Mother’s Day weekend, FREE Desert Winds Freedom Band, Film Noir Festival, Disco Ball Gala, Palm Springs Public Library Comic Con, SHAG Anniversary Party, Brenna Whitaker, Big River, Real Women Have Curves and more, plus HOT DEALS and Happy Hours!
Happy Mother’s Day
It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12, and if you haven’t yet made plans for that special dinner out, be sure to visit: Gay Desert GuideDine & Sip Page
Featuring a great directory of gay-friendly
dining establishments!
Desert Winds Freedom Band: Spring Pops
On Thursday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m., join the Desert Winds Freedom Band for a FREE concert at the Jewish Community Center in Palm Springs. The DWFB is a volunteer band open to all LGBT community and LGBT friendly people who like to play concert band music. This concert is a “thank you” to all of the community for their support of the Band during their 2018-2019 season. More info
Arthur Lyons’ Film Noir Festival
Founded in 2000 by the late mystery author and Palm Springs community leader, Arthur Lyons, the Film Noir Festival is celebrating twenty years this year from May 9–12 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The festival includes an eclectic mixture of prestigious and obscure black and white “B” movies from the classic film noir period and is known for unearthing and screening rare films, restored classics, and for the special appearances of the stars who were in them. See our event page for a link to the full schedule: More info
The Disco Ball Gala
The 29th Annual United Way of the Desert Gala takes place on Friday, May 10 from 6:00–10:00 p.m. The Disco Ball will feature a special performance by France Joli and dancing and entertainment by The Nightshift Orchestra. Dress code is Disco Elegance – think shimmer and sparkle! There will be a hosted bar, silent auction, live auction, and fabulous food. Get tickets
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Palm Springs Public Library Comic Con®
Come dressed in your best comic inspired costume for the 5th year of the Palm Springs Public Library Comic Con® on Saturday, May 11 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. This FREE event, officially sanctioned and used with permission from the San Diego Comic Con®, takes over the whole library! There will be a cosplay costume contest with categories from preschool to adult, plus games, drawing workshops, special effects makeup workshop, crafts, exhibitors, swag stations and more. More info
SHAG 9th Anniversary Party and Print Release
On Saturday, May 11 from 7:00–10:00 p.m. at the SHAG store in Palm Springs, enjoy complimentary cocktails, mini-cupcakes, in-store specials and exclusive products to celebrate SHAG’s 9th Anniversary. “After the Concours” limited edition print will be released. This party is free and open to the public, and Shag will be in attendance to personalize prints and sign merchandise! More info
Brenna Whitaker at The Purple Room
On Friday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m. the Purple Room presents an evening of classics by vocalist Brenna Whitaker. “Ruth Brown, Peggy Lee, Cab Calloway, Etta James – those are my people,” says Whitaker. “It’s almost like they found their way to me, like I’m from another time.” She has attracted fans like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Bublé, and Verve Music Group chairman David Forster, who is producing her debut album. Get tickets
WEEKEND THEATRE
We have lots of theatre options this weekend! Two productions are opening, Pageant is closing, and Good People is ongoing…
Big River
Palm Canyon Theatre presents the musical Big River from May 10–19. Twain’s timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life your favorite characters from the novel.Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana. Get tickets
Real Women Have Curves
Desert Theatreworks presents Real Women Have Curves from May 10–19. Set in a tiny sewing factory in East L.A., this is the outrageously funny story of five full-figured Mexican-American women who are racing to meet nearly impossible production deadlines in order to keep their tiny factory from going under. And while they work, hiding from the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service), they talk… about their husbands and lovers, their children, their dreams for the future. Get tickets
Pageant: The Musical
The Desert Rose Playhouse presents Pageant: The Musical, with performances continuing through May 12. This side-splitting look at a beauty pageant in drag is a funny, wacky and ultimately endearing musical about the trials and tribulations of six contestants vying for the title of Miss Glamouresse. You’ll laugh and cheer as Miss West Coast, Miss Great Plains, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Bible Belt, Miss Texas and Miss Deep South (all in drag, of course) do their best to sing, dance and claw their way to the tiara. And every show has a unique twist, as actual audience members decide who wins. Get tickets
Good People
