Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Feb 15–17, 2019

Let us be your Gay Desert Guide to the Weekend!
February 15–17, 2019

A little thing called Modernism Week kicks off 11 days of midcentury fabulosity with an Opening Night Preview Gala, a Star for Arthur Elrod, Mod Mirage, Martinis on the Mountain, and so much more. This weekend also sees the annual Her HRC event, Jane Fonda speaks, Art Palm Springs, Air Museum Gala, Riverside County Fair and Date Festival, Isn't It Romantic (the concert fundraiser) and My Fair Lady (the film), plus some great live performances: Dear Anita Bryant, Some Enchanted Evening, and White. We also have some great HOT DEALS, Happy Hour Highlights, and more! 
 

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Modernism Week Begins Thursday Feb 14

Totaling 11 days, Modernism Week 2019 runs from Thursday, February 14 through Sunday, February 24, and the full list of events can be found by following our link. Here's a few highlights you won't want to miss! 

 

The 19th Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale will feature 85 premier national and international dealers offering furniture, decorative and fine arts representing all design movements of the 20th century. Admission is good for return entry all weekend, along with a show catalog, and includes admission to the 2nd Annual Palm Springs Modern Design Expo. More info

The Opening Night Preview Gala benefiting Modernism Week will be held from 6:00–9:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15. Preview tickets include full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary valet parking, live music, and the opportunity to be the ‘first’ to shop the show before it opens to the general public. CLICK HERE to purchase preview gala tickets.

On Friday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m., a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars will be dedicated when friends, family and former colleagues gather outside the Architecture + Design Center to honor Arthur Elrod, Palm Springs' most influential interior designer. Special guests and friends of Mr. Elrod will speak about his important role in desert modern design and the legacy of his iconic design projects.More info

On Saturday, February 16 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. Just Fabulous presents a book signing of Mod Mirage, with Melissa and Jim Riche. Mod Mirage reveals in photos and stories the historic homes and communities of Rancho Mirage that make up its significant midcentury heritage. The book documents the architecturally innovative homes and communities that were built on and adjacent to the historic Thunderbird and Tamarisk Country Clubs from 1950 to 1970. This is the first book to focus solely on Rancho Mirage’s rich architecture while also discussing its influential social history. More info
 

Martinis on the Mountain is held Sunday, February 17 and Monday, February 18, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. both nights. This fundraiser for Mizell Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program features live music, complimentary martinis and appetizers, and the best views of the Coachella Valley, from the historic O'Donnell House. Designed by artist and architect William Charles Tanner, this Mediterranean Revival-Monterey home was completed in January 1925 and featured in 1928 in House Beautiful. In 2000, the home was acquired by the present owners and restored to its original glory with a fine collection of mission-style furnishings. Get tickets

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Her HRC Palm Springs 2019

On Saturday, February 16 from 2:00–4:00 p.m, the Human Rights Campaign presents the 3rd Annual Her HRC event, at a beautiful private residence, whose address is given upon RSVP. 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. Guest speaker Sarah McBride was the first Transgender person to speak at the National Democratic Convention. Open to all guests regardless of gender identity or expression, and Gay Desert Guide is proud to be a community sponsor of this event! Get tickets

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Palm Springs Speaks: Jane Fonda

Palm Springs Speaks presents: Jane Fonda on Saturday, February 16 from 7:30–9:00 p.m. at the Richards Center for the Arts. We don't need to tell you why this is a hot ticket, and indeed it is SOLD OUT. Tickets are still available for the last speaker in this series: Guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves, appearing on Sunday, March 3 from 3:30–6:30 p.m. 

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Palm Springs Air Museum's Annual Gala

On Friday, February 15 from 5:30–10:00 p.m, the Palm Springs Air Museum presents their Annual Gala, featuring cocktails amid vintage aircraft, appetizers, live music, hosted drinks and a gourmet dinner among heroes surrounded by history and honor. Get tickets

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Art Palm Springs

From Friday, February 15 through Monday, February 18, Art Palm Springs will take place at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This is the premier art fair in the Southwest presenting post-war and contemporary art. This year's edition will brings galleries from Asia, Europe, North and South America representing hundreds of artists. Since its early editions, Art Palm Springs has been a draw for curators, collectors, designers and celebrities. More info

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Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival

Running from Friday, February 15 through Sunday, February 24 this year, the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival offers an exciting line-up of Headliner entertainment in the Fantasy Springs Concert Pavilion including Randy Houser, Ramon Ayala, Salt-n-Pepa, Kool & the Gang and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. More info

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My Fair Lady Back on the Big Screen

Audrey Hepburn has never looked more radiant than as Eliza Dolittle in this breathtaking recent restoration in honor of the 50th anniversary of My Fair Lady, showing two nights only, Sunday, February 17 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 20 at 3:00 p.m. at D'Place Mary Pickford 14 in Cathedral City. Get tickets

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Desert Winds Freedom Band: Isn't It Romantic

On Sunday, February 17 from 4:00–7:00 p.m., the Desert Winds Freedom Band's annual Jazz Band Concert is combined with their annual fundraiser for "Isn't It Romantic," an evening of food, entertainment, and a silent auction, and also featuring performances from Ken Chicosky, Keisha D, Melba Miller, the Paul Kay Trio, and Vocolacity. Get tickets

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Theatre This Weekend

This is it! The final weekend of performances for Some Enchanted Evening, For a Reason and White, plus a special one-night-only performance of Dear Anita Bryant.
 

