This week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings – The Coachella Festival 2019 lineup is announced, the beloved BUZZ bus is back, Palm Springs International Film Festival is in full swing, and there's a special reception for The Children of Harvey Milk. We also have a DBA Mixer at Ace, Anita Rose at Chill, Jazzville at Zoso, and a look ahead to L-Fund Gala, McCormick's Auction and Mini Gay Days!
 

Coachella 2019 Lineup Announced (and Sold Out)

Social media has been on fire with the announcement of the 2019 Coachella Music & Arts Festival lineup of artists, featuring headliners Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Ariana Grande. The festival will take place April 12–14 and 19–21. Both weekends 1 and 2 have sold out but event promoter Goldenvoice has announced that tickets reserved for local residents will go on sale in early February, details TBA. 

The BUZZ is Back January 10

SunLine Transit Agency will bring the Palm Springs BUZZ back into service Thursday, January 10, after it ended six months ago. Under its new operator, SunLine Transit Agency, the BUZZ will return to provide free rides on its original route in Palm Springs every 20 minutes from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the relaunch will be held at noon on January 10 at Museum Way and Palm Canyon Drive. More info

Palm Springs International Film Fest Continues

On Thursday, January 3, the Palm Springs International Film Festival kicked off with the Film Awards Gala, honoring filmmakers and actors representing a recent trend, or perhaps the start of a new era, of diversity in Hollywood. Read more. 

In all, eleven awards were handed out, with some of Hollywood's biggest stars as not only recipients but presenters. Honorees included Glenn Close, Bradley Cooper, Regina King, Timothee Chalamet, Spike Lee, Rami Malek, and Melissa McCarthy, with presenters such as Jim Carrey, Laura Dern, and Christian Slater. Read more.

The Film Fest's Closing Night Gala will take place Sunday, January 13 and features a screening of Ladies in Black: Set in Sydney in 1959, Oscar®-nominated writer/director Bruce Beresford takes us back to the heyday of glamorous upscale department stores, when a concierge met you at the door and clerks wore gloves.

Another annual highlight of the festival is the Gay!La festival party, taking place this year on Thursday, January 10 at 9:00 p.m. at Toucan's. To join in the fun, Get tickets

Children of Harvey Milk Reception Jan 10

Mark your calendars! As part of a worldwide book tour for his new book, The Children of Harvey Milk, Professor Andrew Reynolds will be having a book signing at Just Fabulous and a reception at Eight4Nine on Thursday, January 10th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Part political thriller, part meditation on social change, part love story, The Children of Harvey Milk tells the epic stories of courageous men and women around the world who came forward to make their voices heard during the struggle for equal rights. The book is based on deeply personal and revealing interviews with over ninety elected officials and high-profile candidates from across the globe. Palm Springs, and its leading politicians, play a cameo part in the book with its all LGBTQ council. Author Andrew Reynolds will be joined by Irish Senator Fintan Warfield and Scottish MP Hannah Bardell who will speak to the remarkable changes in their countries. Also speaking: Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon and councilmembers Geoff Kors and Lisa Middleton in a conversation moderated by Bryan Gallo. More info

DBA Mixer at Ace Hotel & Swim Club

On Monday, January 7 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., join the Desert Business Association for their first DBA Networking Mixer of 2019 at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. More info

Anita Rose Against Humanity

On Tuesday, January 8 at 8:00 p.m. (and every Tuesday), Anita Rose hosts a sexy, queer version of the classic party game Cards Against Humanity at Chill Bar.  More info

 

Jazzville Palm Springs presents Calixto Oviedo Quartet with Lily Hernandez

On Wednesday, January 9 from 7:00–10:00 p.m., Hotel Zoso presents Calixto Oviedo Quartet with Lily Hernandez. Calixto is a living encyclopedia of Cuban drumming and percussion. His innovative and brilliant techniques have made him the in-demand drummer for The Afro Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, and Arturo Sandoval. Calixto's wife, Lily Hernandez, is vivacious and delivers Cuban canciones with a captivating voice and radiant stage presence. Get tickets

Mark Your Calendars

 

McCormick's Palm Springs Collector Car Auction: Feb 22–24

Celebrating its 33rd year, McCormick's Palm Springs Collector Car Auction runs February 22–24, featuring a free preview Friday open to the public, with auction running all day Saturday and Sunday. More info
 

L-Fund Gala: Jan 26

On Saturday, January 26 from 5:00–9:00 p.m., L-Fund presents their 5th annual Gala Fundraiser, Sisters are Doin' It For Themselves. The event features dinner, dancing, and Jewelle Gomez will be honored with the Bobreta Franklin Community Service Award. Entertainment featuring Elaine Gibbs and Her All-Women Band. Get tickets
 

Mini Gay Day: Mar 2

It's that time of year again; Mini Gay Day, the casual meet up at Disneyland Resort on Saturday, March 2–six months before Gay Days Anaheim in October. It's another chance to break out your red shirts and add even more fairy dust to Disneyland! Get tickets

Bongo Johnny's New Location

Rebuilding after last year's fire, Bongo Johnny's has moved to a new location above La Quinta Brewing Company on North Palm Canyon Drive. They are currently stretching their legs with a soft opening and locals in the know have been lining up to support them. We are glad to have you back, Bongo Johnny's! More info