This Week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings – We have a DBA Networking Mixer at Wabi Sabi, the Center Social at Hotel Zoso, and a dedication for the Rainbow Crossing, honoring the late Greg Pettis in Cathedral City. Then several multi-day events kick off late in the week: Cathedral City LGBT Days, The Indian Wells Arts Festival, and The Stonewall Golfers Rainbow Challenge, and the AmDocs Film Festival all start Friday and run through the weekend. Also coming up: Carole Cook performs, Transgender Day of Visibility, and more!
DBA Networking Mixer at Wabi Sabi
The Desert Business Association is having a networking mixer on Monday, March 25 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Wabi Sabi Japan Living. This home goods retail store imports goods from Japan and Asia. Inside, they have a Saki Bar, Japanese knives, and beautiful tableware. Wabi Sabi offers special events like Saki tastings and Sushi making classes. They even offer a DBA member discount on merchandise! More info
Center Social at Hotel Zoso
The LGBT Community Center of the Desert presents their Center Social on Wednesday, March 27 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Come celebrate community and friendship inside the Lobby Lounge at Hotel Zoso. Spread the word, everyone’s invited! KGAY 106.5 is a proud media partner and sponsor of this event! More info
Cathedral City Rainbow Crossing Dedication
The City of Cathedral City and the Cathedral City Gay Business Association will host a Dedication Ceremony of the Rainbow Crossing in honor of the late Mayor Gregory S. Pettis on Thursday, March 28 at 5:00 pm at the Rainbow Crossing in downtown Cathedral City. Mayor Pettis was the longest serving member of the city council and the first openly gay candidate to run for political office in the Coachella Valley. Over his many years in public office, he helped pass legislation that enhanced the civil rights and protections for the LGBTQ community. Following the dedication, the Cathedral City Gay Business Association will host a celebratory happy hour at all the participating establishments including The Roost, AMP Sports Lounge, Trunks Cathedral City, The Runway, Studio One 11, and The Barracks Bar. More info
THIS WEEKEND
Cathedral City LGBT Days this Friday through Sunday
The first Pride celebration of the season is upon us! Cathedral City LGBT Days features an opening night Parking Lot Block Party on Friday, March 29 from 6:00–11:00 p.m., featuring DJ Trinidad, Diva and the Girls, DJ Galaxy, headliner Keisha D and much more, presented by The Roost Lounge, Trunks Cathedral City, and AMP Sports Lounge. Suggested donation will benefit Qchella Media and KGAY 106.5!
On Saturday, March 30 it’s the LGBT Days Festival from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with live musical performances, outdoor dancing, food, beverages, and community booths at city hall, and of course the festival’s signature event: the 5th Annual LGBT Days Bed Race at 11:00 a.m. The entertainment includes Emily Perry, Ada Vox, Jessica Sutta, The Gand Band, AZRA, Modern Men’s Chorus, FLAVA and the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. Throughout the weekend you’ll find pool parties, beer busts and dancing at Cathedral City establishments: CCBC Resort, The Barracks Bar, Trunks, as well as Roost and AMP. More info
Desert Winds Freedom Band: When We Rise
Join the Desert Winds Freedom Band on Saturday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. for their exciting Spring 2019 Concert: “When We Rise,” celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The evening’s special Guest of Honor is Cleve Jones, one of the famed leaders of the LGBT civil rights movement and author of the book “When We Rise” on which the 2017 ABC mini-series of the same name was based. DWFB will also be performing a commissioned piece of music at the concert. Get Tickets
Indian Wells Arts Festival
The 17th Annual Indian Wells Arts Festival, “an International Palette,” is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, March 29–31, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (home of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament). More than 200 award winning artists will transform the magnificent path-lined plaza into an artisan village and festive outdoor marketplace with thousands of one-of-a-kind pieces of art for sale amid live entertainment with jazz melodies floating on the air; perfect cocktails and foodies’ delights available in the shaded open-air pavilion; and hands-on artist demonstrations including textile weaving, painting, and sculpting. Get Tickets
Carole Cook to Perform and Receive Star
The Purple Room Supper Club presents Carole Cook – A Star is Born for two performances: Friday and Saturday, March 29 & 30 at 6:00 p.m. Cook was the second actress to play the iconic role of Dolly Levi, only being preceded by the late and dear friend Carol Channing as the first actress in the role. Over her extraordinary career she has also graced both big screen and small with memorable performances in such favorites like The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy, Knight Rider, Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Dynasty, Charlie’s Angels, and Grey’s Anatomy, and in such major motion films as The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Sixteen Candles, Grandview, U.S.A., American Gigolo, Summer Lovers, and Palm Springs Weekend. Get Tickets
On Monday, April 1 at 2:00 p.m., Walk of the Stars Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Carole Cook with a dedication ceremony at 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive. More info
