We’re over a month into the full lockdown. How are you doing? I know many of you are keeping busy with home or volunteer projects, while others are experiencing boredom, depression and anxiety. We’re keeping you updated with the resources you need and bringing info that will help you through this pandemic.
Today on the podcast, John Taylor and Shann Carr welcome Dr. Laura Rush with some encouraging news, Jimmy Boegle with a Take Out Shout Out, and are joined by David Perry who has been in conversation with Armistad Maupin. Our updated Community Events calendar is now available and we’re supporting local businesses with updated hours and offerings. Thanks for reading and listening to our podcast.
Keep Shining Palm Springs
Small businesses are coming together to make it through the inevitable economic downturn with Keep Shining Palm Springs, a merchandise-based fundraiser hatched by the owners of Windmill City Screen Printing and Dead or Alive Wine Bar. With a variety of items from hats to tshirts, bandana, totes and stickers with the hopeful message “The Sun Will Keep Shining,” 75% of proceeds will go to support local businesses, and 25% will benefit individuals impacted by COVID-19. More info
Virtual Happy Hour with Among Friends
Join Among Friends on Thursdays from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for a Virtual Happy Hour on cam, using Zoom. Make your own cocktail and get on cam (or just watch) to connect and play games like “pineapple” and the famous Among Friends card game. Don’t know what those are? Join in and find out! More info
ShortFest Spotlight
The Palm Springs International Film Society’s ShortFest is providing free material for your escaping pleasure. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they are adding to their curated collection of short films available to stream from their site (like “Stay Close,” the underdog story of a fencer from Brooklyn who overcomes a gauntlet of hardships on the road to the Olympics, pictured here). Watch here
Worker Benefits Webinar
For those who missed the City of Palm Springs Worker Benefits Town Hall on Thursday, April 9, the webinar is now available online. The presentation was led by Mayor Geoff Kors with speakers including Mayor pro tem Christy Holstege; Leslie Trainor, Deputy Director of Workforce Development, County of Riverside; Nathan Cieszynski, Riverside County Fair Housing Council; Jay Virata, Palm Springs Director of Community & Economic Development; and employment law attorney Megan Beaman Jacinto. View here
Local Volunteer Opportunities During COVID-19
Looking to contribute a few hours of your time to help the community get through these challenging times? Check out this article with various options for plugging in and helping out, from making masks to food pantry distribution. Learn more
Riverside County has a volunteer sign-up page with a list of immediate needs for both medical and non-medical volunteers throughout the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. More info
Virtual Cinema at Palm Springs Cultural Center
The team at the Palm Springs Cultural Center has been working hard to create a way for you to enjoy their curated programming via Virtual Cinema, which gives you the ability to view new films that are Palm Springs premieres, along with favorites from film festivals in the comfort of your own home. Get your V-Ticket
Genuine Movie Theatre Popcorn Curbside Pickup
Mary Pickford Theatre – D’Place Entertainment is making available one of the simple pleasures that makes movie night an event: freshly popped Movie Theater Popcorn! For two days only, this Friday & Saturday, April 17 & 18, from 5:00–7:30 p.m., guests can get their fix of movie theater popcorn and a selection of other movie night snacks (drinks, candy) with convenient curbside pickup. 100% of proceeds go to support staff at D’Place during the COVID-19 shutdown. Email and phone ordering ahead of time with pre-payment is available. More info
Online Art Galleries
CODA Gallery is offering a virtual exhibit of raku ceramics by Karen Shapiro, whose larger than life sculpture style is irresistible. Her expertly-crafted ceramics of iconic brands are instantly recognizable, and fun! [view here]
The Palm Springs Art Museum has two beautiful online exhibits from their permanent collection: Bill Anderson Photography, whose work encapsulates the emergence of Palm Springs as a Hollywood playground during the mid-twentieth century [view here], and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden now has an online presence so you can experience the desert oasis with images, text, and audio about the artwork and native plants in this unique outdoor environment [view here].
Desert X, whose inaugural exhibition in the spring of 2017 made a splash that launched into two more exhibits in subsequent years, has released a 240-page, full color catalogue that explores the concepts and ideas of that inaugural installation. You can buy the printed version [here], or view it online for free [here].
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 – Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Chair Yoga with Lynn Simonson – Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Monday & Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Games, Friends and Fun with Lorenzo Taylor – 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m.
Flex Together with Diane Ross
Mizell Senior Center is proud to be one of the first senior centers to produce a segment for the online exercise website, FlexTogether.com. Diane Ross will give you your fix of healthy movement. Sign in and select “cardio” to see Diane’s instruction of moves that should be familiar if you’ve been to Fit After Fifty class at the center. Best part, it’s free! Visit FlexTogether.com.
Zoom Virtual Backgrounds from GPS and HRC
Chances are, you’re doing a whole lot more “Zooming” these days, for work, with friends, and with organized groups. You can use the “virtual background” feature of Zoom to insert the background of your choice, and if you’d like some beautiful shots of the Greater Palm Springs area to set the scene, the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau has you covered with several options [here]. If you’d like to show your LGBTQ Pride, HRC has some backgrounds [here] for you too!
San Francisco, Provincetown Cancel Major Summer Events
Both San Francisco Pride, originally scheduled for late June, and Provincetown Bear Week, scheduled for mid-July, have been officially canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Due to projections that envision even the best case scenario of a gradual re-opening of businesses and events with biggest events being the last to be re-opened, we anticipate many more announcements like these.
LGBTQ Community Survey
If you haven’t already, please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. Think of it as the gay census! [Click here] to start the survey
LOOKING AHEAD
Virtual DBA Networking Mixer
The Desert Business Association is taking their Networking Mixer to Zoom on Monday, April 20 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Grab a snack and beverage and join them for a few announcements, sharing and announcements from you, and a check-in with those who wish to share. More info
Virtual Hugs Live Dance Party
Last week, told you about the new Virtual Hugs Initiative from Destination PSP and the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. Now, mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 p.m. for the Virtual Hugs Live Dance Party. Join DJ Galaxy for some great music and an excuse to dance your heart out! More info
Save the Date: NCLR 2020 Virtual Celebration
While the NCLR’s planned Anniversary Celebration for May 30 will not look exactly as it had been originally envision, the celebration will go on virtually, on a livestream on the same date with the same inspiration and love. The virtual gala will be a dynamic, engaging, and participatory Anniversary Celebration and a chance to connect with new NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon. More info
Red Dress Dress Red 2020 Canceled, to Return in 2021
The LGBT Center of the Desert has announced that the Red Dress Dress Red Party 2020, first postponed from March to May of this year, has been officially canceled for this year. Mark your calendar, however, because the date for the next Red Dress Dress Red Party 2021 is planned for Saturday, March 20, 2021. In the meantime, to celebrate the spirit of Red Dress this year, they are planning a live Virtual Dance Party on Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 p.m. with music by DJ Galaxy. More info
- LGBTQ Community Launches Hotline Providing Coronavirus Relief
- For the First Time, San Francisco Pride is Officially Canceled
- Resources for Emotional Support and Well-Being
- Stefan Hill Makes Face Masks to Support Community Food Bank
- Mark Segal: God Loves San Francisco, Not So the Evangelicals
Lulu California Bistro has just begun offering delicious to-go meals daily from 11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Their special menu features guest favorites like wild mushroom soup, signature meatloaf, pizza, burgers, and much more. Place your order online, schedule a pickup time, and your order will be waiting for you, hygienically bagged and ready to pick up at a safe social distance at the entrance. More info