The calendar is now showing just five months before Christmas and there are a few Christmas in July events happening. We’ll fill you in on Roost’s event in Thursday’s weekend preview, but we also note Atomic Bingo at Wilma & Freida Palm Springs to start the week.
The couple who purchased Old Ranch Inn in downtown Palm Springs, Jason and Troy, have opened “Jolene’s” in Desert Springs Market Place, near the J.W. Marriott. It’s a great spot for east valley dining and cocktails and I enjoyed my visit over the weekend!
Did you see the CBS Sunday Morning piece on Marilyn Maye? The 93 year old singer is coming back to Purple Room this fall and tickets for all the 2021 shows are now on sale. Michael Holmes is back as Judy Garland in “The Judy Show!” Sundays starting Labor Day weekend.
Drag of another stripe: Charles Drabkin has compiled the “10 Drag Shows to Get You Through the Summer” – read on! And Eddie Shapiro at GayDays Anaheim tells me the Fall event – set for Sept. 17-19 – is on sale now. The weekend includes shows from RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars Jackie Cox, Nina West, and Jan Sport.
And thanks once again to Buck Beal and the Palm Springs Rodeo for their kind words and award for our work here at Gay Desert Guide and on the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
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. Proceeds benefit The LGBTQ Center of the Desert! More info
Stonewall Democrats’ July Meeting
The Desert Stonewall Democrats are devoting their July meeting to the recall ballot on Governor Gavin Newsom, on Tuesday, July 20 at 5:45 p.m. on Zoom. A panel of experts will include Lizzie Heyboer, Organizing Director for the California Democratic Party in Sacramento, Andrea Guzman, Southern CA Organizing Manager for CADEM, and Elle Kurpiewski, Region 19 Director, plus a representative from Governor Newsom’s campaign. Learn more about the “Vote No on the Recall” agenda [here]. Register ahead of time: More info
Cinema Comedy Tour at Mary Pickford Theater
Join D’Place Mary Pickford for a night of laughs at the Cinema Comedy Tour on Tuesday, July 20 at 8:00 p.m. This 90 min stand-up comedy show features three great comedians performing live: Andre Ricks is an Austin comedian with a loose and fun approach to telling jokes based on his observational humor. Austen Silver is a comic and actor based in Los Angeles whose comedy centers on the mistakes and poorly informed decisions he’s made throughout his life, and the lessons he’s learned from them—while just trying to do his best. Steven Farmer is a comedian, filmmaker, actor, and author raised in Arkansas but is based in Austin, TX. Get tickets
Women’s B.A.M. Salon for June
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents B.A.M. Salon (Book and Movie Salon) for women hosted by Flynn Sylvest and Irma O’Dell on Tuesday, July 20 from 7:00–8:30 p.m. and every 3rd Tuesday, monthly. The group’s purpose is to develop and deepen LGBTQ+ community and connection through stimulating and informative conversations about books and movies that highlight women authors and women’s stories and experiences. This month’s salon will feature the 2004 movie Saving Face, directed by Alice Wu. More info
Jazzville Palm Springs: Sandra Booker Quintet
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents the Sandra Booker Quintet on Thursday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs. Sandra Booker brings “Music for Martinis” to Jazzville, celebrating the ladies of lounge! Hear the songs of Judy Garland, Eydie Gormé, Lena Horne, Keely Smith, Diahann Carole, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and of course Ella, Sarah and Carmen. Everything is off-book for a genuine Palm Springs retro vibe. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites will be available to order and enjoy while bopping to the tunes of the evening. More info
“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” Opens
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” opening Thursday, July 22 and running through Sunday, August 8. It explores the relationships between the tenants at the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park in Starke, Florida, particularly between Pippi, “the stripper on the run,” the Dr. Phil-loving agoraphobic, Jeannie, and Jeannie’s tollbooth-collector husband, Norbert. “Armadillo Acres” is a come-as-you-are kind of trailer park, where personalities and predilections might be noisy, but hearts are soft and true. Get tickets
Gay Secrets of the Metropolitan Museum
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Gay Secrets of the Metropolitan Museum – A Virtual Tour on Wednesday, July 21 at 4:00 p.m. Join Professor Andrew Lear for an exploration of homoerotic art and discover some of the Met’s queer treasures, from ancient Greek nudes and erotic vase-painting (on which Professor Lear is a world expert) to homoerotic paintings from the Renaissance—as well as modern works by LGBT artists portraying LGBT people. Get tickets
10 Drag Shows to Get You Through the Summer
Summer in Palm Springs can be a drag, in the best way! Gay Desert Guide’s Charles Drabkin has the rundown of 10 Drag Shows to Get You Through the Summer, including long-running favorites and some newer incarnations, from bitchy brunches to dance floor divas, playgirls, bingo queens and more. As Charles says, “There is fantastic drag here in the Desert almost every night of the week, so get those dollar bills hunty and enjoy live enterTAINTment.” Read the full article [here].
