And #PalmSpringsPride 2020 goes into the record books with a bit of a whimper. (Only due to the pandemic, not any fault of the organizers.) Ron DeHarte and his team of volunteers made lemonade out of the wet lemons that were delivered to them on an unseasonably cold, wet weekend. It’s hard to imagine what the weekend would have looked like without a pandemic, a contested election and bad weather. All three conspired to make this week one of the most bizarre I’ve lived through here in the desert – and one not conducive to a proper Pride celebration.
But we persevered with our Light Up the Night contest, sponsored by Alaska Airlines. Voting ends at noon Monday. VOTE NOW!
Saturday morning’s call for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris certainly elevated our moods after a most-tense week of minute-by-minute election coverage. But there was still little we could collectively do with COVID-19 raging. Phone calls, Stories, Tweets, IMs and shared posts brought us together in a very different way. Though some did still gather at our local bars…
And now it’s on to the last two months of this year, and even a few more weeks until the swearing in of the duo that will bring decency back to our political discourse. There, I’ve said my piece and now let’s get on to the current. Virtual events are still the order of the day/week/month. We’ve updated our downloadable PDF calendar of Events for 2020-21. Put your fridge magnet to good use by printing out a copy and having it handy as you go for that next glass of Chardonnay.
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
Veterans Day Drive-Thru Appreciation Luncheon
Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11 and while the traditional downtown parade has been cancelled, the City of Palm Springs is offering a complimentary Veterans Day Drive-Thru Appreciation Luncheon from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in front of City Hall. Veterans should enter in their vehicles from Civic Drive and exit City Hall from El Cielo Road. In addition, the Palm Springs American Legion will present the Color and the Palm Springs Air Museum will provide a patriotic flyover at 11 a.m. Interested veterans should sign up by emailing recinfo@palmspringsca.gov or call (760) 323-8272.
Great Autos Virtual Concours Registration Open Now
This Friday–Sunday, November 13–15, the Great Autos group present a Virtual Concours d’Elegance. For the past 11 years, they have hosted the Casual Concours with over 1,000 attendees each year in Palm Springs, but this year the pandemic has made such an event impossible. To keep the tradition going, they are holding a virtual concours where you can browse and vote for your favorite fine automobiles; the winner of your votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. Proceeds benefit Sanctuary Palm Springs, a transitional home for LGBTQ+ foster youth. To participate, register now through Thursday, November 12. More info
DBA Virtual Networking Mixer
Join the Desert Business Association for their DBA Virtual Networking Mixer on Monday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. They will be sharing about what is going on within our business community, and then expand to our communities in general. Then some roundtable chat and a one minute check-in by each participant. In many of the past virtual mixers, there were business connections that resulted in transactions…just like when we meet in-person. More info
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Highlighting the T in LGBT+
Join the Transgender Health and Wellness Center (THAWC) and Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors (PALS) as they observe Transgender Awareness Week leading up to Transgender Remembrance Day (11/20). On Thursday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m. they are hosting a video conference series, “Highlighting the T in LGBT+” during which THAWC CEO and founder Thomi Clinton and PALS coordinator and founder Richard Bass will describe the mission of their organizations. Annie Hochenauer of THAWC will then lead a discussion to determine what topics are of most interest to everyone who wants to attend the series. Potential topics are: * Pronoun Use and the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming and Intersex (TGI) Community * Transgender Contributions to Queer Liberation and Transgender History * The Relationship Between Drag and Transgender Identity. More info
Magic in the Making – Annual Benefit for CVRep
On Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m., Coachella Valley Repertory will hold its annual benefit … this year in a virtual world. Things have changed a lot this year, and COVID-19 has kept us away from live theatre, and each other. CVRep invites you to get together in the virtual world and share some magic. Their one-hour presentation will take you behind the scenes at CVRep with Artistic Director Ron Celona and celebrity guests–you’ll see how the magic is made! Fabulous silent auction items are available to browse and bid online now. Get tickets
