Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Feb. 5–7, 2021

#WearADamnMask will be tested this weekend as the weather improves and more people come into Greater Palm Springs for Super Bowl Sunday.

The city has put out this advisory: “As we approach a busy Super Bowl weekend and more visitors arrive in the Coachella Valley to enjoy the sunshine, the City of Palm Springs remains committed to the health and safety of residents, workers and visitors while continuing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. With that in mind, we would like to remind all residents and visitors that face coverings are required to be worn in public settings. Additional Code Compliance Officers will be on duty over the weekend charged with enforcing the order and educating anyone not wearing a face covering about the importance of following the rules. Face coverings will also be provided, if needed.”

We’re releasing the #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast Friday morning at 10 AM on Facebook Live along with the usual platforms of Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio, Spotify and others. I hope you’ll tune in.

Lot’s on the virtual and in person docket this weekend. See all the details in our blog and be sure to follow us on social media. @GayDesertGuide @ILoveGayPS

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide

#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 83

Join us for a Facebook Live where we will debut the latest episode of the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast at its new time, Fridays at 10:00 a.m.! This week: Here’s what’s brewing in Feh-Brew-Ary….Hosts John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and Gay Desert Guide Brad Fuhr are joined by Dr. Laura Rush, media personality Alexander Rodriguez and special guests Actress/Psychologist Cathy DeBuono, Destination PSP President Jeffrey Bernstein and Susan Francis of the JFK Memorial Foundation along with Lin Phillippi of ‘The Improvables of the Desert’ talk about their upcoming Ophelia Project fundraiser! [Listen] or [Watch]

Our podcast is brought to you by We Are Palm Springs, inviting locals to support local business!

The I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast is also available on Apple TV, Roku TV, Amazon FireTV and Android devices via OutAt.tv. Tune in Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to stream us to your TV. (Also available on demand)

Now available on iHeartRadio too!

Feb. 1–28: Modernism Week Online Experience

While Modernism Week has rescheduled in-person events from February to April, the Modernism Week Online Experience will still take place February 1–28, with a curated line-up of more than 20 new video programs created specifically for Modernism Week. More info

“Best of Modernism” Online Auction

“Best of Modernism,” Modernism Week’s inaugural online auction, runs through Monday, February 15. Cast your bids for one-of-a-kind experiences that include getaway stays in historic modernist homes, private tours, signed artwork, custom footwear, interior design services, a helicopter tour with a catered picnic and much more! Learn more

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Stand Up Comedy Workshop Series

If you always wanted to try comedy, now you can! The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents a Stand Up Comedy Workshop Series starting on Saturday, February 6 from 4:00–5:30 p.m. Professional Emcee and Comedienne Mina Hartong (Curve Magazine America’s Funniest Lesbians) will guide you through a six-week workshop series, starting with your story ideas, followed by joke structure and delivery, and finish with your polished three minute comedy set, all while giving each other encouragement and feedback along the way. More info

Super Bowl Sunday DUI Enforcement Campaign

The Palm Springs Police Department reminds us that California’s public health guidance advises to limit mixing with people you don’t live with as much as possible to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although many watch parties will be virtual this year, it’s important to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or simply stay at home for the night. The PSPD will have additional officers on patrol over the weekend, looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Interviewing the Author of “Call Me By Your Name”

Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept and TheMenEvent.com present an interview with the author of “Call Me By Your Name” on Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. Come hear Professor Franco Mormando interview author André Aciman about LGBTQ themes in his writing. Aciman is the author, among other things, of 5 novels, including “Call Me By Your Name,” winner of the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction, and the source for director Luca Guadagnino’s prize-winning 2017 screen adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet as the young Elio and Armie Hammer as Oliver, the graduate student with whom he falls in love—as well as a more recently published sequel, “Find Me.” More info

Palm Springs Vintage Market

Sunday, February 7: Palm Springs has some of the best shopping in the world for mid-century design. Come see a collection of the best Southern California sellers of vintage and antique furniture, art, clothing, jewelry, and home furnishings at the Palm Springs Vintage Market, the first Sunday of each month through May, from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed with masks and limited capacity. More info

