It’s certainly no surprise – the vax mandate for indoor dining and bars is now in effect in Palm Springs. No complaining people! Your servers are just following the regulations put in place by the city of Palm Springs. Others may follow suit.
But be prepared with your vax card or digital proof – just like carding to see if you’re over 21, even if you are 60-something like me! (a nod to my food writer Charles Drabkin for that line!)
Cinema Diverse is just a few short weeks away and tickets will be on sale shortly. I went to my first movie over the weekend at the Mary Pickford. Lots of room to spread out and feel safe – all with reclining chairs and a glass of wine. “Respect” is fantastic, BTW.
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 Rocky Horror Show
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents “The Rocky Horror Show,” running now through Sunday, September 12. A humorous tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1960s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter. The doctor unveils his new creation, a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man named Rocky, complete “with blond hair and a tan.” Get tickets
Agnes Pelton Exhibit Final Week
Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist, the first major exhibition since 1995 of the under-recognized American modernist painter who worked in Cathedral City is at the Palm Springs Art Museum through Sunday, September 5. Don’t miss your chance to see it before time runs out! Although she painted conventional landscapes and portraits, Pelton (1881–1961) is most celebrated for her abstract compositions that reflect her interest in esoteric subjects and occult philosophies, including numerology and Agni Yoga with its principal focus on fire as a guiding force. More info
Fluff Weekend at CCBC
Every good scene needs a Fluffer! CCBC Resort is the scene for “Fluff,” a Guys 2 event focusing on fluffing skills this Friday and Saturday, August 27 & 28. Whether getting a rise on the “Fluff Risers” or fun in the “Fluff House,” enjoy any form of male bonding within the 3.5 acres of CCBC’s private, secure resort. There’s a 5:00 p.m. nightly social at Runway then 8:00 p.m. kickoff with guests Element Eclipse and Andrew Oak providing a primer. Get tickets
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Our Special Drag Correspondent Dante Noto is faithfully watching and reporting on all the weekly victories and defeats in the world of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6. Read all of Dante’s recaps back to the season premiere [here] and check out his recap of the latest episode, “The Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent Monologues,” where the monologues include Trinity’s, entitled “Bamboozled,” a story of being catfished with a poignant ending of lives saved by Ru, and Kylie tells the story of “First Time,” when she was introduced to drag after returning from military school where he had been sent to butch up. Read it!
Best of Coachella Valley Nomination Round
The first round of voting is now open in The CV Independent Best of Coachella Valley 2021-2022, and they need YOU to nominate your favorites in various categories from Arts to Nightlife, Family to Fashion, and Professionals to Food and Restaurants. This is fill-in-the-blank voting, so you can nominate whoever YOU feel is most deserved of the “Best” honor! This nomination round is open through September 13, with a final round of voting on finalists to follow. Nominate now
Saturday Summerific Sing-A-Long: GREASE
The Palm Springs Cultural Center and The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus present The All Summer Long Snazzy Sassy Songsational Summerific Sing-A-Long. This week, on Saturday, August 28, the evening’s movie musical is “Grease,” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. At 6:00 p.m., come for social hour in the VIP Lounge upstairs, with film at 7:00 p.m. with Rosemary Galore and songleaders from the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus hosting an evening filled with film, fun, and song. Continues with a different film every Saturday through September 11. Get tickets
Registration Open Now for Le Dîner en Blanc
Registration is now open for the Palm Springs Premiere of Le Dîner en Blanc, the popular Parisian-style pop-up picnic characterized by its famous all-white dress code, taking place Saturday evening, October 9. As per the usual protocols for the event, the exact location of the event is only revealed a few hours before the event, and only to registered guests. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Mark Your Calendar: Aging Positively Conference
