The topic of race is on many minds this week. After the Tony Awards shown the klieg lights on diversity in Broadway shows, the topic will get some attention locally.
The controversy surrounding Frank Bogert will come to a head at a special meeting of the Palm Springs City Council and the Human Rights Commission, headed by Ron DeHarte. As Ron tells us, “The removal of the Bogert monument is being presented as a complex issue. Simply stated, a person of authority and leadership supported racially biased policies through the darkest period in city history.”
The Center is having a Zoom event on the topic Thursday with Lex Ortega. The week is full of great events as you’ll see below as we get ready for The Dinah, which starts mid-week! Welcome to our LGBTQ+ attendees from all over the country!
We have launched new Guides in Instagram that will help you find your way to the top spots for dining, nightlife, events and shopping. Follow us @GayDesertGuide today!
Listen to my weekly updates on Monday and Fridays on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs and the John Taylor morning show.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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The Dinah is Here!
After many COVID-related delays, the world famous Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, is taking place this Wednesday through Sunday, September 29 through October 3. This is the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the largest lesbian event in the world and features comedy shows, singles events, concerts, celesbians, parties, and more. Event organizers are working diligently to make this large gathering a safe event and you can read all about that on the Dinah’s website [here]. We’ve got the rundown of events, from Wednesday’s Pre-Party to Sunday’s Fun Day Pool Party and Closing Party and all the parties in between on our comprehensive event listing: More info
An Evening on the Lanai – Next Wednesday!
Gay Desert Guide and Oscar’s are pleased to bring back An Evening on the Lanai: Remembering the Golden Girls after two sold-out performances this summer! On Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m., one of the masters behind the success of The Golden Girls, TV sitcom writer Stan Zimmerman, takes us down memory lane with fun behind-the-scenes stories, little known facts, and more with host Alexander Rodriguez. Join in the fun as we watch clips of our favorite episodes complete with sing alongs and trivia – how well do you know your Golden Girls? Show us your best Golden Girls look, you may just take home a St. Olaf Women of the Year award from our list of giveaways! Don’t let this one sell out before you save your space! Get tickets
Cinema Diverse Wraps up Thursday
This week is your last chance to participate in Cinema Diverse 2021, with online screenings continuing through Thursday, September 30. The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival is dedicated to advancing and further strengthening our diverse gay community through the establishment of a world-class film festival that presents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from around the world. More info
October is LGBTQ History Month
Friday, October 1 marks the beginning of LGBTQ History Month, and that means you can visit this history month website to learn about a new a new LGBT icon featured every day with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.
Sharing Our Desert’s LGTBQ+ History
For the local story of LGBTQ history in the Desert, this year Palm Springs Pride and the Palm Springs Library present an official Pride Event – Sharing Our Desert’s LGBTQ+ History: An Inaugural Exhibition, which will be open from Thursday through Sunday, November 4–7, during Palm Springs Pride! Check out the history of the Greater Palm Springs area that made it a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ Community. More info
50+ Fit with Lynn Simonson
Lynn Simonson is back with her popular “50+ FIT” training program on Mondays from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. via Zoom. There are clear benefits of exercise and physical health at any age to prevent many diseases, specially those associated with aging, including Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, and heart disease to name a few. More info
Hike Chuckwalla Trail with Kim
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Walk and Hike with Kim, occasional treks for women led by Kim Kieler. On Tuesday, September 28, join Kim at 7:00 a.m. to hike the Chuckwalla Trail, 3 miles with a 500-ft elevation gain, it takes 1–1.5 hrs. Join for all or part. You must be double-vaccinated and maintain physical distancing on the trail, bring a liter of water, and reserve your spot online ahead of time. More info
Let’s Talk About Race
The Center presents Let’s Talk About Race: Community Conversations hosted by Lex Ortega on Thursday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. This is the Center’s virtual space for ALL LGBTQ+ community members to come together, talk with one another, and move through the conversation about race. More info
Dana Eagle Headlines Last Laugh Wednesday
