We mourn the loss of two people in today’s column. First, the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will have many repercussions throughout our LGBTQ world. Not only was she a staunch advocate and upholder of our rights, she was also just plain fierce! The Notorious RBG, may she RIP!
Locally, we lost artist Nat Reed Gozzano to ALS. Today’s photo is from Nat’s gallery, The Art of Nat Reed, on North Palm Canyon, where I stopped by a few months ago. This piece was his interpretation of “Poolside Gossip”, the iconic photograph that defines the Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern lifestyle.
Nat will be missed for not only his body of work that ranges from a commissioned Palm Springs Pride poster to futuristic visions ala “mod”, but also because he was a wonderful man who had a talent that fit Palm Springs to a tee.
Now on to our week with a lot of activities on the horizon, including a new game for us: Zoom That Tune on Tuesday evening. Hope you’ll join us!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
Zoom That Tune Virtual Gay Game Show
The Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide and the TheMenEvent.com present Zoom That Tune Virtual Gay Game Show on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. It’s a blast! Lots of laughing, socializing and Type A competitiveness as you test your knowledge of music in this fun interactive event hosted by Shann Carr. This month, all of the songs will all be associated with SCHOOL. We will visit the worlds of Rock, Pop, Broadway, R&B and more. Earn extra points by answering bonus trivia questions. DJ Stevie Beat is famous for his gay Zoom That Tune games and this event promised to get you laughing and interacting with the other players. Get tickets
The Economic Future of the Coachella Valley
A free webinar series from the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Palm Springs Life, and SBEMP Attorneys starts on Wednesday, September 23 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. In the first installment, “Tourism and Hospitality,” join Scott White (Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau), Kelly Steward (The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage), and Allen Monroe (The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens) as they discuss how airlines, hotels, attractions, and events are making Greater Palm Springs a safe and welcoming place to visit for business and pleasure. More info
Memory Care During Isolation
On Wednesday, September 23 from 5:30–6:30 p.m., Eisenhower Health & Wellness Lecture Series and The LGBT Center of the Desert present Memory Care During Isolation. Brian Hess, Program Supervisor, Eisenhower Memory Care Center, will discuss how to minimize your loneliness yourself and your loved ones, how to reduce your Isolation of you and your loved one, how to manage their care at home, and how to keep the day going through effective and purposeful activities to keep their cognitive skills from declining in this time of quarantining. More info
Luminary Match-Up with Linda Purl and Patrick Duffy
CVRep presents Theatre Thursday: Luminary Match-Up with Linda Purl & Patrick Duffy on Thursday, September 24 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. on Zoom. From Happy Days and Matlock to The Office, Linda Purl has established herself as an A List actress with a career which has spanned more than three decades. Purl will be joined by her beau, Patrick Duffy. Widely known for his leading role on the CBS primetime soap opera Dallas, where he played Bobby Ewing, Duffy followed up that role with an eight year run on the popular sitcom Step by Step. Free event, registration required. More info
Aunt Betty’s Reopening with Limited Hours
Executive Director of Mizell Senior Center Wes Winter has announced the re-opening of the center’s resale shop, Aunt Betty’s Attic, on Tuesday, September 22. Going forward, they will be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Safety guidelines include: only five shoppers in the store at a time, masks required, with a socially distanced waiting area provided in the courtyard. More info
This Week: 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 – Mondays at 11:00 a.m.
Zumba for Beginners with Shaun Samaro – Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Mondays & Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Dating and Sex in the Age of COVID with Arlen Keith Leight LCSW, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Conversational Spanish – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Beginner Tap with Keith Mottola – Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.
Prostate Cancer Support Group – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Trans Tuesdays with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.
Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Men’s Chat with Stuart Huggins – Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 63
We’re talking restaurants, elections, moving up in Covid19 designation, bad air and women making All That Jazz in episode 63…John Taylor and comedian Shann Carr are joined by power couple Gail Christian and Lucy DeBardelaben of palmspringswomensjazzfestival.**Use discount code GDG10 to save 10% when you order from our podcast sponsor Out & About CBD.**
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Dining Out(Side) at Il Giardino
Our Gay Desert Guide Food Reviewer Charles Drabkin has been venturing back out into the world of dining out(side) and this time he’s gone for authentic Italian cuisine at Il Giardino, ordering dishes that are as much fun to say as they are to eat: Polpette della Casa, Fettuccine Al Ragu, Vitello Piccata al Limone, and Branzino Al Forno. Read on for Charles’ take on the patio setting, safety precautions, service, and of course the food! [Full article]
THIS WEEKEND
Lesbian Virtual Speed Dating
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Virtual Speed Dating for Women of ALL Ages on Saturday, September 26 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom, hosted on Shann Carr. Speed dating has never been more fun! We will make introductions, and you go on several short one-on-one dates (each lasting 5-6 minutes) then mingle with everyone with a fun game and have real conversation about dating. This event is exclusively for women of ALL Ages (see our other speed dating events for other ages and themes). Get tickets
…and check out our next Speed Dating event from the Fun & Games Dept!:
Big Gay Bear Hunt Virtual Speed Dating – Sat Oct 10 at 6:00 p.m.
LGBTQ Tour of London’s National Portrait Gallery
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present an LGBTQ Tour of London’s National Portrait Gallery on Saturday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. Professor Andrew Lear takes you on a 75-minute Zoom tour, featuring The Chevalier d’Eon, 18th century French diplomat and trans celeb, George Lord Byron, bisexual sex addict, Aubrey Beardsley, illustrator of Oscar Wilde’s Salome and….asexual? Plus Benjamin Britten and his partner and muse Peter Pears, just to name a few. Get tickets
Lucy & Gail Present: A Free Concert
Gail Christian and Lucy DeBardelaben present a Free Concert on Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival has gone into the studio for the first time and produced a concert using its own production team led by Felecia Howell. This transition from live music to virtual concerts will be something new, different, fresh, and unique from the team that brings you the jazz festival. Meet Cynthia Lee performing her CD “New Worldisms.” More info