Reunion Project, the annual Coachella Valley conference aimed at providing practical information and inspiration for those aging with HIV, will bring together community leaders to improve the lives of older adults living with HIV for a virtual conference on Saturday, September 18 from 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. The conference will feature an HIV research panel of top experts discussing HIV and aging issues in our community, and a presentation from Keynote Speaker Andy Bell of Erasure. Free conference, registration requested. More info
Gay Days Anaheim Just Three Weeks Away
At Disneyland on the weekend of September 17–19, Gay Days Anaheim will “rechristen the park” with a sea of red shirts, and Friday, September 17 will feature two icons of the stage: first “An Intimate Conversation with Chita Rivera” followed by “An Evening with Audra McDonald.” There will be Gay Days activities at Disneyland park on Saturday and Disney’s California Adventure on Sunday, plus the Kingdom dance party on Saturday night, Plunge! pool party on Sunday, and shows from RuPaul’s Drag Race Stars Jackie Cox, Nina West, and Jan Sport [Read more]. This “family” gathering is a little different these days, as Disneyland requires park reservations (only available once you’ve purchased a ticket) for the specific days you wish to attend. Get your discounted park and hotel room tickets through Gay Days Anaheim’s special group rate links. More info
MONDAY: Desert Chorale Auditions
The California Desert Chorale will be back to live performances for its 29th season and will be holding auditions on Monday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Auditions will be administered and conducted by the Chorale’s Artistic Director Tim Bruneau for serious, dedicated singers who feel motivated to be a member of this well established and growing ensemble. More info
THURSDAY: Jazzville Palm Springs: Josh Nelson & Kevin van den Elzen Quintet
Jazzville, the live jazz scene presented by Barry Martin/DJ Baz and Take Five Entertainment, presents Josh Nelson & Kevin van den Elzen Quintet on Thursday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the vibrant Cascade Lounge inside Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Josh Nelson is a pianist, composer, and bandleader that’s performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, and Kevin van den Elzen is a young, in-demand jazz drummer originally from the Netherlands’ Dutch Concert Big Band. Cocktails, wine and delicious small bites will be available to order and enjoy while bopping to the tunes of the evening. More info
NEXT WEEK: Virtual Events at The Center
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 their programs:Social Caring in the Face of Quarantine with Ortega – Mondays 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.
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]
Welcome New Partners!
Jolene’s is a neighborhood bar and lounge with a name inspired by the Dolly Parton song. Like Dolly, they hope Jolene’s will appeal to everyone. It’s a full-service bar with a light food menu to include paninis, salads, and charcuterie, plus live music on the weekends! Located in the Desert Springs Marketplace at the corner of Country Club Drive and Cook Street in Palm Desert with ample parking. Learn more
Reefer Madness Dispensary and Lounge provides the healthiest, cleanest and freshest product offered at a great price. Their 1800 square foot building on the corner of Ramon and Williams has a gallery featuring local artists and a consumption lounge with TVs and retro arcade games. Reefer Madness is a small business with a commitment to community and offering superb product knowledge. Learn more
Hughes Properties Business Brokers has buyers for every business and a business for every buyer. This full-service firm covers the Palm Springs / Coachella Valley, Idlyllwild and San Diego areas. An MPA from USC, Robert Hughes has a wide variety of entrepreneurial experience with the personal ownership and sale of over sixteen businesses, including founder and publisher of Orange Coast Magazine. Learn more
- Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Hires New Artistic Director to Lead 23rd Season
- Le Dîner en Blanc Brings Parisian-Style Pop-Up Picnic to Palm Springs
- Lucie Arnaz Joins Tomlin, Barrett, Callaway, Harris, and the Star-Studded Cast of ‘One Night Only’
- Andrea McArdle Headlines AAP-Food Samaritans’ Kickoff Celebration
- Poolside Bites in Greater Palm Springs
At One Eleven Bar, it’s about enjoying a cocktail with old friends and a second with new ones, live music and entertainment you can sing along to, and celebrating who we are today while never forgetting our past. It’s also about having a safe space so none of us are ever alone – no matter race, orientation, gender identity, status, or age. With this HOT DEAL, you save 40%, getting $20 of beer, wine, or signature cocktails for just $12.00! Get Your Deal