Creating For the Stage with Dezart Performs
Dezart Performs presents a special free virtual series, Creating for the Stage: Discussions with the People that Make Shows Happen, online every Wednesday from November 11 through December 2 at 5:30 p.m. Featuring actors, designers, creatives, playwrights and directors from their sold out 2019-20 season, the series is optimistic proof of the group’s mission this year: Still Here … and Dreaming. More info
The Economic Future of the Coachella Valley
A free webinar series from the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Palm Springs Life, and SBEMP Attorneys continues on Wednesday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. to explore the question of how the Coachella Valley will bounce back from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This installment, “Governance,” presents one valley, nine cities, five tribal governments, and one pandemic: Lauri Aylaian (City of Palm Desert) and Jeff Grubbe (Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians) discuss how local governments can work together to lift the entire region. More info
Rancho Mirage Chamber Fall Mixer
The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce presents The Great Fall Mixer on Thursday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m. Reconnect with your network as we prepare for the holiday season together. Hear chamber announcements, self introductions, event notices and more. Details
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:
Join John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and Brad Fuhr from GayDesertGuide.com for SEASON 2 EPISODE 70! It’s packed with #ILoveGayPalmSprings goodness! Nino Eilets, editor of TheStandardPS.com previews the November issue [Read it online here]. Pandemic support group leader Dr. Laura Rush updates us on the challenges we face with the pandemic. Palm Springs City Council members Lisa Middleton and Geoff Kors talk elections, politics and new ways to get involved for good! Singer Sweet Baby J’ai from the PalmSpringsWomensJazzFestival.org connects our hearts, souls and minds to music. PSPride.org president and CEO Ron DeHarte helps us kick off virtual pride by lighting up the night! [Listen] or [Watch]
**Use discount code GDG10 to save 10% when you order from our podcast sponsor Out & About CBD.**
** Desert AIDS Project Offers Free At-Home HIV Tests: [Get Yours] **
Modernism Week Planning New and Old Favorites for 2021
Modernism Week is tentatively planning a variety of new and favorite events as both in-person and online programs for February 11–21, 2021. Tickets for in-person activities will go on sale Friday, January 1, 2021 at noon PST. Tickets for on-line events will go on sale Monday, February 1, 2021 at noon PST. In-person events will likely include architectural walking tours, home tours, garden and driving tours, and more. All ‘live’ events will follow established public health protocols and observe social distancing. Read more
THIS WEEKEND
Secret Gay Codes in Iconic Works of Art
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. & TheMenEvent.com present Secret Gay Codes in Iconic Works of Art on Sunday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. This virtual Zoom talk will explore key artists throughout history, from Michelangelo to Jasper Johns, who have used secret gay codes in their work–why is this? An hour-long virtual talk by Ignacio Darnaude, creator of the upcoming documentary series HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT – BREAKING THE GAY CODE IN ART, will reveal iconic works of art in a whole new light. You’ll never look at these artists and art in general with the same eyes again. Get tickets
Brothers of the Desert Virtual Wellness Summit
On Saturday, November 14 from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Brothers of the Desert will conduct its 2nd Annual Wellness Summit, focusing on Black gay men, called “Still We Rise, Our Stories Matter.” The summit will feature brief dynamic presentations, video excerpts, interactive small group breakout discussions, entertainment and opportunities to connect with our group members and allies. Speakers include renowned spiritual leader, author and award winning gospel music artist Bishop Yvette Flunder, social justice advocate and CEO of Tru Evolution Gabriel Maldonado, motivational speaker and CEO of Life Maximizer Donnie Hill, Former Palm SpringsMayor Ron Oden, and will be hosted by Coachella Valley TV personality Bryan Gallo. More info
The Chance Acquaintance Concert with Diane Schuur
On Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 p.m., The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival presents The Chance Acquaintance Concert, as a livestream on their website. There will be a special guest appearance by Diane Schuur plus pianist Yuko Macbuchi, vocalist Carmen Lunday and Sweet Ruby J’ai and the Women in Jazz All Stars. More info
