Southwest Airline’s slogan “You’re Free to Move About the Country” takes on new meaning as Palm Springs gets direct service to Las Vega$ starting later this year.
“We are very excited to add Southwest Airlines to our destination! Their iconic brand aligns perfectly with our resort oasis, and the timing couldn’t be better,” said Scott White, president and CEO of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This will certainly help reduce the negative impact COVID-19 has had on our region and will be a critical component for our recovery.”
So White Party has done a soft reset on its dates for 2021, but my sources tell me that it’s not a done deal at all. After the debacle in Nuevo Vallarta earlier this year, there’s resistance to the event coming back to Palm Springs. When I posted the new dates, there was nothing but negative comments about the return. The Desert Sun reported that the event “typically draws more than 30,000”, however those numbers appear overblown according to convention center staff who work the event. Stay tuned…
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal and … #WeArePalmSprings
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 90
We’re springing gayly forward into Spring 2021! Join John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com and their special guests Dr. Laura Rush, Executive Director of Trans Community Project Paulina Angel, Theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh and a special DAP Health tribute to the tireless efforts of Douglas Woodmansee and Marshall Pearcy, AKA: Les Dames du Soleil!
The #ILoveGayPalmSprings Podcast is broadcast on Facebook Live, Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Our podcast is brought to you by Torre Nissan in LaQuinta.
The#ILoveGayPalmSprings 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. (or later on-demand) to stream us to your TV. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and more!
AmDocs Film Festival Kicks Off
The 2021 American Documentary and Animation Film Festival is mostly virtual, screening on the new DocsNow+ streaming platform from Friday, March 26 through Sunday, April 4. Festival pass holders will have access via website and app to watch 200-plus festival titles anytime, anywhere, and also receive a full 12 months bonus to the subscription service to view the channel dedicated to documentary and animated works from around the world. From the visually beautiful to the heartwarming, inspirational, shocking and educational, each film uncovers a slice of real life to the viewer from some of the best visual storytellers out there. More info
Opening Night of the festival was Thursday, March 25, featuring the world premiere of “My Name Is Lopez” – the biopic of popular music star Trini Lopez. The evening began with a live performance by The Gand Band before the screening. If you missed that, the film screens again Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Drive-In Experience, and the public can also watch the new film on the streaming platform DocsNow+ with their festival pass. More info
International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31
In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, The LGBTQ Center will host a community film online screening of AIDS DIVA: The Legend of Connie Norman on Tuesday, March 30 at 5:00 p.m. This documentary film focuses on the self-appointed “AIDS DIVA” and masterful spokesperson for ACT UP /Los Angeles in the late 80s and early 90s Los Angeles. After the film, there will be a Q&A panel afterwards with Paulina Angel (our Woman Crush Wednesday this week!), community activist Diana Olivia Feliz, president of LKAPS.org David Kelly, and film director Dante Alencastre. More info
The aTransgender Health and Wellness Center presents their virtual Transgender Day of Visibility on Wednesday, March 31 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. Celebrate the lives and accomplishments of the Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming and Intersex Community with performances, conversation, and inspiring stories by nationally known artists and activists Ryan Cassata, Skylar Kergil, Niko Storment and more on Zoom. You must be registered to receive a VIP zoom invite that day. More info
White Party 2021 Rescheduled to September
Originally scheduled for the end of April, White Party Palm Springs 2021 will now take place from September 17–20 at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort. Organizers plan to introduce an all-new 3-day White Party SOLSTICE festival, calling it “A New Beginning.” DJ lineup and ticket sale dates will be announced soon. More info
Desert X 2021
Delayed by over a month due to concerns about COVID-19, Desert X 2021 is now open through May 16 in the Coachella Valley. The exhibition explores the desert as both a place and idea, acknowledging the realities of people who reside here and the political, social, and cultural contexts that shape their stories [Check out what’s new this year]. The site-specific exhibition is free and out-of-doors, providing a safe visitor experience, featuring newly-commissioned projects. More info
Don’t miss our Desert X discussion on the I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast next week (April 2). We will talk with Palm Springs Life editor-in-chief Steven Biller & Desert X Co-curator César García-Alvarez!