CVRep presents Good People through May 19 to round out their 10-year anniversary season. Welcome to Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo, where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills, and where Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, Margie thinks an old fling who’s made it out of Southie might be her ticket to a fresh new start. But is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has left to find out. Get tickets
Find out why our Gay Desert Guide theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh says Good People is “the most entertaining, stimulating and emotionally satisfying evening of theatre I have seen in some time” with a cast that is “flawless.” Read the review
Films on the Great Lawn at Sunnylands
Sunnylands’ free outdoor movie series, Films on the Great Lawn, is presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival on three Fridays in May. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., film starts at 8:00 p.m. No reservations are required. Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnic items for the outdoor screening.This installment will celebrate the acclaimed work of Pixar and the films that transcend generations: Fri, May 3rd – A Bug’s Life Fri, May 10th – Monsters, Inc. Fri, May 17th – Ratatouille More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Long Beach Pride is May 18–19
The 36th Annual Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade and Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 & 19, with this year’s theme stated as “A Million Moments of Pride, Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall.” Parade Grand Marshals include Kate Linder, Delta Work, Equality California, and more. Performers at the festival’s four stages include Big Freedia, Ada Vox, DJ Lez Lee, Alien Dance Band, Brandon Stansell, DJ Rick, Pablo Montero, and Diana Reyes. Fun Zones for families, teens, and seniors will feature activities, music and resources chosen just for those specific groups! More info
Gay Wine Weekend is July 18–21
Gay Wine Weekend, a weekend of wine & celebration taking place July 18–21 in Northern California’s magnificent winegrowing region of Sonoma Valley, will feature winemaker dinners, winery tours and events benefiting Face to Face, Sonoma County HIV/AIDS Network. Enjoy world class wine and culinary delights, music and dancing in a private estate vineyard, VIP receptions, wine excursions, a drag queen brunch, wine auction and pool party in one of the most famous luxury destinations in the world. Passes are on sale now, and stay tuned to Gay Desert Guide and KGAY 106.5 for a chance to win in our giveaway! More info
Comedian Rodney Carrington at The Show
Rodney Carrington is coming to The Show at Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage on Friday, May 31 at 8:00 p.m. This multi-talented comedian, actor, and writer has recorded eight major record label comedy albums selling over 3 million copies. “Morning Wood” has been certified gold and” Greatest Hits” has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Rodney starred in his own TV sitcom Rodney, which ran for two seasons on ABC.He regularly performs to sold-out crowds across the US and Canada. His latest Netflix special ‘Here Comes The Truth” is available now. Get tickets
King’s Highway and The Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel bring you a carefully cultivated menu focusing on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and some great specials! Come for Buddy Brew Sundays with $5 pints, Wine Down Wednesday with half-off bottles of wine, or Taco Jueves (Thursday) with $14 margarita, taco, chips and salsa. And every Monday at 7:00 p.m. join recent Walk of Stars honoree Shirley Claire for Fabulous Bingo!Get Happy at King’s Highway and the Amigo Room
Runway at CCBC Resort features Happy Hour Daily from 2:00–7:00 p.m. with fantastic food and drink specials like Runway Sliders for $2, Thunderbird Tenders for $3.50, Nachos for $5 and draft beer, house wine, or well cocktails for just $3.50! On Sundays from 2:00–8:00 p.m., come for the Runway T-Dance with DJ, drink specials, and special guests! Get Happy at Runway
Thinking of a special place to take Mom on Mother’s Day, or to share a special meal any day? Our Hot Deals this week are great options, from stylish uptown dining to casual coffee cafe with the best baked goods!
Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge will deliver the best dining experience possible, whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or if you want to celebrate life’s special moments with hundreds of friends! A “pulse point” of Palm Springs, Eight4Nine has become known as a vital part of the community for hosting numerous high profile charity events. With this HOT DEAL you can save 40% by getting a $25 gift certificate to Eight4Nine for just $15.00!Get Your Deal
Every day is fresh at Ristretto, whether you fancy sweet treats like scones, muffins, croissants, cinnamon buns, bear claws, bagels, and cookies, or the more savory egg burrito, bagel egg sandwich, oatmeal, yogurt, salads, quiche or wraps, the choices are seemingly endless! That’s not to mention the beverages like Italian sodas, smoothies, and oh yeah–coffee! It’s HOT DEAL BOGO time at Ristretto: Buy one $20.00 gift card get one free!Get Your Deal
