HUMP! Film Fest, Michael Childers’ Rockin’ Hollywood, Paris at Midnight Gala, Lavender Country + Sam Buck, Michael Bolton, Black History Parade & Fair, “Brother Outsider” Screening +Q&A, Sunnylands Music, Gay Men’s Chorus Sunday Sounds, #BoysDanceToo with Billy Elliot, LGBTQ Dress 2 Impress, “Sweat” by Dezart Performs, and much more! 

HUMP! Film Fest

The HUMP! Film Festival returns to Palm Springs for their 15th Annual offering of all new films on Saturday, February 29 for two screenings: 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The festival features short dirty movies–each less than five minutes–all created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one for a weekend. HUMP! is a celebration of creative sexual expression. You will see films at HUMP! that shock you, make you laugh, and turn you on. You will also be touched by the sincerity and vulnerability with which these films are lovingly made. Get tickets

New Michael Childers Exhibit: Rockin’ Hollywood

World Renowned Photographer Michael Childers will open a new exhibit, “Rockin’ Hollywood,” featuring forty classic images of rock, pop, disco and music legends on Saturday, February 29 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The Opening Night Reception starts at 6:00 p.m., and will be followed by an on-stage presentation and discussion with Michael at 7:30 p.m. The exhibit spans forty years and includes many of the world’s top music legends, such as Elton John, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, Ringo Starr, Bernadette Peters, Patti Lupone and John Travolta. Get tickets

Don’t miss I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast Episode 31, where hosts John Taylor and Shann Carr visit Michael Childers in his home and have a chat about his career and the fantastic projects he has coming up! Listen here

Paris at Midnight – An Evening of Music and Ooh La La!

The Waring International Piano Competition presents Paris at Midnight – An Evening of Music and Ooh La La! on Saturday, February 29 from 5:30–9:30 p.m. at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa. The Annual Black and White Gala is one of the highlights of the social season combining elegance, gourmet dining, and gorgeous classical music. This gala and fundraiser is honoring Jan and Brian Harnik. Performers include: Vijay Venkatesh & Eva Schaumkell, duo pianists, 2019 Waring Junior 2nd Place Winner Hudson Ragins, and the Palm Desert High School Chamber Singers. Get tickets

Lavender Country + Sam Buck at The Alibi

The Alibi Palm Springs presents Lavender Country + Sam Buck on Friday, February 28 at 8:00 p.m. Widely recognized as the first openly gay country music album—and cited as such even by Nashville institutions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and CMT—the landmark self-titled 1973 LP by Lavender Country stands as nothing less than an artifact of courage, a sonic political protest document of enormous power, clarity, and grace. 40 years later, Lavender Country was reissued to rave reviews and a much more accepting public. Patrick Haggerty and his music became the subject of an award winning short documentary, Cryin’ These C*cksuckin’ Tears, and Lavender Country went from being a lost obscurity to an underground legend. Get tickets

“Brother Outsider” Screening and Q&A

On Friday, February 28 from 6:00–9:00 p.m., join Among Friends along with Blackbook, Brothers of the Desert, and the Palm Springs Cultural Center to celebrate Black History Month with the documentary “Brother Outsider” with special guest co-producer and director Bennet Singer. Brother Outsider has introduced millions of viewers around the world to the life and work of Bayard Rustin — a visionary strategist and activist who has been called “the unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. A disciple of Gandhi, a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin dared to live as an openly gay man during the fiercely homophobic 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Get tickets

Michael Bolton at The Show

Michael Bolton‘s “time, love and tenderness'” has created the soundtrack of our lives, and on Saturday, February 29 at 8:00 p.m. he brings an evening of timeless hits to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage. Come for a musical journey through pop, rock, soul, standards and even classical, specially arranged for symphony orchestra. Get tickets

 

 

23rd Annual Palm Springs Black History Parade and Town Fair

On Saturday, February 29 starting at 11:00 a.m. The 23rd Annual Palm Springs Black History Parade takes place downtown followed by a town fair with live entertainment, cultural booths, food vendors and kid-friendly activities, through 6:00 p.m. Since 1987 the Palm Springs Black History Committee has sponsored and produced an array of events for Black History Month. We are one of only two cities in Southern California to sponsor a Black History Parade and the only city in California that host events throughout the entire month of February. More info

Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus – Sunday Sounds

The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus will sing audience favorites and selections from its standard repertoire at the Palm Desert Community Center on Sunday, March 1 from 2:00–3:00 p.m. This is a FREE Community Event and is usually standing room only. We suggest you arrive early! More info

Animal Samaritans Yappy Hour at The Riviera

Even your pups can participate in Palm Springs Yappy Hour! Come to Cody’s Courtyard at The Riviera Palm Springs on Sunday, March 1 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. Parking is free and you don’t need a dog to attend! A suggested $20 donation at the door goes directly to Animal Samaritans and you get wine, appetizers, desserts, fruited waters, dog treats, photo ops with pet costumes, and vinyl DJ music from DJ Greg of Glitter & Sand! More info

