This Week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings: The DBA holds their networking mixer at newly-opened 18|8 Fine Men's Salon, Desert AIDS Walk is this weekend (you can still register!), Desert Hot Springs Pride is Sunday, Modernism Fall Preview and Concours X Classic Car Show bring mid century fabulosity, Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs, an Interactive screening of 9 to 5 with Among Friends, a great weekend of theatre options lies ahead, and much more!
DBA Mixer at 18|8 Men's Salon
On Monday, October 15, 2018 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., join the Desert Business Association for their networking mixer, held at 18|8 Fine Men's Salon, celebrating their grand opening. Located at Kaptur Plaza next to the Renaissance Hotel, 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon Palm Springs will be your haven for all men’s hair and grooming services. This will be a busy day for 18|8 as they will also be having a number of ribbon cuttings, prior to the mixer Come see their salon and learn of the services they can provide to you, or to those you know. More info
Desert AIDS Walk 2018 This Weekend
It's almost here! The 32nd Annual 2018 Desert AIDS Walk will be held on Saturday, October 20. Over 2000 walkers will step off from Ruth Hardy Park and wind through downtown Palm Springs as locals cheer on a community in action. The Desert AIDS Walk makes it possible for Desert Aid Project to provide their patients and clients with an unparalleled range of services. More info
It's not too late to register!
D.A.P. Director of Community Health Bruce Weiss recently reflected on why, more than ever, the Coachella Valley needs the Desert AIDS Walk. Read his article: Top 20 Reasons to Register for 2018 Desert AIDS Walk.
Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce returns to Colony 29 on Tuesday, October 15 from 5:00–9:00 p.m. for its annual Business Expo, Health Fair and Taste of Palm Springs which is sure to set the standard for the season’s other networking events. The event will include a taste of over 30 valley restaurants, wine and beer tasting, a cocktail bar, and live entertainment. Over 100 local businesses will showcase their products and services with a backdrop of the beautiful foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, the Indian Canyons, and the remarkable Colony 29 itself. More info
Among Friends: 9 to 5 Interactive Movie and Office Party
Join the Among Friends community on Wednesday, October 17 from 6:00–10:00 p.m. for 9 to 5 Interactive at the Palm Springs Cultural Center Camelot Theatre. The evening begins with an Outdoor Office Party complete with two bars, props, costumes and fun. Doors to the Historic Camelot Theater will open at 7:30 with the screening of 9 to 5 at 8pm. This is an interactive movie, sing along, speak out the lyrics and throwing things. Think of it as Rocky Horror show meets 9 TO 5. Get tickets
2nd Annual DHS Pride This Weekend
The 2nd annual Desert Hot Springs Pride Festival is on Sunday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at Cabot's Pueblo Museum. Entertainment includes headliner Keisha D with Modern Men, College of the Desert Ballet Folklorico Dance Troupe, Kevin Miller, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, JBoy, Jinza, Rocco Patrick, Larry Bennett, and more. Gay Desert Guide will be there with an exhibitor booth, stop by and say hi! Admission is FREE. More info
Palm Springs Pride is Just Over Two Weeks Away!
Speaking of Pride celebrations, Coachella Valley's biggest is just over two weeks away: Greater Palm Springs Pride runs November 1–4 and we are proud to be presenting the Dip Into Pride Kickoff Pool Party on November 1 from 12:00–6:00 p.m. at Hotel Zoso! The party features DJ Holly Adams of Subliminal Radio, DJ Ray Rhodes (Tiger Heat, Out on the Mountain), an Andrew Christian swimwear contest hosted by Alexander Rodriguez, special performance by new artist Elisia Savoca, appearance by PS Pride Parade grand marshals Craig Ramsey and Brandon Liberati, and a special “Pot-up” cannabis-themed product showcase. Major Sponsor: Truly Spiked & Sparkling. You may have RSVP'd on Facebook, but don't forget to save $5 and buy your ticket in advance! (VIP daybeds and cabanas available too).
Modernism Week Fall Preview
Modernism Week’s 2018 Fall Preview will take place October 18–21 at various locations in the Coachella Valley. A full schedule of events featuring may be viewed here. Highlights of the October Fall Preview include a wide range of events in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells including walking tours, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus tours and Charles Phoenix-led bus tours, a tour showcasing homes across a range of neighborhoods, and a new mix of home tours, educational events, and evening cocktail parties.
Click here to read more about the Modernism Week Fall Preview
Casual Concours, The Desert's Fabulous Midcentury Car Show
Modernism Week Fall Preview presents Casual Concours, The Desert’s Most Fabulous Midcentury Car Show on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Desert Princess Country Club. Gay Desert Guide is a proud media sponsor of Casual Concours X, the tenth annual gathering of significant post-war automobiles, with over 100 museum-quality cars on display. This finest mid century car show in the Coachella Valley is organized by Great Autos of Yesteryear (GAY), Southern California’s largest LGBTQ car club, and the show has a focus on styling, color, luxury features, historical significance and showroom condition—in other words, mid century glamour! This year benefiting Sanctuary Palm Springs. – Get tickets
Theatre This Weekend
It's a great week for theatre with three featured productions, and this weekend is your last chance to see two of them!
