March is Women’s History Month after February’s Black History Month. You’re seeing more representation of women and people of color on our website, podcast and social media posts. That’s thanks to none other than Shann Carr, the co-host of the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast. She’s been a fervent advocate of moving us beyond our comfort zone. And while it hasn’t been easy, it certainly is the right thing to do.
I bring this up after last night’s Golden Globes, where controversy has swirled due to both membership and nominations lacking diversity. The hosts and winners were able to poke fun and goad organizers into some uncomfortable conversations.
AAP (AIDS Assistance Program) is marking 30 years of service. The organization’s founding mothers – Jeannette Rockefeller, Gloria Greene, and Joanna Jakway will be honored at “Evening Under the Stars” this year which organizers say is going to happen May 1st.
Two “blooms” to note this week: Bloom in the Desert’s Spring Fling is Friday. And it’s time for the Wildflower Festival – this year in a new format that favors individual driving tours. Happy month of March to you!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival
Friends of the Desert Mountains have slated the entire month of March for this year’s Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival, a hybrid of online activities and individualized outdoor challenges to raise awareness of the many wildflowers throughout Coachella Valley. Join the Virtual Super Bloom 30-miles-in-30-days challenge to support the Friends’ mission of public land stewardship. You can also download field guides and scavenger hunts, check out the silent auction, and participate in online demos and lessons! More info
12th Annual Spring Fling
Join Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC on Friday, March 5 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. for their 12th Annual Spring Fling, with the theme “Blooming Together.” The virtual gala will feature entertainment by Musical Theater University; an online, real time silent auction for unique, multi-themed “Easter Baskets”; and a raffle for $500 in Amazon gift cards. Bloom will also be presenting the 7th Annual Community Justice Award to Keisha D, and also the 3rd Annual Compassion Appreciation Award. Register now to preview the auction and bidding starts Monday, March 1 at noon. More info
Modernism Week Online Experience Extended
Modernism Week has extended sales of the Modernism Week Online Experience! It’s not too late to watch these popular programs, now available for online purchase until midnight on March 15. Once purchased, you can stream these programs until March 31. While Modernism Week has rescheduled in-person events from February to April, the Online Experience is taking place throughout February, with a curated line-up of more than 20 new video programs created specifically for Modernism Week, like “‘Philip Johnson – a Visual Biography’ and the Glass House,” to name just one! More info
Outbook Book Club
The Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Palm Springs Public Library present their LGBTQ monthly book club OUTBOOK on Wednesday, March 3 from 7:00–8:30 pm on Zoom. Connect with your fellow bibliophiles the first Wednesday of every month, with this month’s selection being “”Two Lives: Gertrude and Alice” by Janet Malcolm. Upcoming selections include: “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett (Apr. 7), “In the Absence of Men” by Philippe Besson (May 5), and “On Swift Horses” by Shannon Pufahl (Jun. 2). More info
Marvelous Monologues with CVRep
CVRep’s Theatre Thursday program presents “Marvelous Monologues” on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. Hear monologues from some of CVRep’s talented actors: Melodie Wolford, Barbara Niles, Sean Smith, John Hawkinson, Bobbi Stamm, Patrick Zeller, Elizabeth Saydah, and MJ Rawls. Free event, registration required.
More info
WildLights Makes a Spring Return
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has announced that WildLights will return to the Zoo – with a spring twist! WildLights of Spring will take place nightly, March 15–28, 2021. Guests will take an illuminated journey around the Zoo with enchanting assortments of lighted animal sculptures and vantages of select habitats including the emus of the Australian Adventures. A portion of the African Safari loop will be open for guests to see cheetahs, zebras, African wild dogs, and other animals. The event also will feature new music for the light zones, and guests can take a spin on the carousel and make s’mores around a fire, for an additional fee. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets are on sale now and advanced purchase is required. Get tickets
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Virtual Events at The Center
Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? 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 the programs they are hosting:
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.
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]
2021 HUMP! Film Festival Final Two Screenings
Dan Savage’s all-new 2021 HUMP! Film Festival is a livestream event this year with two remaining screenings: Friday, and Saturday, March 5 & 6. (Follow our link for the schedule). HUMP! features short dirty movies created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one just for this festival! It’s a carefully curated program with a cornucopia of body types, shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes. HUMP! celebrates creative sexual expression and wants to change the way you see—and make and share—porn. Get tickets
Mark Your Calendar: Club Skirts’ The Dinah Shore Weekend 2021
Mariah Hanson and the team from Club Skirts’ The Dinah recently announced the rescheduling of this year’s event, now set to take place September 29 through October 3, 2021. The event date is still tentative given the uncertainty around COVID-19, but organizers are hopeful and tickets purchased now will come with a 15% credit in addition to the value of your ticket to be used at a future Dinah. And tickets do not expire! More info
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 86
Join John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com physician Dr. Laura Rush, journalist Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com and special guests: Palm Springs 19th Mayor Ron Oden, the first black openly gay man to be elected mayor of a U.S. city. GayDesertGuide.com Food blogger Charles Drabkin checks in at King’s Highway, Rebecca Rizzo – Director of Membership, Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and Daniel Meier – Deputy Director of Aviation, Marketing & Air Service at Palm Springs International Airport.
The #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast is broadcast on Facebook Live at its new time, Fridays at 11:00 a.m.! Our podcast is brought to you by We Are Palm Springs, inviting locals to support local business!
The I Love Gay Palm Springs 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. Listen on Apple Podcasts and now available on iHeartRadio too!
Dining Review: King’s Highway at The Ace Hotel
Gay Desert Guide food critic Charles Drabkin is back with his “Dining Out(Side)” series, as he explores the world of outdoor dining in the Greater Palm Springs area (the only “dining out” allowed under current Covid restrictions). This time, he visits King’s Highway at the Ace Hotel, with an eye toward Covid-safety measures as well as the food, service, and atmosphere in general. Don’t miss his take on the beans and fish, pork chop, maitake mushrooms, and much more! Banana toffee pie, anyone? Read the full review
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday: Mary Cassatt and American Women Artists of the Gilded Age
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Mary Cassatt and American Women Artists of the Gilded Age on Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. American women artists often get dismissed for depicting traditional scenes of domestic life. But is there more to that picture? In this talk, Rena Tobey, American Art Historian, will dig deeper to consider the context, techniques, and artist backgrounds when taking a closer look at painters and sculptors of the Gilded Age. Consider why these artists are underrated and resuscitate the joy and beauty of their work with a renewed appreciation of the challenges they faced and rules they broke. A recording will be made available if you can’t attend live. Get tickets
Next Week: Hashtag Helper
GayDesertGuide.LGBT and #ILoveGayPalmSprings present Hashtag Helper, a free online webinar on Wednesday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. on Facebook Live. Learn how to effectively use hashtags in your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts to effectively promote your business and Greater Palm Springs to the world! More info