Happy Memorial Day – officially! Enjoy your holiday in a way that’s safe for yourself and for others. And above all, be kind! I look forward to our #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast on Thursday, where we will dissect the first weekend of Phase 2.5 of the reopening. And look for the “new” GayDesertGuide.LGBT website to launch later this week.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
Digital Marketing Series Starts Wednesday
Join Gay Desert Guide, Oasis Marketing Group and Desert Business Association for a three part Digital Marketing Series. First up: Understanding Facebook/IG Posts, Ads & Analytics for Business, on Wednesday, May 27 from 10:00–11:00 a.m. Learn the tips and tricks for maximizing your Business Page. When is the best time to post? How often? How to interpret your analytics and all the Facebook and Instagram ad types and the whole suite of Facebook advertising platforms including Messenger, Facebook Audience Network and Facebook Marketplace. Please RSVP if you are going to attend these events. A link to the session will be provided to those who register. Upcoming: SEO Ranking & Google Listings on June 3, and Smart Phones, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs and more Smart Advertising on June 10. More info
A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Mobility and Stretching
The LGBT Center and Eisenhower Health present A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Mobility and Stretching, a virtual Zoom meeting on Wednesday, May 27 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Get practical advice from Ken Zaparinuk, DPT on the best stretches for you: moving your joints through their full ranges of motion isn’t just important for athletes. Mobility and stability exercises can help keep your joints healthy, reduce your risk of injury, and keep your body moving pain-free. More info
Transgender Health & Wellness Center Zoom Drop-In
The Transgender Health and Wellness Center is hosting a weekly Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming and Intersex (TGI) Zoom Drop-In Group for when you feel isolated or alone, Wednesdays from 1:00–2:00 p.m. More info
Virtual Events at The Center
Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBT 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 – Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Chair Yoga with Lynn Simonson – Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Monday & Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Games, Friends and Fun with Lorenzo Taylor – 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m.
Caftan Party Friday
Get your caftans ready and join the fabulous Kiki Glam and friends for a Virtual Caftan Party on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.! Presented with love and virtual hugs by the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. More info
Virtual Cinema: French Short Films
The Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Virtual Cinema gives you the ability to view new films that are Palm Springs premieres, along with favorites from film festivals in the comfort of your own home. Added this week: A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave young Americans the opportunity to serve their country in a new way by forming the Peace Corps. Since then, more than 200,000 of them have traveled to more than 140 countries to carry out the organization’s mission of international cooperation. Nearly 60 years later, Americans – young and old alike – still want to serve their country and understand their place in the world. [View Trailer] Get your V-Ticket
Get Inspired by the Palm Springs Art Museum
This week’s At-Home Activity presented by the Palm Springs Art Museum is about observing and documenting the natural world around us, whether that’s on a socially-distanced walk or hike, or within your own backyard. Whether you choose to photograph, sketch, or paint, it’s about taking time to focus on the details! Learn more
ShortFest Spotlight
The Palm Springs International Film Society continues to curate short films for your escaping pleasure with their ShortFest Spotlight. New this week: “Edith + Eddie,” directed by Laura Checkoway. Edith and Eddie, ages 96 and 95, are America’s oldest interracial newlyweds. Their love story is disrupted by a family feud that threatens to tear the couple apart. View here
2020 ShortFest will be a virtual event this year. The Official Selection will be announced in early June, with a selection of those films available for screening on their website for free from June 16–22, the original dates of the festival. There will also be virtual classes and panels with industry guests as part of the ShortFest Forum. More info
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 46
Hosts John Taylor and Shann Carr take the temperature (orally) of our community as we cope with COVID-19’s new normal. Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com has info on re-opening phase one. Hugh Hysell of themenevent.com has news of fun upcoming virtual events. ChristopherKennedy.com has info on this weekend’s curbside shopping event in #ILoveGayPalmSprings. Jimmy Boegle from CVIndependent.com keeps us informed by aggregating news. What’s for dessert? The team has sweet tooth “takeout shoutouts,” and Dr. Laura Rush updates the medical news. [Listen] or [Watch]
This week’s Take Out Shout-Outs: Kreem Artisinal Ice Cream + Coffee, Sherman’s Delicatessen & Bakery, Grand Central Palm Springs, and Great Shakes
THIS WEEKEND
Sordid Lives Streaming Benefit
The Del Shores Foundation presents a one-night-only benefit reading of the original Sordid Lives play by Del Shores for a #SordidLiveStream. The reading will be live streamed on YouTube and Facebook on Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 pm Pacific. The reading will star cast from the original 1996 play, the cult-hit 2000 film, LOGO’s 2008 “Sordid Lives: The Series” and the 2017 marriage equality-themed film sequel “A Very Sordid Wedding.” The free livestream reading and accompanying auction of Sordid Lives memorabilia is a benefit fundraiser for twenty-three live theatre companies who are associated partners of the Del Shores Foundation and support its mission to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices. More info
LGBTQ Community Survey
If you haven’t already, please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. 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. Think of it as the gay census! [Click here] to start the survey