Palm Springs Dance Project: #BoysDanceToo: Billy Elliot

Join the Palm Springs Dance Project for an evening of film and discussion on Sunday, March 1 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The evening begins with a screening of the award-winning film Billy Elliot – followed by a panel discussion w/ Howard Sayette, Jose De La Cuesta, and Douglas Graham. The trending hashtag #BoysDanceToo has recently been drawing attention to the subject of boys in dance and the prejudice, bullying and homophobia they are subject to, causing many fine male dancers to withdraw, altogether, while a small amount persevere. Get tickets

LGBTQ Dress 2 Impress El Paseo

Palm Springs Crave hosts LGBTQ Dress 2 Impress Night, a benefit for Sanctuary Palm Springs, on Thursday, February 27 from 7:00–11:00 p.m. at Libation Room on El Paseo. Enjoy complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and a special performance by the lovely and talented Gennine Francis. Libations is a hidden gem with a friendly funky upscale vibe, cross the threshold of their thick black velvet curtain that boasts chandeliers inside and a wide selection of delicious cocktails and champagne. More info 

Go Green: Clothing Swap

The Palm Springs Cultural Center will host a “Go Green” Clothing Swap on Saturday, February 29 from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Mine your closet for adult-sized men’s and women’s clothing, and trade out for something new-to-you. Considering the impressive fashion sense of the greater Palm Springs area, sartorial gems from every era spanning the last 40 years are bound to make an appearance. Clothing that has not found a loving home at the end of the event will be donated to Revivals. More info

Sunnylands Music in the Gardens

Sunnylands’ Music in the Gardens brings you a free, live concert every Sunday in March with a different musical act performing on the Great Lawn from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. While guests are welcome to stroll the gardens as the music plays, they may also bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food and drink to picnic while listening to the bands. On Sunday, March 1 the musical act will be Those Folk: With influences from 1960s folk music, this husband and wife duo blends soul, jazz, and bluegrass. More info

Grand Central Presents “A Nod to Modernism 2020”

Modernism Week 2020 wrapped up this past weekend, but you can extend the spirit of the festival by visiting Grand Central now through February 29 and enjoy stunning art installations and delicious dining as they present A Nod to Modernism 2020. Take a walk through the gallery at Grand Central Palm Springs and discover local artists with mid-century modern flair. The artists in residence consist of Gary Peterson, Georgeanne Papac, Mitchel Zwick, Michael Owen and Joseph Lucenter. More info

Broadway at the River: Hollywood Edition

David Green’s Musical Theatre University brings Broadway at The River to Acqua California Bistro this Thursday, February 27 with guest star Kim Huber (from Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast). Broadway at the River-Hollywood Edition Presented by the City of Rancho Mirage will have you singing along with this talented troupe of local high school performers and their rotating line-up of Broadway and Hollywood stars. Upcoming performances in this weekly series will feature acting greats Teri Bibb, Bruce Vilanch and Alix Corey. Series continues through March 20. Reservations required. More info

Ticket Giveaway! – Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

Gay Desert Guide is giving away one pair of tickets to The Dinah Saturday Night Main Event! The event will take place on Saturday April 4, and the contest is open through Thursday, February 27. [Enter to win] today!

Club Skirts The Dinah 2020 is the largest lesbian event on the planet and this year’s event, April 1–5 at the Hilton Palm Springs, marks their 30 year anniversary. The Dinah is the world’s most celebrated queer women/lesbian event and in 2020 there will be more great musical performances, comedy shows, pool parties, night parties, concerts, celebrities, contests, DJ battles, fun and games! [More info]

This year The Dinah is proud to present the one and only iconic filmmaker John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Serial Mom and many more). John will be performing a show written exclusively for The Dinah on Saturday, April 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Celebrate a gender bending groundbreaker who has given so much to our entire community through his films. This intimate evening includes a 20 minute Q&A after the show. Enjoy an evening with this charismatic story teller! More info

Weekend Theatre

 

Dezart Performs presents Sweat, from February 28–March 8 at Pearl McManus Theater. It’s the year 2000 in Reading, Pennsylvania and a group of friends go to work at the steel mill and then decompress at the bar like they’ve been doing for over 20 years. But, unbeknownst to them, their lives are about to be uprooted. Their steel mill is making some changes and the blood, sweat and tears of generations of loyal workers don’t seem to amount to much. This limited run is expected to sell out, save your seats now! Get tickets

 

