for youth, age 18-21, transitioning out of the California Foster Care System. Eight4Nine is donating 40% of the proceeds of all day and evening dining. Reservation recommended but not necessary. More info
Stonewall Gardens’ 5-Year Anniversary Party
Stonewall Gardens, Palm Springs’ first and only senior assisted living for the LGBTQ community and friends, celebrates their 5th Anniversary on Thursday, January 30 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served with entertainment by Keisha D. Tours of the community will be available. RSVP requested. More info
The Center is Hoppin’
The LGBT Community Center of the Desert is grateful for the enthusiastic turnout for their Info-A-Go-Go event last week, here’s a photo of Gay Desert Guide’s Alex McCune and Nick Singleton, manning the booth and signing up participants for our weekly newsletter [sign up here]!
The Center is also starting a season of new classes for the new year, including Knits & Purls, American Sign Language, Acrylic Painting, and much more! Visit their site for more info.
THIS WEEKEND
New Player Clinic for Palm Springs Gay Softball League
The Palm Springs Gay Softball League (PSGSL) is offering a New Player Clinic on Sunday, February 2 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Demuth Park. The PSGSL New Player Clinic is not a tryout and is open to all men and women interested in playing softball with other members of the LGBTQ community, designed to help players new to softball or new to the area. Participants will go through a series of fielding, hitting, throwing and base running drills during the 2-hour session. Bring your glove, cleats and plenty of water! More info
Animal Samaritans Yappy Hour at The Riviera
Even your pups can participate in Palm Springs Yappy Hour! Come to Cody’s Courtyard at The Riviera Palm Springs on Sunday, February 2 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. Parking is free and you don’t need a dog to attend! A suggested $20 donation at the door goes directly to Animal Samaritans and you get wine, appetizers, desserts, fruited waters, dog treats, photo ops with pet costumes, and vinyl DJ music from DJ Greg of Glitter & Sand! More info
Craft Cocktail Week
The Fourth Annual Palm Springs Craft Cocktail Week, a production of the Coachella Valley Independent, takes place January 31–February 8 at various bars and restaurants in the valley. The week includes the Craft Cocktail Championship, at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5 at Moxie Palm Springs. Gay Desert Guide’s founder Brad Fuhr will be on the distinguished panel of judges again this year! Participating bars and restaurants will be doing special cocktails and cocktail menus and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Desert AIDS Project and the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. More info
Stars Among Us Gala – Take Off With Mizell
The 15th Annual Stars Among Us Gala, benefiting Mizell Senior Center’s programs and services, invites you to “Take Off with Mizell” on Saturday, February 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, leading into dinner and entertainment/dancing, all at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This year’s honorees are Dr. Tim Jochen & Mr. Lee Erwin and BIGHORN Cares. In-flight entertainment by LA’s hottest show band, The Zippers, will pull you out of your seat and having you dancing the night away. Get tickets
Super Bowl Viewing Parties
Super Bowl LIV takes place on Sunday, February 2 at 3:30 p.m. between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, and we’ve got some great options for watching the game among fellow enthusiasts!
The Big Game at The Show
View all of the football action on a giant 40-foot screen with state of the art surround sound at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage. At The Show, there isn’t a bad seat in the house! Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Also at Agua Caliente: watch the game on giant wraparound screens in the 360 Sports Lounge, with a special dining menu, commemorative “360 sports” t-shirt, pom-poms, foam fingers, and rally towels! More info
Lulu’s Super Big Game Sunday Party
Lulu’s Super Big Game Sunday is an “indoor tailgate party” with a terrific buffet of game day food and a large selection of beers and cocktails, with big game viewing on Lulu’s 120-inch projection screen and multiple TVs. Enjoy tailgate snacks like Caesar salad, potato salad, and fruit salad; coin toss appetizers including a tater tots bar, fried green beans with chipotle ranch sauce, and mozzarella sticks, raffle and giveaways galore. More info
The Big Game Party at The Roost Lounge
Watch the Big Game at The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City, an exciting gay bar and video lounge with a friendly vibe, just in front of the Mary Pickford Theater. More info
Chili Cook-Off and Beer Bust at Trunks
This ever-popular rodeo chapter event is one of the most anticipated every year. Always held on Super Bowl Sunday, the Chili Cook-off is well attended and lots of fun. Admission is free; however to sample a large selection of homemade chili dishes entered in competition (great idea for lunch), there is a $5 charge. More info
Cowboy Night at Trunks
Palm Springs Hot Rodeo is presenting a new regular event: Cowboy Night (for Cowgirls, too!) on Saturday, February 1 from 7:30–11:00 p.m. at Trunks. Enjoy music for your dancing & listening pleasure by acclaimed Dj Stephen; an innovative Beer Bust ($5 donation gets you beer for $2 a pop all evening); video highlights from Palm Springs Hot Rodeo, and a cash prize raffle drawn approximately 9:30 p.m. just before the barn dance. More info
Palm Springs Speaks Presents Andrea Bernstein
