We’re working hard to get Greater Palm Springs restarted – in small ways and in big ways. First, the big ways: Agua Caliente and Spotlight 29 casinos are reopening this weekend. With a combination of no smoking regulations, social distancing and other measures the tribes believe that they are “Playing It Safe”. In smaller ways, plans are in the offing for the reopening especially to get our hotels and vacation rentals opened up.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 46
Hosts John Taylor and Shann Carr take the temperature (orally) of our community as we cope with COVID-19’s new normal. Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com has info on re-opening phase one. Hugh Hysell of themenevent.com has news of fun upcoming virtual events. ChristopherKennedy.com has info on this weekend’s curbside shopping event in #ILoveGayPalmSprings. Jimmy Boegle from CVIndependent.com keeps us informed by aggregating news. What’s for dessert? The team has sweet tooth “takeout shoutouts,” and Dr. Laura Rush updates the medical news. [Listen] or [Watch]
This week’s Take Out Shout-Outs: Kreem Artisinal Ice Cream + Coffee, Sherman’s Delicatessen & Bakery, Grand Central Palm Springs, and Great Shakes
Harvey Milk Day
May 22 is Harvey Milk Day, and it would have been the late gay supervisor’s 90th birthday. While a block party was originally planned in celebration, event organizers have pivoted to include a much wider audience by moving “Harvey Milk’s 90th Birthday Block Party” online, on Friday, May 22 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. More info
Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Canceled
Originally postponed to July 11 in light of coronavirus concerns, the 2020 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast has now been canceled. Refunds are available, but event organizers would like ticketholders to consider donating the cost of admission to support the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs and related LGBTQ+ youth programs in the Coachella Valley, to which proceeds from the event would have gone. The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast has helped fund field trips and club activities, provide transportation, pay for substitute teachers so advisors can attend the Harvey Milk Breakfast and fund stipends for teachers who take youth to the annual youth leadership Rainbow Summit.
Memorial Day Weekend: Curbside Downtown Shopping for the Shelter
Several downtown Palm Springs retailers are opening for curbside pickup this Memorial Day Weekend, and joining together to benefit the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, by donating 10% of proceeds from May 23–25. Follow the link for the Facebook event with a full list of participating retailers [here]
Agua Caliente Casinos Re-Open Friday
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will re-open its casinos in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage as of noon on Friday, May 22 with ‘Play it Safe’ measures in place at both properties. Upon re-opening, they will not allow smoking inside their properties, and will maintain a 50 percent occupancy limit, with the number of seats at table games and on the casino floor reduced, in addition to temperature checks upon entering, face covering requirements, social distancing, and extensive disinfection cleaning protocols. More info
Ask Me Anything: Leather Edition
Join The LGBT Community Center of the Desert for the first of their “Ask Me Anything” series starting this Friday, May 22 from 7:00–8:30 p.m. on Zoom. The evening’s guest will be Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2020, Charlie Harding. He will be taking questions and bringing fun and connection to the leather community. More info
Chill Bar Presents: Too Much! Quarantine
On Saturday, May 23 Chill Bar is reaching out to connect with their online family with “Too Much! Quarantine” –a digital celebration from 9:00 p.m.–midnight. Taking place on Zoom, the evening will feature virtual GoGo studs, pop-up drag performances, live sets with DJ Matt Consola headlining, plus DJ Tony, La Chona Drag, and lots of dancing!
Reel Women’s Film Festival Goes Virtual
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
Quarantine Concert from Desert Rose Playhouse
Desert Rose Playhouse regulars along with other Coachella Valley performers are coming together to present a Quarantine Concert of some of their favorite songs for you. Rather than a “live” event, this will be a concert of a collection of recorded performances, gathered together to say thank you. The video will be linked from the Desert Rose Facebook Page [here] on Saturday, May 23 at 12:30 p.m and available for viewing all weekend.
Palm Canyon Theatre Announces 2020-2021 Season
Though they had to cancel the runs of Roald Dahl’s Mathilda and And Then There Were None, Palm Canyon Theatre is planning to present GODSPELL in July, with hopes to perform Sordid Lives during the summer as well. Season ticket holder have been credited admission for the upcoming 2020-2021 season, and they have announced the lineup of plays: Annie – Sep 25-oct 4, PS Musical – Oct 16-25 , This Side of Crazy – Nov 6-15, Elf, the Musical – Nov 27-dec 20, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Monty Python’s Spamalot – Feb 26-mar 21, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown – Apr 2-11, Cyrano De Bergerac – Apr 22-25, Into the Woods – May 7-16, Into the Woods (Kids) – May 21-23, Summer Show – Tbd – July 9-18. Season subscriptions go on sale June 1, 2020. 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: “Unfinished” – This film depicts a moment of crisis in the life of a young artist in New York who has to make an important decision which she fears will put a brake on her artistic dreams. Her anxiety begins to manifest through moments of magical realism using her artworks. View here
2020 ShortFest will be a virtual event this year. The Official Selection will be announced in early June, 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
Genuine Movie Theatre Popcorn Curbside 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
Virtual Cinema: French Short Films
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: A special selection of seven French Short Films that run the gamut from animation to romance to absurdist comedy. Revel in these petite Gallic pleasures, including award winners from Cannes, Locarno, and Palm Springs ShortFest. New French Shorts 2020 is made available through Young French Cinema, a program of UniFrance and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Get your V-Ticket
HUMP! Film Fest Livestream
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 with dates from May 9 through June 12. Hosted by Dan Savage. More info
LOOKING AHEAD: 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.
UPCOMING: Sordid Lives Streaming Benefit
The Del Shores Foundation presents a one-night-only benefit reading of the original Sordid Lives play by Del Shores for a #SordidLiveStream. The reading will be live streamed on YouTube and Facebook on Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 pm Pacific. The reading will star cast from the original 1996 play, the cult-hit 2000 film, LOGO’s 2008 “Sordid Lives: The Series” and the 2017 marriage equality-themed film sequel “A Very Sordid Wedding.” The free livestream reading and accompanying auction of Sordid Lives memorabilia is a benefit fundraiser for twenty-three live theatre companies who are associated partners of the Del Shores Foundation and support its mission to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices. More info
LGBTQ Community Survey
If you haven’t already, please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. Think of it as the gay census! [Click here] to start the survey
Peepa’s in Palm Springs is a lifestyle experience featuring collections in home decor, art, apparel, candles, books, greeting cards, and more. They offer curbside pickup everyday from 10am-3pm, and they are participating in the Memorial Day Weekend Shop for the Shelter event too! With our latest HOT DEAL, you can enjoy Peepa’s shopping at 30% off. Get your $25 gift certificate for only $17.50 now! Get Your Deal
- Update on Latest COVID-19 Related City Orders from City of Palm Springs
- Palm Springs Retailers to Hold Curbside Reopening Memorial Day Weekend
- Agua Caliente Re-Opening Casinos Friday May 22, 2020
- Pandemic Stories: The Current Reality for Restaurant-App Delivery Drivers—Less Bathroom Access; Better Business; More Racism
- Equality California’s COVID-19 (Coronavirus) LGBTQ+ Help Center