Cinema Diverse Weekend Two, Niki Haris, Buddy Holly Tribute, Women’s Week Kicks Off, Golden Grapes Wine Tasting, Broadway at The River, Films on the Great Lawn, 29 LGBTQ+ Restaurants You Should Try, and a look ahead to some October highlights, plus Hot Deals and Happy Hours!

Cinema Diverse Weekend Two

Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival is celebrating its 12th anniversary this year, and after a first weekend at the Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the festival moves to Mary Pickford Theatre in Cathedral City this weekend, Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28. New this year, the second weekend will be all original programming. More info

Buddy Holly Tribute and Niki Haris on Purple Room Stage

On Friday, September 27, Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club presents Southbound and Company: The Buddy Holly Review, with all the excitement of the music created in the garage behind Buddy’s house in Lubbock, Texas. The Buddy Holly Review gives a blistering rendition of some of Rock’s greatest songs: That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Not Fade Away, Oh Boy, etc. Each ticket purchased includes an automatic dinner reservation at 6:00 p.m. Performance starts at 8:00 p.m. Get tickets

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On Saturday, September 28, jazz chanteuse Niki Haris brings an evening of jazz, blues, and inspiring melodies to the Purple Room stage. With a voice smooth like velvet, Niki serenades you with re-imagined arrangements of the classics while serving up her sassy insights and boisterous banter about life, love, motherhood, and her stellar career. She has performed with jazz greats and pop superstars, most famously as the big voice behind Madonna. Dinner at 6:00 p.m., show at 8:00 p.m. Get tickets

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Palm Springs Women’s Week Kicks off Sunday

Palm Springs Women’s Week is intended to bring women from around the country to the Coachella Valley to participate in a week of events designed to celebrate Lesbian culture and elevate the status of women. It will cast a bright light on talented local women and explore the issues and attitudes that define women’s experiences everywhere. See our Women’s Week Event Page for a full day-by-day rundown of all the activities, including the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival, returning for its sixth year with two evenings devoted to a stellar line-up of music and performances by leading female jazz musicians featuring Maysa & Jazz in Pink on Friday, October 5 and Judith Hill & Jazz Antiqua will headline the fest on Saturday, October 6. Get tickets

 

Women’s Week Opening Night Party

Throughout Women’s Week the Barba Gallery in Palm Springs will feature a special exhibit designed to celebrate the work of the Lesbian art community, while the June Mazer Lesbian Archives will present a photo exhibit at the Palm Springs Women’s Club. On Sunday, September 29, an Opening Night Party will kick off Women’s Week and provide an opportunity to meet the artists and other participants in the upcoming events. Angie Whitney will be performing. More info

Golden Grapes Wine Tasting at the Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel & Swim Club presents their monthly poolside wine tasting series Golden Grapes, on Sunday, September 30 from 12:00–5:00 p.m. This day-long bacchanalia with Palm Springs Wine Fest celebrates the best wine makers, grapes and grape lovers in California with wine tastings, small bites and a poolside soundscape. Pouring this time from a flight of five canned wines from Nomadica. Get tickets

Broadway at The River

On Thursday, September 26 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., Broadway at the River wraps up their latest series of unique dinner-show experiences where servers from the MTU – Musical Theatre University sing for YOUR supper at Acqua California Bistro! Enjoy a delicious 3-Course Prix Fixe Dinner during this fully staged Broadway song & dance revue with famous Broadway guest star Teri Bibb. Get tickets

Films on the Great Lawn: “The Thing”

Sunnylands Center & Gardens revives the 1950s genre with its outdoor movie series, Films on the Great Lawn, screening “The Thing from Another World” on Friday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. The plot: Scientists and U.S. Air Force officials fight a bloodthirsty alien at a remote arctic outpost. Presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, this classic screening is free to the public, gates open at 7:00 p.m.  More info

 

Call for Artifacts: Gay Pride Exhibit

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, the Marks Art Center at College of the Desert would like to invite artists to submit works of art that speak to the LGBTQ experience of activism and pride over the last 50 years. Eligible media include, but are not limited to: drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, digital art, collage, and fiber/textile art. Submission deadline: September 30. More info