Transgender Day of Visibility
The Trans Community Project invites you to attend the 5th Annual Transgender Day Of Visibility in the Coachella Valley on Sunday, March 31 from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Francis Stevens Park. Come celebrate the Transgender Community, make signs, get resources on Trans Topics, engage with community members, hear speakers and entertainers. More info
Stonewall Golfers Rainbow Challenge
The Stonewall Golfers Annual Rainbow Challenge is a 2-day stroke play competition with flights for men and women taking place March 29–31 at the Desert Willow Golf Resort and The Classic Club in Palm Desert. You can play to compete or just casual play; all levels are welcome. These courses represent two of the very finest venues for golf in The Coachella Valley. Register Today
AmDocs Film Festival
The American Documentary Film Festival and Film Fund returns to the Palm Springs Cultural Center from Friday, March 29 through Thursday, April 4 with top of the line programming for the 8th year running. The award-winning festival has a reputation as one of the world’s great film festivals and plays host to filmmakers and films from around the world. AmDocs is a 501(c)3 non-profit entity, made possible through the generosity of individuals, foundations and businesses that support it by making contributions, buying tickets and providing in-kind services and materials. Get Tickets
The Abortion Debate: Our Bodies Our Doctors
Part of the AmDocs Film Festival, Our Bodies Our Doctors, a film by Jan Haaken, will be screened on Sunday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The abortion debate continues to be defined by gruesome images of the anti-abortion movement. In contrast, this film provides a crucial, hopeful point of view: an intimate glimpse into the lives of courageous providers who have devoted their careers to ensuring women have access to skilled, compassionate care.The film features Portland-based providers, often unsung heroes, who have taken national leadership roles in the fight for women’s reproductive rights. Get Tickets
Theatre Spotlight
This weekend is your last chance to see both Chess and The View UpStairs. Bonus: In celebration of their new playhouse, CVRep is offering free valet parking and a post-show champagne and dessert reception at all performances of Chess!
CVRep presents CHESS as the very first production in their newly-renovated home in Cathedral City (learn more), running through Sunday March 31. This complex rock opera uses chess as a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics, and international intrigues. The pawns in this drama form a love triangle: the loutish American chess star, the earnest Russian champion, and a Hungarian American female assistant who arrives at the international chess match in Bangkok with the American, but falls for the Russian. Featuring a monumental rock score that includes “One Night in Bangkok” and “Heaven Help My Heart.” Get Tickets
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents The View UpStairs by Max Vernon through Sunday March 31. This poignant new musical pulls you inside the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant ’70s gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. This forgotten community comes to life in all its gritty, glam rock glory when a young fashion designer from 2017 buys the abandoned space, setting off an exhilarating journey of seduction and se
lf-exploration that spans two generations of queer history. Get Tickets
Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh gives us his view on The View UpStairs >>>Read it Here
NEXT WEEK
César Chávez Breakfast Celebration
The City of Palm Springs presents a celebration to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of labor and civil rights leader César E. Chávez on Monday, April 1 from 9:30–11:00 a.m. at the Palm Springs Leisure Center Pavilion. The purpose of the program is to educate the community and raise awareness about the life and legacy of a leader who rose up to became a symbol of hope. A story of a true American hero. A story of the voice for the voiceless. It is also an affirmation of the commitment in the City of Palm Springs to fight for justice, fair wages, better working conditions, dignity and respect for all. Get Tickets
Palm Springs Police Department LGBT Outreach Committee Town Hall
On Tuesday, April 2 from 5:30–7:00 p.m., The Palm Springs Police Department LGBT Outreach Committee presents the annual Town Hall with Police Chief Bryan Reyes at the Mizell Senior Center. Join us to discuss where we’ve come, where we’re going and talk about issues affecting the LGBT community in Palm Springs. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Daniel Tosh at The Show
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa presents Daniel Tosh on Friday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m.. An American comedian, television host, actor, writer, and executive producer known for his deliberately offensive and controversial style of black comedy, Daniel Tosh is the host of the Comedy Central television show Tosh.0 and also the star of stand-up comedy tours and specials. His first big career break came in 2001 with a performance on the Late Show with David Letterman. He made appearances on programs such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. Get Tickets
McCallum 2019-2020 Season Goes on Sale April 12
Mark your calendar for your chance to pick up the best seats to the shows coming to the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert in the 2019-2020 season:
On Sale Friday, April 12, 2019