Gay Desert Guide Weekend: June 15–17, 2018

This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings
June 15–17, 2018

Let us be your Gay Desert Guide to the weekend! Join the HRC and support the "Open to All" movement; See "Lady Gaga, Cher, and Tina Turner" all together in "Got U Babe;" Last chance to enjoy Restaurant Week; Get your mind blown by Michael Carbonaro; Snap up ShortFest tickets, and plan ahead for Stonewall Gala, Independence Day, and Midsummer Dance Party! We also have some hot theatre coming up with The 39 Steps, Women Behind Bars, Andrew Pearson, and Dezart Performs. All this plus HOT DEALS and cool Happy Hours!

"Open to All" Movement Launched

In light of the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case, we’ve joined forces with the Human Rights Campaign and Desert Business Association to recognize our businesses that stand together as "Open To All." Now is the time for businesses to show their support for the LGBTQ community by proudly stating their places of business will not turn away anyone based on who they are or whom they love. To get a sign for your business, fill out this form. We will deliver our customized poster to display in your business. Here's what you need to know about the ruling.

Show your support for HRC and enjoy a great show at the same time with the "Got U Babe" HRC benefit tribute concert this Saturday, June 16 at 8:00 p.m., at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. This special tribute production features cast members of Legends in Concert, the longest-running show in Las Vegas, performing as Tina Turner, Cher, and Lady Gaga. The production includes a live band and live vocals paying homage to these legendary performers that are iconic to the LGBTQ community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Human Rights Campaign. Get tickets

Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Wraps Up

The opportunity to enjoy Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week enters its final weekend of special menus offered at restaurants throughout the Coachella Valley. Don't miss this opportunity to discover something new! Participating restaurants have lunches available for $15, $20 or $25 and dinners for $29, $39 or $49. For a chance to win an overnight stay at Hotel Paseo, take a picture of your food and post to social media with the hashtag #dineGPS (and don't forget to add our hashtag #ILoveGayPalmSprings). Check our link for a list of participating restaurants. More info

Also of interest to food and wine lovers:
Gay Wine Weekend 2018 takes place July 20–22. This world-class wine tasting weekend in the prestigious Sonoma Valley wine growing region is three full days of wine and culinary delights, winery tours, winemaker dinners, plus music and dancing in a private estate vineyard. Get tickets to individual events or take advantage of the VIP pass which gets you into the Exclusive VIP Welcome Reception, LGBT Business Expo & WineTasting, Twilight T-Dance (plus VIP Reception), Apres T After Party, Big Gay Wine Auction & Recover Brunch and a Sunday Pool Soiree. Get tickets

Michael Carbonaro Live!

Known for his original hidden camera magic series, “The Carbonaro Effect” on truTV, Michael Carbonaro brings his bizarre antics and mind-blowing magic to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Friday, June 15 at 8:00 p.m. Carbonaro has been seen on television in shows such as “Happily Divorced,” “30 Rock,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “CSI Miami,” as well as showcasing his hidden-camera magic on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Michael’s extensive list of accolades includes the OUTFEST Best Actor award as well as the Magician of the Year honor, bestowed upon him by the Academy of Magical Arts in 2015. Get tickets

ShortFest General Tickets on Sale Now

The Palm Springs International ShortFest is the largest and best attended short film event in North America, and general tickets are on sale now. ShortFest runs June 19–25, presenting more than 325 short films from over 100 countries packaged into 90-100 minute themed programs on romance, animation, action, documentaries and more. Get tickets

Love Mexican food? You will love Rio Azul! Try their delicious tacos, enchiladas and tasty margaritas at one of the best Mexican restaurants in the desert! Get this insanely HOT DEAL: $50 worth of food and drink for only $30! Put that gift certificate to WERK with “The Desert Divas Drag Brunch” comedy, broadway music and female impersonator show, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 pm. Get Your Deal

Pinocchio in the Desert is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Check out Sunday Brunch and their famous (infamous) bottomless glass of bubbly! Grab this HOT DEAL and Get $25 of food and drink for just $17.50! Enjoy the finest American/European food in a beautifully decorated and relaxing bistro setting outdoor patio that is air cooled! Get Your Deal

Splash House: One Down, One to Go

Splash House kicked off summer in Palm Springs with a bang! The sold-out 2 day pool party brought DJs such a Duke Dumont, Justin Martin and Zhu! Team member Denise Giram says “Splash House is without a doubt the BEST pool party that I have ever been to! No need to ever go to Vegas with Splash House here twice a year. The cool people, super chill vibes, and amazing tunes were enough to bring me back every time!" We’re already looking forward to the next Splash House: August 10–12!
You can still get tickets here! https://goo.gl/qkcZRU
Photo credits—Left: Gina Joy, Right: Julian Bajsel — @SplashHouse @GoldenVoice