❤️ This Week’s Crushes ❤️

Have you been following our Gay Desert Guide crushes on social media? Every Monday and Wednesday we are highlighting our man and woman crushes, which vary from local to global. Our Man Crush Monday this week is Mike Thompson and Woman Crush Wednesday is Mary Sue Allen! Click their image here to see a fun slideshow, and to keep up with all our crushes, follow @GayDesertGuide on Facebook and Instagram

2021 HUMP! Film Festival

Dan Savage’s all-new 2021 HUMP! Film Festival will be a livestream event happening on various dates now through March 6. (Follow our link for the schedule). The festival features short dirty movies—each less than five minutes—created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one just for this festival! It’s a carefully curated program with a cornucopia of body types, shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes. HUMP! celebrates creative sexual expression and wants to change the way you see—and make and share—porn. Get tickets

Take Away So Restaurants Stay

Visit Palm Springs is offering a great deal to encourage takeout orders to support your favorite local restaurants, during this time when they need our support the most. The “Let’s Go Palm Springs” offer (Valid through February 16) gets you $10 off your to go order of $30 or more from your favorite participating Palm Springs restaurant, including Eight4Nine, Il Giardino, Lulu California Bistro, Trio and many more! Get the deal

LOOKING AHEAD

Zoom That Tune “Warm Me Up, Dammit” Edition

The Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide and TheMenEvent.com present a virtual game show, Zoom That Tune “Warm Me Up, Dammit” Edition, on Monday, February 8 at 4:15 p.m. on Zoom. DJ Stevie Beat is famous for his gay Zoom That Tune games which get you laughing and interacting with the other players. Can you guess the tune from 5 secs, 3 secs or 1 sec of music? Have fun and get competitive while testing your knowledge of music, and earn extra points by answering bonus trivia questions. Get tickets

Human Rights Commission Annual Community Service Awards

The City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission will present its annual Community Service Awards on Monday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. The awards will be presented to four individuals and two organizations to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to promote and protect human rights, social progress, better standards of life and equality for all individuals. The 2021 community service award recipients include the following outstanding citizens and organizations: Find Food Bank, Young Justice Advocates, Lee Wilson Jr, Jane Garrison, David Powell, Keisha D Mimms. More info

Black AIDS Awareness

Join Brothers of the Desert on Monday, February 8 from 5:00—7:00 p.m. for a watch party and filmed dramatic reading of parts of the critically-acclaimed book, “All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto.” The three-part virtual event will feature live performances, a virtual art installation and music featuring Black and Black queer artists. The evening will conclude with a roundtable discussion moderated by Tai Beauchamp with the goal of moving out the fear that creates stigma and replacing it with love. More info

Next Week: Virtual Events at The Center

Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBT 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 the programs they are hosting:

Social Caring in the Face of Quarantine with Alexis Ortega – Mondays at 11:00 a.m.

Zumba for Beginners with Shaun Samaro – Mondays at 10:00 a.m.

Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Fifty+ Fit with Lynn Simonson – Tuesdays 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.

Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursdays at 10:00 a.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.

Making Connections During COVID: Men’s Discussion Group with Arlen Keith Leight, LCSW, Ph.D
1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.

Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]

Welcome New Partner!

We are happy to welcome Wendy Rall of Rescued Tails Canine Massage Therapy, offering in-home canine massage therapy treatments with a multitude of benefits. Your dog’s session will combine swedish, myofascial release, light stretching, and sports massage, tailored to the individual needs of your dog. Each session is a combination of aromatherapy, massage therapies and clinically tested music. Learn more

Destination PSP produces unique, originally-designed merchandise including souvenirs, customized apparel, poolside wares, housewares and more. From mod clocks to holiday ornaments, and skin care to swimwear, they are quintessential Palm Springs. Check out their pre-wrapped Valentine’s gift packs, as well as their unique Palm Springs-themed charms and pendants, and don’t miss Destination PSP president Jeffrey Bernstein on the #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast this week! With this Hot Deal, get a $15 gift card from Destination PSP for just $10! Get Your Deal

We also have Hot Deals at Grand Central, Bear Wear, Monster Shakes, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Johannes, Il Giardino, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pinocchio, Mary Pickford Theatre, Bouschet and more! See All Deals