Ding Ding! We have a winner! Actually it’s a carefully selected new executive director of the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert! The Center broke the news to supporters late last week that Rob Wheeler begins CEO duties this week. We’re looking forward to meeting Rob and the reports from those who have met him are all positive! See the release here.
CNN’s new eight-part docuseries “History of the Sitcom” debuted last night and it only took until episode two to tackle the issue of LGBTQ representation on television. Trying to tell the complete 70-year history of the TV genre is a nearly impossible task, but producers are weaving old and new together in a fascinating and flashback laden way. I highly recommend it, especially the second where Paul Lynne and Ellen bookend the hour.
“History of the Sitcom” airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on CNN.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
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Mark Your Calendar: Modernism Week
It’s time to make sure you have Modernism Week 2022 on your calendar! The annual 11-day festival will take place from February 17–27, 2022, with 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, a classic car show, garden tours, nightly parties, and much more. Tickets for Modernism Week go on sale November 1, 2021 at noon PDT. More info
Modernism Week Fall Preview will be October 14–17, 2021. The Fall Preview is a four-day long “mini-Modernism Week” featuring more than 50 events, including tours, talks, and parties in unique locations not regularly open to the public. It also includes the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale Fall Edition. Tickets for the Fall Preview go on sale August 1, 2021 at noon PDT, less than three weeks away! More info
DBA In-Person Networking Mixer
The Desert Business Association returns “LIVE and In-Person” with a Networking Mixer hosted at Desert Rose Playhouse on Monday, July 12 at 5:30 p.m. Come see the “New” Desert Rose Playhouse in Palm Springs and hear about their upcoming performances. You can even buy individual or Season Tickets to support this Non-Profit LGBTQ+ theater group. Also: learn more from new DBA member Kevin Crockett of Crockett Law Group, representing personal injury clients here in the Coachella Valley and beyond. You’ve seen his pictures, billboards and ads, so come and meet him in-person. There will also be a cash raffle to support LGBTQ Youth Education Scholarships through Safe Schools Desert Cities. More info
Get a Job at the Ace
The Ace Hotel & Swim Club is hosting an in-person job fair this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 & 14, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. each day. In anticipation of a great fall season, they have strong growth opportunities in many areas. Positions available include: Amigo Room bartender, events bartender, servers and houseperson, room service attendants, line cook, massage therapist, licensed hair and makeup artist, front desk agents for lobby and spa and lifeguard. Check it out on our new Jobs Page
RuPaul Recaps
Our Special Drag Correspondent Dante Noto is faithfully watching and reporting on all the weekly victories and defeats in the world of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6. Check out the review of Episode 4, “Halftime Headliners,” [here], Episode 3, “Side Hustle” [here] and see all of Dante’s recaps back to the season premiere [here].
Atomic Bingo: Christmas in July
Wilma and Frieda Palm Springs and Ethyl’s Place present Atomic Bingo every Monday starring Ethylina Canne, who is in a ho-ho-holiday mood throughout the month of Christmas in July! Reserve your table ahead of time (required) for an evening of great food, mid-century vibes and 5 games of BINGO with Ethylina to make you smile and forget your cares! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. More info
Mizell Senior Center Re-Opens Monday July 12
The Mizell Center re-opens its doors to members and non-members alike on Monday, July 12 at 8:00 a.m. All will be welcomed into the building for programs and activities, however, the dining room will remain closed. They are also instituting a new sign-in policy for emergency preparedness. More info
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Center Social Returns Wednesday July 28
It’s a couple of weeks out, but mark your calendar because The Center Social is coming back! Join your friends at The Saguaro on Wednesday, July 28 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. for the first Center Social since the COVID pandemic shut everything down. Beat the heat with cool vibes, refreshing drinks, and an even cooler community in AC luxury overlooking the Jacinto Lawn and the amazing pool area. Celebrate community and connection and spread the word–this happy hour is for everyone! More info
Sexual Health in a Fetish World
The Center and Eisenhower Health present Sexual Health in a Fetish World on Wednesday, July 14 from 4:00–5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join Jonathan Bechard, MD, Internal Medicine, for a sex-positive discussion around common medical risks associated with fetish play, how to avoid them, how to talk about them with your doctor, and how to bring a health-positive voice to your desires and experimentation. Registration required. More info
Jazzville Palm Springs: The Jazz Cartel
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents the The Jazz Cartel on Thursday, July 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Every Thursday through September 30 you can experience the hottest acts in jazz and step back in time to when all the cool cats came to play and put Palm Springs on the map! Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites will be available to order and enjoy while bopping to the tunes of the evening. More info
ShortFest Best of Fest Virtual Screening
Missed the in-person festival or just want to rewatch some of your favorites? Palm Springs International ShortFest presents a Virtual Best of Fest screening, from Thursday, July 15–Sunday, July 18. Due to high demand, they are bringing back 35 of the strongest jury and audience award-winners from this year’s ShortFest and streaming them virtually. After unlocking once this content becomes available July 15 at 12:00 am PDT, you’ll have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you’ll have 24 hours to finish watching. More info