The Palm Springs Cultural Center and The L-Fund present the world premiere of Dear Anita Bryant on Friday, February 15 from 7:00–10:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This one-act play by Ronni Sanlo is based on her experience as a lesbian affected by the late 1970's Florida law declaring that lesbians and gay men were not fit to be parents, causing her to lose custody of her two young children. Years later, she wrote a letter to anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant, which became the backdrop for this play chronicling her journey of pain, love…and forgiveness. Get tickets

Desert Ensemble Theatre Company presents For a Reason, a new comedy by Tony Padilla, from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 17 at the Pearl McManus Theater. This fascinating four-person character study focuses on the reasons people come into our lives, and the often-surprising consequences that result from their interactions. Get Tickets

The Desert Theatreworks presents Some Enchanted Evening from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 17 at the Indio Performing Arts Center. The legendary musical theater duo Rodgers and Hammerstein provide the inspiration for this intimate night of beautiful music in a sparkling song and dance tribute. You’ll hear more than 30 tunes including numbers from Carousel, The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Cinderella and more. Get Tickets

CVRep presents White, by James Ijames, through February 17 at CVRep at The Atrium in Rancho Mirage. Gus is an artist. Vanessa is an actress. Gus wants to be presented in a major exhibition for artists of color, so he hires Vanessa to perform as Balkonaé Townsend, a brash and political artist that will fit the museum’s desire for “new voices.” Everything is great, until Balkonaé takes over and Gus has to deal with the mess he’s made. This play spins out of control as it explores issues of race, gender, sexuality, and art. Get tickets

Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh describes White as "a dark comedy which is both laugh-out-loud funny and has much to say about the act of artistic creation, the many forms that racism and prejudice can take, as well as questions of identity and how we perceive ourselves…" Read the full review here.

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 Next Weekend: Stars Among Us Gala

Mizell Senior Center presents the 14th Annual Stars Among Us Gala – I Will Always Love You: Celebrating the Music of Whitney Houston. Guests will be transported to Miami to an exciting night at the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel with a spectacular performance by Deborah Cox, a Grammy® nominated recording artist for her own R & B and dance hits, who starred on Broadway in “The Bodyguard”, a musical based on the film starring Whitney Houston. Benefits Mizell's Meals on Wheels program. Get tickets

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White Party Main Event Theme Announced

White Party Palm Springs is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and it is sure to be an anniversary party to remember. The largest gay dance music festival in the nation takes place April 26–29, 2019 and they've just announced the theme for their Saturday night main event: "House of Gods." Travel back to the days of great feats of strength, bravery, honor and respect, and get your tickets soon because prices increase February 19! Get tickets

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It's always a party at Lulu California Bistro, and you can enjoy Happy Hour daily from 11 am to closing! They have a Happy Hour menu offered in the bar with many items from $7.99 to $10.99. Wine, beer, and well drinks for $4.99. This weekend only: try the LULU Rose cocktail! It features Ketel One Grapefruit Rose, fresh lemon juice, house made lemongrass, fresh ginger simple syrup, pink peppercorns and is garnished with 2 edible rose petals. Awww! Get Happy at Lulu
 

In King's Highway and The Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, there is something special going on every day of the week. They have Bingo and Trivia on Mondays, Karaoke Tuesdays, Wine Down Wednesdays, and Buddy Brew Sundays ($5 Pints!) to celebrate the cool, bohemian vibe you'll find there! Get Happy at Ace Hotel & Swim Club

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Pinocchio in the Desert lunch bistro restaurant has a lively fun atmosphere, Sunday brunch and bottomless bubbly! Add to that a great location in downtown Palm Springs and you can see why it's a favorite among visitors and locals alike. With this HOT DEAL you can Get $25 of food and drink at Pinocchio in the Desert for just $17.50! Get Your Deal

Wang's in the Desert offers award-winning Pan Asian cuisine with fantastic entertainment every weekend. A welcoming, friendly staff and a commitment to giving back to the community make Wang's a great place to spend your dining dollars..and make them go further with this HOT DEAL: $25 worth of food and drinks for $12.50, that's like getting 50% off!  Get Your Deal

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• White – presented by CVRep
  Now through February 27 at The Atrium, Rancho Mirage
• Some Enchanted Evening – presented by Desert Theatreworks
  Feb 8–17 at the Indio Performing Arts Center
• For a Reason – presented by Desert Ensemble Theatre Company
  Feb 8–17 at the Pearl McManus Theater
• Desert X – 2019 Art Exhibition
  Feb 9–Apr 21
• Modernism Week 2019
  Thu, Feb 14–Sun, Feb 24
• Mizell's Stars Among Us Gala 2019
  Friday, February 22, 5:30–9:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum
• McCormick's Palm Springs Collector Car Auction
  Fri, Feb 22–Sun, Feb 24 at the Palm Springs Convention Center
• March For Our Lives Palm Springs
  Fri, Mar 1 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. 
• White Guy on the Bus
  Mar 1–10 at the Pearl McManus Theater
• Palm Springs Dance Festival
  Thu, Mar 7–Sun, Mar 10 at the Annenberg Theater at PS Art Museum
• Red Dress Dress Red Party
  Sat, Mar 9 from 8:00–11:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum