Sorry I missed it! I’m away visiting family this week, so I missed the unveiling of #ForeverMarilyn in downtown Palm Springs. Thanks to Nicholas Snow, however, I was able to see his live broadcast on PromoHomoTV’s Hot In Palm Springs. And so can you… Love her or leave her, she’s been a tourism draw and will continue to do so in the future. Now let’s get on to tackling some of the real issues facing our city post-pandemic including business recovery, homelessness and tourism.
The Pride month spotlight shines on #ILoveGayCatCity this week with the nightly open house tour of the LGBTQ bars. It culminates with a Saturday night all-bar event. Try the nightly Cat City Cocktail!
ShortFest runs this week and we are featuring filmmakers on the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast. Gay Desert Guide is an official media sponsor of ShortFest and we encourage you to check out the LGBTQ track of shorts, as well as other great cinematic creations.
And don’t forget our reprise of “An Evening on the Lanai: Remembering the Golden Girls” with Stan Zimmerman this week.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
Remembering the Golden Girls: Second Show Added!
The Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide SOLD OUT our first presentation of An Evening on the Lanai: Remembering the Golden Girls, so we bring you a second show on Thursday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Oscar’s! Join season one writer Stan Zimmerman for fun trivia, clips from favorite episodes, prize giveaways, sing-alongs, and Q&A. Hosted by on-air personality Alexander Rodriguez from On the Rocks with Alexander and a regular guest on the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast. Check out Palm Springs Life’s interview with Zimmerman [here]. Grab your seat today! Get tickets
And we’re going to be hosting a meet and greet with Stan and Alexander the night before, on Wednesday, June 23 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at PS Homeboys, just across the street from Oscar’s (in the former Peepa’s space). Step on the Lanai to relive the Golden days with a meet-and-greet, photo op, and cocktails. Guests are invited to come as they are, or come as their favorite Golden Girl for a chance to win tickets to the show! More info
DBA Mixer In-Person, PS Chamber Luncheon w/Justin Clifton
The Desert Business Association (DBA) celebrates a return to in-person events and June Pride Month with a Networking Mixer on Monday, June 21 at 5:30 p.m. at PS Homeboys Furnishings and Home Decor. Browse the store, meet the owners, and hear fellow DBA members’ announcements and success stories. RSVP requested as capacity is limited. Register here
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce is hosting an in-person business luncheon on Tuesday, June 22 from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center, featuring new City Manager Justin Clifton, meeting the Chamber’s 2021/2022 Board of Directors, and a city update from Mayor Christy Holstege. More info
CCGBA Open House Tour of Cathedral City LGBTQ Bars
In celebration of National Pride Month, as well as COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in California, The Cathedral City Gay Business Association (CCGBA) welcomes you back to Cathedral City with a week-long Open House Tour, and Gay Desert Guide is proud to be a media sponsor! Starting Monday, June 21 at One Eleven Bar, enjoy $4 Happy Hour Specials each day of the tour from 6:00–8:00 p.m., continuing at a different location each day: The Barracks, Trunks, Runway, AMP Sports Lounge, and wrapping up Saturday, June 26 with simultaneous specials at all participating bars. A “Cat City Cocktail” for $6 will donate $1 back to the CCGBA to bring tourism to Cathedral City and provide great entertainment for the LGBTQ community. More info
ShortFest is Here, In-Person!
The 27th Palm Springs International ShortFest is returning for in-person screenings this week, from Tuesday, June 22–Monday, June 28; passes and general tickets are on sale now and the official selection of films is available for viewing on the ShortFest website. LGBT+ shorts that will be screening at the Camelot Theatre (Palm Springs Cultural Center) and competing for the Best LGBT+ Short category include: “Break In,” “Bruised Fruit Tastes Sweeter,” “Club Quarantine,” Complicated,” “F1 – 100,” “Fervor” (World Premiere), “Forgive Us” (World Premiere), “Her Dance” (North American Premiere), “The Lights Are On, No One’s Home,” “Our Bed Is Green,” and “Water” (pictured here). New programs include “Power to the People,” “Codes of Conduct,” “Nights to Remember’ and more. The ShortFest Forum returns with virtual classes and panels to make it more available to all, including international filmmakers unable to attend. More info
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Meet the Queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6
The cast is set for Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (premiering Thursday, June 24) and our Special Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has the rundown for you! He will be providing a weekly recap of the show as well as attending and reporting on local drag shows, brunches, and bingo throughout our local community! Read more
LGBTQ+ Art in New York, Before & After Stonewall
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present LGBTQ+ Art in New York, Before and After Stonewall on Wednesday, June 23 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. Exploring the difference between art made before and after the Stonewall riots, this talk gives you an overview of how queer artists were able to express themselves, or not, given the differing social climates of New York. Presented by George Benson, co-creator of the Museum of Modern Art’s first ever public queer tour. Get tickets
Out in the Field: LGBTQ Participation in Sports
NCLR presents Out in the Field: Discussing Full LGBTQ Participation in Sports on Thursday, June 24 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. This conversation about LGBTQ people and sports from the perspectives of athletes, coaches, advocates and fans will be moderated by Steve Buckley, Senior Writer for The Athletic. Panelists include Author, Activist and Coach, Joanna Lohman; Amy Whelan, Senior Staff Attorney at NCLR; and Angela Hucles Mangano, Founding Member of Angel City FC. More info
The Miss Firecracker Contest at Desert Rose Playhouse
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents their first in-person production since the COVID shutdown: The Miss Firecracker Contest, opening Wednesday, June 23 and running through Sunday, July 4. This Southern Gothic comedy written by Beth Henley, introduces us to Carnelle, an irrepressible young woman who thinks that winning the local beauty contest will restore her soiled reputation and make her somebody in her small Mississippi community. The family and friends who help her along the way are a dysfunctional bunch who tackle life in their own peculiar ways. VIP couches, high-top tables, and individual seats available. Get tickets
Agua Caliente Casinos Job Fair
Residents from all around Coachella Valley are invited to join Agua Caliente Casinos’ Job Fair being held on Monday, June 21 from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage. They are looking to fill 100 plus positions between all three casino properties: Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, and Palm Springs. The positions include, but are not limited to, the following departments: Food & Beverage, Security, Engineering, Cash Handlers, Accounting, IT, Housekeeping, EVS, and more. More info
FREE Tadasana Yoga at Agua Caliente
Starting Tuesday, June 22 (for 6 weeks) Agua Caliente Casinos is offering a free weekly Tadasana Yoga class from 8:00–9:00 a.m., 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
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.
Fifty+ Fit with Lynn Simonson – 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.
Sexually Transmitted Infections at Any Age with Jon Colbert, NP – Wednesday, June 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Let’s Talk about Race with Lex Ortega – Thursday, June 24 at 5:00 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.
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]
15th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey
Please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 15th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey! Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. The survey should take about 12 to 15 minutes to complete. Make your voice heard! [Click here to take the survey]
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 102
John Taylor and Gay Desert Guide Brad Fuhr are joined by special guests Barry Dayton from Desert Oasis Health Care, Gary Saperstein of Gay Wine Weekends, “Break In” Producer/Writer/Director Alyssa Lerner, and Trans-comedian and AGT comedy star Julia Scotti!The #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast is broadcast on Facebook Live, Fridays at 11:00 a.m. The#ILoveGayPalmSprings 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. (or later on-demand) to stream us to your TV. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and more!
THIS WEEKEND
Pride Events in L.A., Sonoma County & Online
LA Pride presents Pride is Universal 2021: LGBTQ+ Night at Universal Studios Hollywood™ on Friday, June 25 starting at 8:00 p.m. for an epic, exclusive after-hours party. You can enter as early as 4:00 to enjoy the theme park during regular operating hours, then it’s just you and your friends, with DJ’s, musical guests, cash bar, and several rides and attractions remain open just for you. More info
On Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 p.m., Cinespia and LA Pride present LGBTQ+ Movie Night Under the Stars at the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The film will be “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” and the evening will also feature a free themed photo booth, DJs, and dance space to celebrate being together again! Pack a party picnic, BYOB beer and wine, or visit the concessions stand and bar. More info
Up in Sonoma County, it’s a Rainbow City Concert on Saturday, June 26, featuring Todrick Hall, Derrick Barry as Britney Spears, special guest Bright Lights, Ryan Cassata, as well as special appearances by Cheer SF & DJ Lady Char. More info
The Coachella Valley’s own Desert Winds Freedom Band will join with 12 additional pride bands from across the country on Saturday, June 26 at 4:00 p.m. for Loud & Proud: A Celebration of Pride Bands from Coast to Coast on YouTube. Created collaboratively between all of the participating bands and coordinated by the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, Loud & Proud features an exciting mixture of pop, symphonic, classical, and modern selections. Registration is free, donations accepted. More info
Pride Virtual Tour of Greenwich Village
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. & TheMenEvent.com present A Special Pride Virtual Tour of More Greenwich Village—East and Far West on Saturday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. Keep celebrating Pride with more of the world’s first gayborhood—the Village’s East and far West—with plenty more LGBTQ+ history and stories. Professor Andrew Lear will show you the concert venue where the “pansy balls” of the 1920s were held, the house of America’s first out gay painter, the place where Lady Bunny started Wigstock, a memorial to the 100,000+ New Yorkers who have died of AIDS, and much more. Get tickets
Simply the Best – Tina Turner Tribute
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage’s The Show presents Simply The Best – A Tribute to The Queen of Rock on Saturday, June 26 at 8:00 p.m. This live reproduction tribute concert celebrates your favorite Tina Turner songs, produced by M8TRIX Productions featuring Stephanya as the “Queen of Rock.” Seen around the world, Simply The Best is filled with high energy, powerful vocals, and top notch dancers. Get tickets