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
The heat is ON and that means Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage is back, July 15 through August 15. Here’s how it works: Purchase your $10 wristband online or in person at various locations, then visit participating restaurants to enjoy their Taste of Summer offers and deals on appetizers, drinks or desserts. Not only do you benefit from the savings, the proceeds from the sale of wristbands go to help the Chamber of Commerce, the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Foundation, and the charity you choose from the list. It’s a win/win all the way around! More info
Stand Up Comedy Workshop Series
If you always wanted to try comedy, now you can! The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents a 6-week Stand Up Comedy Workshop Series on Zoom, starting Friday, July 16 and running through August 21. Professional Emcee and Comedienne Mina Hartong (Curve Magazine America’s Funniest Lesbians) will guide you, no experience necessary, starting with your story ideas, followed by joke structure and delivery, and finishing with your polished three minute comedy set. Support your classmates by giving each other encouragement and feedback along the way. The last class is a live comedy show where you can invite your friends to celebrate your debut. More info
FREE Tuesday Tadasana Yoga at Agua Caliente
Agua Caliente Casinos is offering a free weekly Tadasana Yoga class, Tuesdays from 8:00–9:00 a.m. through July 27. The class is powered by Power Yoga Palm Springs at the Agave Terraza outdoor pavilion space at Agua Caliente Cathedral City. Book your (free) space ahead of time! Attendees will also receive coupons and promos. More info
San Diego Pride 2021
San Diego Pride events continue through this week and into the big weekend, July 17–18, with a Hillcrest Block Party, Pride BBQ, Spirit of Stonewall Rally, several pool parties, and even a virtual pride celebration, SD Pride Live. With all the in-person events, (minus an actual parade) 2021 marks a return to something closer to SD Pride’s normal celebrations in July. See the full list of events through our link. Learn more
Registration Open for ‘Paint El Paseo Pink’ 2021
Desert Cancer Foundation has announced the 15th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink will take place October 9, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., returning to El Paseo for an in-person event this year. The walk, taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be the first major event held on El Paseo since the pandemic began. Registration for the breast cancer awareness walk is now open. More info
Virtual Events at The Center
The LGBTQ Community 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 their programs:
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.
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.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]
THIS WEEKEND
An Evening of Comedy with Jason Stuart
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents An Evening of Comedy with Jason Stuart on Saturday, July 17 at 8:00 p.m. This night of stand up comedy also features comedians Shann Carr and Selene Luna. A portion of this night’s proceeds go to help fund Safe Space Performing Arts’ Summer LGBTQ Youth Program. Get tickets
Summer Concert Series: Leanna and The Jazz Collective
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the 1st Annual Summer Concert Series, featuring Leanna & The Jazz Collective on Friday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m. Leanna brings to the stage straight ahead Jazz, spiced with a bit of Bossa Nova & Latin Jazz, with some of the top jazz musicians in Southern California. Come in your Jazz finest and if you get the optional upgrade, enjoy a VIP Cocktail Reception upstairs at 6:00 p.m. where you can mix and mingle with your fellow Jazz enthusiasts. Pre-sale drink special available. Get tickets
Gay Wine Weekends
It’s a Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma and online with two events: On Saturday, July 17, it’s Twilight at St. Jean from 6:00–10:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 18 Gay Wine Week Drag Superstar Ruby Red Munro will lead you in a game of online Bingo that will have you rolling on the floor. Prizes will be awarded for each game. Then auctioneer extraordinaire Michael Tate Zooms in for the annual Live Wine Auction to benefit Face to Face. 100% of the monies raised from the auction go to help end HIV in Sonoma County. Additional Gay Wine Weekends continue in July, August, and September! More info
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!
Palm Canyon Theatre presents their return to live staged productions with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown The Musical, running through Sunday, July 18. Charles M. Schultz’ popular comic strip characters jump off the page in this musical comedy based on the Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, Sally and Schroeder experience the joys and perils of childhood in a fun, musical romp. Get tickets
Summerific Sing-A-Long: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
The Palm Springs Cultural Center and The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus present The All Summer Long Snazzy Sassy Songsational Summerific Sing-A-Long every Saturday. This week, July 17, the evening’s movie musical is Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II is hungry again!) – At 6:00 p.m., it’s social hour in the VIP Lounge upstairs, to mingle with your fellow movie musical enthusiasts and enjoy cocktails, mocktails & soda; spontaneous singing encouraged! Dress for the songsational occasion, and at 7:00 p.m. join host Rosemary Galore and songleaders from the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus for an evening filled with film, fun, and song. The Summerific Sing-A-Long series is a joint fundraiser for Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus and Palm Springs Cultural Center and continues with a different film every Saturday through September 11. Get tickets