29 LGBTQ+ Restaurants You Should Try Right Now

Our Gay Desert Guide Dine & Sip reviewer Charles Drabkin has just published a list of 29 LGBTQ+ Restaurants You Should Try Right Now, which is by no means an exhaustive list of LGBTQ+ owned establishments, but a great indication of just how supportive and friendly it is for LGBTQ+ owned restaurants and patrons in the Greater Palm Springs area. Read the full article here

 

LOOKING AHEAD

Cat City Drag Race Continues at The Roost, Trunks

Help the Cathedral City Gay Bars find the “Royal Highness of Cat City” during the Cathedral City Drag Race, running through October 7. Nine contestants will be scored by local celebrity judges on originality, themed outfit, personality, and performance. With weekly prizes and audience favorites, the contestant with the most points at the finish line wins the title! Hosted by Anita Treadmill with music by DJ Galaxy from KGAY 106.5. – The next location will be The Roost on Monday, September 20 from 6:00–9:00 p.m., and a week later at Trunks on Monday, October 7, from 6:00–9:00 p.m.  More info

 

Palm Desert Concerts in the Park Fall Series – Thursdays in October

Residents and visitors alike flock to the Palm Desert Civic Center Park every Thursday evening in October for the City’s free Concerts in the Park. Held on the terraced lawn of the Civic Center Park Amphitheater, music lovers can look forward to diverse musical offerings that may range from reggae to R&B, and from country to indie. The lineup includes:

  • Oct 3 – L.A. Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan tribute band)
  • Oct 10 – Amanda Castro Jazz Band (cover band)
  • Oct 17 – 90s Rock Show (90s music tribute/cover band)
  • Oct 24 – The Pack (Rat Pack tribute band)
  • Oct 31 – Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo tribute band)

Food trucks will be onsite. More info

Gay Days Anaheim – October 4–6

With the brand-new land Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge now open, Disneyland is a hotter ticket than ever, and what’s more fun than going with your red shirt for the “Unofficial Gay Days at Disneyland!” With nighttime parties and cocktail mixers, a scavenger hunt within the park, a massive group photo and much more, you can get Gay Days rates for the Disney hotels or Disney park admission. Get tickets

Outlandish Performance Series Kicks Off with Fran Drescher

On Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m., the Outlandish Palm Springs live performance series gets underway at the Palm Springs Cultural Center with its first night: “Schmoozing with Fran Drescher,” in which America’s favorite nanny performs for the first time in Palm Springs. Come hear the legendary actress/comedian/activist share, in her unique voice, both hilarious and poignant stories of her life. See more about this and other performances in the series and Get tickets here.

KGAY “Pride of the Valley” at Palm Springs Pride

Palm Springs Pride is November 1–3 and this year Gay Desert Guide will be presenting the KGAY “Pride of the Valley” stage at the intersection of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon. Our upbeat DJs will get the party started and keep it going all weekend, so plan to bring your friends and dance in the street to your own beat!
Learn more

 

The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City offers Happy Hour prices from 12:00–7:00 p.m. every day, with special prices on cocktails, beer and wine, with All-Day Happy Hour on Mondays! Don’t miss the Cat City Drag Race landing at The Roost on Monday, September 30! Get Happy at The Roost

 

Happy Hour at Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill is 4:00–6:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 2:00–6:00 p.m. Friday–Sunday. Enjoy house margaritas, house wine, beer, or well drinks for just $5 and a selection of appetizers like guacamole, flautas or mole quesadilla for just $6
Get Happy at Rio Azul

Bernie’s in Rancho Mirage is about re-living the atmosphere of what dining used to be. Stop by for martinis, supper and a swingin’ lounge act. Transport yourself to a time when nothing else mattered – except for being cool. Get this HOT DEAL of a $50 gift card for only $35 and see for yourself! Get Your Deal

 

Eight4Nine is a local favorite that is always in fashion in the Uptown Design District of Palm Springs. They offer a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, or happy hour! Take advantage of this HOT DEAL for 40% off and get a $25 gift certificate for just $15! Get Your Deal

 

 

    1. Movies With Messages: Cinema Diverse Highlights Trans Issues and Films by Women in its 12th Year
    2. Palm Springs Life: 44 Things to Do in October
    3. Legacy Wall Showcases LGBTQ Faces of Greatness
    4. The District East: Where One Development Led to Another
    5. Billy Porter’s Historic Emmy Award…and That Hat