LOOKING AHEAD

Stonewall Awards Gala June 28

On Thursday, June 28, the Stonewall Humanitarian Awards Gala will celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The Gala will take place at Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City with a special musical performance by SVET, an Electro Hip Hop Violinist as seen on America’s Got Talent. This event is also and educational platform for youth to learn the importance of Stonewall, and SVET will be joined by LGBTQ+ Palm Springs High School Student violinists. Funds benefit the Transgender Community Coalition to continue services for the LGBTQ+ Community. Get tickets

Independence Day Party Benefitting AAP – Food Samaritans

Celebrate the Fourth of July with AAP-Food Samaritans! Gather at the historic O’Donnell House for a dazzling Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 4, starting at 7:30 p.m. $150 per person includes cocktails, a ‘good ole’ 4th of July Bar-B-Q with burgers, grilled chicken, and more, plus dancing to DJ Baz! City of Palm Springs fireworks exhibition at 9:15 PM(ish). Valet parking is also included. Get tickets

Mid Summer Dance Party

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 28 for our 80's themed Mid-summer Dance Party! Los Angeles DJ, remixer & event producer DJ Ray Rhodes will be spinning tunes from 8:00 p.m.–12 midnight, with drag performers, Go-Go dancers, and a performance by Calpernia Addams. Watch this space for more details to come!

Upcoming Theatre

Next weekend has some great theatre options, start planning ahead now!

Desert Theatreworks presents The 39 Steps, opening Friday, Jun 22 and running through Sunday, July 1. The Hitchcock thriller, adapted into an ingenious comic stage play, features a cast of four talented actors portraying more than 150 zany characters with a mix of melodrama, fast-paced action and lots of quick-change costuming, all in just 100 minutes. Get tickets

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ+ Stage Company, presents Women Behind Bars, a comedy by Tom Eyen, opening Friday, June 22, 2018 for a six-week run. In this hilarious satire on B-movies of the 1950's, Mary Eleanor, an innocent duped into crime, lands in the Greenwich Village Woman's House of Detention. The prison is presided over by a massive matron with a taste for sadism and female flesh. Our heroine, now Caged in the Big House, learns about life The Hard Way. Get tickets

Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre presents "this is a blank page. a story, in motion," a dance-theater work by Andrew Pearson that explores themes such as partnership, identity, sexuality, comfort zones, and more. Pearson's work has been presented by numerous festivals and he has served as an Artist in Residence for Northern Kentucky University, Los Feliz School of the Arts, and Orange County School of the Arts. He has been commissioned to create work for the LA Contemporary Dance Company, among others. Get tickets

Dezart Performs: 2018–2019 Season

Dezart Performs has announced their new 4-show season for 2018–2019:

Church & State, by Jason Odell Williams – Nov. 9–18, 2018
Perfect Arrangement, by Topher Payne – Jan. 11–20, 2019
White Guy on the Bus, by Bruce Graham – Mar. 1–10, 2019
Maytag Virgin, by Audrey Cefaly – Apr. 5–14, 2019

Season Packages go on sale June 29! More info

My thanks to the Honorary Chairs and Vice Chairs of the committee formed by Palm Springs Pride to honor myself and 79 others as the 80 "OUTstanding Voices" from Palm Springs, honored Thursday night, June 14th. I met so many individuals who contributed to the 80 years of Palm Springs march to equality. From former mayor Ron Oden to Douglas Woodmansee and Paulina Angel, most were in attendance. And there are many more to be honored in future years!
What was most touching was the announcement that a tree would be planted in our honor on the site of the new downtown Palm Springs park. While too numerous to print here, the honorees represents some of the individuals who have made significant contributions to the equality and social justice movement.

The Palm Springs Gay For Good chapter which I helped form recently is holding our second community service project with the United Way. On Thursday, June 21st, we're providing volunteers for the Day of Action as we help out at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Give of your time if you can. Click here to learn more.

Plans are coming along for Palm Springs Pride and Halloween already! Merchants on Arenas met this week to look at an abbreviated week between Leather Pride, Halloween and Palm Springs Pride. While the heat of the summer burns our collective skin, many are planning how we'll continue to delight the millions of visitors who will come to Greater Palm Springs in 2018-19.

Our July TryOUT Tuesdays (and Thursdays) are now set. Watch for details as we'll be at Jus Chillin' and the Mary Pickford for Mamma Mia 2. More promotions will be announced soon.

Brad Fuhr, Gay Desert Guide

Join Palm Springs' friendliest leather and Levi cruise bar, Tool Shed, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for their Happy Hour! All well drinks are $3.75. For their weekly schedule, including pool tournaments, Bear Mondays, Leather and Gear Night, Underwear Night, and Friday Construction Zone, Get Happy at Tool Shed!

A Lulu California Bistro, the quality is always high, and you can enjoy Happy Hour every day from 11:00 a.m. until Closing with a Happy Hour Menu offered in the bar only with food items from $7.99 to $10.99 and late night drink specials like $4.99 well drinks and Cosmo/ Margarita/ Bloody Mary/ Martini / Lemon Drop/ Mojito for just $5.99! Get Happy at Lulu!

Please drink responsibly, and note that the Palm Springs Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, June 15th, 2018, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

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