Palm Springs Speaks presents investigative journalist and political analyst Andrea Bernstein discussing her new book American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power on Friday, January 31 from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Bernstein’s painstaking detective work brings to light new information about the families’ arrival as immigrants to America, their paths to success, and the business and personal lives of the president and his closest family members. Get tickets
Saturday Sisterhood of Cinema: “Kiss Me”
The Saturday Sisterhood of Cinema presents “Kiss Me,” a super cute lesbian French film, on Saturday, February 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatre. The Saturday Sisterhood Of Cinema is a local-meet up group for women to gather, socialize, and see quality cinema. The group meets on the 1st Saturday of every month, for a special 10:00 a.m. screening at the Cultural Center. If the film gets you thinking, join the group upstairs at the VIP Lounge for sips, nibbles, and convo after. Get tickets
The Gardens on El Paseo Concert Series
The 22nd Annual Concert Series is underway, Saturdays on the center lawn in front of Saks Fifth Avenue at The Gardens on El Paseo. Since the concert’s inception, The Gardens has been able to raise more than $1 million for those in need, bringing people together with music. On Saturday, February 1, Finesse will be performing, benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert, with light bites by Tommy Bahama. See our link for full schedule details. Get tickets
The Big Broadway Singalong Too
Join Desert Theatreworks for The Big Broadway Singalong Too, an evening of dinner and song on Saturday, February 1 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. The entire crowd will be belting out classic tunes (from your seat and in a group) from Broadway’s biggest hits led by four of the Desert’s best cabaret singers and live accompaniment. Featuring a catered dinner benefitting Desert Theatreworks’ Kidsworks educational programming. If you’ve always wanted to sing out loud in a broadway musical but don’t want to be on stage, now’s your chance! The evening will also feature a silent auction and raffle. Get tickets
Weekend Theatre
Desert Ensemble Theatre Company presents Adoption Roulette, from January 31 through Sunday, February 9 at the Pearl McManus Theater. This world premier play is based on a true account of Elizabeth Fuller and her husband adopting a little girl from Russia. The couple soon finds themselves trapped in a story that has all the elements of a Hitchcock thriller. Witty and terrifying, the play takes the audience on a ride through the streets of Moscow and into the hinterlands of Siberia as the couple tries to realize their dream. Get tickets
CVRep presents a re-imaged version of the 1978 Broadway musical Ballroom from January 29 through February 16. This 26-character revival (CVrep’s largest cast ever!) includes all the musical numbers from the original Broadway production, restores several songs originally written for the show, and offers up three new songs. Story follows central character Bea and her relationships with love interest Alfred (a mail carrier), her ballroom friends and family members. Get tickets
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
Coyote Stageworks presents A Doll’s House, Part 2 from February 7–16 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This play picks up where Ibsen’s famous A Doll’s House ended. In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 groundbreaking masterwork, Nora Helmer makes the shocking decision to leave her husband and children, and begin a life on her own. In A Doll’s House, Part 2, many years have passed since Nora’s exit. Now, there’s a knock on that same door. Nora has returned. But why? And what will it mean for those she left behind? You do not need to know the original to laugh at this irreverent sequel! Get tickets
Desert Theatreworks presents Neil Simon’s Rumors from February 7 through March 1 at the Indio Performing Arts Center. Hilarity abounds as guests arrive at the Deputy Mayor and his wife’s New York City townhouse to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. The party never quite begins; the host has shot himself in the head (it’s only a flesh wound) and his wife is missing! Doors slam, people run up and down the stairs, in and out of the bathroom and the kitchen. Join Desert Theatreworks for this spellbinding, side-splitting gem of a comedy by America’s favorite playwright, Neil Simon. Get tickets
LOOKING AHEAD
“House of Cardin” Palm Springs Gala Premiere
Tickets are now on sale for the Opening Night Gala at the Architecture Design Art Film Festival, featuring a screening of “House of Cardin,” a documentary about the life and design of the legendary icon Pierre Cardin, as a special Modernism Week 2020 event, on Friday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. Directed and produced by Palm Springs residents P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes, the film has been winning awards for its exploration of the man behind the larger-than-life fashion label. Alison Martino of Vintage Los Angeles will lead a Q&A with the filmmakers and their special guests to follow. Get tickets
Cathedral City LGBT Days Bed Race Registration Now Open
Saturday morning March 28 at 10:30 a.m. is the unique Cathedral City Pride parade, the 6th Annual LGBT Days Bed Race. Host Bella da Ball will officiate the morning’s activities that promise a little drama and suspense. Teams of five are encouraged to sign-up now, decorate a float on wheels, step into some racing shoes or fancy pumps, and race for the coveted winner’s trophy. It’s all in fun! Enter the Parade of Beds or show your skills and enter the Bed Race. More info
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