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RuPaul Recaps by Dante
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 his review of the latest episode, “Pink Table Talk,” [here] which starts with “Wow, this was a powerhouse episode! I’m shook, slayed and gagged, but I’ll try to get through this recap!” And see all of Dante’s recaps back to the season premiere [here]
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
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
Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience
The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage presents Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience on Saturday, July 24 at 8:00 p.m. Caputo, from TLC’s hit show, Long Island Medium, 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. “The Experience” brings Theresa face-to-face with her fans, as she lets spirit guide her through the audience. A video display ensures everyone in the venue has an up-close-hands-on experience regardless of seat location. Get tickets
Brothers of the Desert Speaker Series: Gamal Palmer & Emil Wilbekin
Brothers of the Desert’s Speakers Series presents Won’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now: Navigating Our Intersectional Identities with Gamal J. Palmer and Emil Wilbekin, on Saturday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Palmer, a Global Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, and Wilbekin, founder of Native Son, will encourage members of Black, gay and allied communities to think critically about our intersectional identities, and how to be gentler with ourselves and others, to cultivate an environment that is truly safe and inclusive. This Town Hall style conversation will be a combination of breakout room discussions, story sharing and Q+A. More info
Summerific Sing-A-Long: MARY POPPINS ☂
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. This week, on Saturday, July 24, the evening’s movie musical is the Disney classic “Mary Poppins” – At 6:00 p.m., come for 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
CVRep Presents: The Palm Springs Opera Guild Concert
CVRep’s Summer Classical Music Series Presents: The Palm Springs Opera Guild Concert ~ Featuring Jacquelynne Fontaine on Sunday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the CVRep Playhouse in Cathedral City. World-renowned opera singer Jacquelynne Fontaine takes the stage at CVRep for an exceptional afternoon. Fontaine is a multi-award-winning performer and this 60-minute performance by the talented Fontaine will delight. Get tickets
Marx on Marx Cabaret
ACT for Multiple Sclerosis (ACT for MS) presents Marx on Marx Cabaret on Sunday, July 25 at 5:00 p.m. at The Classic Club in Palm Desert. Performing together are renowned composer, pianist and author, Bill Marx and new Desert resident & nephew, Gregg Marx, an emmy-award winning actor and cabaret singer. Social hour begins at 4:00 p.m., and a buffet dinner follows the performance. Celebrate the summer with relaxing entertainment and camaraderie while helping improve quality of life for clients of ACT for MS. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Center Social Returns Wednesday July 28
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
Save the Date: Center Stage 2021
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert is celebrating 20 amazing years of building and creating vibrant community in the Coachella Valley. On Friday, October 22, Eisenhower Health presents The Center’s Roaring 20th Anniversary at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Mark your calendar! Sponsorships available now. More info
Stage Icons Announced for Gay Days Anaheim
At Disneyland on the weekend of September 17–19, Gay Days Anaheim will “rechristen the park” with a sea of red shirts, and Friday, September 17 will feature two icons of the stage: first “An Intimate Conversation with Chita Rivera” followed by “An Evening with Audra McDonald.” There will be Gay Days activities at Disneyland park on Saturday and Disney’s California Adventure on Sunday, plus the Kingdom dance party on Saturday night, Plunge! pool party on Sunday, and shows from RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars
Jackie Cox, Nina West, and Jan Sport [Read more]. This “family” gathering is a little different these days, as Disneyland requires park reservations (only available once you’ve purchased a ticket) for the specific days you wish to attend. Mark your calendar now and get your discounted park and hotel room tickets through Gay Days Anaheim’s special group rate links. More info