Gay Desert Guide Weekend: May 29–31, 2020 - Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs

We are proud to introduce our new branding and new website for Gay Desert Guide! After nearly seven years of service to the Greater Palm Springs LGBTQ communities, we took this pause to make some exciting changes. We’ve rebuilt our website and focused on the mobile experience, as that is where most of our users are. When the bars, clubs and gay resorts reopen, you’ll find our signature Happy Hour Finder and full Nightlife calendar of events on the new Gay Desert Guide “After Dark” section. And we’ve improved site search so you can find the event, business or article you’re looking for! Please send us your comments to us here! I’d love to hear from you.

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 47

As we all move gaily forward into Re-Opening Phase 2.75, join hosts John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com and Stoli Brands USA’s LGBT Ambassador Patrik Gallineaux as we navigate the changes in restaurants, retail and recreation all tempered by the medical wisdom of Dr. Laura Rush. [Listen] or [Watch]

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

NCLR 2020 Anniversary Virtual Celebration

While NCLR’s Anniversary Celebration will not look exactly as it had been originally envisioned, but the celebration goes on virtually, on a livestream this Saturday, May 30 at 6:00 p.m. with the same inspiration and love. The virtual gala will be a dynamic, engaging, and participatory Anniversary Celebration with a chance to connect with new NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon. You’ll leave even more committed than ever to NCLR’s fierce passion and a more just and equitable life for us all! More info

Sheltering Stories at 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 two remaining performances will be on Friday, May 29 and Friday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom, with “A Crowd of One,” a dramatic monologue by Tony Padilla, and “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

Virtual Loteria Friday

Hop online with friends from all around the Coachella Valley with Virtual Loteria, hosted on Zoom by Miguel Navarro on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. This traditional Mexican game combines cards and bingo, a game of chance that’s a pastime for educational purposes too! More info

Caftan Party Friday

Get your caftans ready and join the fabulous Kiki Glam and friends for a Virtual Caftan Party on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.! Presented with love and virtual hugs by the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. More info

KOYLE Wine Tasting at Bouschet

Join the Bouschet crew on Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 p.m. for a wine tasting with Annie Rabin-Arnold of Mountain Peoples Wine presenting KOYLE Family Vineyards. Limited seating will be available by reservation only in light of COVID-19 precautions for the safest dining experience. If you choose, you can still participate with curbside pickup or delivery! More info

Palm Springs Art Museum Online Exhibition: Hidden Worlds

Annually in May, Palm Springs Art Museum has presented the Fine Art Creativity Display featuring artword by students from Palm Springs, Desert Sands, and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts, as well as College of the Desert. The sudden closure of the museum due to COVID-19 interrupted the process this year; however, they have created an online presentation of all the submissions for this year’s theme: “Hidden Worlds.” View here

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 Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave young Americans the opportunity to serve their country in a new way by forming the Peace Corps. Since then, more than 200,000 of them have traveled to more than 140 countries to carry out the organization’s mission of international cooperation. Nearly 60 years later, Americans – young and old alike – still want to serve their country and understand their place in the world. [View Trailer] Get your V-Ticket

ShortFest Spotlight

The Palm Springs International Film Society continues to curate short films for your escaping pleasure with their ShortFest Spotlight. New this week: “Edith + Eddie,” directed by Laura Checkoway. Edith and Eddie, ages 96 and 95, are America’s oldest interracial newlyweds. Their love story is disrupted by a family feud that threatens to tear the couple apart. 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

NEXT WEEK

Gay Desert Guide Presents: Big Gay Virtual Trivia Night

On Monday, June 1 from 6:30–8:00 p.m., Gay Desert Guide is kicking off Pride Month with Big Gay Virtual Interactive Trivia Night: This partnership with TheMenEvent will be hosted by TheMenEvent’s Hugh Hysell. It’s a fun way to socialize and get people together for a night of fun, conversations and learning during all the craziness. Our Trivia contests are so entertaining because we make the questions easy and enjoyable for everyone! The top 3 winners from each round will win free passes to our events when we get back up and running. Register ahead of time to secure your spot. More info

Take advantage of our special Trivia Night registration discount: Save 25% with code GDG25 or [click here]

Next up in this series of events will be Virtual Gay Speed Dating: 40’s-50’s Edition, on Wednesday, June 10, followed by the Big Gay Virtual Murder Mystery Team Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, June 20, andVirtual Gay Speed Dating: 55+ Edition on Wednesday, June 24.

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: What Local Businesses Should be Doing Now for SEO Ranking & Google Listings, on Wednesday, June 3 from 10:00–11:00 a.m. There are things local businesses can do on their own to increase their Search Engine Optimization and get ranked higher on Google search pages. Also learn Google guidance on updating & managing your business information, creating posts and connecting with your customers. Please RSVP if you are going to attend. A link to the session will be provided to those who register. The third installment in this series will be Smart Phones, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs and more Smart Advertising on June 10. More info

DBA Virtual Networking Mixer Monday

Join the Desert Business Association for another DBA Virtual Networking Mixer on Monday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. There will be sharing about what’s going on within our business community as well as communities in general, with roundtable chat and check-in. You will also learn about plans for DBA’s 2020 Business and Community Service Awards! More info

Voices of Hope – Together, We Thrive

Desert Aids Project (DAP) is proud to deliver the gift of music with their Voices of Hope – Together, We Thrive livestream event on Friday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. Tune in for free on Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter and enjoy a star-studded, uplifting, joyous hour packed with a mix of your favorite Broadway, TV, and film entertainers, many who are longtime friends and supporters of DAP’s mission, including Kristin Chenoweth, Betty Buckley, Matthew Morrison, Megan Hilty and many more! Those who are able, may consider registering with a ticketing and donation package. Your paid ticket package at all levels benefits DAP’s COVID-19 response. More info

Take out. Dine in. Watch Together. Plan to order dinner from one of the Valley’s Dining out for Life partners who are currently open for take-out or delivery. Let’s lift them up as they have done for all of us for decades. Together, we’ll dine in – tune in – and THRIVE! Visit the DINING OUT FOR LIFE International (DOFLI) list here.

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.

Positive Life Series for 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. Note: this series will go on summer hiatus for July and August. More info

AAP–Food Samaritans’ Awesome Online Auction

Bidding will open on Monday, June 1 for the AAP-Food Samaritans Awesome Online Auction, to raise much needed funds to help them through this challenging time. Bidding will continue through Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. and bidders can register online to receive notifications. The auction is open for preview now. 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