Gay Desert Guide Weekend: June 5–7, 2020 - Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs

Covid what? In just over 10 days, we have gone from pandemic to systemic – racism. 75 LGBT+ groups — including the LGBT Center — joined a coalition in support of Black Lives Matter. The letter begins: ““If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Those words, written over 30 years ago by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, remind us that indifference can never bridge the divide of hate. And, today, they should serve as a call to action to all of us, and to the Movement for LGBTQ equality.” Our podcast today is devoted to the topic and I hope you’ll listen. We also continue to cover the reopening of our valley and keep you updated with the latest virtual events. Thanks for reading.

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide.

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 48

Host John Taylor co-host comedian Shann Carr and the I Love Gay Palm Springs team Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com and Dr. Laura Rush welcome Cifton Tatum and Andre Carthen from Brothers of the Desert and Nino Eilets from theStandardPS.com as we try to move forward together as a community with justice, unity and love. [Listen] or [Watch]

Enough is Enough – Palm Springs Demonstration

A local youth-organized movement to peacefully demonstrate in support of Black Lives Matter is set to take place on Saturday, June 6 from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at 700 Tamarisk Road (Ruth Hardy Park). The intent is to spread awareness for those who lost their lives to police brutality. Things to bring: water, signs, and of course your mask to keep each other safe.

Voices of Hope – Together, We Thrive to be Rescheduled

Desert Aids Project (DAP) has announced their Voices of Hope – Together, We Thrive livestream event, originally scheduled for Friday, June 5 will be rescheduled, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. While “now is not the time” for the Voices of Hope event, says DAP CEO David Brinkman, “we’ll reschedule for another time.”

Equality California Power Hour: Combating Racism & Anti-Black Violence

As part of Equality California‘s renewed commitment to center Black leaders and voices, they are hosting an important and urgent livestream event on Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. The fight for LGBTQ+ equality is intrinsically tied to the fight for racial justice, and the LGBTQ+ community must listen and follow Black leaders to learn how to stand up against anti-Black racism. Co-hosted by Silver State Equality and NCLR, panelists include: Hon. Dallas Harris, Nevada State Senator, André Wade, Silver State Equality State Director, and Imani Rupert-Gordon, National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director. More info

NEXT WEEK: Virtual Gay Speed Dating

On Wednesday, June 10 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., Gay Desert Guide presents Virtual Gay Speed Dating: 40’s–50’s. Get out of your jammies and into a cute first date shirt, pour a beverage of your choice and get ready to meet other singles without leaving your home. Register ahead of time to secure your spot. This event is exclusively for gay men in their 40’s and 50’s (we have plans for other ages and themes). You will have a number of one-to-one video dates, meet a lot of great guys, and later receive an email with contact information for your mutual matches! More info

Use our special Speed Dating registration discount: Save 25% with code GDG25 or [click here]

Next up in this series of events will be the Big Gay Virtual Murder Mystery Team Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, June 20, and Virtual Gay Speed Dating: 55+ Edition on Wednesday, June 24.

‘Sheltering Stories’ from Desert Ensemble Theatre Company

Desert Ensemble Theatre (DETC) presents a three-week series of short plays and monologues entitled “Sheltering Stories” made possible from a generous grant from the California Desert Arts Council’s “Keep Art Alive” initiative. Written, directed and performed by company members and other Desert artists the stories address aspects of social distancing and self-isolation from both dramatic and comic perspectives. The final performance will be Friday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom, with “Smile for the Camera,” a short comedy by Jason Hull, respectively. These sessions will be recorded and made available for viewing to a wider audience after the initial performance. More info

Wine Tasting at Bouschet

Bouschet invites you to another wine tasting on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. with Michael Kirkpatrick. Wines include: 2017 Don Carrido El Vaquero – Tempranillo, 2017 Normandy Thanks – Blend: 35% Cabernet, 35% Merlot & 30% Tempranillo, 2018 Sirromet – Pinos Gris, and 2014 Windrun – Pinot Noir. Limited seating will be available at PS Air by reservation only, but you can still participate from home via Zoom with curbside pickup or delivery! The wine tasting kit includes a charcuterie sampling, wine samples, tasting notes and 10% off featured wines. More info

AAP–Food Samaritans’ Awesome Online Auction

Bidding continues through Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. for the AAP-Food Samaritans Awesome Online Auction, to raise much needed funds to help them through this challenging time. Bidding will and bidders can register online to receive notifications as the bidding heats up. More info

Reel Women’s Film Festival – Final Week

The Reel Women’s Film Festival, supporting Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, has taken its fundraising efforts and film festival online this year. Make a donation of any size and then enjoy a series of five inspiring, thought-provoking films during this special springtime event, hosted in partnership with Women Make Movies. Viewable over the course of four weeks, watch–and re-watch–the films at your own timing and leisure, from the comfort of your own home, with all films available for viewing now through June 13. Donations will be designated toward the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund in support of Planned Parenthood’s mission to provide essential health care services throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties during this critical time. More info

