This week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings: So much good stuff this week! We kick it off with the Desert Visibility Awards, and then the Halloween fun begins with Atomic Budz, Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery, and of course, the biggest party: Halloween Palm Springs on Arenas! Also, Where the Bears Are returns with Season 7, Bohemian Rhapsody opens Thursday, we remember our LGBT icons, and oh yeah–it's Palm Springs Pride Weekend! Our Dip Into Pride Pool Party kicks it all off in exuberant style, and the weekend features the HRC Garden Party, Pride Walk/Run, Dyke Picnic, L-Fund Dance, Passions Ball, Miss Richfield, Lesbo Expo, and of course the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade and Festival itself! We even have some excellent new theatre productions opening this weekend, so your only concern should be how to fit it all in!

 

Desert Visibility Awards

The Desert Visibility Awards will be held on Monday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m., at US Bank in Palm Springs. Presented by the Los Angeles Blade, U.S. Bank and the Desert Business Association, these awards will honor local community members and organizations that are giving back to the Coachella Valley. This year's honorees are:

  • Matthew Shreiner, U.S. Bank
  • Transgender Health and Wellness Center
  • Safe Schools Desert Cities
  • Barbara Carpenter, The L-Fund
  • The LGBT Sanctuary Palm Springs
  • East Coachella Valley Pride
  • Ron deHarte, Palm Springs Pride

This event and reception is free, please RSVP.  More info
 

Halloween Palm Springs on Arenas

Halloween Palm Springs 2018 is taking it up a few notches this year with a larger stage and a variety of ghoulish surprises! This free event (donation suggested) takes place on Arenas between South Indian Canyon and South Calle Encilia, on Wednesday, October 31 from 5:00–10:00 p.m. A few of the evening's highlights include a “Disco Saturday Night” dance competition kicking off at 5pm, performances by Chi Energy, Keisha D and Dance Troupe, DJ Phil B, Adonis Boys and Andrew Christian fashion show, DJ Baz, Halloween costume contest, and headliner Debby Holiday (Billboard® Dance Chart Topper) set to take the stage just after 9pm. More info

Party Life will bring their Mirror Me photo booth from 6:00–8:00 p.m. to capture all the Halloween costumery and fun! And on a personal note: Party Life's husband and wife team Danny and Anna Morin have a GoFundMe Page for their @2kidneys1love journey. Soon Danny will be donating a kidney to Anna and they can use our support! 

 

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

Atomic Budz Halloween Customer Appreciation Party

Wednesday, Oct 31 from 3:00–6:00 p.m., Atomic Budz Dispensary presents a Customer Appreciation Party with “Spooky Reggae” music featuring Unity Frenzy and Crucial Culture. More info

 

Where the Bears Are Season 7 Premiere

On Thursday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m., Among Friends presents a cocktail party and premiere screening of the 7th season of web series Where the Bears Are, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatre. Enjoy banter with the cast and crew before and after the movie. Screening starts at 7:30 pm. Get tickets
 

Bohemian Rhapsody Opens Thursday

Mary Pickford Theater – D'Place Entertainment in Cathedral City is a great place to catch the new Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, opening this Thursday, November 1! (Watch the trailer here)

LGBT History Month

Each day in October, LGBT History Month has been celebrating the achievement of a new LGBT icon–such as Cleve Jones, who was also honored right here in Palm Springs at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast earlier this year! Celebrate and brush up on your gay and lesbian history at lgbthistorymonth.com today!
 

George Zander Candlelight Vigil and March

Join Palm Springs Pride to reflect, remember, and stand up against hate violence around the world on Thursday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. on La Plaza, in front of Grand Central. Participants will join in memory of all victims of hate crimes and remember George Zander on the 3rd anniversary of the day he and Chris Zander were attacked in

downtown Palm Springs. George died on December 10, 2015. The vigil will begin on La Plaza, in front of Grand Central, and features a rally and march through the heart of Palm Springs. We will be handing out MSF Heart/Fence Challenge hearts that evening. Learn more about the challenge here, and don't miss our interview with Dennis & Judy Shepard, 20 years after their son Matthew's death. More info

Dip Into Pride with Gay Desert Guide!

Palm Springs Pride is here, and we are super excited to bring you the official Palm Springs Pride: Dip Into Pride Kickoff Pool Party on Friday, November 2 from 12:00–6:00 p.m. at Hotel Zoso! The party, presented by Gay Desert Guide and Truly Spiked and Sparkling, features:

  • DJ Holly Adams, one of LA's favorite House DJs and one of the most recognizable voices in Electronic Dance Music since the beginning of the West Coast Rave Scene in the early 90's. Now she can be heard as resident DJ on Subliminal Radio, hosting “Holly's House” weekly. 
  • Elisia Savoca, the 17-year-old who is politely being compared to legends such as Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga with her powerful voice, enchanting melodies and vulnerable truths.
  • DJ Ray Rhodes, LA DJ for such events as Tiger Heat and Out on the Mountain.
  • TIANN, native of Sydney Australia who has captivated audiences around the world with her sensual, intoxicating vocals.
  • A special “Pot-Up” Event: Elevate your Pride for an exclusive cannabis-themed product showcase focused on the ways we live our lives…morning, noon and night…and of course after-hours. Presented by Bloom & Groom. Participants include:
    • KIngs Garden Royal Botanicals
    • Hemp Meds
    • THC Design
    • Mr. & Mrs. Selfie
  • Only one cabana and a few daybeds remain! Passes go up at the door to $20, so buy now at just $15.
  • DJ Alexander Rodriguez will be hosting a “Win & Model” Andrew Christian Swimwear Contest at 2pm, as well as serving as the official main stage host at the Arenas Road Block Party and making appearances at a number of pride events! (see below). He will also be hosting “The Wedding Game” for us, with social media stars Zach & Evan!

