This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings
August 24–26, 2018
Let us be your Gay Desert Guide to the weekend! The Palm Springs Comic Con and the Palm Springs International Animation Festival are in full swing this weekend, so keep an eye out for superheros, zombies, and other creatures come to life. You'll also want to look for another colorful addition: the new Gay Desert Guide Nissan Leaf! This weekend we also have Steve Martin and Martin Short coming to The Show, and we look ahead to the Labor Day weekend which features the Purple Room's season-opener Lainie Kazan, and CalComMen's “Graduate” Camp. It's also time to get your advance-sale weekend passes for the 30th anniversary of White Party 2019, for those who like to plan ahead and get a great deal. Speaking of which, we also have Hot Deals and Happy Hours for you!
Announcing the first big Pride Pool Party at Hotel Zoso, presented by Gay Desert Guide and featuring a “Bloom & Groom: A Pot-Up Experience” on Friday, Nov. 2 from noon – 6PM. Cabanas & Daybeds on sale now!
Palm Springs International Animation Festival is Here
The Palm Springs International Animation Festival and Expo is underway, running 5 days and nights from Wednesday, August 22 through Saturday, August 25 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatre. This global competition in animation is an exhibition of the most talented artists in animation styles including 2D, 3D, Hand Drawn, Painted, Watercolor, Sand, Paper, Experimental, Stop-Motion, VFX, and more. In addition to screening over 250 short and feature-length animated films, the festival and expo also includes VR experiences, live animation demonstrations, character and model sculptors, animation panel discussions, seminars, and educational programming. Get tickets
Comic Con Palm Springs is Here Too
The original and biggest Comics Convention in Palm Springs is back for the 3rd year this Friday through Sunday, August 24–26 at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This definitive comic experience brings together all your favorite artists, creators, celebrities, and cosplayers to one explosive annual event. Top billing goes to Jim Lee, a legend in the comic book world. Attractions include costume contests, gaming play areas with developer interactions, Super Sonic Speed Dating, a Zombie Walk in downtown Palm Springs, plus a Zombie Cafe comedy and music show, Lego room, and nightly concerts. Get tickets
New “Gay Desert Guide” Nissan Leaf Revealed!
https://www.facebook.com/GayDesertGuide/vi/2248758215/ Watch as Gay Desert Guide's Brad Fuhr sees–for the first time–the brand-new Gay Desert Guide all-electric Nissan Leaf, from Torre Nissan, which started out white but has a bright & colorful new look courtesy of Desert Wraps. We plan to have a lot of fun with this at events around the valley in the coming months and years!
Honorees Announced for 2018 Pride Honors Awards
Greater Palm Springs Pride has announced the recipients of its 2018 Pride Honors Awards. Honorees include seven Palm Springs residents & a community organization. The prestigious Pride Honors are presented annually to individuals to recognize their efforts in raising awareness and furthering the causes of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and their allies. The awards ceremony is September 26, at the Hilton Palm Springs. Learn more about the honorees here.
Steve Martin and Martin Short at The Show
On Friday, August 24 at 8:00 p.m., Steve Martin & Martin Short present “An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Lives” at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. Martin and Short will present new material in a variety of musical sketches and conversations on their iconic careers, most memorable encounters, and of course, their legendary lives in show-business and stand-up. Martin and Short will be joined on stage by the Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers and renowned jazz pianist and Jimmy Kimmel Live band member Jeff Babko. Get tickets
White Party 2019 Passes on Sale
2019 will mark the 30th anniversary of White Party Palm Springs, widely considered the largest gay dance music festival in the nation. It has evolved throughout the years to become an international cultural and social phenomenon attracting thousands of attendees from every corner of the globe. 2019 Passes are on sale now; you can get a VIP Weekend Pass for $399 ($800 value) and this pricing will end on September 11. Get yours today
Purple Room Season Opening Weekend
Michael Holmes' Purple Room Supper Club returns on Tuesday, August 28, with the Judy Show Season Kick-Off on Friday, August 31 and Michael Holmes' birthday “The Judy Show” in Sunday, Sept. 2. Visit the newly-redesigned website to see the lineup of live entertainment for September and beyond! More info
CalComMen's “GRADUATE” Community Camp
California Community of Men presents “Graduate” Community Camp from Friday, August 31–Monday, Sep 3, 2018. What can you do at “Graduate?”:
— Graduate from boy to man
— Graduate to be an even better man
— Graduate to a better place in your life
— Graduate to less fear & anxiety
— Graduate to more meaningful connections
— Graduate to a more engaged life
Like-minded, heart-centered men 18-91+ of all colors, sizes, shapes & differing abilities will gather to enjoy a safe, supportive and drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics-free space…4500 feet up in the San Jacinto Mountains. More info
Gay Wedding Institute Survey
Would you mind completing this
quick nationwide survey about LGBTQ weddings?
It's now 3 years post-marriage equality in the U.S. and it's time for a new survey of LGBTQ wedding trends. The data collected from this survey is used to educate wedding and travel professionals on how to effectively and respectfully serve LGBTQ couples. Thank you!
Love mexican food? You will love Rio Azul! Try their delicious tacos, enchiladas and tasty margaritas at one of the best Mexican restaurants in the desert. Chef Ernesto Gastelum likes to challenge the palate by making every dish as if it was himself eating it! Get this HOT DEAL of $50.00 worth of food and drink for only $30.00! That's 40% off! Get Your Deal
Wang's in the Desert is an award winning, community giving restaurant with a top shelf happy hour and amazing Palm Springs Pan Asian cuisine. Every dish is prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients and dinner service that is family style and is meant to be shared. Enjoy $25 worth of food and drinks at Wang's for just $12.50, quality food you can depend on, for 50% off! Get Your Deal
Blackbook
The sleek industrial styled BlackBook Bar, located in the heart of the gay strip on Arenas now has Happy Hour everyday from 4-6pm and NAUGHTY hour from 10:00 PM-midnight. During these times you can enjoy specials such as $5 pint gl
ass well drinks, $1 off all bottle and draft beer, and $2 off all wines by the glass! Keep your eyes peeled for the new Gay Desert Guide Nissan Leaf parked in front of Blackbook this Friday, Aug 24 from 5:00–7:00 p.m.! Get Happy at Blackbook
Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill
You’ll be charmed by the colorful and deliciously vibrant atmosphere at Rio Azul, where Happy Hour is 4–7, Monday through Thursday, and 2–6 Friday through Sunday, with $7.95 appetizers and $5 house margaritas all day. On Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Palm Springs' original Drag Show Brunch, The Desert Divas, presents their comedy, broadway, music and female impersonator show, which always sells out fast! Get Happy at Rio Azul
Top Five Bookmarks of the Week on GayDesertGuide.LGBT
- The 5 Best Amazon Prime Original Series Of 2018 So Far
- EuroPride 2018 Is A Colorful (And Inclusive) Tale Of 2 Swedish Cities
- 5 New Places to Eat in the Coachella Valley
- 5 Palm Springs Amazing Desert Hikes
- Wine Bars Uncork a Resurrection in Greater Palm Springs
Bookmarks are articles from news sources around the globe, which have featured stories about the Coachella Valley and the great things that happen here. So follow us on social media and keep up with news from sources far and wide.