This would have been Red Dress/Dress Red Party weekend. What a huge disappointment that one of our community’s signature events will have to wait until 2021 like so many others. We just got word that DJ Galaxy is hosting a virtual dance party to commemorate. What else may fall away? We track it for you on our GayDesertGuide.LGBT event calendar and on the podcast.
So I just have to say: There’s so much good news to be found, and that’s what we try to focus on as the drumbeat against lockdown continues. You can tell that the crazy in some people is coming out, especially on social media and on Palm Desert dive bar roofs…
I get teary-eyed each time I watch John Krasinski’s Some Good News (the SGN Network). It’s truly the bright spot in my week when I watch his YouTube series. We talk a bit on the podcast this week about what we are binge-watching.
And I couldn’t help laughing aloud at Michael Weems’ sign in the window of his store Autoerotica on North Palm Canyon… This week, that get’s the spot normally given to my photo. Thanks, Michael, for a little levity. Any takers???
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 45
Host John Taylor and comedian Shann Carr are joined by GayDesrtGuide.com’s Brad Fuhr, CVIndependent.com’s Jimmy Boegle and Dr. Laura Rush for a weekly conversation on what’s happening in #ILoveGayPalmSprings. This week’s special guests include: OnTheRocksRadio.com host and Metrosource columnist Alexander Rodriguez, Megan Goehring from the Coachella Valley Certified Farmer’s Market and Debra Ann Mumm from createcentercv.org. [Listen] or [Watch]
All About Bears and How to Cure Theatre Withdrawal
We have a couple of new original articles to share with you this week. First, we’ve got “All About Bears,” with a look at how the bear community began, a breakdown of popular identifiers, and where you can find your tribe in the desert [Read more]. Then our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh, who hasn’t been to a production in over two months, shows us “How to Cure Theatre Withdrawal” with some “pretty good alternatives” to live theatre to hopefully tide you over in the meantime [Read more].
Marilyn, Mom & Me: A Virtual Staged Reading
Luke Yankee invites you to a virtual staged reading of his new play, “Marilyn, Mom & Me” available on YouTube from Thursday, May 14–Sunday, May 17 as a benefit for The Actors FundThis deeply personal and largely autobiographical play is the story of a middle-aged, gay man trying to better understand his tough-as-nails actress mother by unraveling her intense friendship with Marilyn Monroe during the shooting of “Bus Stop”. Watch the trailer below and follow our [link] for more info.
Virtual Hugs LIVE Dance Party
If you’re in need of some great music, and an excuse to dance your heart out, join The LGBT Community Center of the Desert and DJ Galaxy for the Virtual Hugs LIVE Dance Party on Saturday, May 16, at 8:00 p.m. You can request virtual hugs shout-outs live during the broadcast by creating a username & password on twitch.tv or email your requests to connect@thecenterps.org. – More info
Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market is Open
The Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market is still open for business, Saturday from 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. next to the Palm Springs Cultural Center. They have been going the extra mile to stay open while keeping everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While providing a vital service, the market is losing money every week and needs your help to stay afloat. Please visit their GoFundMe campaign page [here] and donate what you can.
Gerald Clarke Virtual Palm Springs Art Museum Experience
The Palm Springs Art Museum’s galleries remain closed for the time being, but they are offering wonderful online experiences such as the Gerald Clarke: Falling Rock web gallery, with a full-screen display of images and information. Check out the gallery [here]. You can also see excerpts of artist discussing his process in this YouTube clip:
This would also be a great time, if you are able, to lend support to the museum to help make art and art experiences accessible to the community. Thanks to the generosity of several supporters, a $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge has been established to match your donation to Palm Springs Art Museum, dollar for dollar, if you make your gift before July 31, 2020. Donate here
Prince & The Revolution: Live
The Prince Estate in partnership with YouTube is hosting a three-day streaming event of Prince and the Revolution: Live, a historic concert captured at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY on March 30, 1985. See Prince at the peak of the Purple Rain Tour, streaming from Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17 [here]
Virtual Cinema at Palm Springs Cultural Center
The Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Virtual Cinema gives you the ability to view new films that are Palm Springs premieres, along with favorites from film festivals in the comfort of your own home. Added this week: Driveways, starring veteran actor Brian Dennehy, who died on April 15th of this year. The film also stars Golden Globe Nominee Hong Chau as Kathy, Cody’s single mother, who travels with Cody to her late sister’s house which they plan to clean and sell. While Kathy realizes how little she knew about her sister, Cody develops an unlikely friendship with Del (Dennehy), the Korean War vet and widower who lives next door.