Palm Canyon Theatre presents Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee, through Sunday, October 21. History professor George and his boozy wife, Martha, return late one Saturday night from a cocktail party at the home of the college president, Martha's father. Martha announces that she invited another couple, newly appointed instructor Nick and his timid wife, Honey, over for a nightcap. When the younger couple arrive, the night erupts into a no-holds-barred torrent of marital angst and verbal tirades. Get tickets
Desert Theatreworks presents the final weekend of Into the Woods, with music by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine through Sunday, October 21 at the Indio Performing Arts Center. This modern twist on the Brothers Grimm brings together Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), a Baker, his Wife and a dancing cow. The beloved storybook characters take on startling complexity as they discover that wishes come with a price. Get tickets
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents The Sugar Witch, by Nathan Sanders, through Sunday, October 28. This dark, Southern Gothic play features an old Florida family living in grave danger as the last in a long line of folk-tale witches attempts to end the curse placed on their heads by the dying words of her very own grandmother. Get tickets
Just in! Read our Sugar Witch review by Stephen Radosh
Streetbar Spirit Catering has now teamed up with The Desert Rose Playhouse and will be serving adult beverages at their venue during the season.
Stonewall Dems: A Conversation with Betty Yee
The October meeting of Desert Stonewall Democrats will be held Monday, October 22 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the Mizell Senior Center. 
California State Controller Betty Yee will discuss her work as California State Controller since 2015 and her views on key races in the November election. Betty previously served as a member of the California Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2015. She won the open seat for Controller in the 2014 election and is running for re-election this November (DSD has endorsed her re-election). (Note the Monday meeting rather than the usual Tuesday). More info
HIV Infection: Risk Reduction for Diseases of Aging
The 'Sexual Health & Wellness' lecture series presented by Eisenhower Health @ The Center continues with a discussion on HIV Infection: Risk Reduction for Diseases of Aging with Dr. Ken Lichtenstein on Wednesday, October 24th from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Many who have been living with HIV, some for more than 30 years, are now entering the phase of life when the consequences of aging become a reality. Other older individuals who have recently been diagnosed with HIV infection are facing the prospect of a new medical diagnosis to deal with as they age. Free with RSVP. More info
John Waters Opens Outlandish Performance Series Oct 26
On Friday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m., John Waters performs his one-man show “This Filthy World—2018!” at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, kicking off the 2018 Outlandish Palm Springs performance series. “This Filthy World” is a “vaudeville” act that celebrates the film career and obsessive tastes of “The Pope of Trash.” This joyously devious and continuously updated monologue is a rally cry against the tyranny of good taste and serves as a call to arms for filth followers. Get tickets
BooTox Bash at Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery
Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery presents their annual BooTox Bash on Wednesday, October 31 with low prices on Botox, injectables, and peels. A portion of every procedure goes to charity; This year's beneficiary is the Living Free Animal Sanctuary, whose facility was threatened and damaged by the recent Cranston Fire. See some animals up for adoption, enjoy food and drinks, and enter a raffle for prizes featuring various services and products. Get in the spirit of the season and wear your Halloween costume! Appointments are required for treatment at the Boo-Tox Party. More info
Passions Ball to Honor D.A.P. CEO on Nov 3
David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project, will be honored with the Annette Bloch Heart & Soul Award at this year's 2nd Annual Passions Ball, presented by Cancer Partners at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa on Saturday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. The evening will feature a cocktail reception and silent auction, dinner, program, and awards, with entertainment and dancing to “The Greatest Hitz” from Las Vegas. Get tickets
Lea DeLaria Ticket Giveaway
Orange is the New Black star Lea DeLaria is coming to town and you can enter to win free tickets!
[Click Here] and enter to win! You can enter once a day!
On Thursday, November 8 at 8:00 p.m. DeLaria will give a one-of-a-kind performance of comedy and jazz vocals at the McCallum Theatre; she has performed in some 
of the most prestigious houses in the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Chicago Symphony, Hollywood Bowl, The Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Watch this 30-second promo, where Lea promises she'll be “Singing, being funny, and being me!” Get Tickets
Gay Desert Guide Map & Calendar Fall/Pride 2018 Edition is Out Now!
We’re GayDesertGuide.LGBT, the one website and mobile app that will help you find everything you need to know while visiting or living in the Coachella Valley. We also print and distribute a handy Map & Calendar featuring the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, and other services. You can pick it up at a variety of local businesses and venues, and you can also view it online right now!
