I couldn’t be prouder of the work of Shann Carr and John Taylor on the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast, new each Thursday. Shann has brought diversity to our guest lineups each week with the levity to get us through these tough times. She’s a tireless advocate for making sure we represent people of color and all the letters in the alphabet soup of LGBTQAI++ :). John has honed his video skills after a long career “off camera” behind the microphones of radio stations, commercials and voice acting.
We rise early each Thursday morning to a frenetic roster of regular and special guests. Our weekly chat with Dr. Laura Rush and Jimmy Boegle (Coachella Valley Independent) jolt us awake with the news of the week. We’re glad to be partnering with the Bureau of Tourism to ingrain #WeArePalmSprings and the concept of “locals supporting locals” for a segment highlighting our diverse business owners. Then we find hot topic guests and others doing good in our community. I wrap up the hour with a preview of this blog and newsletter, running down the weekend’s events (mostly virtual) and welcoming our new business partners and Hot Deals.
While the #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast is always on all the podcast platforms — from Apple to Spotify, Alexa to Siri — watching it on Facebook or Outat.TV gives you a real sense of “how the sausage is made”. We are now highlighting our #MCM and #WCW videos and you get to see our smiling faces from Zoom home.
So thanks to everyone who has a hand and a voice in the podcast. I hope you’ll make it a part of your weekly routine. P.S. Please send us guest suggestions and feedback as well to ILG-Podcast@gaydesertguide.com.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 82
Join John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com, Dr Laura Rush, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com for news, eats, sips, laughs, films and vaccines. Special guests include Dean Lavine of Blackbookbar.com …food blogger and Moderna Covid 19 vaccine study guinea pig, the wonderful Charles Drabkin …and the subject of the new short film “Draw With Me” J.Lo’s trans nibling Brendan Scholl proves the power of art! [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!
Gossipy Potluck and Recipe Swap with Comedian Shann Carr
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Gossipy Potluck and Recipe Swap with Comedian Shann Carr on Sunday, January 31 from 1:00–2:00 p.m. on Zoom. Bring the recipe that has gotten you through Covid and swap, laugh and gossip and play with other Queerish people for an hour! Get tickets
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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 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
Big Gay Hot Topics Trivia Party
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept and TheMenEvent.com presents Big Gay Hot Topics Trivia Party on Friday, January 29 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. Kick-off the weekend with a trivia party! 3 rounds cover the month’s current HOT topics. Big Gay Trivia is a great way to get the Gays together for a night of fun, conversations and lunacy during all the craziness. Our Trivia contests are so entertaining because we make the questions easy and enjoyable for everyone. TheMenEvent founder Hugh Hysell will be your host for the evening. Get tickets
Joan of Arc and Women in Power in 15th C. France
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Joan of Arc and Women in Power in 15th Century France on Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. Joan of Arc was a powerless woman who understood her country’s situation better than any of the powerful men, managed to get them to listen to her, and got punished for it in the end. And she has been inspiring women to speak out and fight for their ideas since the 15th century. Learn her inspiring story, and the other surprisingly powerful women in this key period. Get tickets
Shocking Double Lives of Iconic Gay Artists
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Shocking Double Lives of Iconic Gay Artists on Sunday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. From Caravaggio to Andy Warhol, many gay artists had double lives. This talk will focus on iconic artists who created mainstream work, which they showed openly, as well as provocative gay work, which they hid or destroyed. An hour-long virtual talk by Ignacio Darnaude will reveal stunning examples of how these artists’ complex sexuality had a crucial impact on their life and work. We guarantee that you’ll never see them with the same eyes again. Get tickets
❤️ 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 Shiplett and Woman Crush Wednesday is Amanda Gorman! Click their image here to see a fun slideshow, and to keep up with all our crushes, follow @GayDesertGuide on Facebook and Instagram
Mental Amusements from Dezart Performs
Dezart Performs presents the final performances of their run of shows from award-winning mentalist Vinny DePonto this Friday and Sunday, January 29 and 31. “Mental Amusements” is his magnificently crafted carnival designed exclusively for the virtual stage. Imagine having your mind controlled, your secret thoughts revealed and predictions made about your imminent future — all through the screen and from your own home! Check out the trailer [here] and get tickets [here].
Wine Tasting Resumes in Person at Bouschet
Join the Bouschet crew for their Saturday Wine Tasting this week on Saturday, January 30 at 4:00 p.m. You can participate LIVE on Zoom, as they have been doing recently, or make a reservation to join them in person at their outdoor Grape Pavilion, now that outdoor dining is again allowed with the lifting of the Stay Home Order. Featured this week: some favorite wines from Dunham Cellars: 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 Syrah, 2017 Trutina (Red Blend), and a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. All tastings include a gourmet food sampling specially selected and prepared by Tig & Co. The kit includes the wine samples, tasting notes and 10% off featured products. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Wed. Feb. 3: Star Trek Virtual Speed Dating for Men with Alexander Rodriguez
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Game Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Star Trek Virtual Speed Dating with Alexander Rodriguez on Wednesday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m. Set your phasers to stunning and join us for an evening that’s destined to be out of this world! Join other gay, single Star Trek fans for warp speed dating sessions, fun ice breakers, and Star Trek Trivia. BYORA – Bring Your Own Romulan Ale. Bonus points for wearing your Starfleet issue gear! To not join us would be illogical. Get tickets
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. Also in February, Modernism Week will offer an online auction February 1–14 that will feature one-of-a- kind architectural experiences and unique, limited specialty items not normally available to the public. More info
Mon. Feb. 1 – Ten Essential Black LGBTQ Leaders
As Black History Month kicks off, The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Ten Essential Black LGBTQ Leaders on Monday, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. From the early days of the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ persons have been in the forefront of the struggle for racial equality. This lively interactive discussion will look at ten such individuals (national and local) who sacrificed much for racial justice and are inspirations for us all. More info
Queer Spirituality Discussion Group
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents a Queer Spirituality Discussion Group hosted by Nathan Sobers on the first and third Mondays of the month at 10:00 a.m., starting on February 1 and continuing through April 19. This group provides a safe place to discuss all aspects of what it means to be queer and spiritual. Explore, learn and support each other on our individual spiritual journeys without judgement, fear or expectations. More info
Write Your Memoir with Ronnie Sanlo
Have you always wanted to write your story, but just didn’t have the time or support? How about having both right now? This four week series starting Thursday, February 4 at 4:00 p.m. may be a good time to finally let your story fly! Ronni Sanlo, Ed.D. will walk you through the process over the course of four easy sessions. Get a good jump-start on your memoir. More info
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
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.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Fridays at 2:00 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.
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 DAP Health: Desert AIDS Project’s New Name and Expanded Mission
- 20 Ways to Engage The LGBTQ Center
- Inside the Process Leading Biden to Sign Two LGBTQ Orders in One Week
- “Nomadland” Director Receives Top Award from Palm Springs Film Fest
- 20 Things to Do Right Now: February 2021
Nothing Bundt Cakes in Palm Desert is a bakery that combines the warmth of nostalgia with a fresh, modern approach. With Valentine’s Day just two weeks away, it’s time to pre-order your treats! To make the occasion extra-special, there’s nothing sweeter than bite-sized Bundtinis, sold by the dozen (who needs roses?!), or choose from miniature Bundlets and full-size Bundt cakes! With this HOT DEAL, get a $20 gift card to Nothing Bundt Cakes for just $12.00. Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Grand Central, Bear Wear, Monster Shakes, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Johannes, Il Giardino, Destination PSP, Pinocchio, Mary Pickford Theatre, Bouschet and more! See All Deals