[View Trailer] and Get your V-Ticket
ShortFest Spotlight
The Palm Springs International Film Society’s ShortFest is providing free material for your escaping pleasure. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they are adding to their curated collection of short films available to stream from their site (like “Iron Hands,” the story of a 12-year-old girl who tries to make the traditionally all-boys Chinese youth Olympic weightlifting team and gets help from an unlikely source, pictured here). Watch here
Genuine Movie Theatre Popcorn Curbside Pickup
Mary Pickford Theatre – D’Place Entertainment continues to offer freshly popped Movie Theater Popcorn Saturdays from 5:00–7:30 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
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.
Chair Yoga with Lynn Simonson – Tuesday 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.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Monday & 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.
Virtual Games, Friends and Fun with Lorenzo Taylor – 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m.
Eight New COVID-19 Testing Sites Open in Riverside County
Riverside County residents who want to be tested for COVID-19 can choose among eight new testing sites being offered by state health officials. Sites are open from 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday by appointment only. See our link for more information and location details: More info
Find Your Oasis Music Video
The Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau has released a reimagining of their original song “Find Your Oasis.” Said Jeff Miraglia, Chief Creative Officer for Greater Palm Springs CVB, “The lyrics of this song resonate especially strongly now. As we’re all home, we’re dreaming of places that paint the picture of freedom, open air and new beginnings. Woven into this new version is a celebration of the artists who help make this community such an appealing place to visit, time and again. We hope this will resonate with people as they come back to explore our beautiful destination.” [View Here]
LOOKING AHEAD: Desert Stonewall Democrats May Meeting
The Desert Stonewall Democrats’ May meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday May 19 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Confirmed guests include Palm Springs Mayor Geoff Kors, who will speak on the recent city council votes regarding COVID-19. Dr Les Zendle will provide an update on the Desert Healthcare District, new COVID-19 testing sites and what people can expect when they get tested. He will also give advice on the best source for facts on COVID-19. Registration required. More info
LOOKING AHEAD: PALS Cafe Goes Virtual
What is a PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) CAFÉ? It’s a virtual & completely safe place where you can enjoy a heaping piece of hearty laughter, lots of homemade conversations, and helpful insights while getting to virtually visit with many of your PALS ! You are invited to join this group every Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Follow our link for more details and a quick primer on Zoom [here].
LOOKING AHEAD: Positive Life Series June
The Positive Life Series is monthly community HIV/AIDS seminar series presented by HIV + Aging Research Project Palm Springs. On Tuesday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. Therapist Neva Chaupette returns to share her perspectives on how our longterm survivor community is coping with this new reality, and how it’s related to the AIDS pandemic we’ve all lived through. Registration required. More info
- Clarification of Mask-Wearing Rules from City of Palm Springs
- LA Pride Responds to COVID-19, Goes Digital for 50th Anniversary Celebration
- Archaic FDA Ban Locks DAP Doctor Out Of Promising Plasma Study for COVID-19
- National LGBTQ Task Force Launches Phase 2 of Decennial “Queer the Census” Campaign
- Real Estate Market Shows Little Impact from COVID-19 in Coachella Valley
C4 Communication is a locally gay-owned ASL interpreting service. They provide interpreters for legal, governmental, medical, theatrical, religious settings, press conferences, City meetings, and more. Their interpreters have provided their services here in the desert at: Red Dress – Dress Red, Center Stage, Pride Interfaith Services at Temple Isaiah, Palm Springs Pride, Long Beach Pride and other Pride festivals throughout California. More info