Happy February to all, and to all a good (and short) month! Coming up this month are several events celebrating and advocating for women's health and rights, gatherings of once and occasionally still marginalized segments of gay society, and more. Read on for a look at this weekend and a preview of the next.
***Got an event or business in Greater Palm Springs that might fit our site and interest our readers? Get in touch!***
LA Women's Theatre Project and Valley Locals Perform The Vagina Monologues for V-Day
The non-profit arts advocacy organization Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project will be working with the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley communities to put on a local production of Eve Ensler’s, The Vagina Monologues at 7pm on Saturday, Feb 3 at the Riviera. All ticket proceeds go to support the Coachella Valley Sexual Assault Services and the V-Day Global project to end violence against women and girls.
Tickets here or at the door.
Her HRC Holds 2nd Annual Palm Springs Event
Human Rights Campaign Palm Springs holds the 2nd annual Her HRC event on Saturday, February 17th from 2-4pm. The mission of Her HRC events is to gather women to celebrate and build a greater sense of community, while learning about the importance of engaging in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. This amazing desert event will be held at a beautiful private residence in Old Las Palmas, featuring special performances by stand-up comic Julie Goldman and musical artist Sean Wiggins, catering by Lynn Hammond, and Libations from Pacific Wine & Spirits, Leslie Barclay. Last year, the Palm Springs chapter received the Her HRC of the Year Award for the event, so this year will certainly be one not to miss.
While this is a Her HRC event, all HRC events are open to all guests, regardless of gender identity or expression, so invite your LGBTQ and ally friends!
Laurel Foundation Eat Drink Do Good Wine Tasting Event
The Laurel Foundation’s 5th Annual Wine Tasting Benefit will bring together 20 plus wineries and spirit companies from across California and beyond. Held at a stunning 1920’s Spanish estate in Old Las Palmas, the early event will be rounded out with scrumptious nosh (passed) and the glamorous spinnings of an incredible DJ. Sommeliers and wine stewards will be present educate guests on the tastings and a bespoke Silent and Live Auction will round out the day. The event will benefit children affected by HIV/AIDS and Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth.
Get your tickets ahead of time here.
National Gay Pilots Association Winter Event Lands Next Weekend
Over twenty-five years ago the first Gay Pilots Association event was held in Provincetown, Mass., and it included a handful of gay pilots who communicated by telephone and were discreetly identified by sporting an airplane on their shirts. At the time, members risked losing their job or being dishonorably discharged from the military if they were outed as gay. From that group, a national organization has evolved. The 2018 Palm Springs Winter Warm-Up Presented by United Airlines is their flagship West Coast event, and will be held from February 8-11, 2018 at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel.
Friday takes off with the NGPA Industry Expo, which features talks from a flight attendant from US Airways Flight 1549 (which crash landed in the Hudson in 2010), and two retired air traffic controllers who worked on September 11, 2001. More uplifting events include banquets, barbeques, a performance from Chicago comedy duo Amy & Freddy, and the annual Queen of the Fleet contest.
International Bears Converge Next Weekend for 5th Annual IBC
Next weekend Hard Rock Palm Springs will play host to the 5th Annual International Bear Convergence, “the premier winter event for bears and their admirers.” The weekend features DJs by the pool during the day and energetic dance parties at night for “bears, muscle bears, cubs, chasers, chubs and admirers.” This year's gathering will feature a performance by the veteran dance chart-topper Martha Wash ("It's Raining Men", with The Weather Girls; "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)", by C+C Music Factory), whose own early career was encumbered by an industry that considered a woman of her size to be "unmarketable." Of course, IBC makes a point of welcoming all shapes and sizes, and, not for nothing, proceeds benefit AIDS Assistance Program / Food Samaritans Palm Springs.
Desert Soul Club at Tonga Hut
The Desert Soul Club is Palm Springs’ monthly mod / soul / funk party, bringing the True Sounds of Mod to the low desert. Created by DJ Bobby California (Bob Deck) and DJ Lee (Lee Joseph), the heart and soul of the Club is based on irresistible dance grooves from a universe of wonderful hit and unknown records produced during the r&b, beat, mod, Motown, -heyday of the early to mid-60s, extending through the funk era of the late 60s and early 70s up to the dawn of disco. Northern soul, r&b, freakbeat, boogaloo, afrobeat, and psychedelic soul will all be represented from Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, Philly and beyond. Bobby and Lee dig deep into their knowledge and cache of globe-spanning tracks, inviting you to stomp, shout and work it on out!
No Cover! Reservations: (760) 322-4449
HAPPY HOURS OF THE WEEK
Streetbar Super Bowl Party
Happy Hour at Streetbar on Arenas is known for top shelf daily specials such as Makers Mark bourbon, Grey Goose Vodka and Jack Daniel’s Whiskey! You can guarantee to be served by a staff member who will know your name and your drink by the third visit. This weekend join them for Super Bowl Sunday featuring “Shirley’s Kick Ass Chili”!
The Morning After at BlackBook
The sleek, industrial styled BlackBook bar located in the heart of the gay strip on Arenas is now the perfect place for The Morning After – well, at least on Saturday & Sunday! They’ve got an ever-changing menu with favorites like their version of Chilaquiles, a burrito, several shareable sides, and specialty cocktails like their versions of a Bloody Mary classic or the spicier ‘Devil’s Strain.’
Happy Hour is 4-6pm and new Naughty Hour is 10-12am!
$5 pint glass well drinks
$1 off all bottle and draft beer
$2 off all wines by the glass
Manhattan in the Desert
Grab it while it’s hot! A Manhattan in the Desert gift card for 30% off! Luxurious and deli aren’t often mentioned in the same sentence unless you’re talking about Manhattan in the Desert, where a delicious meal of lox and bagels or a mile-high corn beef sandwich can be had at an equally delicious discount. Enjoy $25 worth of food for just $17.50. That’s a 30% discount! If it were our choice, we’d use it all at the bakery! The bakery selection is as expansive and delectable as the atmosphere. Get a taste of Manhattan in Palm Springs or Palm Desert where the meal will be as exciting as this great deal.
Oscars Café and Bar
Oscars Café and Bar in the heart of downtown is full of fun every day of the week. With this super hot deal you can enjoy $25 worth of food and drink at Oscar's for only $12.50! That’s 50% off! And we already know what you’re thinking and the answer is YES! This hot deal can be used at Oscars very famous Tea Dance! Get there early to get your spot on the dance floor!
- Snapshot: The January 2018 Palm Springs Craft Cocktail Championship (CV Independent)
- 8 Coachella Valley Spots To Watch Super Bowl LII And Justin Timberlake (Desert Sun)
- Palm Springs' Ross Mathews To Participate In First-Ever 'Celebrity Big Brother (Desert Sun)
- Serena Williams To Play First Tournament As A Mother At BNP Paribas Open (Desert Sun)
Compiled by David Kenniston. Got an event or business in Greater Palm Springs that might fit our site and interest our readers? Get in touch!