Palm Canyon Theatre presents The Pajama Game, running through March 15. Romance is blossoming at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin falls hard for feisty Union rep “Babe” Williams, and, despite her dismissal of all things love-related, it seems she’s falling right back. That is, until the pair find themselves on either side of a union protest. The Pajama Game features hit songs like “Hey There,” “Hernando’s Hideaway” and “Steam Heat.” Get tickets

 

Desert Theatreworks presents Neil Simon’s Rumors through March 1 at the Indio Performing Arts Center. Hilarity abounds as guests arrive at the Deputy Mayor and his wife’s New York City townhouse to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. The party never quite begins; the host has shot himself in the head (it’s only a flesh wound) and his wife is missing! Doors slam, people run up and down the stairs, in and out of the bathroom and the kitchen. Join Desert Theatreworks for this spellbinding, side-splitting gem of a comedy by America’s favorite playwright, Neil Simon. Get tickets

 

UPCOMING THEATRE

Coyote Stageworks presents The Velocity of Autumn, from March 13–22 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Alexandra is an 80-year-old artist in a showdown with her family over where she’ll spend her remaining years. In Alexandra’s corner are her wit, her volcanic passion, and the fact that she’s barricaded herself in her Brooklyn brownstone with enough Molotov cocktails to take out the block. But her children have their own secret weapon, too. No sooner are the words “Hi, Mom” uttered than the emotional bombs start detonating. Get tickets

 

Desert Theatreworks presents their next show, The Producers: A Mel Brooks Musical from March 13–29 at the Indio Performing Arts Center. Based on the 1968 film, this crowd-pleasing musical-comedy has been a smash hit since its 2001 debut. Fading Broadway producer Max Bialystock is desperate to get to the top of his profession again, and finds an unlikely ally in mousy accountant Leo Bloom, who predicts that one could make far more money with a flop of a show than with a hit. Unfortunately for them, their show is a huge hit! Get tickets

 

Palm Canyon Theatre’s next show will be Del Shore’s Sordid Lives, from March 26–29. A story of unconditional love, acceptance and “coming out” in a Texas family, as they all converge for the matriarch’s funeral. The eccentric characters include: a mother who is wound-too-tight and in-denial over her gay son, a barfly/singer at the local watering hole, a cheating heart who’s wooden legs accidentally aid in the death of his mistress (the family matriarch), the cheating heart’s wife who tries her hand at revenge therapy inspired by “Thelma & Louise” along with her best friend. Get tickets

Runway Restaurant and Bar has launched a new Happy Hour schedule: 3:00–6:00 p.m. Daily, followed by a late Happy Hour from 9:00–10:00 p.m. (Sunday through Wednesday), and from 9:00–11:00 p.m. (Thursday through Saturday). Enjoy draft beer, house wines, and well drinks for just $3.50! Get Happy at Runway

 

The sleek industrial styled Blackbook features Cocktail Hour every day from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Enjoy specials such as $5 pint glass well drinks, $1 off all bottle and 20 oz. draft beer, and $2 off all wines by the glass! Blackbook is proud to be a sponsor of a special screening and Q&A of “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” on Friday, February 28 [click here] for tickets and more info. Get Happy at Blackbook

We have an Exclusive BOGO Offer for Palm Canyon Theatre’s current production of The Pajama Game: Buy one $36 general seating ticket and get the seat next to you for FREE! Available for the following performances: Thu, Mar 5 @7:00 p.m., Fri, Mar 6 @8:00 p.m., or Sat, Mar 7 a@8:00 p.m. [Click here] to read more about this musical classic. Get Your Deal

 

At Body Concierge, they believe in the 3 R’s: Relaxation, Regeneration and Restructuring. Paul Chapman, owner and Senior Therapist, says, “My job as a massage therapist is to help bring my clients to a relaxing state of mind, body and spirit.” Support your own sanity with this insane HOT DEAL: $80 massage at Body Concierge Spa for $60! Get Your Deal

 

 

 

    1. Winner Announced in Desert Gay Tourism Guild Poster and T-Shirt Contest
    2. BWW Review: THE PAJAMA GAME at Palm Canyon Theatre
    3. 2020 Scholarships and Performers Announced for Palm Springs Dance Project
    4. Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Announces 2020 Honoree
    5. 57 Things to Do In March

  Welcome New Partner!

CannaBus Express Tours is the first local 3 hour educational field trip where you get a sneak peak, behind the scenes experience of the Cannabis process. You will meet a cultivators at a grow house, manufacturers at a bakery and chemists at a lab who will guide and assist you to a happy and wellness lifestyle, all from the comfort of a luxury non-smoking spacious Mercedes Sprinter Limo. Learn more

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast

Be sure to listen to our twice-weekly podcast, the I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast, where hosts John Taylor and Shann Carr, and your “Gay Desert Guide” Brad Fuhr take you for a ride around Greater Palm Springs with LGBTQ+ things to do, places to go and people to meet! Listen Now