Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Apr. 30-May 2, 2021

John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and Gay Desert Guide’s Brad Fuhr welcome special guests Director of Development for DAP Health James Lindquist. owner of Old Ranch Inn Jason Ball, Desert Business Association Executive Director David Powell, Brian Blueskye, Arts and Culture reporter at The Desert Sun, and comedians Vicki Barbolak and Jason Stuart.
The #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast is broadcast on Facebook Live, Fridays at 11:00 a.m. The#ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast is also available on Apple TV, Roku TV, Amazon, FireTV and Android devices via OutAt.tv. Tune in Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. (or later on-demand) to stream us to your TV. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and more!

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Rainbow Challenge 2021

Grab your sunscreen and join other LGBTQ folks for Stonewall Golfers’ 20th Annual Rainbow Challenge Golf Tournament, a weekend of golf at the Indian Canyons Golf Resort in Palm Springs, Saturday & Sunday, May 1 & 2. Play to compete or just casual play. Proceeds from this tournament will be donated to The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. More info

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Palm Springs Air Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Palm Springs Air Museum is celebrating 25 years over three evenings: Thursday, April 29, Friday, April 30, or Saturday, May 1. Choose one date to attend for an open-air, COVID-19 compliant celebration with live entertainment by The Company Men and Wartime Radio, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, beginning at 6:00 p.m. each night. Hosted by Joe Mantegna, admission includes a tax-deductible donation. Attendance is limited. Get tickets

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Eventually We’re All Queer: Isherwood’s Identities and Legacies

Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Eventually We’re All Queer: Isherwood’s Identities and Legacies on Sunday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. Join Professor Chris Freeman for a fascinating talk about gay writer/pioneer Christopher Isherwood. From England to Berlin to Hollywood, Isherwood broke ground every step of the way, culminating with “A Single Man,” “Cabaret,” and his coming out memoir, “Christopher and His Kind.” Can’t make the live event? Buy a ticket for the recording and watch the event in your own time! More info

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❤️ This Week’s Crushes ❤️
Every Monday and Wednesday we are highlighting our Gay Desert Guide Man and Woman Crushes! Our Man Crush Monday this week is Desert X co-curator César García-Alvarez, and Woman Crush Wednesday is our friend who grew up in Palm Springs, Sue Burnside! Click the images here to read about them and see a fun video reel, and for more, follow @GayDesertGuide on Facebook and Instagram

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Bingo with Bella at Mizell

Mizell Bingo is back the last Friday of the month, with Bingo numbers called by your favorite local hostess extraordinaire, Bella Da Ball. In addition to a regular wonderful selection of prizes, there will be 2 amazing raffles! Until they can safely reopen, Mizell Bingo will be virtual but they’re going to bring you an in person experience, starting Friday, April 30 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., with the next edition on Friday, May 28. Register at least a week ahead of time online and they will mail you 10 game boards and a dabber, then join in via Zoom for laughs, prizes and cash! More info

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Not Your Grandma’s Bingo

Chill Bar presents Not Your Grandma’s Bingo on Saturdays from 12:30–2:30 p.m. Join Sabryna Williams and the gang for a raucous game of bingo unlike any you’ve ever played. Your $5 suggested donation supports DAP Health (formerly The Desert AIDS Project), The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, The Trans Wellness Center and The Desert Rose Playhouse. Play for prizes and Chill Bar gift cards! More info

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Front Row Center Returns

Local TV variety show “Front Row Center” starring the students of David Green’s Musical Theatre University, is coming back with all new episodes, starting Saturday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m. on CBS-Local 2 and continuing on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. Don’t miss the Desert’s only weekly entertainment show starring MTU’s talented students as they bring you the music of Broadway and beyond! More info

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Modernism Week New and Encore Programs Online Experience

While Modernism Week may be over in Palm Springs, the fun continues online with the Modernism Week Online Experience! Whether you are near or far, you can still experience a taste of Modernism Week virtually with online programs, including compelling presentations, video tours and films, on sale through May 15, and viewable through May 31. More info

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DUI Checkpoint Friday

The Palm Springs Police Department will be holding a DUI Checkpoint on Friday, April 30 from 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within city limits. Officers will look for drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs, reminding the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol but can include recreational, prescription, or over-the-counter medications. While medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

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LOOKING AHEAD

Save the Date: ShortFest June 22–28

The 27th Palm Springs International ShortFest is returning for in-person screenings at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Camelot Theatres on June 22–28, and will be the first film festival in California to hold all of its screenings in-theatre in 2021! Theatergoers will be required wear masks to enter venues, and stringent cleaning protocols will be followed. The ShortFest Forum returns with virtual classes and panels to make it more available to all, including international filmmakers unable to attend. ShortFest passes will go on sale on May 17 with schedule and tickets available the first week of June. More info

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Evening for Equality

Join Equality California on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. for Evening for Equality, an evening of online conversation and entertainment to raise critical funds to support the organization’s work to ensure LGBTQ+ Californians have access to the resources they need to navigate the COVID-19 public health crisis and land on their feet. Participation in this virtual event is free and open to all, but please consider purchasing a ticket or making a contribution to support the work of Equality California. Special guests include U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, Honey Mahogany and Peppermint. Get tickets

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Bereavement Therapy Group

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert is presenting a new session of their Bereavement Therapy Group starting Monday, May 3 and continuing for 12 weeks on Mondays from 5:00–6:30 p.m. The closed sessions of Bereavement Therapy Group are offered via HIPAA-compliant Zoom calls, intended for those who have lost a loved one and want assistance in dealing with their loss and to talk with others who understand what they are going through. More info

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A Conversation with Former Senator Barbara Boxer

The United Nations Association of the Coachella Valley presents “A Conversation with Former Senator Barbara Boxer” on Monday, May 3 at 4:00 p.m. Experience Senator Boxer’s deep knowledge and experience not only as a Senator, but also her experience as a Valley resident and issues that affect all of us, including: health, climate change, social justice, LGBTQ Rights and more – and where renewed U.S. commitments to the United Nations is essential. Free event. More info

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Next Week: Virtual Events at The Center

Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBTQ Community 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.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Fifty+ Fit with Lynn Simonson – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.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.
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.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Fridays at 2:00 p.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]

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