Dana Eagle will headline Last Laugh Wednesday on September 29 from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at Oscar’s Palm Springs. Eagle is known for numerous TV appearances and has performed for the troops in Iraq many times. In 2017, her book, How to Be Depressed: A Guide, hit the shelf and in 2018 it was released in four languages. The show, hosted by Max Mitchell, also features comics Renee Percy and Wyatt Cote. Get tickets
Jazzville Palm Springs: “Birth of the Cool” Performance
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents The New Nine on Thursday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Hear Miles Davis’ “Birth of the Cool” album played live in its entirety by the New Nine jazz ensemble. It was a truly groundbreaking album, Miles scored an atmosphere like none other, creating a cool yet daring environment. The playing is very tight, and there isn’t one mundane song. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites available. More info
Desert Art Center Opening w/New Clay Studio
The Desert Art Center in Palm Springs will launch the 2021-22 season on Friday, October 1 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. with a festive opening night for the public, showcasing a new art show in the two-room Main Gallery. The reception will feature refreshments and live music as patrons browse the gallery to view the latest works by DAC’s juried gallery members. In addition, the evening will feature clay-throwing demonstrations in DAC’s new clay studio. More info
King’s Highway Jazz & Dinner Series
King’s Highway at The Ace Hotel and Swim Club presents the return of its open-air and live Jazz & Dinner Series, with Human Error Club and Qur’an Shaheed from 8:00–10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29. Human Error Club is an experimental jazz group that features LA-based musicians Diego Gaeta, Jesse Justice, and Mekala Session. The unique trio has an energetic and transformative sound, that is almost entirely improvised. A singer, songwriter, pianist and composer, LA-based Qur’an Shaheed defines her sound and vision as innovative, highly personal, and experimental, incorporating elements of improvisation as well as neo-classical and neo-soul techniques. Come for a night of auditory bliss, paired with a menu of delights from the kitchen. More info
Sordid Lives at Palm Canyon Theatre
Palm Canyon Theatre presents Del Shore’s black comedy about white trash, Palm Springs favorite Sordid Lives, from Friday, September 24 through Sunday, October 3. When Peggy, a good Christian woman, hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover’s wooden legs in a motel room, chaos erupts in Winters, Texas. Since PCT is now doing Sordid Lives for the 8th time, they are shaking things up by making it audience participation. The audience will be encouraged to wear a wig cap when Brother Boy does, and pop “pills” when Dr. Eve does. This play is already a blast…and now this will really make it fun and a different experience—even for those who have seen it 8+ times! Get tickets
Sunnylands Presents Free Films in the Gardens
Now open for the season, Sunnylands Center & Gardens is reviving its popular outdoor movie series, Films in the Gardens, showing a movie musical free of charge on Friday evenings, with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. This Friday, October 1, the film is Mamma Mia! Films in the Gardens are presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival. More info
THIS WEEKEND
Ultimate Queen Celebration at The Show
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho MIrage’s The Show presents The Ultimate Queen Celebration starring Marc Martel on Saturday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m. Since 2017, Martel has fronted The Ultimate Queen Celebration, an explosive, attention commanding tribute where some of the most iconic rock anthems merge with a theatrical performance style and eye-popping production. Martel and his band perform Queen’s greatest hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are The Champions,” “Another One Bites The Dust,” “Under Pressure,” and “Somebody to Love.” Get tickets
Chaka Khan at Fantasy Springs
Chaka Khan performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m. This 10-time Grammy Award-winner is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated music icons — a singer, songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist who has influenced generations of artists in a career spanning four decades. Come hear her perform the hits like “Tell Me Something Good,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nobody” and “I Feel for You.” Get tickets
The Gardens to the Rescue – Dog Adoption Event
Join Animal Samaritans for an adoption event in front of Saks Fifth Avenue on Sunday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Stop by and meet wonderful adoptable pets. Who knows, you may even meet your new fur-ever friend! This event includes music, vendors and a Yappy Hour with Boozehounds PS. Please bring a donation of cat or dog food to help feed the animals. Donations will be handled through Food Now. More info