[the_ad_group id=”12644″]
Shop Retail Palm Springs
The City of Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, and several local businesses have joined forces to support retail stores struggling to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Just go to pschamber.org and print or download the coupon to your phone. Then, simply shop in a participating Palm Springs retail store and spend $30 or more and you will receive $10.00 off the entire purchase! Learn more
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 Alexander Rodriguez, and Woman Crush Wednesday is Paulina Angel! Click their images here to read more about them and see a fun video reel, and keep up with all our crushes by following @GayDesertGuide on Facebook and Instagram
WildLights of Spring Final Weekend
WildLights returns to the The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens – with a spring twist! WildLights of Spring runs nightly through Sunday, March 28. Guests will take an illuminated journey around the Zoo with an enchanting assortment of lighted animal sculptures and vantages of select habitats including the emus of the Australian Adventures. A portion of the African Safari loop will be open for guests to see cheetahs, zebras, African wild dogs, and other animals. The event also will feature new music for the light zones, and guests can take a spin on the carousel and make s’mores around a fire, for an additional fee. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Advance ticket purchase is required. Get tickets
Mary Pickford Theatre Reopens Indoor Screenings
Indoor movies are back at Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City, now allowed to operate at 25% capacity as Riverside County has advanced to the red tier of the state’s reopening framework. Kick back in their stadium-style power recliners and enjoy the concessions you love, knowing they are doing everything as safely as possible, meeting or exceeding the CinemaSafe industry standards. The Mary Pickford Drive-In Experience Continues as well featuring: Bob Odenkirk in “Nobody” and “Godzilla vs. Kong!” Get tickets
Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers’ Market
The Atrium in Rancho Mirage plays host to the new Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers’ Market, every Friday from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Shoppers can expect about 40 vendors with a variety of options including fresh fruits and vegetables, floral, baked goods, artisan clothing and gifts, meats, poultry and fish, coffee and teas, soups, pizza, tamales and more. Mask-wearing and social distancing required. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Palm Springs Police Dept. LGBTQ+ Outreach Town Hall
Join the annual Palm Springs Police Department LGBTQ+ Outreach Committee Town Hall with Police Chief Bryan Reyes on Tuesday, March 30 at 5:30 p.m. This advisory committee elevates the voice of the diverse realities and lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, offering suggestions to further the effectiveness of the Palm Springs Police Department’s commitment to diversity. There will be Q&A and discussion of issues important to you and important to the LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs. More info
“Senior Moment” Screening
The Palm Springs Cultural Center Drive-In Experience presents a screening of the new William Shatner comedy ‘Senior Moment’ on Friday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. The film promises to be a fun, fast car romp through some of your favorite locations in Palm Springs—the entire movie was filmed locally! Read about it here and Get tickets
Palm Springs Art Museum Reopens April 1
It’s been a full year, and the Palm Springs Art Museum has finally been given the approval to reopen on Thursday, April 1 with updated galleries and 5 new exhibitions. New visitor hours are: Friday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays. Capacity is limited to 25%, tickets must be reserved online in advance, and numerous COVID-19 safety measures will be in place. The Architecture & Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion will reopen in September with the exhibition The Modern Chair. More info
ANA Inspiration Golf Tournament
The 50th edition of the ANA Inspiration will take place April 1–4 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, marking a return to its usual position on the calendar as the first of the five Major championships of professional women’s golf. As with last year’s tournament, this special 50th Anniversary edition will be going ahead without spectators due to Covid-19 related restrictions, but fans can tune in online. More info
The world famous Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend is the largest lesbian event in the world and traditionally takes place at the same time as the golf tournament. This year, with large events still prohibited due to COVID-19, The Dinah is scheduled for September 29–October 3. Tickets are on sale now. More info
Next Week: Virtual Events at The Center
Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBTQ Community 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.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]
Welcome New Partner!
Barbara Barrett has been practicing law since 1983. She had a law office in San Francisco for many years and then a second office in Sonoma County. Practicing in Palm Springs for nearly 20 years, Barbara specializes in: Gay/Lesbian Relationship Law (Prenuptial’s, Postnuptial’s, Divorce, Property Agreements, Estate Planning, etc.), Divorce without Custody and Child Support Issues, Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Law, Heggstad Petitions, Wills and Trusts, and Real Estate Litigation. She also serves as Pro Bono Counsel for Greater Palm Springs Pride! Learn more
- 8 Must-See Films to View at American Documentary and Animation Fest
- Southwest Airlines Announces Non-Stop Service from Palm Springs to Las Vegas
- Rachel Levine Becomes First Out Transgender Person to Win Senate Confirmation
- Netflix Announces Gay Holiday Romcom ‘Single All the Way’
- Special Guests for the Annual GLAAD Media Awards Announced
The Shop Retail Palm Springs program (see above) saves you money while encouraging you to shop local. This week, we can save you even more with HOT DEALS from two of the first participants in the Shop Retail Palm Springs program! First, you can save 33% on unique, originally-designed merchandise at Destination PSP by getting a $15 gift card for just $10! Then get 50% off men’s grooming services at Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon with a $25 gift card for just $12.50! Get Your Deals
We also have Hot Deals at Giuseppe’s, Monster Shakes, Chill Bar, Grand Central, Bear Wear, Dickey’s, Johannes, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Mary Pickford Theatre, Bouschet and more! See All Deals