Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Nov. 20–22, 2020 - Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs

In this weekend leading up to Thanksgiving, we have plenty to be thankful for – a new incoming LGBTQ-friendly administration, a COVID-19 vaccine, and one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth to live – Greater Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. So let’s count our blessings and also be thankful that our hair dye doesn’t drip!

CVEP presented the facts and figures about the economic impact of the pandemic and a forecast for a long recovery. Diversifying beyond tourism is at the top of their wishlist.

Restrictions limiting hours of operation to 10 PM – 5 AM go into effect this weekend.

It’s Auction weekend with hundreds of cars on the block all weekend long during McCormick’s Classic Car Auction. Keith and his family-owned business have been planning for months putting protocols into place for safety. Today is the “free” day so stop by.

I’m thankful for our newest host of Virtual Speed Dating – Alexander Rodriquez. There’s still time to get your seat for Saturday evening’s event where men of all ages can meet for potential love, friendship or a business connection. We make it safe and fun at the same time.

Lastly, our #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast (and Facebook video if you really want to see us) welcome two new regular contributors: Palm Springs Life’s Steven Biller and The Desert Sun’s Brian Blueskye.

#WearADamnMask
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 72

John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, and Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com welcome Dr. Laura Rush, Editor In Chief Steven Biller from PalmSpringsLife.com, our soon to be sworn-in first ever female Mayor of Palm Springs Christy Holstege, Team Mom Margaret Webb from unityride4homeless.com and arts and culture reporter Brian Blueskye from DesertSun.com. We chat about the arts, politics, food, community, volunteerism and activism in #ILoveGayPalmSprings [Listen] or [Watch]

** Desert AIDS Project Offers Free At-Home HIV Tests: [Get Yours] **

This Weekend: McCormick’s 69th Palm Springs Classic Car Auction

McCormick’s Classic Car Show and Auction of classic, vintage and muscle cars will take place Friday–Sunday, November 20–22 on the grounds of the Palm Springs Convention Center. This will be a live, in person auction in the usual outdoor location, operating under all CDC guidelines to protect everyone involved. Prices range from just $3000 to over $250,000. General public & dealers welcome. Friday is FREE, Saturday & Sunday $15 each or $25 for all days. More info

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RESCHEDULED – Gay Virtual Speed Dating for Men of All Ages with Alexander Rodriguez

GayDesertGuide.LGBT & TheMenEvent.com have rescheduled Gay Virtual Speed Dating for Men of ALL Ages Hosted by Alexander Rodriguez to Friday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m. Speed dating has never been more fun! We will make introductions, and you go on several short one-on-one dates (each lasting 5-6 minutes) then mingle with everyone with a fun game and have a real conversation about dating. This event is exclusively for Gay men of ALL Ages. Get tickets

Hey ladies!–Our Virtual Speed Dating for Women of All Ages is Wednesday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m.!

Transgender Day of Remembrance

An observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place on Friday, November 20 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Palm Springs City Hall. It is a day that the community in Coachella Valley comes together in solidarity, putting our differences aside, to raise awareness about transgender violence and inequality, and those that we lost in 2020 to transgender violence for the greater good. Covid Precautions for those that want to come in person but you can also watch Nicholas Snow’s livestream at: https://promohomo.tv/ Funds raised at this event help those within the transgender community that face violence, oppression and discrimination. More info

Reel Women’s Film Festival

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest presents the Reel Women’s Film Festival between Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, December 6, celebrating its 7th anniversary virtually this year by streaming online. Your attendance can help support sexual and reproductive health care services for women, ensuring that patients have access to high-quality, non-judgmental care—no matter what. Get tickets

Broadway Game Night Happy Hour with Luis Villabon

Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Broadway Game Night Happy Hour with guest co-host Luis Villabon on Friday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. Miss seeing Broadway? Need some fun games to end the week? We kick off the weekend with a special Happy Hour celebrating Broadway with theater themed Fun and Games. Put on your musical lovers hat for some Broadway FUN! We’ll have several rounds of easy competitions featuring things like Hangman, Easy Trivia and A Friendly Feud! Your host will lead the group through fun conversations and the games. Get tickets

Virtual Cinema: “Monsoon”

Cinema Diverse festival favorite Monsoon is back and streaming through the Virtual Cinema program of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Starring Henry Golding as Kit, returning to his birthplace of Vietnam looking to reconnect, falls for American Lewis (Parker Sawyers), whose father fought in the war. Watch now

Coronavirus Survey

The LGBTQ Center of the Desert has teamed up with some of their local organizational partners to better understand how COVID-19 has impacted the lives of our friends and neighbors — that means you! — on an ongoing basis. This survey is anonymous and your answers could help direct resources to the people who need it most. Please consider taking 10 minutes to share your experience during this COVID-19 pandemic. Take the survey

Care About Care?

PALS/Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors presents Care About Care? All About Care Options, Costs, and Management on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. One thing’s clear: we’ll all need care at some point. Where is care provided? Who pays for this care? How is care managed? What conversations do we need to have regarding care? Let’s talk! Panel includes: Leann Dale, President, Senior Living Options of the Desert and Richard Bass, Coordinator, PALS. More info

Wine Tasting at Bouschet

The Bouschet Boys and crew are presenting their Annual Opolo Wine Tasting on Saturday, November 21 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Featured wines: 2019 Albarino, 2018 Grand Rouge, 2018 Montagna Mare, 2018 Summit Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2018 Mountain Zinfandel. All tastings include a gourmet food sampling specially selected and prepared by Tig & Co. at Bouschet. The kit includes the wine samples, tasting notes and 10% off featured products. In-person seating at outdoor pavilion available by reservation; curbside pickup and delivery are also available to participate from home via Zoom! More info

LOOKING AHEAD

Shann Carr’s Virtual Big Gay Game Night

From the Fun & Games Dept of Gay Desert Guide and TheMenEvent.com comes a Virtual Big Gay Game Night with comedian hostess Shann Carr on Tuesday, November 24 at 6:00 p.m. Let’s have some fun at home! Join us for this virtual game night of friendly competition and lots of laughs. Shann will host a series of fun online games with a chance to win $75 in prizes! Get tickets

Creating For the Stage with Dezart Performs

Dezart Performs presents a special free virtual series, Creating for the Stage: Discussions with the People that Make Shows Happen, online every Wednesday through December 2. Featuring actors, designers, creatives, playwrights and directors from their sold out 2019-20 season, the series is optimistic proof of the group’s mission this year: Still Here … and Dreaming. This week, Wednesday, November 25 at 5:30 p.m.: Meet the director and cast of SWEAT: actors Desireé Clarke and Cortez Johnson and director Michael Shaw. 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 – 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.

Conversational Spanish with Guillermo Biro – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.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.

LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesdays at 3:00 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.

Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.

Making Connections During COVID: Men’s Discussion Group with Arlen Keith Leight, LCSW, Ph.D
1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.

Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]

Chill Bar is open at 11:00 a.m. daily for lunch and early dining on their expanded, distanced patio. Enjoy a casual lunch on a sunny autumn day and choose from a variety of menu items: flatbreads, tacos, salads and more! Get this HOT DEAL and enjoy 30% off at Chill when you buy a $25 gift card for just $17.50! Get Your Deal

We also have Hot Deals at Dickey’s, Johannes, Il Giardino, Runway,Peepa’s, Pinocchio, Destination PSP, Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon and more! See All Deals