As we mark the one year anniversary of lockdown, we can remember where we were on that fateful night. Literally, the music stopped at Purple Room, where I was that Monday, at just after 7 pm. And we hunkered down.
A year later, this stat popped up today: According to Google, last summer, searches for “support local businesses” grew globally by over 20,000% year over year.
Our valley is unique in that we rely on visitors, especially to Palm Springs, more than many other areas. So that local support has been important to the survival of many businesses. We now look outward toward our out of town guests returning in greater numbers than at any time in the past 365 days.
DesertX is one of the signs of our reopening and the exhibitions were busy over the weekend. So were the streets and even the airport. Welcome Spring and welcome back visitors as we slowly reopen.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
Bears and Bowties Virtual Speed Dating
Roar! It’s a bear party and all are invited! Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Game Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Bowties & Bears Brunch Speed Dating with Alexander Rodriguez on Sunday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. Bears, cubs, otters, pandas, wolves, and even salmon are invited to put on your best bow tie and join us for our special brunch edition of Speed Dating. We’ll make it a dapper day with quick dates, fun ice breakers, and plenty of honey. (What’s a salmon? Join us and find out!) Get tickets
Desert X 2021 Now Open
Delayed by over a month due to concerns about COVID-19, Desert X 2021 is now open March 12 through May 16 in the Coachella Valley. The exhibition explores the desert as both a place and idea, acknowledging the realities of people who reside here and the political, social, and cultural contexts that shape their stories [Check out what’s new this year]. The site-specific exhibition is free and out-of-doors, providing a safe visitor experience, featuring newly-commissioned projects that build on themes explored in previous iterations as well as look deeper at the histories, realities, and possibilities of the Coachella Valley and its many communities. More info
Queens of the Coachella Valley
The Rancho Mirage Cultural Commission presents Queens of the Coachella Valley – The History of Culture and Drag on Tuesday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Host Bella da Ball will explore drag’s journey to the mainstream through captivating stories and exciting performances that will educate, Illuminate, and entertain. Have a fabulous time learning about this fascinating facet of our local culture. In addition to video clips, photos, and a variety of other media, the program will also feature a special performance from local Drag Queen Marina Mac. More info
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Palm Springs Public Library Online Auction
The Friends of the Palm Springs Public Library are holding an Online Auction from Monday, March 15 through Sunday, March 21, featuring gift baskets, vintage dinnerware, artworks, succulent gardens, and books, plus interesting sponsorship opportunities! More info
Living Well Through Assistive Technologies
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) presents the seminar: Living Well Through Assistive Technologies on Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 a.m. Back by popular demand, Kevin and Ricky will share tips and tricks to navigate an increasingly digital world. Whether you want to better engage with friends/family, need tools to address physical limitations or are simply looking for new way to be entertained, there are many virtual options that can benefit seniors during the coronavirus outbreak and beyond. More info
Bruce Fessier’s Adventures in Palm Springs
One-PS’ Talk of the Town presents Bruce Fessier’s Adventures In Palm Springs on Tuesday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. Fessier, a longtime desert journalist, will share personal stories of visiting historic stars in their Palm Springs neighborhoods. More info
Get Lucky with Siobhan & Mark
Runway presents Get LUCKY with Siobhan & Mark on St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. This fun-filled evening is long overdue, so reserve your seats early for the return of Siobhan Velarde with Mark Kahny!
Get tickets
Broadway Showstoppers: More Dancing!
CVRep’s Theatre Thursday presents Broadway Showstoppers: More Dancing! on Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Get your dancing shoes ready! Broadway theatre mensch Glenn Rosenblum is back with an all-new presentation: Join Glenn for this fun and enlightening evening about the most popular dance productions seen on Broadway. More info
Elevation Mammoth
The Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Weekend will go on this week, March 17–21, at Mammoth Mountain, of course looking very different for obvious reasons of safety and COVID guidelines. There will be an expanded apres-ski outdoor experience, with reduced capacity and booking ahead required for lift tickets as well as apres-ski. Proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID test required. More info
WildLights Makes a Spring Return
WildLights returns to the The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens – with a spring twist! WildLights of Spring will take place nightly, starting Monday: March 15 and going through March 28. Guests will take an illuminated journey around the Zoo with an enchanting assortment 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
Test Drive and Save Lives
Animal Samaritans has teamed up with KPLM The BIG 106, The Bruce Titus Foundation, and Volkswagen of Palm Springs to better the lives of local animals in need. When you test drive a new vehicle at Volkswagen of Palm Springs, now through May 31st, The Bruce Titan Foundation will donate $25 to Animal Samaritans for EVERY test drive! More info
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]
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 88
Join John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com on the road from purple to red with the valley’s favorite physician Dr. Laura Rush, Nino Eilets of TheStandardPS.com …from the Palm Springs Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism Rob Hampton, Love TaShia Asanti from L-fund.org and DAPHealth.org Chief Development Officer Darrell Tucci.
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 City of Palm Springs Small Business Financial Aid Program.
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
Virtually Red Dress Weekend
Since the LGBTQ Center can’t hold their annual Red Dress Dress Red Dance party in the usual way this spring, they are keeping the spirit alive with a Virtually Red Dress Weekend on March 20 & 21. Choose a physically-distanced activity of your choice and get active while engaging in peer-to-peer fundraising to raise $100,000 for the Center’s Community Food Bank! Fitness Influencer Craig Ramsay will guide you with virtual warm-ups on both days and lead a Virtually Red Dress 5K Run/Walk. There will also be a Virtually Red Food Drive, (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday) supporting The Community Food Bank, a free show from Improvables of the Desert, and a Head Over Heels virtual dance party featuring DJ Galaxy! More info
James Baldwin: From Harlem to Hollywood
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present James Baldwin: From Harlem to Hollywood on Sunday, March 21 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. Professor J. Ken Stuckey will take you on a trip through James Baldwin’s career, his impact on other artists and intellectuals, and how he continues to inspire to this day. He was a bestseller in the 1960s, but his willingness to speak the truth about race and sexuality in American life made his work timeless while taking a tremendous toll on the man himself. Get tickets
Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers’ Market
The Atrium in Rancho Mirage plays host to the new Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers’ Market, every Friday from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Shoppers can expect about 40 vendors with a variety of options including fresh fruits and vegetables, floral, baked goods, artisan clothing and gifts, meats, poultry and fish, coffee and teas, soups, pizza, tamales and more. Mask-wearing and social distancing required. More info