 

Greater Palm Springs Pride Events

While there's far too much going on at Palm Springs Pride to list it all here, we've got you covered with this rundown of major events. Youth Power for Change is the theme for this year's event, and Downtown Palm Springs is the setting for a vibrant, pedestrian friendly Pride Parade and Festival, unique to Southern California. Enjoy a diverse array of artists, entertainers, multiple beverage gardens and purveyors of all sorts including, jewelry, snacks and sweets. Add all that to great shopping restaurants, clubs and entertainment venues located along world-famous Palm Canyon Drive and the result is like no place else – Palm Springs Pride.

HRC Garden Party November 3

Another iconic event of Pride weekend is the HRC Palm Springs Garden Party on Saturday, November 3 from 1:30–4:30 p.m. This event brings together more than 800 HRC members, friends, families, and allies for an afternoon of celebration and inspiration. Here also is another chance to win tickets to see Lea DeLaria at the McCallum on November 8 by entering the Garden Party Raffle! Get tickets

Chadwick Johnson Brings Vegas to The Purple Room

On Saturday, November 3, The Purple Room Supper Club presents Chadwick Johnson: Vegas, Shaken and Stirred. The singer and songwriter will celebrate the music that has made Vegas the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” from vintage swingin' tunes re-invented to the iconic hits of the stars who headline the strip today. Experience the music of Sin City then and now! Dinner at 6pm, Show at 8pm. Get tickets

Palm Springs Pride Run and Walk 5K

Palm Springs Front Runners and Walkers is proud to host the Palm Springs Pride Run and Walk 5K on Saturday, November 3, at 8:00 a.m. Join them for a 5K run or walk through the beautiful and historic neighborhood of Old Las Palmas! Registration is open through race day. Proceeds from the Palm Springs Pride Run and Walk benefit The LGBT Community Center of The Desert. 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

 

Miss Richfield 1981 Returns with Brand New Show

Outlandish – A Palm Springs Performance Series presents Miss Richfield 1981 “Born Again” on Saturday, November 3 at 8:00 p.m. In her brand new show “Born Again”, Miss R is finding new religion to bring our divided world together. Known for unique audience interaction and comedic songs and videos, she sells out the Palm Springs Cultural Center each year. Get tickets

 

Dyke Picnic, L-Fund Dance, Lesbo Expo

The Dyke Picnic / Rally / March is an official event of Palm Springs Pride, taking place at Frances Stevens Park from 12:00–4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3. MC Shann Carr will start the festivities which include an optional catered picnic ($5.00), DJ Ginger, Dancing, a Drum Circle, a Kids Area, a Raffle and Outdoor Games, Speakers and a Pride March which steps off at 4:00 PM. More info
 

The L-Fund's Annual Pride Dance takes place that night, Saturday, November 3, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Hotel Zoso. Dance the night away with DJ TLA Storm, back by popular demand. This is a fundraiser benefiting Lesbians in crisis in the Coachella Valley. More info
 

The Lesbo Expo Launch Party and Drag King Party will take place on Sunday, November 4 from 11:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. at Alibi (Formerly Azul), where, for the price of admission you will have a fun buffet, keg beer while it lasts. Kate Kendell will receive a Legacy Award from the Dyke March, and two other awards will be given for Community Visionary and Emerging Voice. Entertainment will be Marga Gomez, Comedian from San Francisco and Sweet Baby Ja’i and her Women’s All Star Jazz Band from Los Angeles. More info

Weekend Theatre

Palm Canyon Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Avenue Q, opening Friday, November 2 and running through Sunday, November 18. This controversial, modern musical centers around a group of foul mouthed puppets living in an apartment complex together. With songs like, “It Sucks to Be Me”, “The Internet is for Porn”, and “What Do You Do With A B.A. in English” you’re sure to be rolling in the seats. (Adult content-not recommended for children). Get tickets
 

Desert Theatreworks presents Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile, opening Friday, November 2 and running through Sunday, November 18. In this whodunit, adapted for the stage by Christie herself, we find ourselves aboard a luxury steamer as it travels up the Nile River–a honeymoon cruise, only problem is the bride is dead. Get tickets
 

CVRep presents How I Learned to Drive, running through Sunday, November 18 at CVRep at The Atrium in Rancho Mirage. This funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man is a multi-award winning play including the 1998 Pulitzer Prize. Check out our review by Stephen Radosh, and Get tickets

 

Trio's 9th Anniversary feat. Pamala Stanley

TRIO is turning 9 years old with the usual, tastefully overdone TRIO bash on Monday, November 5, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Disco Diva Pamala Stanley, with “Coming Out of Hiding” & “This is Hot” among her hits, will be this year's performer! Hosted & Open Bar 4-6p. Please RSVP HERE for Reception or call 760.864.TRIO (8746).