HUMP! Film Fest Livestream – Final Two Dates

HUMP! Film Festival has been bringing audiences a new kind of porn since 2005. If you missed this year’s edition when it was in Palm Springs this year on February 29, you can now catch the same lineup of hot, sexy, creative, and kinky short films in an online livestream Hosted by Dan Savage on two remaining dates: Saturday, June 6 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) and Friday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. (Pacific). More info

Pickford Popcorn Pickup

Mary Pickford Theatre – D’Place Entertainment continues to offer freshly popped Movie Theater Popcorn Saturdays from 4:00–7:30 p.m.. Guests can get their fix of movie theater popcorn and a selection of other movie night snacks (drinks, candy) with convenient curbside pickup. 100% of proceeds go to support staff at D’Place during the COVID-19 shutdown. Email and phone ordering ahead of time with pre-payment is available. More info

D’Place Entertainment has also recently posted some new Guest Information about what you can expect when the time comes to once again open their doors, including limiting the number of tickets sold to each screening, the use of masks, snack refill limitations, facility cleaning, and employee health. Learn more

Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors

The Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market can now be found next to the Palm Springs Cultural Center at the Palm Springs Pavilion, Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. As always, safe shopping practices are being followed. Check out the Market’s “Tips for Shopping the CFM in Uncertain Times” [here]

Get Inspired with Palm Springs Art Museum At Home

The Palm Springs Art Museum presents another installment of their At Home Activity series, inviting you to get inspired by Navajo textiles. Do you know your warp from your weft? Check it out

Thai Smile Re-Opens for Indoor and Patio Seating Dining

Thai Smile is finalizing the implementation of recommendations and requirements set by the CDC and the Riverside County Department of Public Health to ensure a safe and comfortable dining experience for everyone when they re-open for indoor and patio seating dining on Monday, June 1. They will be open 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily. More info

Thai Smile has been offering healthy, high quality, and flavorful Thai Cuisines to the residents and visitors of Palm Springs since 1993. If you haven’t already, pick up our HOT DEAL: a $25 Gift Card from Thai Smile for just $17.50 (30% off!) Get Your Deal

18|8 Palm Springs Reopens Salon

Having received clearance from the state and county to re-open, 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon is excited to announce they are open (for hair services only for now) and operating according to State of California guidelines, putting safety first. New summer hours: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. More info

ShortFest Spotlight

The Palm Springs International Film Society continues to curate short films for your escaping pleasure with their ShortFest Spotlight. New this week: “Joy Joy Nails” directed by Joey Ally. Sarah manages Joy Joy Nails with a cheerful iron fist, but she gets her manicured claws out when Chinese Mia, a manicurist trainee, looks to be stealing the boss’s son’s affections, soon discovering that under the varnish, everyone’s a victim. View here

2020 ShortFest will be a virtual event this year. The Official Selection has been announced [learn more] with a selection of those films available for screening on their website for free from June 16–22, the original dates of the festival. There will also be virtual classes and panels with industry guests as part of the ShortFest Forum. More info

LOOKING AHEAD

NEXT WEEK: Digital Marketing Series Continues

Join Gay Desert Guide, Oasis Marketing Group and Desert Business Association for the next installment in their Digital Marketing Series. Topic: Smart Phones, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs And Other Smart Advertising, on Wednesday, June 10 from 10:00–10:45 a.m. Learn about reaching people when they are streaming audio content, Over-The-Top video streaming on their Smart TVs, as well as all the ways to target people on their mobile devices. To compete in today’s world, you’ve got to be SMART! Please RSVP if you are going to attend these events. A link to the session will be provided to those who register. 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 – Monday at 11:00 a.m.

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

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

LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.

Out in the Vineyard Survey

Do you enjoy food and wine, and especially the Sonoma Valley wine experience? Out in the Vineyard is looking for new ways to provide opportunities to experience “our” wine country (for the discerning gay traveler), both from home and when you are ready to visit again. Fill out this quick survey and help them shape a new “Insider” Private VIP Members Club! [Take survey]

Gay Wine Week, Out in the Vineyard’s signature annual event, will be virtual this year, with lots of fun events in the works. Plan on keeping the weekend of July 17–19 open to bring the magic of Sonoma into your home. Stay tuned for more details.

Splash House Cancels All 2020 Dates

After initially canceling just the June 2020 dates, Splash House has now canceled their August 2020 weekends as well. Tickets can be refunded or transferred to June 11–13, 2021 and/or August 13–15, 2021, when the mega pool party plans to return to Palm Springs. More info